Not all cutlery is the same, by any means. Prices vary all over the map. A knife that costs a lot isn't necessarily one that'll do the best job. And, it's a given that knives which aren't maintained in good condition will be difficult to use, even if they're top of the line. Having the right knives and keeping them in the best possible shape is an important part of running things efficiently and avoiding accidents in the kitchen. We came accross the article below which mentions a number of things to keep in mind when choosing a cutlery set.
The Qualities of Good Cutlery Sets
It seems that everyone is selling cutlery sets, from your friends to infomercial outlets. Some of the knife sets may be perfectly fine, while others are not worth the box they are packed in. To find out if the cutlery sets are all you want them to be, consider a few pointers.
First, the best cutlery sets have a nice variety of knives. A Chef’s knife is very versatile, and can be used for a large variety of tasks, cutting up and slicing just about any type of food. Bread knives with a serrated edge work better at slicing loaves without crushing them. Santoku knives are similar to narrow bladed cleavers, and they are good for chopping, mincing, and slicing. A paring knife is handy for peeling fruits and vegetables. It also can be used to cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces. A filet or boning knife is good to have if you cut up whole chickens or fish. Do not forget the steak knives. Most good cutlery sets have 4 to 8 steak knives included.
Second, good cutlery sets will be made with quality construction methods. Stainless steel is the metal of choice for most cutlery sets, with high carbon steel being the best. Full tang blades are nice to have because they are durable and cut smoothly. Full tang just means that the metal that forms the blade continues down through to the end of the handle. Metal rivets are sometimes used to hold the knives together securely. Ergonomic handles are preferable, especially if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
Finally, consider the knife accessories that come with the cutlery sets. Kitchen shears come in handy not only for opening bags and containers, but also for cutting foods. Most cutlery sets will come with either a knife storage block or individual knife covers. While some knives are made to hold a constant edge, others need routine sharpening maintenance. Having a good sharpening steel for these sets is a good idea to keep the knives sharp between professional sharpenings.
When you have found good quality cutlery sets for your kitchen, you will be ready to handle any recipe. Your food will look better, and in some cases, even taste better. What is more, slicing, chopping and dicing will be a joy instead of drudgery. Look for the best cutlery sets, and you will be happy with your choice.
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August 15 2008 | Cutlery | No Comments »
Regardless of how you sharpen your knives, be sure to wash and dry them both before and after sharpening. Once you get used to having a sharp knife, you’ll know right away when yours is losing its edge. Suddenly, cutting becomes a lot more difficult. One easy test is sliding your knife along a peach or tomato, exerting no pressure. If the knife is sharp, it’ll pierce the skin right away.
This is just an introduction to the advantages of sharpening and caring for kitchen cutlery. Read on for some more recommendations.
Sharpening Knives and Other Tips for Caring for Your Kitchen Knives
Owning a set of kitchen knives, regardless of their type, requires certain use and maintenance in order to keep them sharp and working correctly. Whether you invested in quality kitchen knives or own a set of discount knives, you will want to keep them sharp and handling well.
The first rule of use for your kitchen knife is to be sure that your blade lands on a soft surface, such as wood or plastic, instead of a hard surface like ceramic or metal. Striking your kitchen cutlery against hard surfaces will rapidly dull the blade and hinder the performance of your kitchen knife, even if you are using high quality ceramic or stainless steel cutlery.
It’s sometimes tempting to use the kitchen knife to pry something, use it as a screwdriver or chisel and many other actions for which the kitchen cutlery is not intended. Even using the handle of your knife as a hammer is not recommended, unless it is specifically built for that task. The pins, springs and handle can loosen or break, rendering your kitchen knife useless.
You should keep your kitchen cutlery away from sand and gritty materials. Be especially aware when you are using your knives outside, for instance if you are camping, fishing or just barbequing outdoors. Be aware of your kitchen knife and if it gets wet, you should immediately dry it. When you are washing your kitchen cutlery, do so in mild, soapy water and then dry it completely with a towel, instead of allowing it to drip dry. You should always wash your kitchen cutlery by hand and dry it immediately after.
Wood tends to swell, so it you have wooden handled knives, it is best not to immerse them in water for any period of time. You can rub mineral oil on wooden knife handles to help them keep their luster. You can also increase the lifetime of your wooden handled kitchen knives by rubbing lemon oil or furniture polish into the wood handle occasionally.
Stainless steel cutlery should not rust in the humidity and it can withstand acids that it is exposed to in daily use. However, stainless steel does not mean 100 percent rust proof. The coarser the stainless steel surface is, the more likely it is to corrode. To ensure your stainless steel cutlery is corrosion resistant, you want to purchase knives with finely ground or polished surfaces.
Another option for kitchen cutlery is ceramic knives which are durable and long lasting. However, ceramic knives should also not be put in the dishwasher. They are very easy to clean; a wipe and a rinse is all that is needed to keep them in great condition for years to come.
When storing your knives, it is best to choose a knife block to protect the blades. Never put your knife into the wooden knife block wet – wood absorbs water and you could introduce mold and mildew into your knife block which could effectually ruin your kitchen knives. If you are going to keep them in a drawer, be sure that they are not tossed around too much. Jostling against other knives or instruments could cause your knife blades to chip or dull unnecessarily. It is fine to keep them in a drawer, but they should be sleeved or in compartments to avoid colliding with other utensils or inadvertently cutting you as you search in the drawer for the knife you need. Forged cutlery or stainless steel cutlery should be properly stored to ensure it lasts a long time.
Taking care of your kitchen knives is quite easy if you follow the steps outlined above:
- Keep knives out of the dishwasher
- Wash kitchen knives right after use and dry them immediately after washing
- Store them in a wooden knife block, in sleeves or in a compartmentalized drawer
Taking good care of your knives and using them properly will ensure that you will have great kitchen knives for years to come.
Ben Anton, 2007
Ben Anton lives in the Northwest and writes for DLK.
Ben Anton invites you to read about proper kitchen knife maintenance at our easy to use discount knife and sharpener website.
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July 05 2008 | Cutlery | No Comments »