You have probably heard that a great cook must have a good knife. That is because the knife is critical kitchen equipment. As a cook, you need to keep it clean, sharp, and protected. Thus, you can be sure the knife performs well. Remember that cooking is an art, and you can only become better with experience and time. Your kitchen imarku stainless steel steak knives are an investment. You need a quality knife that ensures you have an enjoyable performance and inspiration daily. These are the factors to consider when choosing a knife.
Knife Maintenance
Proper cleaning, storage, and honing are necessary to ensure your knife can last long and be simple to use. Moreover, you need to store your knife properly. Plastic edge guards, knife blocks, and magnetic strips can help protect your knife edges.
Handles
You can find handles made from a range of materials, such as woods, resins, composites, and plastics. Each material offers a unique comfort level, aesthetics, grip, and feel. It is advisable to hand wash them. Avoid putting them inside a dishwasher as the handles dry out, degrade, and crack over time. When choosing the handle, make sure it is comfortable and offers you a sense of control.
Knife Blade Material
Most manufacturers carefully choose materials that suit the type of knife and performance required. You should note that the quality of the knife depends on thoughtful design and a combination of different traits. One of the common materials used to make the knife blade is carbon steel. The good thing about this type of material is that it is easier to sharpen and harder than regular steel. Also, you can forge it into a thinner blade. However, it is vulnerable to stains and rust.
Stainless steel is an alloy that contains about 15% of chromium, molybdenum, and traces of carbon. You should avoid lower-quality stainless steel knives as they do not have a sharp edge. Most of the knives you find on the market made from high carbon steel are resistant to corrosion.
Ceramic is another material used to make kitchen knives. This material is known for being ultra-sharp, lightweight, and it can hold an edge for quite long. However, it is prone to breaking and chipping if it falls or is used improperly. Since ceramic is non-reactive, it will not alter or discolor food. A knife that is made from ceramic does not need any maintenance needs.
Type of Knife
You need to get the right type of knife for the job. The primary knife for cooking is the chef’s knife. This knife can help you slice, dice, mince, and chop all types of fruits, meats, fish, and vegetables. You will find this to be the most important type of knife.
Also, you require a paring knife. This is used for cutting small vegetables, meats, and fruits. For instance, you can use it for trimming strawberries, prepping artichokes, and halving mushrooms. These knives are designed for delicate work.
Another important type of knife you need in your kitchen is the serrated or bread knife. You can also use it for cutting vegetables and fruits.
