How Often Should I Get My Knives Professionally Sharpened?
When it comes to kitchen knives, having a sharp blade is essential for safe and efficient food preparation. But how often should you get your knives professionally sharpened? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the factors that influence how often you should get your knives professionally sharpened and provide some tips on how to keep your knives in top condition.
What Factors Influence How Often You Should Get Your Knives Sharpened?
The frequency with which you should get your knives professionally sharpened depends on several factors, including the type of knife, the material of the blade, and how often you use it. Sharpness is kinda like tires on a car - it'll wear out as different rates depending on a few factors.
Type of Knife
Different types of knives require different levels of maintenance. For example, a chef’s knife is designed for chopping and slicing tasks and will typically need to be sharpened more frequently than a paring knife or a serrated bread knife. It's often used more.
Material of Blade
The material of the blade also affects how often you should sharpen it. For instance, stainless steel blades and blades with higher levels of carbon in them will wear at different rates. Typically, the harder the metal the longer that knife will hold its edge.
Frequency of use and cutting surface
The more frequently you use your knife, the more quickly its edge will dull and need to be sharpened. Moreover, if you cut on harder items the cutting edge of your knives will bend over faster and dull faster. If you use your knife daily or multiple times per day for food preparation tasks, then it will need to be sharpened more often than if you only use it occasionally. The same goes for cutting. If you cut rice krispies in a glass pan or plate here and there it's likely that knife will need to be sharpened sooner because of how hard the glass is in comparison to a typical cutting board.
How Can I Keep My Knives in Top Condition?
In addition to getting your knives professionally sharpened regularly, there are some other steps you can take to ensure that they stay in top condition:
Store Your Knives Well
Make sure that your knives are stored well when not in use. This means keeping them out of reach from children and storing them in a block or sheath so that they don’t come into contact with other objects that could dull their edges. Consider a vertical drawer solution to keep moisture off of them while keeping them from running into each other.
Clean Your Knives After Use
It’s important to clean your knives after each use in order to remove any food particles or debris that could accumulate on the blade and cause it to dull over time. Make sure to wash them with warm water and mild soap before drying them thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Use a Honing Rod Regularly
A honing rod is an essential tool for keeping your kitchen knives in top condition between professional sharpenings. Using a rod regularly will help maintain the edge on your blades so they stay sharper for longer periods of time without needing sharpening attention as frequently.
Conclusion
When it comes to kitchen knives, having a sharp blade is essential for safe and efficient food preparation. The frequency with which you should get your knives professionally sharpened depends on several factors including type of knife, material of blade, what you cut, if you hone and the frequency of use. In addition to getting your knives professionally sharpened regularly, make sure that they are stored properly when not in use, cleaned after each use, and regularly maintained with a hone between professional sharpenings in order to keep them in top condition over time.
Happy cooking!