Knives are one of the most essential tools in the kitchen. They’re not just for cutting meat or slicing vegetables, they can also be used for a variety of other purposes. If you want to make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable and efficient, you must have a good kitchen knife set.
Using knives can even be considered an art form when they are in the hands of experienced cooks. In Asian restaurants, the skill of fast cutting and throwing knives in the air is the focal point of entertainment. To add to the performance, knives are often showcased in a presentation box.
The basic knife set
Before you go out and buy your kitchen knife set it’s important to understand the different types of knives and what they are used for. Each knife is designed for a specific purpose. The basic set contains a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a serrated knife, and a utility knife. Looking for a quality set can be daunting, but the Japanese knife sets from iMarku are a great place to start. Make sure to check the material the knives are made of before you buy them.
Knives made of ceramic are highly recommended, but they can be expensive and break easily. Polycarbonate knives are more durable than ceramic ones, but they don’t slice as well. Stainless steel is also a popular option because it is easy to clean and does not rust or corrode over time.
The Chef’s Knife
The chef’s knife is the most essential in any kitchen, so before you start looking around for other kitchen gadgets, make sure you have the basics down. It is the one that does the most versatile jobs, so it’s important to find a good quality one. A chef’s knife typically has a blade that is 8-10 inches long and curved towards the end. The chef’s knife can be used to chop, slice and dice. It is also good for cutting meat into strips.
The proper way to hold it is to place the thumb on one side of the blade and rest your fingers on the other. Then you can grip it firmly while cutting or slicing. Remember to keep your fingers curled under so that you don’t injure yourself.
The Paring Knife
Paring knives are for more specific purposes than the chef’s knife and thus they tend to be smaller and less sharp. They usually have a blade of 3-4 inches and a handle that is shaped like a pistol. Paring knives are used to peel vegetables, process fruits, and cut meat into small pieces. Because of its small size, it can be difficult to use this knife for anything other than dicing vegetables or cutting up meat.
To hold the knife, place your thumb and index finger on either side of the blade. Curl the other fingers under so that they are not in the way. You can then grip the handle with your palm and use your fingers to guide the blade.
The Serrated Knife
Serrated knives have teeth on the edge of the blade that help to cut through food easily. They are typically used to cut bread, tomatoes, and other soft fruits. The serrated knife is not as versatile as the chef’s knife or the paring knife, but it can be helpful for specific tasks.
To use the serrated knife, grip it like you would a regular kitchen knife. Then use long gentle sawing motions to cut bread, fruits, and vegetables. Depending on what type of food you are cutting you may need to hold it in place with your other hand.
Utility Knife
The utility knife is a combination of the chef’s knife and the paring knife. It has a blade that is usually 4-5 inches long and curved at the end. This knife is used in any situation that does not require the added precision or power of the other knives.
Utility knives are good for cutting up meat or slicing soft foods like cheese or cucumbers. They can be used in place of a serrated knife to get the same effect, but they are small enough to carry around with you while you’re cooking.
The Cleaver
There are many different types of knives that one can choose from in the kitchen, but not all are created equally. Here is a basic overview of some of the more popular and versatile knives: Chef’s Knife, Paring Knife, Serrated Knife, Utility Knife, and Cleaver.
To hold this knife you grip it by placing your thumb on one side of the blade and your fingers on the other. Then rest your palm on the bottom half of the handle so that you can use your fingers to guide the blade. The cleaver is used for cutting and chopping through thick meats or bones. It is not as versatile as the chef’s knife, but it can be helpful for certain tasks.
When using a cleaver, make sure to hold it with a firm grip. Swing the cleaver down towards the food you are cutting, rather than sawing. Make sure the cleaver doesn’t bounce off of the surface you are chopping on because it will slide and cut whatever is in its path-including your fingers.
How to choose a good knife
For the average person, an all-purpose kitchen knife will be sufficient. However, if you are a professional cook or looking for something more durable, then it’s essential to select the proper knife for the right tasks. This can ensure that your knives last longer and help you get better results while cooking.
Beginner chefs should start with a chef’s knife. This is the most versatile and important knife in the kitchen. It can be used for cutting meat, vegetables, and fruits. When choosing a chef’s knife make sure to select one that has a blade that is at least 8 inches long.
The kitchen knife is one of the most important tools in any chef’s arsenal. There are many different types, but not all knives are created equally. This article highlights some of the more popular and versatile knives that you can choose from. For novice cooks, we recommend starting with an All-Purpose Chef’s Knives before upgrading to something more specialized like a Santoku knife for cutting vegetables or boning fish or even purchasing specific knives for chopping meat/bones. It is also helpful to have multiple sizes on hand depending on what you are cooking so you don’t need to keep switching out blades mid recipe if needed.
