A Definitive Guide to Buying Kitchen Cutlery

When buying kitchen utensils, one of the most important things you can do to help your cooking skills is to choose the best items for your needs. This kitchen utensil buying guide will help you with that.

3 Basic Knife Shapes

If you're not using your knives frequently, purchase a few separate knives to save money and reduce clutter. The three best knives to own are:

1. Chef's Knife

This large, all-purpose knife has multiple functions and is used to chop vegetables, cut up a chicken, slice meat, mince garlic and herbs, and much more. Cooking shows often show chefs using this tool because of its versatility. The length of the chef's knife can vary from five to ten inches. Choose a knife that is big enough to use comfortably; a long knife will give you extra space for cutting. The weight of the blade should feel balanced in your hand when you hold it.

2. Serrated Knife

A long knife about nine to ten inches with a serrated blade is good for slicing bread, cutting roasts and slicing soft fruits and vegetables like tomatoes. You can save money on this knife since many serrated knives don't sharpen easily. You can run your knife through the dishwasher to sharpen it most of the time.

3. Paring or Utility Knife

A two- or four-inch blade is ideal for delicate kitchen tasks, like trimming the fat from a piece of meat or slicing a wedge of hard cheese. The slightly longer utility knives give you more versatility. The tiny paring knives will do the trick if you prefer a shorter blade.

Learning about the different types of cutlery will help you figure out which knives to buy and which ones to add to your collection as you find new uses continually.

What to Consider When Choosing Kitchen Knives

No matter which kitchen knives you choose, they should all have the following qualities:

1. Your Cooking Style

Think about how you cook and which cooking utensils are best suited to preparing meals for you. For instance, if you're a vegetarian, you might not need a different knife for boning a rack of ribs than you do for cutting up a mango. Consider your cooking style and make your choices accordingly.

2. Your Budget

Another aspect to consider is the price of a knife. If you have a low or moderate budget, you might want to purchase a knife that comes in a set with other knives. In most cases, the set of knives will be cheaper than if you purchased them separately.

3. The Knife's Overall Feel and Look

The fit of the handle is important. Hold the knife in your hand and run your fingers along the handle to check for this. Some handles are smooth, but others, like those made of wood, have a bumpy or wavy finish. This will help you feel more comfortable in your hand and make it easier to control the knife. If you want a knife pleasing to the eye, you might want to go with a knife with an attractive handle or a knife with a sheath. Work with your knife's look as well as your cooking style.

Conclusion

Choosing the right knife is part of being a good cook. The best knife set will help you in the kitchen by making cutting tasks easier, quicker and safer. When choosing your knives, keep your cooking style and budget in mind, and make a list of the features you want. Cutting, slicing and dicing with the correct knife set can help you make meals that will have your friends and family coming back for seconds.

Bronx Homewares is a small Australian family-owned business providing the best price from top brands and quality service! We specialise in kitchenwares, cookwares and home-decor, including knife sets for kitchens. If you need any advice on what would be the kitchenware or cookware for any occasion, please contact us today!