Having spent a lot to buy one or more great kitchen knives, it’s important to know how to clean them. It’s not only a matter of cleanliness and hygiene; it’s also a way to protect your investment. Knives can get dull, rusted, or damaged very slowly so you may not notice the impact on their ability to cut smooth, clean, and neat until one fine day you realize that the knives are just not working for you. That is when you need to decide on either doing your knife sharpening or finding out where to get knives sharpened locally. If you want to DIY, you need to decide between manual vs. electric knife sharpeners – both have their pros and cons. This is an ongoing and often heated debate so it’s not worthwhile going into it here. Suffice it to say that the best option is always professional knife sharpening.
Coming back to the cleaning issue, there are some basic tips that, if you know and follow, can keep your knives sharp for a long time, and delay the need to get them sharpened.
- Never Put Knives in the Dishwasher: Even if a knife is claimed to be dishwasher safe, it is better to not put it in. In a dishwasher, knives are exposed to very high temperatures, strong detergent action, and powerful abrasive action. This will cause wear and damage on both the knife blade and the handle. Since the knives are lying loose in the dishwasher tray, the water pressure will jostle them around, resulting in needless impact on the cutting edge. Many cooks prefer knives with wooden handles. These are particularly sensitive to dishwasher damage.
- Never Drop Knives into the Sink: When you’re busy in the kitchen and have finished with a knife, it’s tempting to drop it into the sink thinking that you will get around to cleaning it later. That can be dangerous – you may not notice the knife and it could cut you when you reach into the sink. The danger increases if the knife is hidden by soapy water.
- Wash One Knife at a Time: Holding 2 or more knives in one hand and soaping them with the other may seem like a time saver, but it is not. Firstly, the more knives you hold at one time, the more the risk of dropping and damaging them or, even worse, cutting yourself.
Also Read: How Often Should You Sharpen Your Kitchen Knives?
- Wash from the Back of the Blade: Always keep the blade edge away from you as you sponge and then dry the knife. This will reduce the chance of accidentally cutting yourself.
- Always Dry Knives Immediately: Rusting is always a danger with any knife. If the knife has been used to cut citrus fruits, or exposed to salt or acids, the iron in the steel is more prone to rusting. Once they are completely dry, store them away from humidity.
The next part of this blog will have tips to make washing knives by hand easier and more effective. What is important is to remember that knives do lose their edges with use and along with cleaning them the right way, you should know when to get them sharpened. The best way to have that done is to send them to a concierge knife sharpening service with doorstep collection, expert professional sharpening, and scheduled returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I not put knives in the dishwasher?
Dishwashers can cause wear and damage to knives due to high temperatures, strong detergent, and abrasive action. It’s best to wash knives by hand.
How can I prevent my knives from rusting?
Always dry your knives immediately after washing, especially if they’ve been exposed to acidic foods or salt. Store them in a dry place away from humidity.
Is it safe to wash multiple knives at once?
No, washing more than one knife at a time can increase the risk of dropping them or cutting yourself. Always wash one knife at a time.
What’s the best way to clean my knives safely?
Wash knives from the back of the blade, keeping the edge away from you to prevent injury. Dry them immediately after cleaning.
When should I get my knives sharpened?
Knives lose their sharpness over time. If they aren’t cutting smoothly, it may be time to get them professionally sharpened. Opt for a concierge sharpening service for convenience.
Where can I get knives sharpened locally?
You can get your knives sharpened locally by using Rejuvenated Knives’ professional sharpening services. They offer expert sharpening with convenient doorstep pickup and delivery.
