Whether you purchase the best kitchen knives money can buy or the cheapest knife set you can find, you have to consider how you are going to store your knives.
Storing your knives properly is important for safety and for preventing dulling and damage to your knives. This article contains information and tips on how to store kitchen knives.
Knife blocks are a very popular way to store kitchen knives. If you buy a knife set, storage blocks are often included. You can also buy stand alone knife blocks in various sizes. Knife blocks provide safety and convenience, but they take up counter space and can be difficult to clean when necessary. It is important to make sure your knives are clean and dry before you store them in a block. Moisture, dirt and food particles can get stuck in the slots and cleaning the slots is not usually easy though a can of compressed air can help.
A magnetic strip mounted to a kitchen wall is another knife storage option and the one I personally use. Magnetic strips are simple to clean, can easily accommodate large kitchen knife sets, and this method of storage is extremely efficient in that it saves both counter top and drawer space. I would not recommend it, however, if you have young children or rambunctious pets.
Storing your knives loosely in one of your kitchen drawers is a bad idea, yet many people do exactly that. Doing so poses a danger to anyone who opens the drawer. Your knives can also be damaged while sliding around among the other cutlery and kitchen tools sharing the drawer.
If you must store knives in a drawer, the best option I have found for storing knives in a drawer is a knife safe. These blade protectors prevent damage to both the blade and hands when storing knives in a drawer. Some two piece models snap over the blade while some are hinged and more like cases. Most are made of strong plastic and are dishwasher safe.
An in-drawer knife block is another option for storing knives in a drawer. Part drawer organizer and part knife block, drawer knife blocks are fitted with slots to hold knives of varying sizes and lie flat in a drawer. They provide protection and a way to store your knives out of site. The downsides are that they are not a very efficient use of drawer space and may not accommodate all of your knives. If you do not own a lot of knives and drawer space is not an issue, an in drawer knife block may be adequate.
You can also use knife guards or kitchen knife sheaths for protection. A sheath or guard functions more like a sleeve that is slipped over the knife blade. While they will prevent damage or injury, they are often difficult to clean, can trap moisture and dirt, or harbor bacteria.
For safety and to prolong the lives of your kitchen knives, you should have a plan for storing any knives or knife sets you buy. Sometimes the decision is made for you as in a case where the set you buy comes with a block or if you are in a situation where you have no available drawer space but plenty of room on your counter top. Ultimately, several factors will contribute to determining the manner in which you store your knives. Your budget, your available space, the number of knives you have, and other circumstances will need to be considered in order to choose the best option for you.
Article Source: Options For Storing Your Kitchen Knives
