Any chef will know the frustration of trying to cut through something with a dull knife!
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You're more likely to cut yourself and it does whole work trickier. Whether it's a high-quality set of knives or a few favorites passed down from generation to generation, knowing how to take care of your knives is important. To ensure they stay sharp and efficient, there are several ways you can do this and this article will help you with that.
Use a sharpening tool
Sharpening a blade with a sharpening tool can help you keep your knife sharp. You can use honing steel, a wet stone, or a whetstone. If you buy a brand new knife, you won't have to sharpen it for a few months if you bought a premium set. This also applies if you use the knife every day. However, you must be careful as using a wet stone or sharpening tool too much can erode the blade. Only use it when you need it.
How to sharpen
If it is you to sharpen a knife, you should hold the knife at an angle of about 22.5 degrees. You need to stroke the knife along the entire length of the steel. No excessive force is required. You should allow the weight of the knife to do the job. You must take your time while doing this. Professional chefs go flat out, but if you do, you can miscalculate the angle, resulting in a dull knife.
The type of knife you should use will depend on personal preference and how it feels in your hand. A European knife is usually made of soft hardened steel, while Japanese knives are made of hard hardened steel. Japanese knives tend to have a smaller, more acute angle when sharpened. However, European knife blades are thicker and can therefore withstand heavier use.
knife care
One recommendation from experts is that you should stick to not putting knives in the dishwasher. This includes those who say it are dishwasher safe. You should hand wash these with hot soapy water and dry immediately. The dishwasher will bump your knife against other cutlery, which can damage the blade.
Once you've dried them, don't put them in a drawer either. Other cutlery and knives can damage the blade and dull it. A protective cover or case can help with this problem.
Keep your knives on point
If you're an avid cook, you don't want to replace your knives every few months as they become dull and useless. Instead, you should invest more money to keep them in good condition. You can purchase grinding tools to ensure the blade stays sharp while also allowing you to keep it in better condition. Stay away from dishwashers and invest in protective covers and cases. This keeps your knives sharp.
