How To Store Kitchen Knives According To Chefs (2024)?

How To Store Kitchen Knives Correctly?

I have a slight fixation on purchasing kitchen knives. It helps that I can justify many of my work-related purchases (how else would I be able to write extensive reviews of chef’s knives, bread knives, and paring knives?), yet I’m still dealing with the ramifications of all those purchases.

How do I store all of these knives? Throwing knives in with other silverware and kitchen equipment can cause damage and raise your risk of injury. Learn how to store knives in a variety of ways.

The kitchen is full of machines and utensils that might be hazardous to youngsters. One of the most common is kitchen knives. As a result, determining the appropriate manner to keep kitchen knives in the presence of youngsters is critical. Proper knife storage is vital for avoiding cooking accidents and caring for your knives.

Even if you don’t buy knives for work, there’s a good chance you have a collection that needs to be organized. There is no one correct solution; it is dependent on your needs, and it is often beneficial to use a variety of ways. Here are the knife storage alternatives that have proven to be the most effective for me in a variety of situations (along with one that hasn’t).

There are some common methods for storing kitchen knives. Drawer inserts, countertop knife blocks, and wall-mounted magnetic strips are examples. So, let’s have a look at which method is the best and safest for storing kitchen knives around children.

The Best Knife Block: There Isn’t One

I know I’m coming out swinging, which may appear unusual given…what has a knife block ever done to me? Nothing at all. They’re fine if you have the counter space and a precisely matched pair of knives to fit the few different-sized slots. But that is not the situation for me, and I do not believe it is the ideal solution for the majority of people.

I don’t recommend buying a knife set since it causes you to overpay for some knives that aren’t worth the money (like paring knives) and underpay for others that are (like chef’s knives).

Instead, I believe it’s usually a better strategy to grow a knife collection piecemeal, putting most of your money on a chef’s knife or two, potentially splurging on a santoku or a decent slicer, and saving money on affordable paring knives and bread knives. (My favourite bread knife costs under $20, so why spend more?)

The lack of a knife set that corresponds to the number and size of slots on a block quickly becomes a problem. When you consider how much counter space the block takes up—something that is already in limited supply in most kitchens—its potential benefits quickly fade.

Even if you have a knife set that fits the block, where do you store any more knives you acquire? Other alternatives are required in any case.

Knife Storage Options:

There are various different kitchen knife storage alternatives available to keep your knives sharp and clean when not in use. Here are six of the most popular knife storage methods:

1. Edge Guards: Using individual edge guards, which are plastic sheaths that go over the blades of your knives, is a terrific method to keep your knives safe in the cutlery drawer. Edge protectors also keep your blades from becoming dull.

2. Knife Blocks: Knife blocks are wooden blocks with distinct slots cut onto them for various knife kinds. Slots for a paring knife, steak knife, sharpening rods, bread knife, chef’s knife, meat cleaver, and kitchen shears are common in a universal knife block. This countertop storage solution is normally made of wood, but glass knife blocks and versions with rubber or plastic rods to sharpen your kitchen equipment are also available.

3. Drawer Knife Blocks Or Knife Bars: Drawer knife blocks or knife bars fit into kitchen drawers and have distinct slots for knife blades. Knife drawer inserts are ideal for keeping your knives organized, safe, and out of sight.

4. Leather Knife Rolls: A leather knife roll is a storage device with holes to accommodate various knife sizes. A leather knife roll protects your kitchen knives’ blades and neatly folds up for drawer storage. Professional chefs frequently use it to store and transport their knife sets to work.

5. Magnetic Knife Strip: A magnetic knife holder can help you save counter space in your kitchen. These strips attach to your wall and give a magnetic surface for your blades to adhere to. Install magnetic strips on the wall above your kitchen workspace, and your knives will be held in a flat row against the wall.

6. Magnetic Knife Blocks: These storage options are comparable to regular knife blocks but lack slots. Because the knives adhere to the sides of the magnetized block, the cutting edges are less likely to be damaged as they move in and out of knife slots.

1. Drawers:

Advantages

Keeping kitchen knives in drawers is a smart idea if you have youngsters in the house. Your children will not be able to reach the knives unless they open the ‘knife drawer,’ because they are not shown.

Cons

Knife drawer storage isn’t the best approach to keeping your knives in good condition. Even if you precisely arrange the knives in the kitchen drawer, they will shift around when the drawer is opened or closed. This could eventually damage the knife by shattering or dulling the blade. Let’s not forget the apparent danger of leaving unsecured knives in a drawer that youngsters can open.

Suggestion

Purchase knife drawer inserts to safeguard your knives. You should also acquire a safety latch that is difficult for children to unlock. You won’t have to worry about your youngsters discovering your knives when playing with drawers this way.

2. Knife Blocks That Are Not Magnetic:

Pros

These are attractive and simple ways to store knives. If you use knife blocks to store kitchen knives around children, ensure sure the block is out of reach of your children.

