How do chefs Store knives?

Chefs take knife care very seriously, as their knives are their most important tools in the kitchen. Proper knife storage is essential to keep blades sharp and safe. There are many factors chefs consider when deciding how to store their knives, such as organization, safety, maintenance, and accessibility.

Table of Contents

Why is Proper Knife Storage Important?

Proper knife storage is important for several reasons:

Prevent Damage – Storing knives haphazardly can lead to chips, nicks, and dents along the blade edge or tip. Proper storage protects the blade edge and maintains sharpness.

Safety – Storing knives loosely in a drawer or pile can lead to cuts and injuries when reaching for a tool. Proper storage keeps blades safely secured.
Organization – Knives stored neatly and systematically helps chefs locate the right tool quickly. Organization leads to efficient workflow.
Maintenance – Some storage methods help preserve knife edges and keep blades clean between uses. Proper storage aids in maintenance.

Accessibility – Knives should be stored to allow quick and easy access. Long searches waste valuable time in a fast-paced kitchen.

Following the proper knife storage guidelines helps chefs improve safety, efficiency, maintenance, and performance.

Knife Storage Options

Chefs have many options when choosing storage methods and materials for their cutlery collection. Common methods used in home and professional kitchens include:

Knife Blocks

Knife blocks provide safe and convenient storage for most types of kitchen knives. Blocks are available in a wide range of materials, designs, sizes and prices.

Wood – The most popular type of knife block, often made of hardwoods like bamboo, cherry or maple. Wood protects blade edges.
Plastic – More affordable and easier to clean than wood. Can be sanitized for food service use.

Acrylic – Transparent acrylic blocks showcase knife handles. Not as gentle on blades as wood.
In-Drawer – Designed to be mounted inside a drawer. Saves counter space but lacks visibility.
Countertop – The most common style. Available in angled or upright presentation.

Wall-Mounted – Removes clutter from countertops. Can be mounted on kitchen wall or inside cabinetry.

Magnetic Strips

Magnetic strips mount to walls and drawers to hold knives in place. They offer easy accessibility and visibility. Not ideal for storage long term as there is minimal blade protection.

Sheaths

Leather or plastic sheaths store and protect knife blades individually. Often used for chef’s knife and paring knife storage. Provides protection but lacks visibility and organization.

Rolls

Leather knife rolls allow safe portability. Knives are slotted into individual pockets. Rolls keep blades secure and are ideal for transport.

Drawer Organizers

Custom inserts transform drawers into organized knife storage. Can include separate slots, dividers, or trays to hold cutlery. Keeps knives in place but lacks visibility.

Countertop Racks

Racks sit on countertops to vertically store knives on open shelves. Provides easy access and visibility. Not ideal for households with children due to lack of security.

How Professional Chefs Store Knives

Commercial kitchens adopt storage strategies that suit workflow, space and employees’ needs. Here are some common methods used in professional environments:

Magnetic Wall Strips

Commercial kitchens lean heavily on wall-mounted magnetic strips to store knives. Keeps tools visible and within reach for quick access during busy prep work.

Shelving Units

Many restaurants use shelving units or racks to store knives neatly in batches near workstations. Keeps commonly used knives organized by type or usage.

Cutlery Drawers

Some facilities dedicate full-size drawers near prep areas to hold knives and serving utensils for accessible storage. Items can be separated into trays or compartments.

Dishwasher Storage

Storage racks attached to dishwashers neatly hold knives for easy access after cleaning. Provides organization and sanitizes knives throughout the workday.

Cutlery Containers

Bus tubs, bins and containers help move groups of knives quickly and safely from storage to worktables as needed. Easy portability between prep and washing.

Travel Cases

Chefs who teach seminars or travel for work store their knives in specialized hard-shell travel cases. Safely transports personal cutlery collections.

Sanitized Storage

Some health departments may require knives be stored separately from other tools in sanitize grade containers Clean storage protocols reduce cross-contamination.

In-Use Storage

Commercial prep tables often have cuts outs to hold knives safely in use within easy reach. Keeps blades handy without obstructing work.

Recommended Storage Practices

Regardless of storage type or method, experts recommend the following guidelines for proper knife care:

Store knives at room temperature – temperature fluctuations can lead to condensation which causes blade damage.
Only store clean, dry knives – moisture on blades can lead to rust and corrosion.

Don’t store heavily used knives with less used knives – can lead to premature dulling of blades that don’t see as much wear and tear.
Place knives evenly in storage – uneven pressure on blades over time can cause warping.
Don’t overcrowd storage – tight quarters lead to dings, chips and dents over time.

Proper storage habits maximize performance, extend usefulness, and save money on costly replacements.

