Owning a great set of kitchen knives is very important when it comes to preparing a meal properly. Some would even say that your knives are direct reflection of your skill as a cook. The better condition your knives are in, the more capable of a cook you are. This is very understandable, as the condition of your knives can mean the difference between a great meal and a horrible one.
One of the first things you should know is that the price of the knife is no indication of quality. Whether you have top line stainless steel knives, or discount ones from your local department store, what matters more is the condition you keep them in. Keeping your kitchen knives sharp might seem difficult, but by following 5 simple steps you can maintain your knives for a very long time.
1. When doing any work with your knives, make sure to cut on a relatively soft surface.
Surfaces such as wood and plastic are ideal. Never use your kitchen knives on hard surfaces such as metal or ceramic. The repetitive cutting motion on a hard surface will cause your kitchen knives to become dull and that's something that none of us want. While it may take longer for these hard surfaces to dull a stainless steel or ceramic knife, it will happen regardless. So try to avoid them if possible.
2. Another tip that'll let you preserve the quality of your kitchen knives, is to never use your kitchen knives outside of the kitchen.
While it's super tempting to use your kitchen knives as a screwdriver when you need one, this is not what they were designed to do. By using it in this fashion you're not only damaging your knives, you're insuring that your knives will be dulled beyond repair. Only use your knives to do tasks that it was designed to do, this will preserve your knives and ensure that you'll have them when you need them.
3. The next tip in insuring the longevity of your kitchen knives is to avoid gritty materials when using them.
Gritty materials wear down to the edge of your knives and cause nicks and blemishes on its blade. Keep your guard up when using your knives during outdoor activities. If it's exposed to any moisture, make sure to immediately dry it off.
4. When you're washing your kitchen knives, make sure to use just a mild dishwashing soap and make sure to hand dry them.
By allowing the blade to drip dry, you can degrade the condition of your kitchen knife's handle. When you allow your knife to drip dry, you can also cause your knife's blade to become stained.
5. Another tip that'll help you preserve the quality of your knives, is to be very careful when dealing with knives that have wooden handles.
Never soak knives that have wooden handles, for any extended period of time. The water will cause the handle to swell and in the process destroy your knife. Instead hand wash them and rub mineral oil on the handle to preserve its shining finish.
If you use these tips properly, your kitchen knives might even outlast you.
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