The Hidden Secret of OEM Cutting Boards: Why Custom Solutions Save Restaurants Money
- jrpink
- Dec 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Cutting boards are one of the most replaced items in a commercial kitchen. They warp, crack, stain, or fail inspection—and when that happens, many operators default to ordering replacements directly from the equipment manufacturer.
That’s where costs quietly get out of control.
OEM cutting boards are convenient, but they’re often dramatically overpriced for what they are: flat sheets of food-grade plastic. Custom-cut poly boards offer the same performance—often better—at a fraction of the cost.
The OEM Pricing Trap
Most OEM cutting boards are sold as proprietary accessories tied to a specific make and model of prep table or refrigerated rail. Once that board is listed in the parts catalog, pricing is no longer driven by material cost—it’s driven by markup.
A real-world example we see regularly:
OEM cutting board: 8" × 48" OEM price: ~$287
Custom poly cutting board (same size): Custom price: ~$84
That’s more than 3× the cost for the same functional outcome.
Multiply that across multiple prep tables, multiple kitchens, or multiple locations, and the numbers add up fast.
The Multi-Location Cost Problem
Single-location operators feel this pain once or twice a year. Multi-location operators feel it constantly.
Example:
10 locations
3 prep tables per location
1 board replacement per year
OEM replacement cost:10 × 3 × $287 = $8,610 per year
Custom replacement cost:10 × 3 × $84 = $2,520 per year
Annual savings: $6,090
Same Compliance. Same Durability. Lower Cost.
Custom poly cutting boards aren’t a compromise—they’re often an upgrade.
The boards we install are:
USDA, NSF, and FDA approved
Commercial dishwasher safe
Made in the USA
Cut to the exact size you need
Because they’re sized precisely to your equipment, they sit flat, don’t slide, and don’t develop stress cracks caused by overhang or improper fit. Also, we never re-surface boards, which results in a board that is too smooth, making it slippery and unsafe.
Why Exact Fit Matters
Many OEM boards are “close enough” sizes designed to fit multiple models. That leads to:
Overhang that cracks at the edges
Boards shifting during prep
Gaps that trap food debris
Faster wear and replacement
Custom boards are measured on site and cut to match the prep surface exactly. That improves stability, sanitation, and lifespan—while reducing replacement frequency.
Labor and Downtime Are the Hidden Costs
Ordering OEM boards usually means:
Identifying the correct part number
Waiting for shipping
Removing old boards
Installing replacements during service hours
Bay Area Gasket Guy handles everything on site:
Measure
Fabricate
Deliver
Install
No downtime. No guessing. No wrong parts.
When Does OEM Ever Make Sense?
In practice, OEM cutting boards only make sense when:
The board has an unusual molded feature
It integrates with proprietary hardware
A warranty requirement explicitly demands OEM
For standard flat prep surfaces, custom boards win on cost, fit, and speed nearly every time.
The Bottom Line
OEM cutting boards aren’t expensive because they’re better. They’re expensive because they’re bundled into a parts ecosystem.
Custom-cut poly boards deliver:
Up to 50% cost savings (often more)
Exact fit for better performance
Full regulatory compliance
Faster replacement with no downtime
For operators managing food safety, labor, and rising costs, it’s an easy win.
Ready to Replace Smarter?
Bay Area Gasket Guy📞 650-271-5781✉️ jrpink@BayAreaGasketGuy.com
We come to you. We measure your prep tables. And we install cutting boards that fit right, last longer, and cost less.
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