I’ll be honest, I don’t have amazing knife skills, but having a good piece of equipment in my hands and knowing that I’m cooking for my family really add up to reasons why I’m enthusiastic when working in the kitchen. I couldn’t stop julienning carrots and making fun salads – slicing and dicing had been my favorite hobby.
By having a quality, sharp knife, you can really change how you prepare and cook food, it needs to be frequently sharpened, whether you prefer using a coffee mug to do so or a more comprehensive approach – it’s up to you. And while I’m not an expert with DIY stuff, I know a thing or two about researching online. Here’s what I found.
First things first
So why are dull knives dangerous? Dull knives are dangerous because you’ll have to exert more force just to make the knife go through food (or whatever you’re cutting) and you have to make several cuts compared to a sharp knife which only needs to make one or two.
Therefore, the chances of the blade slipping and ending up somewhere you don’t want it are a lot higher with dull knives. That and it makes prepping food harder and longer, and who wants that?
Tools for knife care and storage
Magnetic Knife Strip. A magnetic strip is designed to be attached to a kitchen wall, which can hold your kitchen knives magnetically. This is a good option for those looking to optimise space as well as keep their countertops clear.
Knife Block. A big unit made for housing different kinds of knives. It is generally made out of wood, others are granite, plastic or a combination of both. Knife blocks you can get online, like the Harris Scarfe knife block, have different classes and even come with quality blades in traditional, gourmet and angled styles. Magnetic knife block is also famous, it lets you attach your knives to the exterior of the block, removing guess-work required with traditional knife blocks which hides blades from view.
Knife Guard. A simple hard plastic cover that glides neatly over your knife edge, and keeps it from getting scratched when storing knives in a drawer, or with other kitchen tools. It is best used for stray kitchen knives that aren’t stored in a more permanent way.
Sharpening at Home. Do this if you’re confident with your hand-eye coordination. You can purchase at home sharpening tools and be safe by following the manufacturer’s instructions. A sharpening tool can either be electric, or can involve some sort of traditional sharpening instrument, like a whetstone. Keep your knife sharp by using proper cutting board when chopping, never the countertop or a plate. These surfaces will dull your knife within minutes. Use either a wood board or a plastic cutting board that has a steady firmness to help your knife maintain its edge.
Knife-newbie Extra Tip:
Eliminate crying when cutting onions. There’s a reason why so many recipes start with the ever-present chopped onion; onions are a great way to build flavour in a dish – if only we can lessen the crying every time we cut innocent cloves. One highly-effective yet often overlooked technique is using – you got it! Sharp knives!
