Best Wood Glue For Cutting Boards (Top Picks!)

You got so worked up over Thanksgiving that you threw your cutting board against the wall and broke it. 

It is inevitable. Right now, you have the option of either fixing it or replacing it. If your cutting board has any sentimental significance or costs you a significant amount of money, it would be a waste to toss it away.

You can make your butcher block appear as lovely as new and keep it as sturdy as it was when you first bought it by using the best wood glue for cutting boards. 

Here is a list of the best wood glues and a guide to help you select the ideal one, whether you’re mending an old cutting board or making a new one from scratch.

VIDEO: What Wood Glue Is Best For Cutting Boards

The Glue for Wooden Cutting Boards That Works the Best

The adhesive strength, ease of use, toxicity, assembly time, food safety, price-to-quality ratio, and water and heat resistance were some factors that were considered while searching for the ideal glue for cutting boards.

 We made sure that the products we recommend are well-liked by conducting additional research on the opinions of actual customers and reading cutting board wood glue reviews.

Gorilla Wood Glue

This list gets underway with the most reliable glue on the entire planet. 

Even though the verdict is still out on whether or not Gorilla wood glue is the strongest wood glue available, one thing that is definite about this product is that it is one of the best sticky glues used for cutting boards.

Gorilla wood glue is a polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive that is water-based and was developed for use in carpentry and building; as a result, it is not phased by the presence of cooking utensils.

You may use it on softwoods, hardwoods, and natural wood composites and obtain the same long-lasting outcome with any of those applications, making it one of the most versatile glues available today. 

The process of applying Gorilla glue is also gratifying to participate in.

It smells gentle and pleasant despite being non-toxic, water-based, and solvent-free; these characteristics contribute to its lack of toxicity. After applying it, all you need to do to ensure that the glue is set correctly is clamp your cutting board together for twenty to thirty minutes.

After that, it will take another twenty-four hours to reach its complete state of cure. 

Because it satisfies the requirements of ANSI/HPVA Type II for water resistance, this adhesive is an excellent choice for cutting boards. 

The FDA has also blessed it to come into indirect contact with food.

 The only drawback of an otherwise excellent product is its packaging design makes it challenging to clean the bottle’s nozzle.

 If you make an effort to maintain it clean, the next time you want to use it, it will be easy to open, and you will have wasted your time.

What We Enjoyed Most About It

• ANSI/HPVA Type II compliant, non-toxic, water-resistant
• Rapid processing time for applications
• Approved by the FDA for use in indirect food contact

What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• It can be challenging to clean the nozzle.

The Premium Version of Titebond II

If Gorilla Glue is considered the king of all glues, then Titebond is unquestionably the king of all wood glues. 

If you go on any chat group, you will find that nine out of ten professionals and do-it-yourselfers will recommend at least one of their products for fixing glue boards.

 The fact that Titebond II Premium has FDA approval for indirect food contact is one of the many reasons why it is an excellent choice. This indicates that once the wood glue has had time to cure.

It does not melt when heat is applied (for example, when the turkey is removed from the oven), which would ordinarily cause it to seep into the food. 

It has also been given the go-light because the chemicals utilized in its production are safe for consumption.

This product is also a PVA derived from water, just like its principal rival. It is resistant to solvents, heat, and water and does not require any use. You will need to clamp the board together for approximately thirty minutes to get the most excellent possible outcomes.

 After twenty-four hours, it will reach its cure and be ready for use. Because this is yellow wood glue, the finished product will not be transparent. 

Sanding is one way to control it, and before you ask, the material won’t become brittle or fall apart if you do it.

Your best bet is to apply it with as little pressure as possible so that little of the adhesive seeps out. However, if you catch the excess glue in time, you can remove it with water before it solidifies.

What We Enjoyed Most About It

• Approved by the FDA for use in indirect food contact
• There is no solvent involved.
• It is safe to consume.
• It is resistant to chemicals, heat, and water.

What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• It does not dry entirely transparently.

