Last Updated: November 11, 2026
Epicurean boards are not made of wood, plastic, or bamboo in the traditional sense. They are a pressed wood-fiber composite that goes in the dishwasher, shrugs off heat, and does not shed microplastics, which is why the brand has a loyal following among cooks who got tired of warped wooden boards and knife-scarred plastic ones. The real choice is not whether to buy Epicurean, but which of its two lines and which of its sizes fits your counter and the way you chop.
This guide is for home cooks choosing among the Kitchen Series, the plain reversible boards, and the All-In-One boards that add a juice groove and non-slip feet. Because the catalog repeats each size in several colors, the reviews below cover each distinct size and style once. The comparison relies on listing details such as dimensions, the dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant claims, and the Made in the USA label. Heading into 2026, a thin, flat board that slides into a drawer and goes through the dishwasher is a practical antidote to the bulky butcher block.
Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board, 11.5-Inch × 9-Inch, Natural | Microplastics free, dishwasher safe, lightweight reversible design, knife friendly, heat resistant, USA made
Included for '6 Best Epicurean Cutting Boards (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 11.5-Inch × 9-Inch and Natural, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Epicurean All-In-One Cutting Board with Non-Slip Feet and Juice Groove, 14.5" × 11.25", Natural/Black
Included for '6 Best Epicurean Cutting Boards (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 14.5" × 11.25" and Natural/Black, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Epicurean Kitchen Series 14.5" × 11.25" Cutting Board, Non-Toxic, Dishwasher Safe, Made in the USA, Nutmeg
Included for '6 Best Epicurean Cutting Boards (November 2026)' because the listing specifies Non-Toxic and Dishwasher Safe, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board, 14.5 x 11.25 Inch, Natural
Included for '6 Best Epicurean Cutting Boards (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 14.5 x 11.25 Inch and Natural, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Epicurean All-In-One Cutting Board with Juice Groove, 14.5 x 11.25, Nutmeg | Wood fiber prep station featuring non-slip feet. Dishwasher safe, knife friendly, microplastics free, and made in the USA
Included for '6 Best Epicurean Cutting Boards (November 2026)' because the listing specifies 14.5 x 11.25 and Nutmeg, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Epicurean Kitchen Series 14.5" × 11.25" Cutting Board, Non-Toxic, Dishwasher Safe, Made in the USA, Slate
Included for '6 Best Epicurean Cutting Boards (November 2026)' because the listing specifies Non-Toxic and Dishwasher Safe, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonQuick Picks
| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Series 8″ x 6″ | Garnishes, fruit, bar prep | Lightweight, reversible, dishwasher safe |
| Kitchen Series 11.5″ x 9″ | Small kitchens and quick tasks | Microplastics free, knife friendly |
| Kitchen Series 14.5″ x 11.25″ | Everyday chopping | Non-toxic, Made in the USA |
| All-In-One 14.5″ x 11.25″ | Juicy produce and meat | Non-slip feet and juice groove |
| Kitchen Series 17.5″ x 13″ | Big prep jobs | Heat resistant, reversible |
| All-In-One 17.5″ x 13″ | Roasts and holiday prep | Juice groove, non-slip prep station |
How to Choose
Size and counter space
Sizes run from 8 by 6 inches up to 17.5 by 13 inches. A board should be big enough that food does not crowd the edge, but small enough to fit in your sink and dishwasher. For a typical home kitchen, 14.5 by 11.25 inches is the sweet spot: it handles an onion and a head of broccoli at once. Anything smaller works for secondary tasks, while the largest is for roasts and holiday cooking. Measure your dishwasher rack and sink before committing to the biggest board.
Kitchen Series versus All-In-One
The Kitchen Series is a thin, reversible slab that you can flip when one side gets scarred. The All-In-One adds non-slip feet and a juice groove, which makes it better for carving, tomatoes, and raw meat. The trade-off is that feet and a groove mean the board is no longer reversible. If you value two usable faces, pick the Kitchen Series. If you value a stable surface and contained juice, pick the All-In-One.
Material, heat and knife care
Epicurean boards are described as heat resistant, so they can double as a trivet for a hot pan in a pinch. They are also described as knife friendly, which in practice means a firm but not glassy surface. Dishwasher washing is listed as safe, but hand washing and occasional sanding of heavy scratches extends life. Avoid soaking, and dry boards upright so water does not sit on one face.
What to ignore
Ignore color names like Nutmeg, Slate, and Natural; they are cosmetic. Watch for sellers that list a different size under the same product name, and confirm on the listing the dimensions. Also, a Made in the USA label is not a performance measure, though it can matter to you for other reasons. Budget alternatives often skip the juice groove and non-slip feet, so compare features rather than looks. A thinner board also tends to flex under a heavy cleaver, so think about how forcefully you chop before choosing the smallest sizes. If you split a kitchen between raw meat and produce, owning two boards in different colors is a simple hygiene habit that costs little.
The 6 Best Options
Epicurean Kitchen Series 8″ x 6″
The smallest board in the group is a lightweight, reversible 8 by 6 inch Natural slab that is dishwasher safe and listed as microplastics free. Cooks use a board this size for limes, garnishes, cheese, and bar prep, where a full board would be overkill. It slides easily into a drawer and is light enough to carry to a patio.
- Strength: small footprint and low weight.
- Strength: reversible and dishwasher safe, according to the title.
- Trade-off: it is too small for a whole onion or a bunch of herbs.
Skip it if you need your only board to handle main-course prep. As a second board for fruit or cocktail work, it is hard to beat for convenience. Confirm on the listing the thickness, since the title mentions only the length and width.
