Barbecue knives: how to care for, sharpen, and store them?

Junior Dorigatti 18 de May de 2023

Facas para churrasco: como cuidar, afiar e conservar?

Weekend barbecues are a true passion for Brazilians. For celebrations and get-togethers, a barbecue is also a must! But to cook good meat, in addition to getting the seasoning right, you need quality utensils. A good barbecue follows a process, from preparation, with seasonings and cuts, until the meat is served.

That's why today we're going to talk about the importance of properly caring for barbecue knives. Did you know that there are some basic care tips that can extend the product's lifespan and preserve the properties of the steel? You'll find out all about it now!

How to choose your barbecue knives?

The criteria for choosing a good barbecue knife include some special points, such as the type of steel, edge, size, and handle material, with wood being the preferred choice.

Starting with size, it's important to evaluate which dimension you need or prefer to work with. Another factor that greatly influences the choice of knife is the type of steel, as there are diverse models.

The most common knives are made of stainless steel, the most famous, precisely because of its durability. But there are others, with different properties, such as carbon steel, which has a sharper edge, and Damascus steel, a type suitable for personalized or custom knives, being the most sought-after material for those who want to invest in specific pieces for barbecue.

The handle also deserves special attention. Despite the variety of materials, the most classic are wooden ones, which offer grip and are non-slip to prevent accidents.

What care should I take to keep my knife well-preserved?

The care to keep professional knives preserved basically involves cleaning, drying, and having an appropriate, dry place to store them. After the barbecue, they become completely greasy. No matter how small the amount of fat from the meat being prepared, the knives do not remain unscathed.

Therefore, it is necessary to wash them with a sponge, water, and detergent, and repeat the process at least twice, especially between the handle and the blade, where meat residue can accumulate.

If possible, rinse with hot water after washing to ensure that the grease has been truly eliminated. After this whole process, simply dry the piece well, store it in a specific sheath, and hang it in the preferred place.

How to sharpen a barbecue knife?

Having a properly sharpened knife is very important when slicing meat. A well-sharpened knife should cut in two movements: one forward and one backward.

Thus, to sharpen it, it is essential to have a specific stone, a honing steel, or a sharpener, which is the most suitable instrument to keep the cutting edge always appropriate.

To use the honing steel, you should hold it upright and, with the knife slightly tilted, slide it over the honing steel from the beginning to the tip of the blade, repeating a few times on each side.

There's no need to rush or apply too much force to avoid damaging the knife or risking injury. This way, you will achieve the ideal point, with the sharpest possible edge, allowing for a much more precise cut for the meat.

After all, perfectly sliced meat is always more appealing when it's time to enjoy that barbecue, isn't it?

Here at Cutelaria Cimo you will find quality assurance in all our barbecue knives, made to last a lifetime. Check out the available options now!