If you are like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to your knife sharpener until it’s too late and your knives are so dull you can barely cut through a tomato. Well, not anymore! This blog post will introduce you to the best electric knife sharpener consumer reports have to offer, so that you can keep your knives in top condition and slicing through everything like a pro. So what are you waiting for? Read on to find out more!
Is your electric knife dull? Looking for the best electric knife sharpener to revive it? Consumer Reports can help. We have tested all the leading models to find the one that delivers the sharpest edge possible. Whether you’re a professional chef or just like to entertain, our top pick will have your knives slicing through meats and vegetables like never before. So what are you waiting for? Read on to find out which electric knife sharpener is right for you.
About The Electric Knife Sharpener
An electric knife sharpener is a combined unit having abrasive blades for regular honing and polishing of metal edges of knives. In some models, the wheels rotate electrically while in others a cranking mechanism does that. Generally , they look like a hand-held pencil sharpener with one or more rotating discs containing stones or grains meant for sharpening knives, which you can crank manually to hone your blade’s edge. The process of using an electric knife sharpener is very easy, just slide the blade through the slot, away from you and pull it back toward you slowly without applying too much pressure on it. That said there are two types of electric knife sharpeners available today – Bench top and Electric knife sharpener for home use.
Bench Top Knife Sharpeners
These types of sharpeners are generally further classified into Pull-through and V-type. A pull through sharpener has two stages, first stage is coarse and second one is fine. The coarser side of the wheel shapes the edge while the finer side polishes it to give you a razor sharp blade that lasts long. It enables you to choose desired angle (up to 20 degrees while some models offer only 15 degree) while honing your knives for more efficient results with great ease. On other hand, V-type electric knife sharpeners contain 3 or 4 crossed grinding wheels set at an angle in order to provide perfect angles during honing of blades. These are very safe to use, just place the blade in the slot at your preferred angle and let the machine do its job. The best part is that they don’t require any supervision or effort on your part to effectively hone knives of different shapes and sizes.
Electric Knife Sharpeners for Home Use
Unlike bench top sharpeners, these devices have a plastic casing which you can rest on a countertop while honing your knives with great ease. They come with an easy or simple design having two slots, one or more than one encased sharpening wheels rotating at high speed inside the slots to give you razor sharp blades every time without much effort. Some models are equipped with multiple “stages” consisting of finer abrasive wheels and polishing discs for giving you perfect results.
The Effectiveness of Electric Knife Sharpeners
A high speed rotating wheel with appropriate angle and pressure applied on the knife blade at a specific direction can give you an edge that lasts longer than normal, thus extending your knife’s life as well as saving some bucks as it requires less frequent sharpening.
What You Need To Know About Electric Knife Sharpener?
A sharp knife is a safe knife. At any time you are cooking, having a sharp knife will help you to cut even the toughest ingredients easily and safely. An electric knife sharpener can provide your knives with professional-grade sharpness.
Electric Knife Sharpener – The Design
An electric knife sharpener has an electrically powered rotating wheel that grinds down metal on a blade to give it a smoother edge. There are different kinds of electric sharpeners; those that crack out coarse blades and those that hone in finer edges for more precise slicing and dicing. It’s important to note, however, that no matter what type or brand of electric sharpener you use, they should never be used as substitutes for periodically honing your culinary knife. Sharpening is only meant to keep blades in optimum condition and working order between honings, not as a substitute for the proper knife sharpener that should be used regularly.
Electric Knife Sharpener – The Process
Sharpening your knives using an electric sharpener will require you to hold the blade with one hand at a certain angle while sliding it across the rotating wheel until all scratches are gone. There will be an indicator on most grinders so you can see where you have been and how far you need to go to achieve a clean edge. After a few strokes on each side, use a fine steel or ceramic hone before going on to slice up whatever fabulous dish you have prepared yourself.
A Few Tips For Electric Knife Sharpeners
– Invest in a quality sharpener. Cheaply made electric sharpeners that grind metal into your knives or ones with poorly designed grinding wheels can damage blades and wear them down faster than you might think, so pay attention to how your knife feels as it moves across the machine and stop immediately if it feels too aggressive.
-The proper angle is essential for getting a clean edge on your blade – each brand of sharpener works differently so you will need to become familiar with yours, but generally speaking 15 degrees will give you an extremely sharp edge that can easily slice through almost anything without tearing or sticking.
– To keep blades lasting long and performing well between honings, try not to cut through bone, frozen foods or other tough materials, store knives in a rack with the edges protected from other items and do not allow them to be used as tools. Not only will these safety precautions help extend the life of your blades, they will also save you from any accidents that can happen when you’re not paying attention to what’s going on around you.
Factors To Consider When Buying An Electric Knife Sharpener
Electric knife sharpeners are an easy and safe way to give your knives the edge. The best model for you will depend on how often you use a knife sharpener, what types of blades you own and how much money you want to spend. Check out the most important factors that will help you choose:
– Consider How Often You Will Sharpen Knives
Electric sharpeners come in all shapes and sizes – from small handheld models to large mounted accessories – but larger ones tend to be more efficient than smaller models as they can accommodate more blades, as well as old or vintage straight razors. If possible, make sure the best electric knife sharpener consumer reports is compatible with all types of knives before buying it. Make sure you have an outlet near where you will be using the sharpener so that the cord is not in your way.
– What Types of Blades Do You Own?
Some electric knife sharpeners are only compatible with certain types of blades, such as ceramic knives or hunting knives , others are made for all kinds of blades. Before buying one check what type it supports, if possible ask to see a demonstration model at the shop before purchasing it or look online for detailed information about its use. Make sure there is no risk of damaging your knives when using this electric knife sharpener by reading user reviews on reputable websites like Amazon.
