The Functional Adeptness of the Knife Block

A knife block is an apparatus that enables you to store knives in an appropriate manner. They are available in many styles that range from blocks of wood with slots for holding the knives to magnetic blocks that can even be mounted on the wall. A knife block basically consists of a slab of wood that has slots of varying sizes that serve the purpose of inserting your kitchen knives. Come to vitalwares.ca and buy one that is cohesive with your kitchen decor. And while you are at vitalwares.ca, take some time to revel in the experience of sifting through some gorgeous products.

What are the advantages of using a knife block?

• It prevents the blade of the knife from being knocked around. Thus the knife block ensures that the blades of your knife are not dulled. A knife kept haphazardly in a drawer would be prone to being damaged by the onslaught of other utensils.

• The usage of a knife block keeps your kitchen knives at a place that is easy accessible. You might use different knives for various purposes in the kitchen. Thus you can do away with the hassle of rummaging for a suitable knife among the contents of a drawer every time you want a specific kitchen knife.

• They can either be placed on the kitchen counter or can be mounted upon a wall according to their style and design. At vital wares, you will find them in a variety of options.

• Some of these models on offer at vital wares can be installed inside kitchen cabinets thus relieving you if you have an issue with space. There are also models that can be incorporated inside a drawer.

• The knife block can effectively soothe your safety concerns since the slots ensure that the lethal blade of a kitchen knife is always sheathed. Using one will effectively negate the risk of nicking or cutting your fingers while fumbling for a knife in a drawer.

• At vital wares, they are also available in varieties and styles that can complement the decor of your kitchen.

• TThey can be moved and kept at a preferred location whenever you choose to do so. It is just a matter of picking it up and putting it where you want it to be. Thus you can also put it out of reach of curious little children.

What are the various types of the knife block?

• Wood

  Knife blocks made of wood are excellent for traditional looking kitchens and wood is not prone to being damaged in case the blade of the knife scrapes it. These blocks are made of hardwood like maple, cherry and oak. These types can be stained to attain a desirable finish. Oak and cherry knife blocks usually have a light finish while walnut and cherry have darker finishes. Certain inexpensive models of knife blocks are made of pine and birch. But the nature of the wood makes them susceptible to warp and crack as they age.

• Bamboo

  Knife blocks made of eco-friendly bamboo are also a very popular choice. Bamboo has an exceptionally hard structure that makes it stronger and more durable than hardwood. The outer shell of bamboo is the component of most blocks. The pale and golden tan shade of a bamboo block makes it rather compatible with most types of decors.

• Plastic

  Plastic knife blocks are great for imparting a dash of color to your kitchen. The plastic models come in a variety of colors ranging from white to a vibrant red. There are plenty of designs and colors to choose from at vital wares. The dense structure of plastic makes it highly resistant to the influx of unpleasant odors and bacteria. The cheaper models of plastic knife block may not be very durable but the more expensive models will last you for years to come. Plastic models are relatively easy to clean and maintain.

• Magnetic

  The magnetic knife block does not come with slots. Instead they are equipped with a powerful magnet that enables the knives to be stuck to the block. The knives are held in place by the magnet and since they are visible, it is so much easier to select the knife that you want. The magnetic knife holder has many advantages over the conventional slotted models. The fact that the knives placed in a magnetic block are exposed to the air ensures that the knives are air dried and do not entertain any bacterial invasion. The magnetic knife block can also be used to hold things other than knives. Unlike a slotted knife block, the magnetic knife blocks can hold any knife irrespective of its size. Magnetic blocks are also good for aesthetics since your displayed knives look quite appealing. However, cheap magnetic knife blocks have metal strips incorporated in their design. These metal strips help in expanding the surface area that has magnetic attraction. But this will mean that the knife block is unable to sustain heavy weights. Thus a knife could easily be dislodged from the knife block posing a potential threat to kids, pets and even your feet. An expensive knife could also be damaged in the fall. The best quality magnetic knife blocks on offer at vital wares use neodymium iron born magnets. These NIB magnets have an extremely potent magnetic force and do not need the use of metal strips.

How do I select the knife block that is ideal for my needs?

Knife blocks help in reducing kitchen clutter and enable you to stay organized. The knives placed in a these blocks are much more easily accessible than a stray knife kept in a drawer. Nonetheless when you are buying one, keep certain important considerations in mind.

• Space

  If your kitchen is not very large and spacious go for blocks that can help you in saving valuable space. Certain models can be mounted on to a wall or a kitchen cabinet. Other spaces saving models are the ones that can be installed under the counter or kitchen cabinet. These types are tucked out of sight and can be swiveled out whenever you need to use a knife. This provides easy retrieval of the knives whenever required. There are also handy models of that can be installed in a drawer. This can also promote safety since a drawer can be locked to prevent unauthorized access.

• Match kitchen decor

  When buying a knife block pay attention to its design and style. Consider if the one that you intend to buy would be conducive in accenting the kitchen decor. For instance if your kitchen is done up in a traditional style go for a beautiful old fashioned wood block. On the other hand if your kitchen has a modern decor, go for magnetic or plastic versions.

• Cost

  Plastic knife blocks are certainly cheaper than their wood or magnetic counterparts but might not be high on durability. Investing in an expensive but durable knife block will ensure that you have a buy that will last you for a significant number of years. Look for one that boasts of solid construction.

• Features

  If you have kids in your home, then ensure that the knife block you buy has specific safety features. Some models have child locks that enable the knives to be locked into place. Therefore a naughty kid who might want to experiment with the various facets of a knife will find his or her attempts thwarted. These safety locks also prevent the knives from falling during earthquakes. Most of the locking systems in these blocks are of the two step kind. Thus two safeties have to be engaged before the lock will release. This provides additional safety. It is also important to ensure that a knife fits all the way into the slot of the block. A protruding blade could be a disaster that is just waiting to happen. If you are planning to buy a knife block for the kitchen counter, go for a model that is equipped with legs. This will ensure that it does not sit in spills of sauces and grease.

• Hygiene

  Consider whether the knife block that you intend to buy is hygienic. Wood versions could pose concerns about hygiene since the porous nature of wood makes it susceptible to attacks by bacteria. However the plastic blocks are extremely hygienic since plastic has a dense structure that discourages the growth of bacteria.

• Capacity

  When you are investing in a block think about how many knives you would want the knife block to hold. One with slots to accommodate up to seven knives is an ideal beginner's set. If you love to cook and entertain guests and are the proud owner of a variety of knives consider one that can hold up to fourteen knives.

How do I care for my knife block?

Knife blocks help you to store your kitchen knives in an organized manner and prolong the life of the knives as well. They also provide the factor of safety among other benefits. Therefore it is very essential to keep them clean and tidy for the purpose of maintaining hygiene. Some simple steps will ensure that your knife block is well maintained.

• Ensure that the knives you place in the block are clean and sterile. Wash the knives by hand and check to ensure that it is clear of all debris.

• The knives need to be thoroughly dry before they are sheathed into the knife block.

• If crumbs fall inside the slots of the block, just invert it and shake off the crumbs.

• If the slots of the blocks are dirty then use a can of pressured air to dislodge the dirt.

• For sterilizing the slots of knife blocks, use bleach cleaner in a spray bottle. Drench the slots with the cleaner. It is now vital that the slots are sprayed with water to remove all traces of the bleach. Use the spray nozzle of your kitchen sink to achieve this purpose.

• Allow the knife block to air dry thoroughly before you insert the knives.