Good knives are the bright (steel) stars of meal prep because they are the kitchen’s main engines for slicing, dicing, chopping, and, of course, cutting. It may be tempting to simply toss your knives in the dishwasher, hit a button, and let the heat cycle do its thing, but this is not the best way to keep them in top condition. Find out why professionals advise against washing chef’s knives and other kitchen knives in the dishwasher and how to properly maintain and clean this necessary equipment.
Read also: Things You Should Never Keep on Your Kitchen Counter
Why You Should Never Put Knives in Dishwasher
Knives may be cleaned in the same way as other kitchen utensils, which is the biggest fallacy regarding cleaning knives. Putting your knife in the dishwasher can damage it. They are frequently overly harsh, and depending on the detergent type, the procedure may result in corrosion or rust.
Knives become damaged in the dishwasher. You could also put your knife in the laundry. The sharp edge of your knife may be compromised by the washing cycle. Additionally, a rogue knife may cut the dishwasher shelves’ plastic covering, exposing the metal undercoat to rust.
How to Clean Knives Correctly
Every knife needs to be hand-cleaned in warm water, rinsed, and dried right away, regardless of the material of the blade or handle. Use these pointers to maintain the quality of your knives.
Quickly Clean—and Avoid Soaking
Food safety requires that knives be properly cleaned because they are the main source of bacteria attraction. There is never a better moment for the home cook to tidy. To avoid having to scrape food off later, it is recommended to wash, or at least rinse, immediately after usage.
Don’t soak, though. Never let a knife soak in water as this may cause the handle and blade to rust. In addition, it may result in harm.
Rules for Safety
Until you are ready to clean them, never put knives in the sink. To avoid damaging the blades, this prevents additional dishes or pots and pans from coming into touch with the sink. Because you can’t see what’s underneath the water, it might also be risky to put blades in your dishwater. You do not wish for anyone to suffer harm.
No knife expert advises the use of rubber gloves when cleaning a knife. “The more hands-on you are with your knife, the less likely you are to have an accident.
How a Knife Should Be Held While Being Laundered or Dried
Avoid touching the blade. Using a sponge, wipe the knife toward the edge while holding it by the handle, or wrap the sponge around the back of the blade and draw it through. Holding the knife handle against the sink’s edge and dragging the sponge along the blade is a method I frequently employ. “This prevents injuries as your hands are less likely to slip in this position.”
How to Dry Knives Correctly
Knives should be dried immediately to help avoid potential blade damage. Air-drying is not as good as using a cotton towel. It is strongly advised to wipe a knife dry before promptly putting it back in its storage area because allowing it to air dry allows water to remain on the blade for an extended period of time and increases the risk of damage while the knife is out of use. “Letting water sit on the blade can lead to tarnishing or rust, even if a knife is stainless steel.”
Maintenance & Upkeep
Maintaining your kitchen knife properly will extend its useful life by several years. Consider them as kitchen investment pieces; maintaining your tools in good operating condition will only cost a little sweat equity.
Read also: Ways You Can Use Pumice Stone to Clean Your House