Why knives should be kept sharp

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Pinterest Embed code. Learning how to sharpen your knives is an essential cooking skill. Now stay vigilant! Whereas you can get away with sharpening knives just once a year, you should hone your knife at least once a week, and definitely before any major cooking project. Not sure how best to store your knife so it stays as sharp as possible?

Here are some tips. In contrast, a sharp knife can keep all your ingredients looking their best. Sharp knives allow for greater dish diversity Given all the ways a dull knife can make cooking more dangerous, difficult, and time-consuming, you may find yourself drifting away from recipes that require extensive cutting. You may not even be aware that your knife is the problem. Upon finding an interesting recipe that calls for a lot of knife-work, you may just decide that it sounds like too much of a hassle without examining why.

The truth is that a sharp knife can make even finicky recipes much less intimidating, increasing your confidence to try out recipes that a dull knife might ruin. Given how much a sharp knife can increase your recipe repertoire, a good sharpening can be a huge boon to anyone who has a passion for cooking.

Sharp knives make for a happy chef The Spanish use Bomba rice to make paella. Other Resources:. Helpful Links. Flip a ceramic mug over, so its bottom faces upward. Place it on a flat surface. There should be a ring that's raised, and unglazed. The ring's surface is rough and is harder than steel.

Use it as you would a whetstone. But be aware that if things go badly, you might scrape and mangle the blade edge useless. Try this on a cheap knife, not fancy cutlery. For some, sharpening cutlery is too much hassle.

Many premium knife brands such as Mac offer sharpening services Mac brand only. Still, you will have to ship knives back to their facility. That means you'll have to do without it for as long as seven business days. Some local grocery stores and supermarkets will sharpen your knives too -- and often for free. Usually you can ask at the butcher counter, preferably during off peak hours. Like any untried sharpening method though, try it out on a knife you could live without first.

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How to keep your kitchen knives razor sharp It's easier than you think to sharpen and care for kitchen knives for faster and safer cooking. Brian Bennett. April 27, a. Enlarge Image. Discuss: How to keep your kitchen knives razor sharp.