Compared to steel knives, ceramic knives are way more durable. Professional chefs and gastronomy enthusiasts prefer them for their material’s resistance, their stylish look and the way they make perfect cuts.
Also, the fact that ceramic knives don’t rust is a big advantage in the eyes of those who must deliver impeccable dishes. Not to mention that they don’t have that specific odor that sometimes sticks to our food.
Ceramic knives need some maintenance from time to time, but they don’t need to be sharpened as often as regular knives or cutting tools. This means that a ceramic knife sharpener is used a lot less than a steel knife sharpener. However, its presence is required in any chef’s kitchen. Ceramic knife sharpeners are easy to use, especially the electric ones, they help one sharpen the blade of a knife in a matter of seconds, but they are usually more expensive than regular models.
This is why it is important to maintain them properly and clean them on time. If you are interested in learning how to clean a ceramic knife sharpener, you will learn all about it in this article.
What type of knife sharpener do you use?
This is the first question that everyone should ask themselves. There are several types of ceramic knife sharpeners and they can’t all be cleaned up the same way. Depending on the materials, users must adapt their cleaning styles using special solutions or techniques.
If you own an electric knife sharpener, it is important to use it the right way, so that you’ll be able to clean it properly. For example, don’t use water, oils or other lubricants to sharpen the knives. Although you might think that lubricants can help, these machines are actually designed to work without them.
Also, it is important to know that electric and manual knife sharpeners don’t need to be cleaned each time you use them, especially if you don’t sharpen very dull knives. The exterior of the sharpener can be easily cleaned with a wet, clean cloth, while the interior can be cleaned only after removing the case and some components.
Some knife sharpeners come with small receptacles that you can remove and clean, but some don’t. In case you own a knife sharpener without receptacles, you will have to disassemble the machine and clean it with a brush or a cloth. The entire process should be easy and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
On the other hand, if you use a ceramic sharpening rod, then the only thing you have to do is to wash it up with a damp cloth. It must dry up before you can use it again. If you notice that there are metal remains on it, carefully remove them using the cloth or a brush.
You will only have to do this once in a while, as ceramic knives are extremely durable, but it is still good to know what to do in case you need to sharpen them at home or at work. Make sure to clean your knife sharpeners and you will be able to use them for a long, long time.