Short Answer is “You can’t”.
If you’re wondering if a wood cutting board can be put in an oven, the answer is you cannot. A wood cutting board and heat do not mix. But in reality, to know the answer to that question, you must consider how wood and heat might interact, and why an oven and cutting board don’t mix well at all.
After all, wood is a natural material, and though it tolerates very well the ordinary wear and tear in a kitchen, it does not take high heat well at all. The wood in your cutting board begins to dry in the high temperatures within an oven. This drying is associated not only with the loss of moisture but results in a change in the structure of wood.
Drying of wood starts a process of shrinkage. This shrinkage can in turn draw out distortion in the wood or even cracks, destroying a cutting board’s characteristic flat smoothness that makes it work so well in the first place. But the damage doesn’t stop there. Cutting boards are typically made by gluing together several pieces of hardwood to create a stable, sturdy blank. The heat can cause glue to dry, which in turn can turn out to weaken the joints.
As tempting as it might seem, never put your cutting board in the oven, even for warming or drying. The danger of exposure to heat simply isn’t worth the risk. Excessive heat causes damage, which is not reversible. After the wood has cracked or the glue has failed, the board is no longer safe to use in the kitchen—not a responsible choice.
There are safer and more convenient ways to dry your cutting board after a wash or to disinfect it. Either let it air-dry in a spot with good air circulation or lightly pat it dry with a soft cloth. White vinegar or a weak bleach solution effectively kills bacteria to sanitize the board without harm to the wood.
How to Maintain Your Cutting Board
To keep your cutting board looking astonishing after many years, do not expose it to extreme temperatures. Do not put them in oven or dishwasher, or close to the hot stovetop. You should to keep the board oiled regularly with food-grade oil to maintain its moisture balance and prevent it from drying or cracking.
And wood cutting boards and ovens just don’t mix. When you keep your board out of the oven, you’ll keep it in top condition and ready to serve you for many years to come.