Kitchen Knife Set - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2022
Choosing the right knife set for you is an important part of outfitting your kitchen for any meal. Knife sets can be an investment and when cared for properly should last for years, so it is important to understand your needs and select the best knife set for you.
The number of pieces in a knife set will vary, but there are certain knives that most sets include, such as the paring knife and the utility knife. Each knife has its own uses, and some sets may include specialty knives as well. Other factors such as handle and blade material must also be considered. The most durable knives are made from a single piece of unwelded steel. Choosing the right kitchen knives is as much about safety as it is about utility, as a set of quality sharp knives can go a long way in preventing injuries in the kitchen.
A set of knives is often an investment and can last for many years if properly sharpened and cleaned. You should carefully consider your kitchen needs and preferences before purchasing a knife set.
What's in a Kitchen Knife Set?
Kitchen knife set manufacturers are very competitive. For this reason, there is no standard number of pieces that you can expect in a knife set. Knives come in sets of as few as four and as many as 19. Larger knife sets may include a knife block and a tool to sharpen the blades, such as a stone or even an electric horseshoe.
When evaluating your options, keep in mind that most kitchen knife sets include the following
- Utility Knife
This is a do-everything knife, with a blade that is typically about five inches long. A utility knife does a little of everything, including basic cutting and dicing.
- Chef's Knife
With a nine-inch blade or slightly less, a chef's knife is used for slicing, dicing, and mincing.
- Kitchen Knife
A useful addition to any kitchen, this knife with a three-inch blade is used for peeling, slicing, and trimming hand-held foods such as potatoes.
- Bread Knife
Bread knives come in various lengths, but all bread knives have serrated blades that make slicing even the densest of breads easy.
- Filleting Knife
With a very sharp blade, a fillet knife is useful if you are cutting a whole fish into serving sizes.
- Carving Knife
A carving knife is used to cut meat and poultry into serving-sized portions.
- Special Knives
Aimed at experienced cooks, there are a few additional specialty knives to consider. You could buy one of these in addition to your game, or you could search for a game that includes them.
- Santoku Knife
Originating in Japan, the Santoku knife is an all-purpose knife that is typically between 13 and 20 inches in length. The Santoku knife is designed to work in harmony with a variety of foods and is used for slicing, chopping and chopping.
- Cheese, Fruit and Tomato Knives
These task-oriented knives have special features that make it easier to cut or peel a certain food. For example, fruit and tomato knives may have slightly curved, serrated blades that gently cut through the skin or rinds.
What to Look for in a Knife Set
The grip is very important when it comes to selecting the right kitchen knife set. You may want to visit a store where you can hold a knife in your hands to gauge your feel. The correct fit improves cutting efficiency and reduces the chance of injury during food preparation.
Besides the grip, here are a few other things to look for in a knife set.
- Hilt
The hilt is the point where the handle and the blade meet. Chefs often grip this part of the knife to aid accuracy, so the handle should feel comfortable in the hand. It should be thick and solid, with no gaps where food can get trapped, and it should also be easy to clean.
- Weight
A knife used for cutting will feel light or heavy in your hands. Light knives are suitable for cutting light ingredients such as tomatoes and garlic. Heavy knives are more suitable for cutting meats, nuts, and ginger.
- Steel Composition
The best knives are made from a single piece of steel. Knives where the steel blade has been welded into the handle can be weakened. As the knife wears down or is exposed to water during cleaning, this weakness can lead to injury.
- Balance
The weight of a knife should feel equal, or balanced, throughout. A balanced knife is easier to handle and requires less effort overall.
- Handle Material
The best knives have handles made of a hard material like wood, plastic, or resin. Bone handles or other soft materials may look attractive, but they are brittle and can break easily.
A Note About Knife Blade Material
Which Blade Material is Better?
One school of thought supports the use of ceramic blades as they can be easily sharpened and will hold their sharpness for a long time. Also, ceramic blades do not rust.
However, ceramic blades have been known to break, and high quality ceramic blades are very expensive. They should also be sent to the manufacturer for periodic sharpening.
Non-ceramic options include carbon steel, stainless steel, high carbon stainless steel, and forged blades.
Carbon steel blades are known for staying sharp, but can rust.
Stainless steel blades vary in quality, with cheaper ones dull easily.
High carbon stainless steel blades are a good option. You can get a good high carbon stainless steel knife at a reasonable price.
Forged blades (made from a single piece of steel) are better than stamped blades because forging makes the metal stronger.
Tips
To maintain your knife blades, it's smart to purchase both a whetstone and a whetstone. Steel helps maintain a good edge, but if the edge becomes dull, a stone will bring it back to life.
Always slice from your hands, and never use any part of your hand as a cutting surface.
The best way to clean kitchen knives is to wash them by hand with soap and water. Cleaning knives right after use minimizes the amount of food that will stick to the blades.
When cleaning your knives, keep the blade pointed away from you (and your hands). After washing the knives with a sponge or kitchen cloth, place them on the table and gently dry them on each side.
If you see food stuck to a knife blade, soak it in a small amount of water to loosen the particles. Then, keeping the knife away from you, rub the food lightly until it comes off.
Never use a kitchen knife on a glass, steel, or ceramic cutting board. Not only will this practice damage the knife, it will put small pieces of the board into your food. For best results, select a strong, food-safe plastic or wood cutting board.
When chopping, keep the tip of the blade on the cutting board. Move your hands in a pumping motion while watching your fingers to keep them out of the way.
Never use a steak knife for kitchen prep work.
Never slice anything over the sink while you have it in your hands.
A common mistake is using the edge of a knife to sweep food off the cutting board. It's best to turn the knife around and use your spine to move things, as this action won't ruin the blade.
FAQ
Que. Where should I store my knives if they don't come with a knife block? Can I put them in a drawer?
Ans. It is not a good idea to keep sharp knives loose in a drawer. First, you or someone else could inadvertently reach inside and be injured. Also, knives can become dull from inadvertent contact with other objects in the drawer.
If a knife block is not included in your knife set purchase, it is possible to purchase a knife block separately. Knife block storage is one of the best ways to store your knives safely.
Que. What is an electric knife?
Ans. Powered by a small motor, an electric knife is made up of two serrated blades that hook together. When the appliance is turned on, the blades move back and forth to provide the sawing action. Electric knives are not usually sold in sets.
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