How To Sharpen A Ceramic Knife: The Best Methods To Try
While there are many types of knives based on the material that is used, ceramic is perhaps one of the most popular. They are made from a material known as zirconium oxide, which is even harder than steel. They have an incredible sharpness and are also lightweight, but keep in mind that they should never be seen as a replacement to the traditional chef’s knife.
Ceramic knife does not stay sharp for a long time. At one point, you will feel the need to sharpen it to make sure that it will function at its best all the time. With this, if you are interested to know how to sharpen a ceramic knife, keep on reading and you will learn some of the methods that will yield the best outcomes.
Why Ceramic Knife
Before anything else, let us first have a quick look at why ceramic is chosen by other people. Among others, its best benefit is perhaps the fact that it is a hard material, making it demonstrate extreme durability.
Purity is another good reason why using a ceramic knife is a good idea. This is basically because of the absence of metal ions. This makes it safer for food and there is no tendency that your food will end up having a metallic taste.
Also, because it is made from lightweight materials. Holding the knife, even for an extended period, will not lead to extreme fatigue.
Lastly, it is also sharper than stainless steel blades by as much as ten times. This means that sharpening the blade of the knife will only be done occasionally, yet you can expect that it will cut in an impressive manner.
How To Sharpen A Ceramic Knife
In this section, we will have a quick look at some methods that you might be interested in trying. Each of them has varying results, but it would be best to try them all and see which one works best for you.
Use Electric Knife Sharpener
This is by far the most convenient option because there is a minimal effort that will be required on your end. However, this can be costly as you need to buy an expensive machine. If you often sharpen knives, however, this is an investment that will be worth it.
These knife sharpeners will be operated differently depending on the manufacturer of the product. In most cases, all that you need to do is to insert the knife into the dedicated slot, turn on the unit, and let it do the magic trick. Make sure to religiously follow the instructions from the manufacturer to enjoy the best outcomes.
Use Diamond Sharpener Rod
This is a cheaper solution in sharpening ceramic knives, although it can require more effort on your end. With a little effort and time to spare, on the other hand, it won’t take long before you can say goodbye to the dull blades of your ceramic knife.
To do this, simply hold the diamond rod sharpener firmly from the top. The edge, on the other hand, should touch the surface firmly. Use your other hand to sharpen the knife on the diamond surface, making sure to exert pressure.
Use A Tool Sharpener
If you are into DIY tasks, you most probably have a tool sharpener at home. It is a versatile and handy appliance that you can also use for sharpening ceramic knives. Like in the case of other methods mentioned above, however, be sure to maintain a consistent bevel angle.
Lay the tool on a flat surface and make sure that it is stable enough. Place an 180-grit abrasive sanding belt before you get started. Hold the tool firmly and place the knife. Start sharpening and once you are done, wipe the blade with a clean cloth.
A Note About Wet Stone
A wet stone is probably present in many kitchens because of its usefulness in cutting knives. In the case of ceramic knives, on the other hand, this is one method that will not work, so stop wasting your time. You can sharpen ceramic knives only on a surface that is harder than zirconia, so this is only possible if the wet stone has a special surface made from diamonds.
Keeping Your Ceramic Knife Sharp
There are some practical solutions on how you can keep the sharpness of your ceramic knife. For instance, one thing that you can do is to make sure that it is regularly cleaned. The blade can attract dirt and debris, which can cause it to be duller through time.
Also, the proper use of your knife is an essential consideration. Avoid using it on hard surfaces as this will have a negative impact on its sharpness. If you are cutting frozen meats and bones, for instance, use a different knife. When it comes to the chopping board, meanwhile, plastic and wood are the best.
It is best to wash it in running water with the use of mild detergent right after every use. Do not leave it sitting for a while without being cleaned. Putting it in the dishwasher is not a good way to clean it since this will probably make it easily prone to chipping.
Always hold the knife gently, whether you are sharpening it or using it for slicing. If you exert too much pressure, the handle can easily snap. This can lead to splinter, more than just destroying the entire knife once the handle breaks.
Conclusion
In this post, we have discussed how to sharpen a ceramic knife and some pointers that will help in keeping your knife in tip-top shape. Below is a quick recap of the discussions earlier:
- Ceramic knife is preferred by many people because it is sharper and more durable compared to their stainless steel counterpart. It is also a good thing that it is lightweight. On top of it all, the material used does not contain metallic ions.
- Some of the best ways to sharpen your ceramic knife are to use a knife sharpener, a sharpening tool, or a diamond rod sharpener. Using a wet stone is not recommended as you need a surface that is harder than zirconia.
- See to it that your ceramic knife is regularly cleaned. It should not be placed in the dishwasher. Also, when holding the knife, apply only gentle pressure as the handle can be prone to snapping.
Did you enjoy reading this post? Have you tried sharpening a ceramic knife before? How did you do it? Do not hesitate to leave a comment below.