– How Much Should I Spend On A Good Quality Model?
There are electric knife sharpeners of all types available on the market, some that are suitable for casual users and some designed for professionals. If you use your knife sharpener often it is better to invest in a more expensive model with advanced features, such as diamond abrasives or a flexible blade system. If you just want to give your blades a quick sharpen when needed , an inexpensive option will be enough to meet your needs.
How To Use An Electric Knife Sharpener?
– Inspect Your Blade
Before using a best electric knife sharpener consumer reports it is extremely important you inspect your blade first. Use your finger nail and run it along the cutting edge. If you feel ANYTHING other than a smooth surface then STOP! Do not use your sharpener until you have made sure your blade is in tip top shape.
If this is your first time using one of these bad boys, then take this opportunity to inspect the blades, if possible remove them from their storage slot and inspect them or at least look for any nicks or bends that could cause problems when sharpening. Also, make sure the blade itself is free of any dirt or food particles that may be hiding on it. Once you’ve checked it out move on to step 2 below.
– Place The Knife Into The Sharpener
Now that you have inspected the, place them into your electric sharpener. For most sharpeners you do not have to turn anything on or push any buttons to use it, just place the blade into the appropriate slot and let the sharpening begin. However, some of them may require you to push a start button or even hold down one while sharpening.
– Sharpen The Blade
Depending on your machine, it will automatically sharpen your knife for you as long as the knife is facing the correct direction. Be sure that you know which way is right as most machines have an indicator light that tells you if its correctly placed in the machine. In some cases though this may not be enough and instead a grid pattern or lines will be visible long with an arrow or other form of indicator so that you know for sure that your blade is in the right slot.
– Finish Sharpening Your
Blade Once sharpening has begun it will take care of itself, all you need to do is wait patiently (and safely) until its done. Make sure you pay attention though so that you don’t put your fingers in harms way when removing the blade from the machine. Be especially careful if using a knife with serrated blades or one with designs on both sides of the cutting edge. When removing your blade, be ready for it to be extremely sharp and pointy!
Many people become frustrated at this step because they do not grasp just how sharp these blades are after being sharpened by any sort of knife sharpener . So to help you avoid any unnecessary accidents, be sure to take your time when removing them so that you don’t hurt yourself. This is also another reason for using a slot sharpener.
– Complete The Job
Clean up the machine if necessary and then wipe down the blade with a towel or rag where appropriate or as instructed by the manufacturer of said machine. If you are done with the actual process at this step, congratulations! You’ve just successfully used a best electric knife sharpener consumer reports. Now all there is left to do it cut things up with your newly sharpened knives!
Maintenance Tips
As always make sure to properly maintain your sharpener. If you have one that collects metal filings make sure they are emptied before storing it away and remember to wipe it down with a damp rag or towel after use. The blade itself should be properly cleaned and dried as well and then placed back into the protective storage cover that most come with.
FAQs About Best Electric Knife Sharpener Consumer Reports
How Does An Electric Knife Sharpener Work?
Electric knife sharpeners are typically one of two types. The first is the V-shaped or crossed blade type, which uses crossed grinding/honing blades that quickly grind down both sides of a knife edge at once. The second type has only one set of blades (typically tungsten carbide), but they can be moved to different angles to give them variable sharpening capabilities. An example of this kind type of electric knife sharpener is the Chef’s Choice 120 Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener.
How Does An Electric Knife Sharpener Affect Blade Life?
A well-made electric knife sharpener can keep your knives sharper for longer than manual methods, which will extend the life of a blade. Some models can even repair nicked blades to a certain extent.
Can I Use An Electric Knife Sharpener For My Serrated Blades?
It’s not recommended that you sharpen your serrated knives with a best electric knife sharpener consumer reports as it may ruin the edge, causing it to lose its intended purpose. Most people who need their knives sharpened should just have them done at a professional sharpening service; these services will give your blades back their intended form and function.
Is There Any Potential Damage From Frequent Use Of An Electric Knife Sharpener?
Use of a best electric knife sharpener consumer reports is typically safer than manual methods and less likely to cause injury if used properly, but the possibility exists. Like all power tools, you should always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. You should also keep your hands away from moving parts and be aware of its location when in use, as there is a slight chance of electric shock if mishandled.
How Does An Electric Knife Sharpener Benefit Me?
Besides extending the life of your knives by keeping them sharp, using one can make maintaining your blades a quick process instead of having to manually sharpen them every time they get dull. Additionally, it allows you to get back to preparing food more quickly after you sharpen them due to not having to wait for manual methods (especially if you only have one or knives), which makes it invaluable for professionals.
Can I Use An Electric Knife Sharpener On Non-Kitchen Knives?
While some electric knife sharpeners are meant for specific types of blades, most models can handle kitchen knives as well as other types of blades like pocketknives and outdoor survival knives. Just make sure that the model you select comes with the necessary accouterments to accommodate your style of blade before making a purchase. You may also want to only buy blade sharpeners rather than models designed for serrated blades if you plan on using them on all your blades.
>>> See more: How To Sharpen On Wusthof Electric Knife Sharpener by Chef’s Choice | Best electric knife sharpener consumer reports
Conclusion
The best electric knife sharpener for the average person is probably not going to be the same as the best electric knife sharpener for a professional chef. With that in mind, we’ve included a variety of different sharpeners on our list, from budget-friendly options to more expensive models that are designed for heavy use. We hope you find the perfect one for your needs! If you have any questions about which one might be right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Quara Ethiopian Restaurant love helping people find the perfect tools for their kitchen – and this includes finding the best electric knife sharpener Consumer Reports has to offer.
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