Totally Bamboo's 3-Piece Cutting Board Set Is an Attractive, Functional Trio

We purchased the Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

You probably use a cutting board almost every time you cook, so you might as well get one that’s pleasant to use and to see, like this attractive Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Cutting Board Set. Cutting boards protect knives from the damage that can be caused by hard counters, and they protect your counters from knife marks and mess. This set includes three boards in different sizes, but are they everything you’ll need? I sliced and diced, and now I have your answers.

Size: Three sizes for different uses

Of the three options included in this pack, the 9.5 x 13-inch board was the one I used most often. The largest of the set, it gave me the most space to work. The handle cutout on one end was handy for holding or hanging the board, but it also meant I lost about 2 inches of usable space off the length. The second board is 8.5 x 11 inches, and it also has a handle cutout. I used this one for slicing and dicing vegetables and for serving. The smallest board is 6 x 8 inches with no handle, so I could use the entire board. This is the size I'd call a bar board. It was great for cutting a lemon or lime into wedges or mincing a small number of herbs.

Material: Renewable bamboo

Bamboo is increasing in popularity because it’s a fast-growing renewable resource. It’s a little harder than many of the woods used for cutting boards, which I could feel as my knife hit the boards, but it’s still soft enough to protect your knife blades.

Design: So pretty!

There’s no denying it: These are attractive boards. From the grain of the bamboo to the rectangular shape with rounded edges, these boards want to be seen. Sure, I used them in the kitchen for cutting, but I also found myself pulling them out for serving cheese or appetizers. Each board has a small logo in the corner, which I used to identify the top and bottom of the board, thus saving the “serving” side from knife marks and blemishes.

Take a look at our guide to the best gifts for a new cook.

Maintenance: Needs seasoning

Before the first use, I had to season this board by coating with cutting board oil or food-safe mineral oil. The oil soaks into the wood, providing protection against water or food juices that would otherwise soak into the wood. After the first coat, I had a few spots that looked dry, so I touched that up and let the boards sit a little longer. The boards will need to be re-seasoned regularly, to maintain protection. They should also be washed by hand after each use and dried completely before storing.

Durability: Hard, but thin

Bamboo is a strong wood, but at 0.375 inches, these boards are very thin. That slim size was great when I was carrying them or storing them, but I also fear that they’ll crack or break more easily than thicker, sturdier boards. While I found these products were fine for slicing and cutting, I don’t think they should ever meet the business end of a cleaver. However, if they’re well-maintained, they should last for a long time.

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Price: Surprisingly affordable

Considering this is a three-piece set of very attractive cutting boards, the $15 MSRP is very affordable, even if they’re mostly used for serving. However, serious cooks will likely want at least one bigger board that can be used for prepping larger quantities of food.

At 10.5 x 14.5 inches, the similarly priced Oxo Good Grips Utility Cutting Board is slightly larger than the biggest boards in this set, meaning more workspace. Like the Totally Bamboo boards, the Oxo board is reversible, but the Oxo, which I also reviewed, has a juice groove on one of the sides, which allowed me to handle juicy meats without drips falling off the edge. The major difference, however, is the material. The Oxo board is made from food-safe, dishwasher-safe plastic, which requires no maintenance, while the Totally Bamboo boards are made from a renewable material that requires seasoning and must be washed by hand.

For those in the market for a serving board, it’s hard to ignore the Totally Bamboo Tree of Life Bamboo Serving Board. The irregular shape looks like a cut tree stump with dark growth rings, but upon closer inspection, those rings are actually a parade of tiny laser-etched animals. The opposite side of the board is plain, so that can be used for cutting while leaving the decorative side untouched. Like the three-piece set that I reviewed, this board should be hand-washed, and if it’s used for cutting, it will need to be seasoned. But at $30 MSRP, it’s twice as expensive.

The John Boos Block 214 Chop-N-Slice Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board is a kitchen workhorse at 20 x 15 inches and 1.5 inches thick, so it’s much heavier and much larger than any of the boards in the Totally Bamboo set. It’s also more expensive. Serious cooks might appreciate the size and the heft of this board, but cooks with smaller kitchens and more modest needs might find that it’s just a little too big to move and store. Like the Totally Bamboo boards, this needs to be seasoned and it must be washed by hand.

Want to take a look at some other options? Read through our guide to the best cutting boards.