There are hundreds of knife sets that come with a knife block. Some renowned companies try to provide the best blocks possible. Thus, you see some come with the aesthetic feature. However, knife blocks are arguably criticized if they are sanitary or not. People who buy culinary for their kitchen are also concerned about maintaining hygiene. Hence, they often raise the question, are knife blocks hygienic to use?
Well, like any other culinary, knife blocks can also accumulate a great number of bacteria. Especially when your knife block along with your knives is aged enough. Again, most knife sets are either made of wood or metal.
There might be many reasons for holding bacteria and causing unhygienic. Dust, dirt, moisture, etc. can cause bacterial growth. Also, if your knife block comes in contact with any small insect then it might cause an infestation as well. Improper cleaning of your knife block is another reason.
Therefore, you must be realizing now that your knife block is hygienic as long as you make it to be hygienic.
3 Ways Your Knife Block Can Gather Bacteria
There are several ways that gather bacteria to your favorite knife block and make it unsanitary. Let’s get to know them.
Improper Cleaning
Most knife users are only concerned about the outer surface of the block. They hardly reach the inner surface and crevices to clean them up. That is where the problem starts to raise. Whereas, these places require deep cleansing to keep the knives safe and hygiene.
It is obvious that when you clean your kitchen and culinary, dust and debris fly and some take place inside your knife block. But you do not even realize that and leave the block uncleaned for weeks. Consequently, bacterial growth takes place.
Moisture Contiguity
Again, your knife block might come in contact with moisture in many ways. Such as while washing dishes, water might get inside the block. Or, you might keep your knives in the knife block without wiping them after washing. Then again, atmospheric moisture also causes this issue.
Since most knife blocks are made of wood, the material deteriorates easily when exposed to moisture. Again, mold and mildew are also the consequences of this situation.
Lack of Aeration
Lack of aeration does not allow the moisture to dry fast. Even if your kitchen has a better aeration system still it might fail to get inside the knife block. Therefore, the situation forms germs and also bacteria inside the block.
So, all these are the ways bacteria might enter and form their dominance. Hence, when every time you keep your knife back to the block it gets contaminated with some of the bacteria. It is needless to say if you are making food with a bacteria affected cutlery then what will be the consequences.
Five Ways to Keep Knife Block Hygienic
1. Clean up the knife block properly
Nonetheless, cleaning a knife block is not that easy. Especially when you go for cleaning its inside part and cervices, it becomes harder to reach. However, attending the following steps you might help yourself out with the cleaning process.
Step 1: Get rid of the crumbs
This is the very first step to cleaning up your knife block in the rightest way possible. Take out all the belonging knives from the block and let them rest on a stable surface. Yes, your kitchen countertop is a better place for this.
Now, turn the block of your knife upside down. Then shake it gently. This way, all the solid debris will come out and fall onto the surface. This debris is accumulated for days by your block for not cleaning.
Also, you can use a vacuum cleaner instead to suck all the debris out of your knife block. In this case, try to use a lightweight vacuum.
Step 2: Get in contact with the insides
When you get rid of all the solid debris, it is time to clean up the insides properly. Since knife blocks come with a feature of small rooms for each knife, you will need a slender brush to clean them. With the help of the brush try to reach all the rooms and crevices and clean them.
Rub off the sticky dust and let them come off. You can also use a nipple brush or homemade solution with dishwashing soap. Whatever you are using make sure you are fulfilling the purpose.
Step 3: Rinse the knife block
After the second step rinse off the knife block properly both from the outside and inside. Let the tap flow the water and you pour the water inside the block and then turn it down to get the water out.
Do this for some time and finally, shake the block upside down properly to get rid of all water.
Step 4: Let it dry
Finally, let the knife block dry properly. Keep the block in a well-aerated place to make it dry fast.
Try to clean the knife block once a week. It will ensure hygiene.
2. Keep your knife block in a safe place
A dry place is the safest place for knife blocks. Since moisture harbors bacteria, keep your block away from it. Make sure the place is well-aerated and clean. This way you can maintain the sanitary of your knife block.
3. Never put a dirty knife back on the block
Once you have already used your knife try to clean it first and then put it back in the block. Otherwise, the dirt will get in touch with the block as well and will promote bacteria later.
4. Always put the dry knife back
After cleaning wipe off your knife with a dry cloth and then put it back. Or else, the moisture will do its work.
5. Get a low-maintenance knife block
A low-maintenance life block does not require much to be maintained. Hence, their easy maintenance makes the cleaning process easier and let them hygienic for a longer period.
Final Word
So, now that you have got all your required information try to save your precious knife block. However, you can also use alternatives to a knife block like magnetic knife strips. They are easier to use and also make your knife block bacteria-free in no time.
So, if this article comes to any help of yours then let us know with your precious feedback.
