How to Clean Kitchen Knives

Chefs should know how to properly clean their kitchen knives. A knife’s cleaning method is unique to its manufacture, style and material. In this blog Public Kitchen Supply will discuss the different cleaning techniques and what typically works best for professional knives versus commercial knives. Cleaning your knives properly saves money and extends a knife’s longevity.
Professional kitchen knives require more care compared to commercial knives. Do not let food dry onto professional knives, when you are finished using it make sure to rinse the knife or wipe it off with a soft towel. Immediately removing left behind food prevents erosion. This is especially important when using serrated knives like Mundial’s 5” Black Serrated Steak Knife. The knife’s handle is made out of polyacetal and shows the forged blade. Professional Knives like Mundial’s 5” Black Serrated Steak Knife should be washed by hand using hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge.
Mundial’s 14” Granton Black Slicing Knife is another great example of a professional quality utensil. The edged blade allows for continuous slicing. Made out of stainless steel forged into a black polyacetal handle makes it especially important to wash this knife by hand. Failure to wash the Mundial’s 14” Granton Black Slicing Knife by hand can result in the blade and handle separating. Once again, make sure to use a non-abrasive soap. Once you’re finished cleaning the knife wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
When professional knives are washed in the dishwasher they are exposed to machines jet spray which can cause knives to hit each other. When a dishwasher is continually used it can dull the knife’s blade and dull edges, especially with serrated knives. Hot water and abrasive soap eats away at the plastic and special coatings that protects the knife. Professional knives tend to have an anti-bacterial coating this is quickly removed by a dishwasher.
Unlike professional knives residential knives are dishwasher safe. It is unrealistic to wash every single steak or butter knife by hand, especially if you have a huge family. Residential knives wash much better in a dishwasher for several reasons. Professional knives typically have a two part design where as residential knives usually have one. A one-piece design is far less likely to break apart compared to a two-piece design. The Update International 4.75” Wooden Steak Knife is a great example of a residential steak knife. It is dishwasher safe and can be washed in dishwashing detergent. It is important to note that wooden handles may show damage over time but this usually occurs after many uses.
Cleaning your knives correctly is a simple but important task for professional and amateur chefs. When you follow a knife’s cleaning directions it will last longer saving you money and protecting you from potential cuts. For more information about Update International and Mundial knives visit our website at publickitchensupply.com