Choosing the Right Kitchen Knives

image:houzz.com

If you're moving into your first home, or if you've just remodeled your kitchen, it's time to take a look at a knife set. Everyone who cooks needs to have a good set of knives. They are among the most basic of cooking tools.

Getting a good knife set is trickier than it appears though. Those blocks of wood full of knives that you see in the big box stores are never very good. If cooking is your passion, you need just the knives you need at a quality level that won't make you cry when you're cutting onions. Here's what you need to know about the right kitchen knives.

1. You only need three main knives, and maybe two others.

The three main knives you need are:

* An 8” chef's knife for all-around work.

* A paring knife for peeling and coring

* A fillet knife to remove meat from a bone

The two optional knives are:

* A cleaver for hacking joints

* A serrated knife for slicing bread

Depending on your skills and food culture, you may need fewer or more knifes. Chinese chefs can do everything with a specialized cleaver. Japan has specialized knives for everything. A Western chef might only trust his main chef's knife. Most people don't have years of dedicated knife training, so stick with the basics.

2. Go to a knife store or kitchen supply store.

Each quality knife should cost you at least $40, but it could go much higher. The only way you'll be able to really feel the quality of a knife is to go to a shop and ask the owner to try out the knives. Check the weight and the balance in your hand. Ask about durability and what you'll need to maintain the edge. Then ask for a demonstration on how to sharpen and hone the knife. You will likely need to buy a chef's steel for honing.  If you choose to sharpen your own knives, you’ll also need a whetstone.

Specialized knife dealers know how picky chefs can be about their knives and will be glad to help.  If you got great service from visiting the knife dealer in person, please buy the knife from their shop instead of online. It's worth the extra few dollars for the expertise.

3. Avoid wood knife blocks. Use a knife bar.

In the cooking world, wooden knife blocks are known as bacteria motels. They look nice but they are quite unsanitary. There's another disadvantage too. Storage of a blade in a knife block will dull it over time due to the weight of the blade pressing into the wood.

Avoid both these problems by using a magnetized knife bar on your wall. They are cheap and easy to install, provide an equally attractive display, and are far more sanitary. Plus, it's also much easier to grab a knife off the bar as you need it rather than trying to guess which handle belongs to which knife in your block.

By following these tips, you'll have a set of knives that can last for years, or even decades, that do all the major cooking jobs you'll need and keep them maintained and sanitary. Start your home cooking career off on the right foot by getting quality knives for your home.

This article was provided by the IceMachinesPlus team. Please visit their site for more information on products offered.