Proper knife care for your kitchen

If you’ve ever been in a commercial kitchen you know the importance of quality knives. A good knife means smoother, more consistent cutting for you, improved efficiency for your kitchen and flawless results for your diners. But remember, even a good knife can have a bad day if it isn’t well cared for.

Here are some great tips to help you take care of your knives:

Keep your knives sharp

Remember a knife is tool and like any tool can become worn down with use. There are a range of knife sharpeners on offer from to help you maintain and keep your knives at their best including ceramic knife sharpeners and sharpening blocks.

Store your knives properly
Knives may be a kitchen tool but that doesn’t mean you should store them like any other kitchen utensil. Not only is it dangerous to have sharp knives stored in drawers with other items but it’s also an easy way to wear out your blade. Knives can be kept on magnetic strips, which make them easy to find and use during service periods, or in knife blocks. If you’re transporting your knives, a quality knife bag can be a great investment to protect you and your knives from unnecessary harm.  

Wash your knives by hand
It may seem tedious but washing your knives by hand can save you time and money long term. Washing your knives in a dishwasher can result in easily damaged blades, meaning more sharpening for you or worse still a shortened working life for your knife. Also ensure you do not leave your knives in the sink, as this again can cause unwanted damage and corrosion to your blade and creates an unsafe environment for you and others wanting to wash dishes.

Use a cutting board
Cutting boards aren’t just used to protect your benchtops; they can also help avoid damage to your knives. If you use your knife on particularly hard surfaces, like bench tops, you run the risk of damaging the knife’s blade. This once again can increase the amount of sharpening required and may shorten the life of your knife.

Use the right knife for the right job
One of the biggest mistakes people make in the kitchen is simply using the wrong knife for the wrong job. Usually this choice is made with only speed and efficiency in mind, by simply using what is already in hand. Yes in the short term your choice may be faster, but remember using the wrong knife for the wrong job can be costly.
Need to cut through bone? Pick up a cleaver, not a bread knife. This may seem simple but by selecting your knife carefully you can not only improve the longevity of your knives but also maintain a high level of safety in your kitchen.

Want to learn more about knives? Click here to view our range of professional knives or contact one of our friendly representatives.