| Caring for your knives goes beyond an occasional | | | | removed. The best way to store a knife set |
| sharpening. In fact, there are many steps you can | | | | really is in a wooden block; your knives will be |
| take to keep them in good condition, although the | | | | easy to identify and use, and there is no risk of |
| knives will eventually become dull through use and | | | | them damaging each other. If you don't have the |
| require sharpening. Whether you have a | | | | counter space for a block, consider a knife block |
| high-quality knife investment or have purchased a | | | | designed to fit inside one of your kitchen drawers |
| set of discount kitchen knives, proper care and | | | | or cabinets. |
| maintenance can often extend their life by several | | | | Store your knives on a soft surface, not metal or |
| years. | | | | ceramic, because constantly striking a hard |
| To keep your knives in top condition, always | | | | surface can dull the blade quickly. There is a |
| wash and thoroughly dry them after use, | | | | reason why many knife dividers are covered in |
| especially if you have used them to cut acidic | | | | cloth. The same principle holds true for your |
| foods, such as lemon juice or vinegar, as these | | | | cutting surface; use wood, plastic, or another soft |
| can discolor or even rust many knives. Clean each | | | | surface rather than metal or ceramic whenever |
| knife by hand as you are done using it. Never | | | | possible. |
| place them in the dishwasher; this can cause them | | | | Never use knives that have become dulled. Not |
| to hit the other silverware and dishes in your | | | | only is this a safety risk, as you have to press |
| washer, and the prolonged exposure to hot water | | | | harder for the knife to cut, but your knives are |
| can damage wooden-handled knives. Blades may | | | | not meant to be used when they are dull. Do not |
| be cleaned with a scouring powder or mildly | | | | use kitchen knives to cut objects other than the |
| abrasive pad, but should never be scrubbed with | | | | ones they are intended to cut; do not use any |
| steel wool. Thoroughly dry your knives before | | | | knife to pry open jars or do related tasks. This |
| storing them, especially in a knife block, because | | | | carries the risk of breaking the tip of your knife, |
| excess moisture can encourage mold growth. | | | | stressing the joints between the handle and blade, |
| Store knives in a knife block, if available. If a knife | | | | and otherwise damaging your knife. |
| block is not available, use paper or plastic blade | | | | If your knives are collectibles rather than |
| covers, and store them in a drawer with separate | | | | everyday use knives, caring for them will include |
| compartments. Never toss your knives together | | | | periodic maintenance and cleaning. Use a soft, |
| into a knife drawer. Besides being dangerous, this | | | | clean cloth to wipe the blade and handle. Then, |
| can also damage the knives, as they hit against | | | | apply a polishing substance. Mineral oil can also be |
| each other. Keeping your knives free from nicks | | | | used on wooden knife handles, either kitchen use |
| is important; although it is possible to sharpen such | | | | or collectible, to help them keep their luster. Do |
| blemishes out of a knife blade, it requires | | | | not touch the blade of the knife with your fingers, |
| removing much of the original blade; sharpening is | | | | because the oil can damage the blade over time. |
| best done when only a little metal needs to be | | | | |