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Gordon Ramsay’s clever cutting board catches scraps and juices for less mess
There's a removable stainless steel tray for catching juices, food scraps, chopped produce and more.
Roasting a whole chicken, a rib roast or your Thanksgiving turkey is a feat in itself. But the cleanup? Now that's where the real winners shine. I used to be a messy chef — cook now, worry about the massive mess later. But when I moved in with my clean-freak boyfriend, I learned (ahem, was highly encouraged) to clean as I go, and now I even try to prevent messes in the first place. That's a major reason why I was excited to get my hands on Gordon Ramsay's Hexclad Hybrid Carving and Cutting Board ahead of Thanksgiving. It has a removable tray to collect all of the juices as you carve, so you can keep them from running onto your counter, and then you can use them in a tasty gravy or jus. Seriously, Ramsay and team thought of everything with this one!
Yes, this is a pricey cutting board, but it's made of solid beechwood and it has two sides, plus a removable drip tray for catching juices and food scraps.
If you haven't heard of Hexclad, let us bring you up to speed. The brand specializes in high-quality, dual-functioning products, including its famed pans that are a cross between nonstick and stainless steel. Impressed by their durability and versatility, Ramsay joined on as an investor and says he uses the pans both at home and in his restaurants, praising the pieces for cooking "exceptionally well."
While the pans have been steadily claiming the limelight, I've been quietly obsessed with the brand's hybrid cutting board. It's designed for carving meat on one side and chopping up produce on the other, and it's my new favorite kitchen gadget.
This baby is heavy-duty (and actually a little bit heavy), so it won't slip around as I carve the turkey this year. In fact, that bird's not going anywhere at all, thanks to the engraved hexagons that give it some traction. Oh! And those little hexagons? They also act as trenches for draining away juices conveniently into a removable stainless steel tray so they won't leak all over your countertop, and you can toss them right into your pan to make gravy if you want to.
Now, when you flip the board over, it's a smooth wood surface, perfect for dicing and mincing fruits and veggies. The versatile, removable stainless steel tray is what makes this piece stand out. In addition to catching juices and food scraps, you can slide all of your chopped veggies into it and then easily transfer them into your pans for cooking. No more dropping little bits of minced garlic on your way to your cooktop.
The board is made out of high-quality beechwood that's easier on your knives than glass or plastic, and because it's wood, there's no chance of ingesting harmful microplastics (because, yes, that's a thing you can get from other cutting boards). And even though it is heavy, there's a built-in handle on one side that makes carrying it a breeze.
"So nice to carve a juicy prime rib without the juices running off the cutting board onto the countertop. The drip pan is a great idea, especially if you want to make gravy. Great purchase," said one reviewer on Hexclad's website.
"This cutting board [went] well above my expectations!" said one shopper. "The two different prep sides along with the pan that acts as either a drip pan or a place for vegetable cuttings to be discarded makes it so functional. Or chop an onion and push it into the drip pan and then empty it right into your sauté pan. This year we carved our Thanksgiving turkey with no mess. It’s definitely worth the money in terms of functionality and you can tell it will last a lifetime."
Another cheekily added: "This board is so heavy! It is perfect for slicing meats, the juices flow out and into the reservoir, keeping your workspace neat and clean. And, bonus! You can always use it as a hefty weapon should intruders kick in your door from the great-smelling food you're cooking!"
This board certainly deserves its accolades, but I do have to mention the downside: It's $199. Before you balk at that price, do keep in mind that standard beechwood cutting boards of this size will run you between $100–$200 — and that's without innovative design features. The fact that you get two boards in one and the little tray is what makes it worth it to me.
Actually, what really makes it worth it to me is that it helps me prevent big messes as I'm cooking, so I can enjoy my meal without worrying about the cleanup after.
This is the carving side of the board with the aforementioned hexagonal juices catchers.
Like any wooden cutting board, it's an investment that will last for years to come, so you better take care of it! Get a food-grade mineral oil to season it before using it.
Start by washing the board with warm, soapy water, rinsing it and letting it dry completely. Then, apply a small amount of this food-grade mineral oil to the board and let sit for a few hours to absorb into the wood before using.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
