Last updated on January 8, 2017
Every kitchen appliance that we have always serves us better when we take good care of it. This is true for kitchen knives as it is for a food processor and knowing the basics is undoubtedly one of the most important steps towards the appliance’s efficiency. When it comes to your kitchen knives (It’s always good to have multiple knives for different purposes), there is more than just keeping them razor sharp. It’s however important to also know how you should sharpen your knives properly but this will be discussed in a different article. Below are some tips that will help you care for your knives in the kitchen whether they be best electric carving knife or just the normal utility knife.
Cleaning and drying
The first most important step towards proper care for your knives has to do with cleaning. You should ensure that your knives are cleaned right from the blades to the handles. This is important even for blades which are made of stainless steel, corrosion resistance material since prolonged exposure to dirt will definitely damage them and leave them ineffective. Once you clean your knives, always dry them by either wiping with a clean, dry napkin to prevent against oxidation.
Different knives can be cleaned by fully immersing them in clean water and by using mild cleaning detergents. Prolonged immersion of kitchen knives into the water is discouraged since this could damage the wooden handles or result in detrimental effects of porous materials especially the metal parts. However, never immerse any part of your electric carving knife into the water at any given time. Even if you are washing the best electric carving knife, ensure it is unplugged from power socket to avoid an electric shock. If you have a folding knife, ensure that the locking device is kept clean from any debris.
Lubricating
Lubrication is very important when it comes to kitchen knives. It is important to do it periodically especially when dealing with moving parts and pivot points in particular when dealing with folding knives. After cleaning and drying, a thin layer of lubrication will be ideal and this can be done on the entire blade surface. Doing so helps prevent against corrosion and oxidation caused by moisture on the surface
Sharpening
Sharpening is also part of care for your kitchen knives. It is important to keep your knives sharp and ready as this makes them efficient while at the same time preventing against any accidents or laborious efforts especially when cutting meats, fruits and vegetables. Using the right sharpeners is important and should be done frequently.
Storage
Always store your knives in a dry place after wiping/drying. Even though it might be tempting to do it, always avoid storing your knife in a sheath. You should store your knives in a drawer, on the wall using a magnet or on your counter. There are also special knife storage appliances which you could consider and invest in.
Conclusion
As we conclude, it is important to never leave your knives in a sink or dishwasher. This will help prevent any accidents from happening. Always wash your knives separately, use each knife for its designated purpose and keep them sharp always. With this done, they’ll serve you as desired.
