{"id":12862,"date":"2023-07-09T23:57:11","date_gmt":"2023-07-09T15:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/culinaryambition.com\/?p=12862"},"modified":"2024-01-22T00:28:18","modified_gmt":"2024-01-21T16:28:18","slug":"how-to-keep-kitchen-knives-sharp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/culinaryambition.com\/how-to-keep-kitchen-knives-sharp\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Kitchen Knives Sharp"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n \r\n
Mini guides to kitchen knives<\/u>:<\/mark><\/strong> Kinds of kitchen knives<\/a> | Materials and construction<\/a> | Storing<\/a> | Sharpening<\/a> | Maintaining sharpness<\/a> | Rust removal<\/a> | Disposal<\/a> | Knife skills<\/a> | Western or Japanese knives<\/a> | Main kitchen knife guide<\/a><\/span>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"How

A sharp knife is an indispensable tool in the kitchen. It is important to slice through ingredients with precision and with minimal effort while being safe at all times. <\/p>

Plus, you don’t want to squash your nice food items with a dull blade!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dull kitchen knives create frustration and therefore it is important to understand the anatomy of a knife and how to keep it maintained and sharp.<\/p>

There are a few tools to sharpen knives and with our advice and tips, you will remark that it is easy to learn how to keep kitchen knives sharp<\/strong> for longer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Kitchen knife buying guides<\/u> ~ \r\nWhat kitchen knife do you need?<\/i><\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Best kitchen knife sharpeners<\/a>
\r\nBudget-friendly chef knives<\/a>
\r\nBest knives for the home chef<\/a>
\r\nBest knives for cutting steak<\/a>
\r\nBest kitchen knife block set for the money<\/a>
\r\nBest sharp paring knives<\/a>
\r\nOyster shucking knives<\/a>
\r\nBest kitchen shears and scissors ~ when a knife can’t cut it<\/a>
\r\nBest kitchen drawer organisers for knives<\/a>
\r\nBest cutting boards to use with your kitchen knives<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/table> \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tools to sharpen kitchen knives<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\nLearn how to sharpen your kitchen knives<\/a> effectively.\r\n
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\"chef<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

A honing rod<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Although many think that a honing rod is the ultimate knife sharpener, it is a mistake. A honing rod, also known as stropping iron, is used to align the blade, which is as important as sharpening a knife. It helps straighten the metal of a knife without removing large amounts of metal from the blade. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The difficulty for a lot of people is using the rod correctly and will likely need some practice before you get it right.  For good results, it is important to hold the knife in your preferred hand and the rod in the other.<\/p>

While you hold the knife in a slight angle, always keep your fingers as far away from the blade as possible. Use your entire arm and move the knife along the rod from the heel to the tip of the knife. Repeat this motion a few times. Do the same on both sides of the knife.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dedicated knife-sharpening tools<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are a multitude of sharpening tools available from whetstones to power sharpeners. We prefer sharpening our knives with a whetstone, also called water stone or sharpening stone. Such a stone has one or two sides of which one is usually rough and the other fine.<\/p>

A lower, more rough grit will serve to repair the knife from eroding metal particles. A higher grit with a smoother surface is great for the polishing and finishing the knife. When sharpening a knife with the help of a whetstone, it is best to secure the stone for safe sharpening.<\/p>

It is best to secure the knife with two hands at a slight angle against the stone, facing away from you and move the blade in a circular way.  Always start on the rough side of the whetstone and finish on the finer side. Depending on which kind of knife is being sharpened you will only grind one side or you can alternate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"sharpening<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tips to keep kitchen knives sharp<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Work on the right surface<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Always treat knives with respect! Working on the right surface is key in order to maintain sharpness and avoid damaging the knife. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Surfaces to avoid cutting on are concrete and metal such as stainless steel, and aluminium, because these could seriously damage the knife\u2019s blade. We recommended using knives for cutting on plastic, polyethylene, and wood. Another way to avoid dull knives is by not scraping the knife edge along any surface.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Washing knives correctly<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We have repeatedly mentioned that knives should be washed by hand! Cleaning knives in a dishwasher will make the blade dull more quickly as well as damage the handle. Washing knives by hand keeps them sharper for longer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

After cleaning knives, dry them immediately to prevent rusting. Keeping a knife wet won\u2019t make it dull but when storing it in a knife block it might result in creating mould and bacteria. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Storing knives<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Knives should always be stored in the best condition<\/a> to maintain their edge. We know that many people do leave them with other kitchen utensils, but the best practice for storing knives is in a dedicated drawer or separate space. A proper knife block or a magnetic rack to hang knives will protect the blade edges and it will also keep them out of reach of children.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best way to keep kitchen knives sharp<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Knowing the best ways to keep your kitchen knives sharp will make them last longer and keep them at peak performance. In the end, you will save money, and have less food waste.<\/p>

Plus, your finished recipes will look much nicer since the ingredients are cut or chopped properly. You won’t have ragged pieces nor chunks of food that are different sizes!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n