Care & Use
Please see below information on each type of material T&G uses and the care & use of each.
Hevea
(Braziliensis – wood from the rubber tree) this is a white tropical hardwood from the rubber tree, which is planted mainly for natural rubber production. The major rubber producing countries are Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand which together account for approximately 74% of the total plantation area.
Hevea is very ecologically sound. After 25-30 years, when the trees are approximately 15 inches in diameter, they are unable to produce sufficient latex for conversion by the rubber factory, so they are felled and replaced by young trees. There is the added value of a very useful and attractive timber, which is hard and stable, reducing the likelihood of warping. The beautiful finish and light grain looks great on salad bowls as well as boards. Hevea can be successfully colour stained for co-ordination and waxed or oiled to seal the wood enhancing its appearance and prolonging its “working life”.
Care & Use:All T&G Hevea products have been sealed with a non-toxic protective lacquer to enhance the appearance and to help prevent the absorption of water when washed. To clean simply wipe over the surface with a damp cloth or wash in warm soapy water, do not soak.
As with all Woodware, hevea and acacia can dry out with use, so an occasional wipe with T&G’s wood treatment oil or a mineral oil does much to restore the original natural appearance.
Acacia
Acacia is a durable hard wood from fast growing trees. The beautiful grain and varied colour gives products a warm rich colour which is ideal for decorative and everyday use products. The hard wood of Acacia is ideal for kitchenware products such as boards and bowls.
Care & Use: All T&G Acacia products have been sealed with a non-toxic protective lacquer to enhance the appearance and to help prevent the absorption of water when washed. To clean simply wipe over the surface with a damp cloth or wash in warm soapy water, do not soak.
As with all Woodware, hevea and acacia can dry out with use, so an occasional wipe with T&G’s wood treatment oil or a mineral oil does much to restore the original natural appearance.
Beech
A beautiful warm wood, a northern temperate hardwood from a medium sized tree, averaging 30m high. Beech is a pale cream colour with a straight grain; it is fine textured with small spindle shaped markings. It adapts well to humidity and is ideally suited to the production of kitchen utensils such as spoons, spatulas, rolling pins and chopping boards. In Europe it is the most commonly used timber for the production of food preparation products and kitchen furniture. Nearly all T&G beechwood products are European FSC sourced.
Beechwood can be successfully colour stained for co-ordination and waxed or oiled to seal the wood enhancing it’s appearance and prolonging it’s “working life”.
Care & Use: To clean simply rinse under hot water using detergent and dry with clean paper towelling, as tea towels made from fabric are known to harbour germs. If a board has accidentally been soaked, the surface can be hardened again by scattering table salt thickly over the board and leaving it overnight to absorb all the moisture. Salt also has a slightly abrasive cleaning action if rubbed onto the board dry and will take away the smell of garlic and onion fairly successfully. Lemon juice can be effectively used to bleach out stains on chopping boards.
As with any wooden product a board should not be soaked in water for any length of time. If it is, it will swell and then warp once the drying process begins. A common problem resulting from modern busy lifestyles is to rinse or wash a chopping board and then leave it standing to dry. It is important to point out that if this method is adopted the board should never be allowed to stand upright on its jointed end, otherwise the draining water can be drawn up the grain by the capillary action softening the joints which will probably split and warp. The best way is to dry off excess water and rest it on its non-jointed side.
Both sides of the board can be used for food preparation. There is no cross-contamination between wooden boards so long as they are cleaned and dried properly.
A final tip to enhance the appearance and ensure longer life of a chopping board is to coat it frequently with T&G Wood Treatment Oil or mineral oil.
Bamboo
Is not a wood, it is a grass. T&G’s bamboo boards perfectly combine a strong oriental theme with the trend towards natural and textured materials. Bamboo is a sustainable resource, has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which makes an ideal material for chopping/serving boards.
Care & Use: To clean wipe with a damp cloth, take care not to over wet and do not soak. It should be stored in an airy position away from direct heat. Boards should be oiled regularly.
Board Care
Download our Chopping Board Care Guide
Cork
Cork is in fact the outer bark of the cork oak, which is grown commercially in a narrow belt stretching through Portugal, Spain and the South of France and along the North African coast.
The bark is stripped only in summer and the first stripping must wait until the tree is about twenty years old. Subsequent strippings take place every nine or ten years.
This makes cork an ecologically acceptable product, as it is one of the few materials, which regenerates itself.
Care & Use: Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove any food particles or light stains. An occasional scrub with a dish brush will remove any stubborn deposits. If surface staining should occur, it can be easily remedied by rubbing over the area with a kitchen abrasive such as Cif, using a nylon scouring pad. Cork does not absorb stains so discolouring is a surface coating.
Cork Bathmats: this cork product is given a final sanded finish so that it reaches you with a smooth surface. Fine dust particles of cork remain on the surface which when wet will drain off to the edge. To remove from a carpet simply wait until the area is totally dry and vacuum with a brush attachment brushing vigorously until all the particles have been removed. Do not attempt to clean with any chemicals or wet applications as this will merely bind with the carpet fibres until it is dry again. For ease of use just stand the mat upright in the bath/shower after use.
Marble
Marble is a crystalline form of limestone. It is a completely natural material with a cool polished surface, which is ideal for pastry making, storage and food presentation. Marble is not suitable as a cutting surface and is not for use with acidic products such as lemons.
As black marble is rarer than white some items are slightly more expensive.
As a natural material variations should be expected.
Care & Use: Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Acid foodstuffs can pit marble as can prolonged contact with water. Do not use marble as a cutting surface.
Fossil Stone
Fossil Stone a completely natural material made from
compressed sea shells which makes a hard and durable surface. As with marble, fossil stone has a naturally porous surface, care should be taken to remove spillages of fruit juice, particularly lemon, wine and vinegar, beetroot. It is not suitable as a cutting surface but is ideal for grinding and food presentation. As a natural material variations should be expected.
Care & Use: Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Acid foodstuffs can pit the surface as can prolonged contact with water. Do not use as a cutting surface.