cutting boards

[dread head vegan]

this might be kind of weird question but where can you get a Big cutting board?? like big enough to cover a stove?? i seen one in a store but it was almost $90:eek: thanks

[Lilly the Naiad]

Go to a hardware store, a place like IKEA or the equivalent in the US, Homedepot? Buy wood and make it yourself? Shouldn't be too complicated :)

[baltochef]

dread head vegan

Any cutting board large enough to completly cover a 4-burner stove's top will be relatively expensive..

The least exspensive will be a polypropylene plastic 18" x 24" full-size board, like those used in restaurants..Expect to pay between 25-30 USD for one..Won't be a perfect fit as far as covering the stove is concerned..

Traditional laminated edge-grain hardwood cutting boards will cost more, up to & above the $99.00 price that you saw..

Placing a good quality board directly on the burner grates of a gas stove & working on the board; will eventually damage the wood's surface as the board constantly shifts while in use..

An electric stove will not damage the wood as much, as the burner coils are flat; but it is still steel rubbing against wood..Steel always wins..

Only by placing something between the grates & the cutting board (like a piece of towel or something similar) will you be able to avoid this..

Are you going to be working around this particular stove for some time to come??..

If so, I would do as Lilly suggests..

I would go to some place that would cut me a piece of 3/4" birch cabinet-grade plywood, measured & cut to fit the perimeter of the stove in question..

Than take four pieces of 3/4" x 3/4", or 1" x 1" pine square stock that are cut to the lengths of the four sides..

Pilot drill holes through the plywood into the pine square stock..

Countersink the holes on the good face of the plywood..

Using stainless steel flat-head sheet metal screws, attach the plywood to the square stock..

If possible, use a 1/4" round over bit in a router to trim down the edges of the square stock..This will eliminate the possibility of splintering, & reduce any possible damage to the stove's surface..

Finish the wood with the finish of your choice..A non-toxic food safe oil would be my personal choice..

Now you have a work surface that is raised above the burner grates or coils..

It will be strong enough to support a cutting board, as well as to allow you to actually work on the stove without damaging either the stove or the cutting board..

Place your cutting board on top of this covering, & CUT THOSE VEGGIES!!..

Bruce

[Yana]

I would do as baltochef says, but if you would rather purchase something, these (http://www.instawares.com/cutting-boards.6924.4.8013.0.0.8.htm) seem to be a good option, most of them are for a set of 6.

[LearningDaily]

Wow Bruce, I guess I have been paying attention to my woodworking husband after all....I totally understood every bit of your post. LOL :D

[baltochef]

LearningDaily

Now that you understand him, maybe your husband will buy you your own saw & drill for your birthday, instead of the _______________ (fill-in-the blank) that you covet!!..

Bruce

[exurb]

excellent post Bruce, and good idea to float it above the burners like that!! I have a homemade plywood cutting board that's huge (for making bread doughs etc in a past life LOL) I love those types of cutting boards in general!

I saw at a discount designer store (Winners) a unit made of glass for the same purpose. It was in two pieces, that floated two separate glass cutting boards above the burners of a standard range. It was pretty cool too, but I wouldn't know where to say to get one, as that store is the sort of store that gets the stuff that didn't sell at other places and has them at a discount, so it's very random what their stock is. It also made me think you could put a center rib down between the burners on the underside structure of what Bruce said, for more stability and because you might be generally cutting in the middle. I would think 1x2s are an option if you put them vertically as well, if those are easier to get your hands on or you have some lying around.

[baltochef]

Exurb

A center rib certainatly won't hurt..

The 3/4" plywood has enough structural strength to avoid bowing, unless you plan to put heavy weights on it, a la storage..

If storage is the order of the day, then I would defineatly add the center rib..

Bruce

P.S. Where did you purchase the silicone baking sheets that you trimmed to fit your dehydrator??..