How to Use Cuisinart Knife Sharpeners

If you’ve ever tried to cut something up with a dull knife, you know how frustrating it can be. In the kitchen, a dull knife poses a safety risk. Cutting food with a dull blade means you’ll have to use more force, which could cause you to cut yourself. Even worse, you could end up with mashed tomatoes or uneven slices of onion. In addition, poorly cut food doesn’t cook evenly.

Sharpening a dull knife can be done in two ways. You can use a whetstone or an electric or manual sharpener. This guide will help you learn to use Cuisinart knife sharpeners.

At What Angle Should I Sharpen My Knives?

It’s important to remember that the sharpening angle you select is a personal choice. However, when sharpening knives, selecting the correct sharpening angle is crucial.

Knives can be sharpened starting at a 20-degree bevel angle. This angle works well with most knives because it maintains knife sharpness and durability. However, you can fine-tune the bevel angle to meet your specific kitchen needs.

A lower angle when sharpening knives means a sharper blade. The edge of a knife with a more substantial angle is more durable and can withstand more force than a knife with a thin edge. Thus, an overly sharp knife becomes less robust and more likely to chip. You can check our full Cuisinart knives review.

Using A Manual Cuisinart Knife Sharpener

The cheapest and most convenient way to keep your knives sharp is to use a manual knife sharpener. There are two parts to a manual knife sharpener. First, it sharpens with coarse grit. Secondly, it polishes with fine grit. To sharpen a knife with a manual Cuisinart sharpener:

1. From the heel to the tip, pull the blade through the coarse slot of the sharpener.
2. It is critical to apply even pressure up to three to six times.
3. You can go through the process again and again for extra dull or damaged knives.
4. Finish the process with one or two pulls through the fine grit side.

Using An Electric Cuisinart Knife Sharpener 

Using an electric Cuisinart knife sharpener is simple because it is a machine. An electric sharpener sharpens a knife by spinning it against abrasives mounted on motorized wheels.

Most manufacturers recommend using 15-20 strokes to sharpen a dull knife. You can narrow the knife’s angle to 150 using the electric sharpener’s slots. To use the Cuisinart electric knife sharpener, begin by:

1. Start by slowly and smoothly pulling the knife through the slot. This allows the motorized abrasives to do their job.
2. The next step is to switch to the opposite side of the knife and repeat step one. This process must be repeated three to six times.
3. Repeat steps one and two in the fine grit slot to fine-tune the knife.
4. If the knife still isn’t sharp enough for you, repeat the process until it is.

Conclusion

It’s critical to take the necessary precautions when sharpening knives to keep your hands safe. Avoid exposing your fingers to knife cuts by keeping your hands away from the knife’s edge. Additionally, you can use the blade to slice the paper to see if your knife requires further sharpening.

Kitchen knives require regular sharpening to ensure kitchen safety and precise food cutting. Therefore, professionals recommend that you sharpen your knives every three to six months, depending on how frequently you use them. Moreover, you can take extra precautions by wearing kitchen gloves.