Cons

Although the blades are hidden from the view of children, these custom-made gaps to suit your knives are impossible to clean. As a result, there is a high chance of bacteria and mould growth, which could result in food poisoning.

If your knife block did not come with a knife set, the pre-sized knife slots may be able to accommodate your blades. So, if you are a knife enthusiast like us and purchase knives that are not part of a specific block set, this is not the ideal storage solution.

Suggestion

Keep the knife block out of reach of youngsters at all times. Also, purchase a knife block that stores knives sideways to minimize dulling (no vertical knife blocks).

3. Wall-Mounted Magnetic Knife Strips:

Pros

These are a wonderful solution for storing kitchen knives near youngsters. Simply hang them on the wall at a height out of reach of children. It’s convenient, sanitary, and saves counter space. They also come in a variety of lengths, so you may get one that will store the number of knives you require. If you need extra storage space, simply purchase another and hang it end to end or stack them vertically.

The only disadvantage is that they must be fixed to the wall and out of reach of children.

Purchase a magnetic knife strip with hidden magnets and a non-metal surface to protect the blade. We choose wooden wall-mounted magnetic strips since they are easy to use and go with any sort of home design.

Why Is Proper Knife Storage Important?

Poor storage can harm your blades and possibly cause physical injury, which is why good knife storage is critical. Keeping these instruments unsheathed in the same drawer as other cutlery can result in minor nicks and dents that are difficult to fix, as well as the fast dulling of your knives.

How To Properly Store Knives?

Here are some pointers and practises to keep in mind when storing knives at home:

1. Select the appropriate storage method. Magnetic knife strips or drawer blocks are the most effective ways to keep your kitchen counters clear. Drawer docks take up drawer space, but unlike knife blocks, they free up counter space and make your knives easily accessible.

2. Think about cleanliness. If you don’t properly dry or clean your blades, wooden knife blocks (like wooden cutting boards) can become breeding grounds for yeast and mould. The best way to keep your knives clean is in a drawer block or magnetic strip. Knives stored on magnetic strips may catch food splatter depending on how close your magnetic bar is to your kitchen.

3. Think about convenience. For convenience, a countertop block or magnetic strip is the ideal option. Knives maintained in these storage cabinets are easily accessible, allowing you to use and store them.

4. Choose a block with sharpening capabilities. Some countertop knife blocks and knife docks sharpen your blades for you. If sharpness is important to you, look for storage blocks that are specifically designed to protect and sharpen your knife collection.

5. Knives should be stored blade-up. Always rest your knife on the opposite side of the blade, whether you’re using a knife block or an in-drawer knife sheath. The sharp edge of your knife will be dulled if you rest it on it.

Also Read:

Conclusion

Last but not least, placing knives on a magnetic strip on the wall is an excellent way to save bench space, increase visibility, and improve convenience. And hanging beautiful knives, such as the Furi magnetic wall rack knife set, adds another depth to your kitchen, providing a modern and fashionable aesthetic.

It Is critical to purchase a magnetic strip that is appropriate for the weight of the blades you intend to attach. Purchasing a magnetic strip built for specific blades, such as the Furi knife set mentioned above, will provide the best outcomes. these suggestions should assist you in organizing and protecting a sizable knife collection. However, if you acquire knives at the same rate as I do, we may need to start exploring warehousing possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How should Store kitchen knives?

Ans: The cleanest way to store your knives is in a drawer block or a magnetic strip. Knives kept on magnetic strips might also attract food splatter depending on how close your magnetic bar is to your food preparation area.

Q: How to Do The Japanese Store Their Knives?

Ans: There are three suitable methods for Japanese knife storage: using a knife block, a magnetic strip, or a knife roll. Q: Are there any advantages to using a knife block? A: Yes, using a knife block has several advantages. It provides a safe and secure storage option, keeping the knives protected from damage

Q: How And Where Should Knives Be Kept When Not In Use?

Ans: Storing knives in a block or an in-drawer organiser keeps the blades intact, and easy to find, as well as being much safer. Not interested in a big block? Try a magnet mounted to the kitchen wall. It’ll keep them out where you can reach them and keeps the blades safe

Q: What Is The Best Type Of Knife Block?

Ans: Magnetic knife blocks

Some are made of wood and others of synthetic materials, but they usually all blend well with modern kitchens. Unlike traditional knife blocks, these blocks don’t have any slots to store the knives but the whole surface can be used for placing the knives.

Q: Why Is Knife Storage Important?

Ans: The way in which your knives are stored can have a great influence on the life span and quality of the blades. That’s why, when buying new knives, it’s also important to consider how you will store these. There are plenty of storage options for kitchen knives on the market to keep your knives in perfect condition.

Q: What Are The Three Rules Of Knife Use In The Kitchen?

Ans: Cut food on a flat surface (such as a cutting board), so it stays in one place. Do not hold food in your hand while you cut it. Be sure to keep it on the cutting board at all times to avoid having your knife slip and hurt you. Wash knives immediately after use.