Bamboo vs. Plastic Cutting Board: Which Is Better?
By Breville | High End Kitchen & Cooking Appliances | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Comparisons
Compare bamboo and plastic cutting boards for your Breville Smart Oven. Discover the trade-offs in durability, hygiene, and knife care to choose the right one.
Quick answer
For a Breville Smart Oven, a bamboo cutting board is generally the better choice due to its natural antibacterial properties and durability, but a plastic board is easier to sanitize and better for raw meat.
Durability and knife wear
Bamboo is harder than most plastic boards, which means it resists deep knife marks over time. However, that hardness can dull your knives faster if you use heavy chopping motions. Plastic boards are softer on blades but develop grooves that can harbor bacteria.
Hygiene and maintenance
Bamboo has natural antibacterial properties and absorbs very little moisture, making it less prone to warping and bacterial growth in normal use. Plastic boards can be washed in a dishwasher at high temperatures, which kills bacteria more thoroughly—something bamboo cannot handle.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Bamboo: Naturally antimicrobial, resists moisture and knife marks, fits perfectly on Breville Smart Oven models BOV800, BOV845, and BOV860. Best for dry chopping tasks like vegetables, fruits, and bread.
- Plastic: Dishwasher-safe, softer on knife edges, inexpensive to replace, but develops grooves that can trap bacteria over time. Ideal for raw meat, poultry, or seafood where high-heat sanitizing is needed.
- Compatibility: The Breville Bamboo Cutting Board (45 x 25.6 x 1.9 cm) is sized to sit on top of your Smart Oven, saving counter space. Plastic boards of similar size are available but may not fit the oven top securely. If you use the board on your Smart Oven, choose the Bamboo Cutting Board for a perfect fit.
Product facts
- Bamboo Cutting Board for the Smart Oven®: Bamboo cutting boards are ideal as they absorb very little moisture and have natural antibacterial properties. They are also harder than most cutting boards and are less prone to knife markings over time. This means the Bamboo Cutting Board for the Smart Oven stays cleaner between uses and looks newer longer, but it may dull knives slightly faster than a plastic board.
Bamboo Cutting Board for the Smart Oven®
Which one should you choose?
Best for
- Everyday prep of fruits, vegetables, and breads on your Breville Smart Oven
- Those who want a durable, low-maintenance board with natural hygiene benefits
Not for
- Frequent raw meat cutting where dishwasher sanitizing is essential
- Users who prefer a very soft cutting surface to protect high-end knife edges
