Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Misfits
Wait. Are Misfit Boards defective boards or “seconds”?
Not at all. This is our endearing way we describer our “Misfits”. It’s the personality of our boards—not the quality.
Any board we offer are downright beautiful. What makes them Misfits is that they aren’t all stamped out to the same specification. One might have a deeper juice groove. Another might have feet. Another might have stainless-steel trays, a cutout, an unusual proportion or a grain pattern we couldn’t reproduce if we tried.
They’re individuals.
Think rescue dog, not factory clone. You’re choosing the one that belongs in your kitchen.
Why is every Misfit Board a little different?
Because wood is a natural material—and because we like it that way.
Grain, color and tone naturally vary from tree to tree and board to board. On top of that, many Misfits have their own dimensions, grooves, feet, trays and other features.
We don’t try to make every board look exactly like the one before it. Individuality is part of the point.
Why does a Misfit Board cost more than an ordinary cutting board?
Because there isn’t much ordinary about making one.
End-grain construction requires substantially more material, machining, glue-up, flattening, sanding, finishing and hands-on work than a basic cutting board. Add thick premium hardwood, large sizes and, on some Misfits, stainless-steel trays and other individually built features, and there is a lot hiding beneath that pretty face.
You’re buying a serious kitchen tool that also happens to be a piece of craftsmanship.
We build them to be used—not merely admired.
Do you make custom boards?
Yes. But the heart of Misfit Boards is our collection of already-made, one-of-a-kind boards looking for their Forever Kitchens.
If you need something built around a particular size, configuration or idea, customer inlay or etching, visit our Custom Orders section.
Otherwise, browse the available Misfits. Sometimes the right board finds you.
Choosing Your Misfit
Why end grain?
Look closely at an end-grain board and you’re essentially looking into the ends of thousands of wood fibers.
Instead of repeatedly chopping across long wood fibers, your knife works between those vertically oriented fibers. The result is the distinctive cutting feel end grain is known for, less visible knife marking than many edge-grain boards, and a surface that is generally kind to quality knife edges.
It also happens to produce some spectacular grain patterns.
There is a tradeoff: end-grain boards appreciate a little more care.
We think they’re worth it.
Why do you use only walnut, maple and cherry?
Because they offer an excellent combination of beauty, durability and knife friendliness.
Walnut is rich, dark and dramatic.
Maple is lighter, clean and classic.
Cherry brings warm reddish tones that deepen beautifully with age.
Some of our Mutts combine species for a completely different personality.
Choosing among them is largely a matter of what you want to see sitting in your kitchen every day. They’re all meant to work.
What’s the difference between Puppies, Workers, Giants and Mutts?
It’s our slightly less boring way of helping you find the right board.
Puppies are our smaller companions—easy to live with and great for everyday prep.
Workers give you considerably more working room and are a terrific everyday size for serious cooks.
Giants are exactly what they sound like: big, substantial boards designed to command some countertop real estate.
And Mutts?
Mutts refuse to fit neatly into a category. Different sizes, unusual shapes, mixed woods or configurations that simply became their own thing.
Every individual product page gives you the exact dimensions and features of that particular board.
Why do some boards have juice grooves, trays or feet while others don’t?
Because they’re Misfits.
A juice groove can be extremely useful when carving meat. Many of our juice grooves have precision grading allowing for gravity to help moving juices from the board to the tray. Stainless-steel trays can make prep and organization easier. Feet can provide stability and airflow beneath the board. Other cooks prefer a clean, uninterrupted cutting surface or a board that can be used from both sides.
Rather than pretending there is one perfect configuration for everyone, we make different boards with different personalities.
Check the product description carefully. What you see listed there is part of that particular Misfit.
Living With Your Misfit
This thing is beautiful. Am I really supposed to cut on it?
Our Misfits were born to work hard and play hard, so please do.
We appreciate the compliment, but a Misfit Board isn’t wall art disguised as cookware.
Knife marks and signs of use are part of owning a real cutting board. End grain does a particularly good job of making normal wear less visually aggressive, and proper conditioning keeps the wood looking beautiful as it ages.
A loved cutting board should eventually look like somebody cooks in the house.
How do I clean my board?
Keep it simple.
Give it a prompt hand wash with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft sponge or cloth. Towel it dry, then allow air to circulate around it so it can finish drying completely.
No soaking. No leaving it wet in the sink.
And absolutely no dishwasher.
Think workhorse. Not submarine.
For deeper cleaning and complete instructions, visit our Care page. /care
How often should I oil or condition my board?
There isn’t a magic calendar date.
Usage, washing frequency, humidity and environment all affect how quickly a wooden board dries out.
Our simple rule: check it monthly and condition as needed.
If the wood begins looking noticeably dry, pale or thirsty, it’s asking for attention.
Use a food-grade mineral oil or the conditioning product recommended in our Care guide. Avoid ordinary cooking oils such as olive or vegetable oil; they can oxidize and become rancid.
/care
Can I cut raw meat or poultry on a Misfit Board?
Yes, wooden cutting boards can be used for meat and poultry when they are properly cleaned and handled.
After contact with raw meat, wash the board promptly and thoroughly and avoid cross-contaminating foods that will be eaten without further cooking.
Many people choose to keep a separate board for raw proteins and another for vegetables, bread and ready-to-eat foods. That’s a perfectly sensible approach.
Either way, good kitchen hygiene matters more than giving your cutting board a complicated chemistry lesson.
Will knives leave marks?
Eventually, yes.
It’s a cutting board.
Normal knife marks are not a defect. One of the advantages of end-grain construction is that routine knife wear tends to be considerably less conspicuous than it is on many other cutting surfaces.
One caution: serrated knives behave more like tiny saws and can leave deeper marks. When possible, do your aggressive sawing somewhere else.
Your Misfit will appreciate it.
How do I keep my board from warping or cracking?
Control the moisture.
The biggest enemies of a substantial wooden cutting board are prolonged water exposure, extreme heat and large moisture differences between one side and the other.
Wash it promptly. Dry it thoroughly. Give it airflow. Condition it when it needs it. Don’t soak it, leave it on a wet towel, put it in the dishwasher or park a scorching-hot pan on top of it.
Wood moves. Proper care keeps that movement under control.
What about stains, onion or garlic smells, and everyday wear?
They’re usually manageable.
Strongly colored foods may temporarily mark lighter woods, and aromatic foods such as onions and garlic can occasionally leave some personality behind.
Prompt cleaning and regular conditioning help considerably. Our Care page includes instructions for dealing with stains and odors without unnecessarily attacking the wood. /care
And remember: your board does not need to remain showroom-perfect to remain beautiful.
Can a Misfit Board be restored after years of use?
In many cases, yes.
One of the wonderful things about a substantial wooden cutting board is that years of cosmetic wear don’t necessarily mean the end of its useful life. Depending on its construction and condition, a well-used board can often be professionally resurfaced, sanded and reconditioned.
If yours eventually looks like it has lived a very full kitchen life, contact us before attacking it with a belt sander.
We’ll point you in the right direction.
Orders, Shipping & Support
What if something isn’t right with my board?
Talk to us.
These are natural wood products and some variation is part of what makes them beautiful. But cracks, open joints, shipping damage and genuine manufacturing issues are different from natural grain, color variation or normal wear.
If something doesn’t seem right when your Misfit arrives, take a few photographs and contact us.
We’ll work to make it right.
For the formal details, please review our Shipping & Returns, Refunds, and applicable warranty terms.