Storing Knives Long Term

For long term knife storage, certain steps help preserve blades for future use:

Clean and dry knives thoroughly before storage – prevents moisture buildup and corrosion.

Coat blades in a thin veil of honing oil – protects against rust during storage period.
Separate and cushion blades with acid-free tissue paper – prevents contact that can damage edges and tips.
Place knives in moisture-proof storage tubes or sleeves – guards against humidity exposure.

Store horizontally in cool, dry location – keep away from heat, humidity and temperature fluctuations.

With proper long term storage, quality kitchen knives can remain viable and functional for years without use.

How Should Chefs Transport Knives?

Chefs who frequently transport knives should utilize methods to prevent damage en route:

Knife Cases – Hard-sided knife cases offer protection, organization and portability for knife transport.
Knife Rolls – Leather knife rolls have individual sleeves to isolate and protect blades.
Magnetic Strips – Travel magnetic strips hold knives securely and are easily packed.

Edge Guards – Sheaths and guards prevent blade edges from being compromised during transport.
Storage Tubes – Moisture-proof tubes keep knives safe and contained.
Non-slip Padding – Use non-slip matting to keep knives from sliding and banging around.

Careful transport prevents damage, maintaining knife integrity and performance.

Knife Storage Safety Tips

Storing knives introduces potential safety hazards. Follow these tips to store knives safely:

Keep knives out of reach of children on high shelves or in locked drawers.

Never store knives tip down – falling or bumping can lead to serious cuts.
Store chef’s knives and other large blades separately from paring knives.
Use knives stands or separate compartments to avoid blades touching.

Choose storage off countertops and work surfaces if small children are present.
Mount magnetic strips securely using appropriate hardware.
Store knives in their sheaths or guards when possible.

Proper knife storage paired with safe practices helps prevent kitchen accidents.

Common Knife Storage Mistakes

Knife storage goes wrong when best practices aren’t followed:

Leaving knives loose in drawers leads to dulled blades and cut fingers.

Tossing knives into sinks or tubs causes tips and edges to bend, chip and break.
Overcrowding knife blocks stresses and damages blades over time.
Placing knives near heat sources leads to moisture damage.

Letting blades rattle loosely in bags or boxes causes small nicks and scratches.
Storing knives wet can lead to corrosion and permanent staining.

With training and proper storage tools, these common mistakes can be corrected or avoided.

Budget Friendly Storage Options

There are many budget-friendly ways to store knives effectively:

Use a countertop knife rack – inexpensive models available.
Designate an in-drawer organizer or divided tray.

Mount a used wood board on the wall as an improvised magnetic strip.
Repurpose a used cutlery tray or dish rack for vertical storage.
Use a large crock or pitcher as an affordable knife block.

Store in sheaths or guards made from cardboard edged in tape.
Create sleeves from PVC, foam or pipe insulation.

With a little creativity, knives can be stored properly without expensive accessories.

Factors When Choosing Storage

Consider the following factors when selecting knife storage:

Available Space – Measure storage areas to determine sizes needed.
Collection Size – Know the number of knives needing storage.

Frequency of Use – Accessibility required.
Display Preferences – Visibly displayed or concealed.
Portability Needs – Stationary or easy to transport.

Maintenance Requirements – Storage that aids in caring for blades.
Sanitation Considerations – Ability to clean storage is key.

Choosing storage suited for the environment, habits and collection ensures practicality.

Essential Knife Storage Tools

Having proper storage tools helps keep any knife collection organized:

Magnetic Strip – Safely holds knives by blades against wall or cabinets.
Knife Block – Provides slots to neatly store assorted knives.

In-Drawer Organizer – Customizable trays keep drawer contents sorted.
Cutlery Tray – Portable trays for safe knife transport to workstations.
Edge Guards – Sleeves protect blade edges from nicks, chips and scratches.

Storage Rack/Holder – Mounted racks keep knives accessible but contained.

The right accessories make storing any knife collection orderly and effective.

Considering Aesthetics

The aesthetics of storage should be considered for knives displayed:

Match storage finish/color to existing kitchen cabinets and decor.
Choose storage that complements and accentuates knife handles.
Select wall mounted strips or racks that fit nicely on the wall space.

Choose knife blocks made of attractive natural materials like wood or marble.
Opt for transparent knife blocks to showcase special blades.

Integrating storage into overall kitchen design results in an organized and visually appealing cutlery station.

Conclusion

Properly storing kitchen knives involves many considerations from safety and maintenance to aesthetics and budget. Knife collections represent a significant investment for home cooks and professionals alike, so protecting that investment via thoughtful storage is key. Whether storing knives short term for access and convenience or long term for preservation, following the safety guidelines and best practices detailed above will ensure that a knife collection will last for many years of enjoyable and safe usage.