Elmer’s E7050 Carpenter’s Wood Glue (Carpenter’s Wood Glue)

Elmer’s Glue completes the top three spots on our list of the greatest glue brands in the world. Although this company is better known for its school glue and Krazy Glue, carpenters have invested in its wood glue for over 60 years.

 Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue is a non-toxic PVA glue that adheres stronger than wood, just as the products are considered its primary competitors. The wood was produced expressly to repair furniture and other jobs around the house, such as constructing cutting boards or other domestic items.

 After the adhesive has been applied, clamp the wood for the remaining half an hour until it has cured. If there is any spillage, you may easily clean it up with little soap and water. 

Sanding the excess glue is a simple solution if you fail to clean up any drips before the glue dries.

 It takes the same amount of time as the others—24 hours—to cure, after which the glue itself will be indestructible. So when you use this wood glue for cutting boards, there won’t be any fumes, as you would expect from a top-tier PVA. 

Because of this, you may conduct repairs in your home while your children are there without risking their health.

Sadly, you can only use this wood glue when temperatures exceed 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you won’t have any trouble with this, thanks to the fact that you may apply this in your garage or woodshop.

What We Enjoyed Most About It

• It is safe to consume.
• Simple to clean with some liquid soap and some water.
• Very brief clamping time Once cured, the material is safe for consumption.

What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• It is not at all thin.
• It should only be used above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Weldbond

Most adhesives for wood have the limitation of being able only to be used to attach two separate pieces of wood. Because of this, there needs to be more room for creative expression.

You will need glue with many applications if you plan on constructing a cutting board out of wood and other materials such as polyethylene, glass, or metal.

Weldbond When constructing composite cutting boards, multi-purpose adhesive glue is the ultimate workhorse. It is capable of adhering almost any substance to wood.

In addition, you can combine it with sawdust and use the resulting mixture to fill cracks in your cutting board. Finally, after the adhesive has dried, you can sand right over it as you might anticipate (it needs 24 hours).

On the other hand, you might anticipate that you can only apply stain to your cutting board after the glue has had a chance to dry thoroughly.

The fact that it is non-toxic, releases low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and was manufactured without any animal byproducts are all things that appeal to us about this. After applying it, replace the cover by snapping it back into place.

You do not need to be concerned about it drying out or the cap being stuck in its closed position. You can also purchase a size that is more suitable for your project.

 Of course, a price premium is associated with including all of these capabilities; nevertheless, the investment is well justified.

 What We Enjoyed Most About It

• It is safe to consume.
• It can adhere to a variety of materials.
• It is possible to discolor it.
• It is available in suitable sizes.

What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• Slightly more expensive than similar products offered by competitors

Elmer’s E7310 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max

Elmer would appear dissatisfied with coming in second or third place. As a result, they developed this monstrous wood glue! Finding another product like Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max is impossible.

 But before we get into it, let’s begin with the fundamentals.

This new formulation, like the one that came before it, consists of non-toxic, water based elmers wood glue. You need not be concerned about the safety of applying it near children or animals. You won’t have any problems even if you consume a minimal amount of this, which you shouldn’t do.

This can be cleaned off with water, it sets in fifteen minutes, and it needs a whole day to cure correctly. Now, let’s get to the good stuff!

 This is the only water-resistant super glue that has been awarded the ANSI Type I certification, making it not only waterproof but also environmentally friendly!

The fact that it is resistant to heat, mold, and mildew is just the icing for defeating the competition. Because of these characteristics, it is nearly ideal for use as a cutting board.

The main limitation of this adhesive is that it cannot be used to glue other materials; however, if you are going to use it to build or fix cutting boards, this limitation is irrelevant.

 You can also paint over this in passing, although we wouldn’t advocate doing so for cutting boards.

 What We Enjoyed Most About It

• It is waterproof
• It can withstand high temperatures.
• It is not susceptible to the growth of mold or mildew.
• It can take stains.

 

What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• Still require a full day’s wait for the cure.

