Even as the cookware and ingredients you use in preparing your food really matter, there’s nothing as important as using a quality chef knife set. With good knives, you will have an easier time dicing different foods, and this means you will also be able to work more efficiently and therefore prepare better food. While it’s important to get a good quality knife, you cannot be sure to do this unless you are first informed about the various types of knives available, and their intended uses. So, what are the knives found in a chef knife set? Here is some information to guide you:
A chef’s knife is one of the most versatile knives in a chef knife set, and it can be used in a number of ways including slicing vegetables and cutting small chunks of meat –cleavers are more recommended for deboning bigger pieces of meat. In slicing foods such as bread and cake or ripe tomatoes, a serrated utility knife is the best alternative whereas a filet knife is ideal for preparing fish, just as implied by the name. In addition, a paring knife is suitable for cutting vegetables, though it’s rather small compared to the other knives. When you have this information in mind, you will be able to know exactly what to look for as you go shopping for a chef knife set.
Regardless of the quality and pricing of the knife set you opt for, it’s necessary to maintain the knives in order to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Hence, aside from cleaning them, you also need to steel them on regular basis; preferably before each use. You can acquire a honing steel to help you keep up with this, and then get the knives professionally sharpened every 12 months. Another important maintenance tool you should never miss is a knife bag. Remember, knives are different from your everyday tools, and you cannot just put them in any bag or suitcase. If you do, you’ll have to deal with the sharp edges hurting other people as well as the risk of dulling the knives due inappropriate storage. Having good knife bags such as leather knife bags will help you keep your knives safely and professionally.
Final Thoughts
In the culinary industry, the familiarity of a chef to his or her tools plays a critical role in his or her efficiency in cooking. Hopefully, the above highlighted tips have shed some light into how you can get the most out of your chef knife set.