Epicurean Kitchen Series 11.5″ x 9″
At 11.5 by 9 inches, this is the board for compact kitchens and fast tasks like slicing a sandwich or dicing a shallot. The title lists it as microplastics free, dishwasher safe, lightweight, reversible, knife friendly, and heat resistant. The reversible design gives you a second side after the first picks up stains.
- Strength: fits small sinks and shallow drawers.
- Strength: reversible with a heat-resistant surface.
- Trade-off: tight for big produce or meat.
Skip it if you cook for a family and regularly chop several vegetables at once. It works well for apartment cooks and for a second station on the counter. Confirm the color you receive, as the listing shows the Natural and Nutmeg versions in the same size range. It also works well as a dedicated board for strongly flavored foods like onions and garlic, keeping those aromas away from your larger board.
Epicurean Kitchen Series 14.5″ x 11.25″
This mid-size board is the all-rounder, offered in Natural, Nutmeg, and Slate. The title calls it non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and Made in the USA, and 14.5 by 11.25 inches gives enough room for most weeknight prep. Because it is a Kitchen Series model, it is reversible and does not have a groove or feet.
- Strength: right-sized for daily chopping.
- Strength: reversible with a simple flat design.
The trade-off is that without feet it can slide on a smooth counter, so a damp towel underneath helps. Skip it if you carve meat often and want a groove to catch juice. It is the board most buyers will find themselves reaching for, because it handles the widest range of everyday cutting tasks without dominating the counter. Color is the only real choice to make: Natural reads as a classic wood tone, while Nutmeg and Slate hide stains differently.
Epicurean All-In-One 14.5″ x 11.25″
The All-In-One adds non-slip feet and a juice groove to the same 14.5 by 11.25 inch size, described as a wood-fiber prep station. It is the better pick for tomatoes, citrus, grilled meats, and anything juicy. The feet keep it planted while you work, which is a safety benefit as much as a convenience.
- Strength: non-slip feet reduce sliding on the counter.
- Strength: juice groove contains liquids.
- Trade-off: the feet and groove mean it is not reversible.
Skip it if you want a flip-and-use board or a very thin profile for tight storage. Confirm on the listing whether your color, Natural/Black or Nutmeg, is the one you want, since the two-tone version looks different on the counter. Home cooks who prep raw chicken or marinated meats will like that the raised feet keep the board from creeping, and the groove keeps liquid off the counter and out of the cracks beneath.
Epicurean Kitchen Series 17.5″ x 13″
The large Kitchen Series board measures 17.5 by 13 inches, with a lightweight, reversible, heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe build. This is the board for holiday prep, big batches of vegetables, or cooks who like room to sweep scraps aside. It can also serve as a serving platter or a hot pan trivet in a pinch.
- Strength: generous work surface for large jobs.
- Strength: reversible, so one side can be kept clean.
- Trade-off: it takes up real storage space and may not fit a small dishwasher rack.
Skip it if your kitchen is compact or you rarely cook large meals. Measure the sink first, because a board this size can be awkward to wash by hand. Because the board is lightweight for its size, it is easy to move from counter to table, which makes it handy for serving bread, cheese, or a sliced roast. Store it on its edge in a cabinet slot, where it takes little floor space.
Epicurean All-In-One 17.5″ x 13″
This is the largest and most capable model here, a 17.5 by 13 inch All-In-One with a juice groove, non-slip feet, and a Nutmeg finish, described as Made in the USA and dishwasher safe. It is built for carving a roast, trimming a brisket, or breaking down several vegetables at once. The groove keeps liquid off the counter.
- Strength: big surface with juice containment.
- Strength: feet that keep it steady during heavy cutting.
- Trade-off: it is the bulkiest option, and not reversible.
Skip it if storage is tight or you want a thin board that tucks into a cabinet slot. For people who host, the size pays off. Confirm on the listing that the groove depth suits the juiciness of the foods you carve. For a big turkey or brisket, a shallow groove can overflow, so slide a rimmed sheet pan underneath for insurance.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You cook for one or two in a small kitchen
The Kitchen Series 11.5 by 9 inch board gives you reversible, dishwasher-safe prep without taking over the counter.
You want one board for everything
Go with the Kitchen Series 14.5 by 11.25 inch size, which handles most weeknight chopping and is easy to wash.
You carve meat and slice tomatoes
The All-In-One 14.5 by 11.25 inch adds the juice groove and non-slip feet you will use every time.
You host holiday dinners
The All-In-One 17.5 by 13 inch is the board for roasts, and the Kitchen Series 17.5 by 13 inch works if you prefer reversible.
Common Mistakes
- Buying the biggest board without measuring the sink or dishwasher.
- Choosing a Kitchen Series board when you really want a juice groove.
- Soaking the board for long periods instead of washing and drying it promptly.
- Stacking boards while still damp, which can leave marks.
- Assuming color matters for performance, when it is only a cosmetic choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Epicurean board really dishwasher safe?
The listings say so. Many owners still hand wash to extend life, and drying the board upright prevents water from pooling on one side.
Will it dull my knives?
The listings describe the boards as knife friendly. A firm composite is gentler than glass or stone, but regular honing keeps edges sharp whatever board you choose.
Can I put a hot pan on it?
Epicurean describes the surface as heat resistant. Use a short placement as a trivet, not a long stay, and check the manufacturer’s stated temperature limit.
How do I remove stains and scratches?
Scrub with baking soda and water, or lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper. Flip a reversible board to a clean side if one face looks worn. A light pass with fine sandpaper works best with the grain, followed by a rinse and a full dry. Do this once or twice a year rather than waiting for deep scarring, and the surface keeps its look for a long time.
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