A kitchen knife is a kitchen tool that is used to cut, dice, and chop veggies, meat, nuts, herbs, and more. This knife can last for years with proper maintenance and can help you in your food preparation. Kitchen knives come in various types to suit your versatile cutting as well as food serving tasks. The chef's knife, utility knife, boning knife, and steak knife are a few popular ones. The necessity to maintain kitchen knives is crucial to make them last longer and cut efficiently every time you use them. Following certain hacks and cleaning your knives regularly will ensure that your kitchen knives last long.
Kitchen Knife Maintenance Tips
Sharpen Kitchen Knife and Hone Regularly
The steak knife-like MAD SHARK Knife consists of tiny blades that may wear off with continuous usage. That is why it is important to hone your knives after a few uses. You can use a honing steel rod or bar to hone your kitchen knife. Scrapping your knife on the rod from both sides will realign all teeth. The sharpening of your knife is also important but it also depends on your usage. Usually, you should sharpen your knife once or twice a year.
There are many advantages of using an electric knife sharpener to sharpen your knives. These tools eliminate the manual effort and make your sharpening tasks easier.
Avoid the Dishwasher
A dishwasher can be abrasive on your blades because of detergent and its overall functioning. You should try avoiding washing your knives in the dishwasher. Putting your knives in the dishwasher can cause damage to the teeth and sharpness. We recommend you hand wash your knives gently.
Choose Your Surfaces Wisely
The cutting board surface is also crucial in keeping your knives in optimal condition. You should avoid cutting on glass, ceramic, slate, and marble surfaces. Woodcutting boards are ideal for chopping veggies and meats. You can also use plastic boards as a cutting surface. Make sure you do not move your chopped veggies or ingredients with the blade side of your knife. Instead, use a dough scraper or the back of your knife. The top-ranking DALSTRONG Gladiator Series Knife has got good reviews for its high-carbon German steel.
Store Kitchen Knife Correctly
Proper storage is another important factor to keep your knives well maintained. You can store them in the protective knife blocks or magnetic strips that hold knives firmly in place. Make sure you do not keep them in the corners or spaces where they are exposed to the dulling effect. Some models like Home Hero Chef Knife Set come with a cutlery stand for convenient storage.
The reviews of DALSTRONG Chef's Knife show that this knife is easy to store as it comes with a blade cover with a pin attached for easy closure. You can read through our blog to know about the best solutions to store kitchen knives.
How to Remove Rust from Kitchen Knife?
Rust might ruin your knife forever. A lot of things available inside your house can come in handy while removing rust from the blade. Let’s see how can this be tackled. In order to maintain kitchen knives, getting rid of the rust is necessary as otherwise, the knives may turn blunt.
White Vinegar
Soak your rusty knives in a bowl full of white vinegar for the entire night. Then use a wire brush to remove the remains. If you still see some spots, soak the knives again for better results.
Baking soda
Form a thick paste of water and baking soda and rub it all over your knife. Let it sit for an hour or two before scrubbing the rust with steel wool. Rinse the knife and dry it thoroughly.
Citric Acid
Three tablespoons of pure citric acid in a bowl full of hot water can work like a charm on your rusty knives. Citric acid is available in supermarkets and can be used to clean a variety of things.
Lemon and Salt
This good old combination can remove rust from your knives in a matter of a few hours. You can use the lemon rind to remove rust after you’ve put the lemon and crystal salt. Do not forget to rinse your knife with water after the process.
How to Clean Kitchen Knives?
The most appropriate way to clean knives without hampering their sheen is to use a clean cloth. Avoid running your knives underwater. A few do’s and don’t’s that will always come in handy are as follows:
- Store your knives carefully and in a dust-free environment that is devoid of any moisture to avoid rusting
- If you have to run your knives through water, dry them immediately for better results
- Do not soak your knives in water for too long, that might result in rusting
- Do not use abrasive soaps and detergents. Avoid using any harsh chemicals too.
The reviews of Victorinox Fibrox Pro Chef's Knife suggest that this knife is easy to clean with a soapy cloth.
How to Dispose-off the Kitchen Knives?
It’s important to dispose-off Kitchen Knives responsibly. You should take some steps to do this carefully. You should avoid throwing them in the trash. It’s advised to donate your old knives if you think they aren’t useful for you anymore. Recycling your old knives can be really good for the environment. You can go to any metal recycler near your location and give your knife away for proper recycling. You can also cover your knives with layers of newspapers and cardboard before throwing them in the trash can.
Conclusion
Maintaining and cleaning kitchen accessories like food choppers and kitchen knives is important for longer durability and sustenance. A well-kept knife can help you complete all your chopping chores quickly and help you obtain precise cuts. It is also important to dispose of them responsibly for a better environment. If you are eyeing to get an appropriate knife for your kitchen usage, we recommend you can take a look at the best knife buying guide.
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