10 things to know about creating your own Charcuterie Board
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You’ve probably heard of charcuterie boards before, but you may not know how to create your own or the different options available to you. Even if you already have one made, there are some things that you may want to consider doing differently or re-doing entirely if it no longer meets your needs or standards. This article will introduce you to the basics of charcuterie boards and offer some tips for creating your own customized charcuterie board that you can proudly display in your home at all times. Here are 10 things you need to know when it comes time to craft your own customized wooden charcuterie board.
First, you’ll want to lay out the plan for the finished product. This includes considering the materials, overall design and size. Once you have a clear idea of what you want, it’s time to gather all of the supplies you’ll need: woodworking tools like a jigsaw, hand saw and screwdriver; building materials like screws and nails; hardware such as hinges or latches; food ingredients and serving trays. The level of detail will depend on your project but an important step is thinking about how everything will come together. You can either start from scratch or buy a completed kit with many of the components already included. Your local woodworking store will likely have a variety of starter kits in the different types of wood that they sell. For those of you that have a tendency to lean towards the slab style boards, there should be those available at these locations as well.
Charcuterie comes from the French word charcuterie, which is derived from the verb charcuter, meaning to cut up. This refers to the art of preparing and cooking different kinds of meat. The typical charcuterie board will include a selection of cured and cooked meats, ranging from raw chicken liver pâté to cooked duck prosciutto.
Traditionally, charcuterie boards are crafted with wood. There are many types of wood that can be used for a charcuterie board, such as oak, walnut and maple; you should definitely consider all factors before selecting a type of wood. Its important to consider the hardness of the wood species if you do plan to cut on it as well.
Woodworking stores have a variety of options, whether you’re looking for something lightweight like cedar or something sturdier like walnut. If you’re handy with a saw, consider buying wood from a local sawmill. They usually have the ability to flatten the wood to get you well on your way. You can also easily buy finished charcuterie boards online; just look for locally sourced wood to ensure your supporting local businesses.
One of the first questions to consider when choosing a size is where you plan to store the board when not in use. A small board that fits easily into a cupboard or drawer may be better suited for an urban kitchen, while a bigger board will likely be more practical in a country home where it’s easy to store. Whatever your space constraints are, make sure the design allows you to securely store the board when not in use without taking up too much valuable storage space inside. Woodworking Charcuterie Board often have handles in them that give you a option to hang it.
Check out Pinterest for some design ideas. Search woodworking charcuterie boards and you’ll find tons of DIY templates, tutorials, and examples from professional designers. If you want to get even more hands-on, Google DIY charcuterie boards for tutorials or inspiration.
There's no need to overthink this. To remember that a charcuterie board is simply a board. if your board is pretty flat, you can sometimes remove the wobble just by sanding any high spots. And if your choice of lumber is especially bumpy, there are feet available to help. once the primer dries, it's important to sand it from each grit, starting at about 120 through at least 200. Scribiling on the surface with a pencil before each sanding will ensure that you're sanding it uniformly.
If you’ve smoothed it and sanded it down, now is the time to cut the final shape or size you’d like. Adding a hole in it is optional, but provides an option to hang it. Cutting the shape can be easily done with a jigsaw or a band saw. If you don't have one or are uncomfortable with them, find a friend or family member that is. An affordable jigsaw can be purchased to do the task. A design can be drawn out freehand or with a template that can be purchased, printed, and taped to the surface. If you're sketching freehand bowls or cups might help keep corners properly round.
Several finishing options are available, but make sure they are food safe. A mineral oil, or other plant-based oils, would be perfect. It is important to know that just because something is food safe doesn't mean it's completely safe or that it doesn't have any harmful chemicals in it. Our company, for example, uses a brand known as Walrus Oil, rest assure there are no walruses involved in there production process. This brand carries a variety of non toxic food safe oils and waxes.
There are tons of options for purchasing these beautiful pieces of art. Of course we would love for you to consider our boards which are made in our family owned woodshop in Georgetown, Kentucky. If your like us and love supporting local businesses chances are that there is a great option in your area. In past times Etsy has been a great option as well but we have found that a common practice now it to purchase mass produced boards from over seas then add personalization for the customer. Just be aware and on the lookout for this as your not going to be purchasing the same quality board in most cases.
For now, we'll do a light version of how to take care of your board but if you want more depth on the subject, you can read our article and it'll help ensure that your board lasts you a lifetime. Feel free to check out our collection of charcuterie boards if you're interested in our work. I hope you enjoy reading this blog, and I wish you the best of luck on your adventure!!.