Knives are indispensable tools in every kitchen – both amateur and professional. However, to prevent them from losing their excellent sharpness too quickly and to make them resistant to rust or damage, they must be stored in the right way. You can choose a magnetic strip, a block, and the inside of a drawer. How to store knives to enjoy their properties for a long time?
Why is Proper Knife Storage So Important?
Even the highest quality knives can lose their excellent sharpness if you do not take care of their proper storage. Right next to proper sharpening and maintenance, it is one of the most important factors affecting the condition of the blade. The right way to store knives in the kitchen will help extend their life and reduce the frequency of sharpening. It will also favorably affect the level of user safety, minimizing the risk of injury. What knife storage methods are worth considering?
Storing Knives on a Magnetic Strip
A magnetic strip is one of the most popular knife storage methods among chefs. Mounted at a significant height, it is also a suitable choice for homes where small children live. Thanks to the magnet, the tools hold securely and do not fall off it. A strong enough magnet will be able to hold not only lighter Japanese knives, but also heavy cleavers.
Placing knives with the blade facing up is an optimal position that allows for easy access to them and their aesthetic display. Such a strip has the least contact with the blade – only on a short section – without damaging it and minimizing the risk of damage. It is important to first apply the dull side of the knife to it, and then slowly the rest of its surface.
For sale, you can find magnetic strips of various sizes and with additional amenities, such as hooks for hanging accessories. A wide selection of available designs will allow you to easily match their appearance to the kitchen’s arrangement and your own individual preferences.
Storing Knives in a Block
A knife block made of wood or plastic is an alternative to a magnetic strip. It is worth choosing it in a situation where for some reason you do not want or cannot mount the strip described earlier. You can choose a version with holes placed from the top or from the front – at a slight angle. The latter will allow you to more conveniently insert and remove knives from the inside.
The most important advantages of blocks are their compactness and mobility. If you often change your cutting location, you can easily take your knives in a block with you and have them always at hand. However, they also have some disadvantages. The basic one is the problem with keeping them clean, and often the need to use special tools to clean the inside of the block.
Remember! For the use of this storage method not to negatively affect the condition of the blade, it is very important to properly insert and remove the knife. It is essential that only the spine of the used knife touches the block. Otherwise, the risk of dulling the tool and scratching the stand itself increases.
Placing Knives in a Drawer
Many people keep their knives in a drawer. However, this is not a very appropriate way to store them. Placed in a common compartment, the blades have contact with each other, rubbing against each other – which can easily lead to them becoming dull. It is also more difficult to keep a drawer clean; for this reason, accessories that have direct contact with food should not be kept in it.
If you cannot use a magnetic strip or a block, each time before putting the knife in the drawer, put a protective cover on it. It will protect the blade from touching other models, also making it easier to maintain its hygienic cleanliness.
For this purpose, you can use a fabric or wooden protector. A worthy solution will also be to buy a special organizer with compartments, which will help isolate the blades from each other.
All knife storage methods have certain advantages and disadvantages – so choosing the ideal method is not the easiest. If you want to keep the excellent properties of the blade for as long as possible, we recommend equipping yourself with a magnetic strip. Do you like to have a knife always at hand? Reach for a solid block, remembering to properly insert and remove the tools from its inside. As a last resort, you can also store knives in a drawer. However, take care of their appropriate protection, which will eliminate the problem of blades touching and rubbing against each other.
