Kitchen knife plays a very important role in cooking whether you are a professional chef or a home-cook. But the issue is there are different types of kitchen knives available in the market that come in different shapes and sizes. Professional chefs have a good idea about the usage of these, but many people have no clue.
The whole cooking experience can be changed to a great degree by only using the right knife. If you are also one of them who is accustomed to using the same knife to cut vegetables, bread, and meat, then this article is going to be of great help to you.
What are the different types of steel used in Kitchen Knives?
You may think that why this even a part of this article is. Why do you need to know about the different types of steel used in the making of a knife? You can just go to a market and get the knife you need. But believe it or not, you must know about these.
So, three different types of steel are used for making a knife. These are- carbon steel, general German type steel, and Japanese steel.
Carbon steel: Among the three different types of steel, carbon steel requires the most care. The carbon reacts with the moisture in the atmosphere very easily. That is why it is more susceptible to forming rust on it. So, you need to be very careful while using them. You can never keep them in contact with water for a long time. But having a carbon knife is worth the hassle. It makes the sharpest knives.
Stainless steel: This is the most popular material used for kitchen knives as it is very easy to maintain and does not rust. It lasts longer. Stainless steel is made of an alloy or mixture of iron, carbon, chromium. But these kinds of alloys are widely available. And that is why it is difficult to ensure the quality of these.
Japanese steel: These make the sharpest knives. These are a little too sharp. That is why they can get brittle. So, cutting hard stuff such as bones can be risky and can break the knife.
What are the different types of kitchen knives?
Now, comes the part where we tell you what you have been waiting for. So, there are several shapes and sizes of knives available. But here you will get to know about the five main types that will get any job done. So, let’s jump right in.
1. Chef Knife
When talking about different types of kitchen knives, the chef knife has to top the list. It is the best kind and also the most important one. It is about -8-12 inches in length and very sharp. You can cut almost anything with it, fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, you name it! It is the most used knife by a cook.
2. Pairing knife
These are a little smaller in size. They are perfect for peeling fruits and vegetables. You can also use it to do smaller work such as cutting the edges of ginger, garlic, onion, etc. You can also take the core out of fruits and vegetables if you need to.
3. Boning Knife
The boning knife has a pointed end and very shard edges. It is of two types- one is the regular one and the other is the flexible one. The regular boning knife is very rigid built. But the flexible ones are good for cutting softer meats such as for fileting fish or removing fat from raw beef.
4. Serrated Knife
The serrated knife has ridged edges and it kind of looks like the bigger version of a steak knife. It is perfect for cutting bread without smudging or smashing it. It can be used to cut the pie as well.
5. Slicing knife
It is the longest kitchen knife. It is a slim knife with a tapering point. It is mainly used for carving. You can use it for cutting cooked meat also.
How to take care of the kitchen knives and clean them?
kitchen knives
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take care of your knives. Proper care will ensure the longevity of your knife and also help you perform with more ease.
So, to keep your knives nice, shiny, and last longer, always wash them with soap and water by your hands and never put them in the dishwasher. Because the harsh chemicals will wear the edges of your knife faster.
Also, use gentle and slightly abrasive scrub to clean them. Using stainless steel scrubs is not recommended since they can be a little too harsh.
And lastly, I need to mention that you must be extra careful about your carbon steel knives as they can form rust easily. Make sure you dry them immediately after washing them.
How to sharpen the kitchen knives?
The knives will wear out and lose their sharpness over your period of use. So, you will need to sharpen them once in a while. For that, you can buy a hand sharpener which available o Amazon or any local store.
You can also use steel to sharpen your knife. You can use anything made of steel as long as you can hold your knife against it and sharpen it. The idea is to hold your knife at an angle of 15-20 degrees and move it back and forth to sharpen the edges.
Conclusion
So, now you have everything you need to know about the types of kitchen knives. This is going to be a great place to start for you if you have just started to learn cooking, a regular home cook, or a professional chef.
We hope this article will help you find your perfect knife and make your kitchen experience a fun and enjoyable one.
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