How To Properly Store Knives

Are you looking for ways on how to safely, properly store knives? Your nice, expensive knife shouldn’t dull or rust too soon if you store it properly.

Here are some of our tips and tricks on how to properly store your knives for the long term.

How to store knives in a drawer

Storing knives in a drawer is one of the easiest methods. However you do need an empty drawer specifically for knives since you don’t want to be finding a fork in the same space and accidentally cutting yourself with a knife’s sharp edge.

Here are some other tips for storing your knives in a drawer.

• Choose a drawer that is not easily accessible to children. So don’t choose the lowest drawer or perhaps consider a child lock on this specific drawer.
• Get yourself a knife dock or in-drawer organiser too so that the knives are organised properly. With this, you also don’t risk cutting yourself when you’re pulling out one from the drawer.
• When lining up the knives on your dock, make sure to group the similar type of knives together.

How to store knives on a magnetic strip

Storing knives on a magnetic strip is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to organise your cutlery! You can install it easily and they don’t take up much space!

1. Prop up your magnetic strip in a place that is not easily reached by children. It is also recommended that you place it near your kitchen work station, where you would usually cut vegetables and/or meat. Other places include on the side of cabinets, above a counter, underneath cabinets or on the side of the stove.
2. After using your knives, make sure they are clean and dry before sticking them onto the magnetic strip. They’re supposed to lock in automatically. Place them pointy side up to avoid accidents.
3. Make sure to also give your strip a good wipe every week or so to keep them clean and hygienic.

How to store knives in a block

Storing knives in a knife block is quite easy. Once you wash and dry the knife, simply slide them onto the correct size slot.

What you need to know is that there are different types of knife blocks based on their material. There are wooden blocks and some are also magnetic. You should know the material of your knife block so you can prepare how to clean it and where to store it.

Where to store a knife block

You can store your knife block at the corner of kitchen counters or anywhere inaccessible to children. It should also be near the part of your counter where you do your cutting often so that you don’t need to move around the kitchen too much when you need your knives.

How to clean a knife block

Your knife block is a hotbed for bacteria, especially if not cleaned periodically. You should clean your knife block at least once a month.

1. Remove the knives and turn the block upside down to shake off any food particles that have clung onto the knife and the block.
2. Wash the block using hot, soapy water. Make sure to wash the slots using a soft brush. You may also use a mild bleach solution mixed with water to clean it thoroughly.
3. Dry it upside down on a clean surface to prevent the growth of bacteria. You can also use a hairdryer or fan to speed this up.

For other knife blocks, such as this Stellar James Martin Kitchen 5 Piece Knife Block Set, it’s also dishwasher safe so you can easily pop them in a dishwasher and forget about it.

How to store knives without a block

There are many other ways to store knives without a block such as magnetic strips and drawers. There are also specialised drawer docks for knives and others also use the under the cabinet space for knife storage.

How to store knives in a knife bag

Storing kitchen knives in a knife bag is as easy as putting them onto the designated slots in the bag. Some bags have very few slots while others can hold more, depending on the brand and model you choose.

Chefs usually bring their own knives and one of the ways their knives travel with them is with a knife bag. This isn’t exclusive to food professionals since you don’t need a permit to buy your own knife bag.

However, you need to invest in good quality knife bags because some materials can be too abrasive and can affect the sharpness of your tools. It needs to be made of sturdy stuff, real canvas for example. If it’s made from synthetic or cheap materials or you just use any regular bag to store your knife, you can also risk cutting yourself while handling it.

If you want to invest in a good quality knife bag, it can last for seven up to ten years.

How to store knife collection

Storing your knife collection depends on your preference. You can choose any of the storage options mentioned here but you have to take into consideration several factors:

• How big is your collection?
• How do you need to take them out?
• Do you need to travel with them?
• Do you have adequate storage space?
• How much is your budget?

How to store ceramic knives

Ceramic knives are a special case. You can’t put them in a dishwasher and you can’t drop them carelessly.

You also have to be choosy on what you cut with them and where you cut them because they are thinner and sharper than steel. That said, magnetic strips are not recommended as a storage option for ceramic knives. They are better with protective covers or individual sheaths to be stored in a bag or a drawer.

How to store chef knives

There is no such thing as “chef knives” in the category of knives but this may pertain to knives used by chefs.

Since chefs may travel a lot, a lot of them have their own specialised knife bags. Chefs who are mostly in the kitchen often have knife drawers or blocks.

Where to store steak knives

When storing knife steaks, it’s important to remember that they may need knife guards or individual sheaths. That said, many recommend storing them using an in-drawer knife block or on wall-mounted magnetic strips.

How to store knives so they don't rust

Knives rust because most of them are made from steel and if you leave them in water, they can corrode.

Here are some tips on how to store knives so they don’t rust:

• Don’t put them in the dishwasher.
• Don’t let them soak in the sink.
• Clean knives after using them.
• Rub lemon with some salt to remove rust spots.
• Dry your knives right away after cleaning them.
• Store them in a dry place, preferably those a space that is not damp or prone to being wet.

Knife storage options: Pros and Cons

Looking for knives and blocks? Look at our knives and cutting section here.