Sharp, good quality knives are an essential part of any kitchen – not just in a restaurant, but also at home. To keep them in good condition for as long as possible, it’s worth knowing how to care for them and how to store them. Here are some of the most important tips for handling knives!
How to care for your knives to keep them in good condition?
Well-maintained kitchen knives are a guarantee of comfort when preparing all sorts of meals. Regardless of whether a particular knife is used for slicing bread, chopping vegetables or filleting meat, it should always be appropriately sharp. Otherwise, daily cooking with it will be much more time-consuming and, frankly, tiring – and it should be pure pleasure! So, how can we ensure the sharpness of our kitchen knives and the good condition of their blades? Above all, by remembering to store them correctly! If all your knives are kept ‘loose’ in one drawer, they will rub against each other and, consequently, wear out faster.
Knives placed in special blocks or holders last much longer and look as good as new even after several years of use! What's more, this method of storage saves a lot of space in the drawer. If, however, you want to keep them in a drawer, special blade covers will prove to be a good solution, providing them with adequate protection. To keep your knives in good condition for as long as possible, you should also remember to wash them thoroughly – preferably by hand – and regularly impregnate both the handle and the blade. The type of chopping boards we use daily also affects the appearance of the knife. Furthermore, to keep these kitchen accessories in desired condition, we should remember to use them solely for cutting food.
In what conditions should knives be stored?
We already know that the condition and lifespan of knives are significantly influenced by how they are stored. There are many methods and accessories designed for these indispensable kitchen tools. These include knife blocks, available in several variants. The most popular type is magnetic blocks, which are an excellent alternative to classic knife racks or stands. Thanks to the presence of magnets, the knife blades adhere perfectly to the block's surface, and its use is exceptionally convenient and efficient. You just need to place the knife against it – no need to search for slots or make several attempts to slide the blade in!
An interesting and exceptionally practical solution is also the innovative self-sharpening knife block. This is an ideal 2-in-1 choice for those who don't have a separate sharpener or simply aren't keen on manual sharpening. Every time you slide a knife into the block's slot, the blades automatically sharpen – so we don't have to do… absolutely anything! To keep your kitchen knives looking good and lasting longer, you can also opt for a classic knife stand.
$185.04
Elevate SlimBlock Knife block with five knives with sharpener
Joseph Joseph
Dispatch within 2 working days
If, on the other hand, you don't have much counter space in the kitchen, wall-mounted strips with knife holders will do the trick. These also come in a magnetic version – they are then able to hold several knives simultaneously. Some models also allow for attaching additional holders. On such a equipped strip, you can also hang tea towels or oven mitts. These types of knife holders are an ideal choice for kitchens with limited space for additional stands or organisers. You can hang it on the wall above the counter, cooker, or table.
And what if you want to keep knives in a drawer while protecting the blades from damage? Special flat knife organisers for drawers will be perfect! They will not only secure the blades but also prevent any accidental cuts when taking out the utensils. These types of accessories will work well for both large carving knives and typical table knives. FormAdore offers knife blocks and strips made from durable, high-quality materials. Thanks to the huge variety, everyone can easily match a model to their individual needs and kitchen décor. Most stands and strips in our offer also come with a set of high-quality knives in various sizes and for different uses. When it comes to proper knife storage, apart from the storage location itself, the general conditions in which these kitchen accessories are kept also matter. Many knives, for example, don't take kindly to moisture or excessively high temperatures – so it's worth paying attention to ensure we're not putting wet knives into organisers or washing them in a dishwasher at 70 degrees!
A good knife sharpener – what makes it stand out?
If we want a knife to perform its function well, we should invest in a good sharpener. Thanks to this small tool, a knife can cut almost any product – regardless of whether we're talking about bread, a piece of meat, or a hard fruit. With a blunt blade, we won't achieve much – and even if we do, we'll have to put a lot of effort into cutting. A knife sharpener is, without a shadow of a doubt, a must-have in every kitchen! It's important that it can sharpen even the dullest knife in just a few moments.
That's interesting!
When choosing a knife sharpener, it's worth paying attention to the material from which the sharpening mechanism itself is made. This could be a ceramic, steel, or diamond blade. We also distinguish special knife sharpening stones. Furthermore, we can choose between a manual and an electric model. The former is a more traditional solution, definitely characterised by its reliability. However, manual sharpeners require some effort from the user and independent adjustment of the sharpening angle. Electric models, on the other hand, are the choice for those who value maximum convenience.
Sharpeners are available in various forms – including a file, a honing steel, or the aforementioned natural stone. By investing in the right one, you are guaranteed that your kitchen knives will always be perfectly sharp, and sharpening them will be lightning-fast! FormAdore offers dozens of knife sharpeners in many different variants. These are highly effective and durable models that can sharpen even the dullest blades with just a few strokes.
How to impregnate blades and handles?
Apart from proper storage and sharpening, impregnation is also fundamental to knife care. This is particularly important for knives with natural wood handles – those made of plastic tend not to react to various external factors. To impregnate a handle, you can use oil – e.g., linseed oil – or a special product for maintaining knives that come into contact with food.
What about blade care?
Much depends on the material from which it is made. If you use stainless steel knives, they require virtually no additional care – just proper cleaning. However, if your knife's blade is made of carbon steel, it's worth subjecting it to a care treatment from time to time. This material is susceptible to corrosion, and upon contact with some food products, it can develop a patina. The blade of a carbon steel knife should therefore be wiped with an oil-soaked cloth from time to time, which will protect the surface from moisture. If you want to keep your knives in perfect condition for many years, you should also remember to dry them after washing. By paying attention to these seemingly insignificant details, you will significantly impact their longevity, effectiveness, and appearance.
Hint
You can read about all types in the FA Magazine: Sharp as a tack: a guide to knives for beginners!