Titebond III

Following that, another organization is working to improve upon its earlier results. Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue, much like the cutting board wood glue that came before it on our list, has taken the initiative to assist in protecting cutting boards from damage in an even more effective manner.

This formula meets the ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance specification, which means that it is waterproof, just like the wood glue that came before it on our list. This is the first significant difference between this formula and Titebond II.

The second significant distinction is that this can be applied at temperatures above 47 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature requirement for Titebond Premium is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to this, the open assembly time is extended to between 8 and 10 minutes.

This extended period is excellent for beginners who work a little slower, but it is also fantastic for professionals who work on numerous projects simultaneously. While this extended time is excellent for novices, it is also great for professionals. 

After the glue has dried, any excesses can be removed quickly and easily with a damp rag, making this the least difficult wood glue to clean up after use.

After it has had enough time to dry, you may sand it down and finish the cutting board with any finish you like—except stain. However, remember that this adhesive might cause reactions when it comes into contact with metal.

Therefore, if you intend to use a metal handle for the grain boards, you must ensure that it does not touch the wet glue.

 What We Enjoyed Most About It

• water-resistant to ANSI/HPVA Type I standards
• Simple to wash and sand down
• An extended period of open assembly time
• Compatible with any cutting board surface and finish

 What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• It causes metal to rust.

Polyurethane glue made by Titebond

Although polyurethane glues have a well-deserved reputation for their versatility, Franklin International Titebond Polyurethane Glue takes things to an entirely new level.

This can be used on a much wider variety of cutting boards than traditional wood glue, regardless of the substance that the boards are made of. Wood can be joined to other wood, plastic, polyurethane, metal, or anything else your heart wants. Wood can also be joined to metal.

The suppleness of this polyurethane wood glue for wooden cutting board is another feature we appreciate. When it comes to the actual joining of the components, there is some wiggle room, but the connection is solid.

 In addition, once it has been set, which can take anywhere from one to three days, this material becomes completely waterproof, making it one of the most durable solutions available for cutting boards and other applications.

This polyurethane does not contain solvents; once it has cured, it can be used in culinary applications without any concerns. In addition, you will have a long open time of twenty minutes, and the beginning of the hardening process for your creation will start in as little as three minutes. If you do not clamp this down for at least forty-five minutes, however, there will be a gap between the boards that are readily evident.

 It has a faint odor when first used, but the smell is completely gone once it has had time to cure.

What We Enjoyed Most About It

• Excellent for cutting boards made of composite materials
• It has a substantial amount of available time.
• Sanding and staining it is a breeze, and it is completely weatherproof.

 What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• There is a faint scent to it.
• It is hazardous to those who apply it.

The original formula of Titebond’s wood glue

The final Titebond product on our list is the one you see before you right now. Titebond original wood glue continues to be just as dependable as it was initially introduced to the market many years ago.

In contrast to recent variants, this wood glue was explicitly designed for use inside buildings. Because of this, it does not have the same level of resistance to water as the Premium and Ultimate models. 

Consequently, the current iteration is better suited for constructing grain cutting board than repairing existing ones.

The fact that the Original wood glue is resistant to heat, solvents, and mildew is undoubtedly the most remarkable quality of this product.

 As a result, it is an excellent choice for building butcher blocks. In addition to this, the application process is very streamlined.

You have 4-6 minutes to complete the assembly, so you will need to work rapidly or put the cap back on the bottle more frequently. After that, you have to clamp it for between half an hour and an hour until it is scorched.

It is a food-safe glue once fully set, although the FDA has not approved it for indirect contact with food.

This wood glue is suitable for soft and hardwood use and a few other porous materials. When you finish, you can sand it and apply any wood cutting board finish you like.

What We Enjoyed Most About It

• It takes effect quickly.
• It is not susceptible to mildew growth.
• Water can be used to clean it up quickly.
• Non-toxic

What Aspects Need to be Enhanced

• It has only a moderate degree of resistance to water.
• However, the FDA has not approved indirect contact with food.

FAQ on Best Wood Glue For Cutting Boards