Cleaning and Sharpening your Knives

How to Properly Clean Your Knife Set

Even the most simple tasks can seem mind-numbing if you don’t have someone to teach you the basics. Of course, cleaning your knife set isn’t rocket science but using your knives carelessly can lead to breaking your bank by having to buy a new set. To keep it simple, here are some of the most important things to know on how to clean and preserve your kitchen knife set.

The Sooner, The Better

First and probably the most important thing you need to know is that the longer you wait, the harder will it be to clean your knives. If possible, it would be best to rinse your knife directly after each use while cooking. If that’s not possible or you simply forget, the ideal timing to clean your knives would be right after you’re done cooking your meal. Of course, if you’re unable to do it right away, at least rinse them or let them soak in warm water. Rinsing your knives right after use will keep any remaining food or bacteria from spreading.

Keep it Simple and Avoid the Dishwasher

Here’s a pro tip: fancy detergents and other cleaning products are not only redundant, but can also spoil your cleaning efforts. Washing your knives in the dishwasher will cause them to dull prematurely, lose their firmness and their sharpness, which is the complete opposite of what you’re trying to do. Finally, keeping it simple is the best way to do go. Rinse your knife with hot water and use a mild soap and your knives will last for the years to come.

How to Properly Sharpen Your Knife Set

While most people know how to clean their knives, not too many are masters at honing and sharpening them. Knives are meant to be sharp, if not for their performance. Dull knives require more brute force and may as well cause an accident. Here’s a list of best ways to sharpen your knife, alongside brief explanations for each.

Use a honing or a butcher’s steel

This is the most common way but it’s technically not sharpening – it’s rather honing the blade. However, stay safe while using this and do your own research beforehand to ensure you sharpen the blade and not ruin it.

Use electric knife sharpeners

As with all technology, these devices are quite easy to use. Usually, there are motors that spin against the blade making it sharper with every stroke. You can research the web and find one that suits your needs. This is the most efficient and easiest way to sharpen your knives safely.

Use a manual knife sharpener

Similar to the electrical types, abrasives are used to give your knife the cutting edge you’re looking for. The technique you’ll be using depends on the model and the manufacturer’s instructions, ensure to read them properly before using to avoid causing more damage then there is to begin with.

Use a whetstone

Finally, the last way to sharpen your knife is by using a whetstone. We don’t recommend this method for amateurs, but once you acquire proper technique, the results of sharpening your knives this way can prove to be quite satisfying for the user.

Whichever method you choose, remember not to overdo it. Highest quality cutting boards won’t get damaged by a sharp knife but we don’t guarantee the one you have at home will stay the same after close encounters with your excessively-sharpened knife. To make sure you have a cutting board that will last as long as your knives, check out Wholesale Cutting Boards vast selection of models and choose your favorite today.

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