| Owning a set of kitchen knives, regardless of | | | | the humidity and it can withstand acids that |
| their type, requires certain use and | | | | it is exposed to in daily use. However, |
| maintenance in order to keep them sharp and | | | | stainless steel does not mean 100 percent |
| working correctly. Whether you invested in | | | | rust proof. The coarser the stainless steel |
| quality kitchen knives or own a set of | | | | surface is, the more likely it is to corrode. |
| discount knives, you will want to keep them | | | | To ensure your stainless steel cutlery is |
| sharp and handling well. | | | | corrosion resistant, you want to purchase |
| | | | knives with finely ground or polished |
| The first rule of use for your kitchen knife | | | | surfaces. |
| is to be sure that your blade lands on a soft | | | | |
| surface, such as wood or plastic, instead of | | | | Another option for kitchen cutlery is ceramic |
| a hard surface like ceramic or metal. | | | | knives which are durable and long lasting. |
| Striking your kitchen cutlery against hard | | | | However, ceramic knives should also not be |
| surfaces will rapidly dull the blade and | | | | put in the dishwasher. They are very easy to |
| hinder the performance of your kitchen knife, | | | | clean; a wipe and a rinse is all that is |
| even if you are using high quality ceramic or | | | | needed to keep them in great condition for |
| stainless steel cutlery. | | | | years to come. |
| | | | |
| Its sometimes tempting to use the kitchen | | | | When storing your knives, it is best to |
| knife to pry something, use it as a | | | | choose a knife block to protect the blades. |
| screwdriver or chisel and many other actions | | | | Never put your knife into the wooden knife |
| for which the kitchen cutlery is not | | | | block wet wood absorbs water and you could |
| intended. Even using the handle of your knife | | | | introduce mold and mildew into your knife |
| as a hammer is not recommended, unless it is | | | | block which could effectually ruin your |
| specifically built for that task. The pins, | | | | kitchen knives. If you are going to keep them |
| springs and handle can loosen or break, | | | | in a drawer, be sure that they are not tossed |
| rendering your kitchen knife useless. | | | | around too much. Jostling against other |
| | | | knives or instruments could cause your knife |
| You should keep your kitchen cutlery away | | | | blades to chip or dull unnecessarily. It is |
| from sand and gritty materials. Be especially | | | | fine to keep them in a drawer, but they |
| aware when you are using your knives outside, | | | | should be sleeved or in compartments to avoid |
| for instance if you are camping, fishing or | | | | colliding with other utensils or |
| just barbequing outdoors. Be aware of your | | | | inadvertently cutting you as you search in |
| kitchen knife and if it gets wet, you should | | | | the drawer for the knife you need. Forged |
| immediately dry it. When you are washing your | | | | cutlery or stainless steel cutlery should be |
| kitchen cutlery, do so in mild, soapy water | | | | properly stored to ensure it lasts a long |
| and then dry it completely with a towel, | | | | time. |
| instead of allowing it to drip dry. You | | | | |
| should always wash your kitchen cutlery by | | | | Taking care of your kitchen knives is quite |
| hand and dry it immediately after. | | | | easy if you follow the steps outlined above: |
| | | | |
| Wood tends to swell, so it you have wooden | | | | - Keep knives out of the dishwasher |
| handled knives, it is best not to immerse | | | | |
| them in water for any period of time. You can | | | | - Wash kitchen knives right after use and dry |
| rub mineral oil on wooden knife handles to | | | | them immediately after washing |
| help them keep their luster. You can also | | | | |
| increase the lifetime of your wooden handled | | | | - Store them in a wooden knife block, in |
| kitchen knives by rubbing lemon oil or | | | | sleeves or in a compartmentalized drawer |
| furniture polish into the wood handle | | | | |
| occasionally. | | | | Taking good care of your knives and using |
| | | | them properly will ensure that you will have |
| Stainless steel cutlery should not rust in | | | | great kitchen knives for years to come. |