April 21, 2020, 1:04 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Even the sharpest knife will eventually become dull. This happens especially quickly if it is mishandled. Here’s what matters when it comes to the care, cleaning, and storage of knives.
Sharp kitchen knives are essential for cooking. To keep them sharp for a long time, they should be properly maintained. Jens-Heinrich Beckmann from the Industrial Association of Cutting and Household Goods e.V. (IVSH) explains to myHOMEBOOK how to clean knives correctly and which ones should never go in the dishwasher.
Why Do Knives Become Dull?
“Knives simply become dull because they are used,” Beckmann explains. The thinner a blade is ground, the sharper the knife is, especially before the first use or after resharpening. In general, the sharper a knife, the more often it needs to be resharpened. But materials also play an important role: “The more carbon a steel contains, for example, the harder it is, and the longer a well-made knife will retain its sharpness,” the expert says. However, very high hardness also results in a certain brittleness.
Which Knives Should Not Be Cleaned in the Dishwasher
Even though it’s convenient, not all kitchen knives belong in the dishwasher. “Simple kitchen knives–and of course table or cutlery knives–can be cleaned in the dishwasher without concern,” says Beckmann. But this does not apply to all knives in the kitchen. The higher the quality of a knife, the less it belongs in the dishwasher.
Especially the edge of the knife can be damaged in the dishwasher. “The ‘climate’ in a dishwasher and the detergents used will eventually attack the knife, particularly the steel of the blade,” explains the knife expert. But not only the blade can be damaged. Plastic handles also risk fading, and wooden handles are even more at risk.
What Is the Difference Between Dishwasher Suitability and Dishwasher Resistance?
If a chef’s knife is only occasionally or accidentally cleaned in the dishwasher, it usually does not suffer damage. “Experts refer to this as dishwasher suitability, which should not be confused with dishwasher resistance,” Beckmann notes.
The difference: Knives with dishwasher suitability can withstand several wash cycles without problems, but they will eventually suffer damage. If a knife is dishwasher resistant, it can essentially be cleaned in the dishwasher indefinitely.
How to Properly Clean Sharp Kitchen Knives
In fact, hand washing is recommended for kitchen knives if you want to preserve their sharpness as long as possible. According to Beckmann, warm water, dish soap, and a sponge are sufficient. Then dry them promptly with a dish towel to prevent unsightly spots on the blade.
“In summary, the recommendation for good and high-quality kitchen knives is: Clean by hand whenever possible.”
Jens-Heinrich Beckmann, Industrial Association of Cutting and Household Goods e.V.
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Note: It’s best to clean the knife immediately after use. Some foods, especially those high in acid, quickly attack the material.
How to Properly Store Kitchen Knives
In many kitchens, kitchen knives end up in the cutlery drawer. But this is not a good idea for several reasons:
- Risk of injury: If you reach carelessly into the drawer, you risk cutting yourself on the sharp blades.
- Damage to cutlery compartments: The knives can scratch the compartments in the cutlery drawer.
- Blades become dull: If the knives rub against each other in the drawer when it is opened, they will become dull over time.
So how should you store the knives? Beckmann has the answer: “Ideal–especially for quick access–are magnetic strips,” the expert explains. Here, the blades do not touch, the knives are quickly accessible, and there is little risk of injury. A knife block, which is available in various designs today, is also recommended. Just make sure to remember which slot each knife goes into, as they can be easily confused by their handles.
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How to Properly Sharpen Knives
If the knife has become dull, perhaps because it was cleaned in the dishwasher too often, it needs to be sharpened. If you don’t have a sharpening stone, you can also try using the rough underside of a coffee mug. Here’s how to properly sharpen dull knives–step by step:
Not Just Knives–Other Items That Don’t Belong in the Dishwasher
Not only knives but also other household items and kitchen utensils should not be cleaned in the dishwasher. Find out which ones in this article.