Why would you buy an oven to bake the cake when you can simply do it on the stove?
Maybe because that makes the work a lot easy and quick like a serrated knife. You probably have a bunch of good knife collections in your pantry.
But, none of them can do the perfect cutting job like a serrated knife.
Nothing is more frustrating than trying hard to get that perfect cut with the wrong fit of a knife. That’s where a serrated knife gets you covered with nearly every soft to hard cutting from the scratch.
It’s now the ultimate favorite kitchen tool of chefs and cooking enthusiasts because of making cutting an interesting part of the cooking regime.
If you’re still unsure about adding one or two ideal serrated knives in your kitchen pantry. Then, continue reading the article to know what incredible difference a serrated knife can make in your cutting skill.
What is a Serrated Knife?
Serrated knife exceeds other straight-edged knives because of its unique saw-like or tooth-ed edge serrated blade.
This feature helps with all kinds of cutting especially when you need precise and fine cuts like those on bread.
The sharp and pointed teeth design makes the knife suitable to use for a multitude of purposes including slicing, chopping, mincing, etc.
The serrated blade works by distributing the pressure along the knife to have the perfect cuts on your crusty loaf of bread.
From foods that have hard and thick surfaces to soft and fluffy cakes, a serrated knife can do the job for you.
Basic functions of a serrated knife:
- A serrated knife can cut a variety of soft food types such as fruits, vegetables, loaves of bread, cakes, etc.
- It helps in separating two different layers that are the outer covering and inner portion of any food material.
- It requires minimum pressure to get the cut done. This also reduces the chances of damaging the inner matter of food by harshly cutting it.
- Its special toothed design ideally helps with making precise and fine slices with cutting in the direction depending on the shape you want.
- The sharp blade of a serrated knife works as the best outdoor knives that you can carry in your pocket during travel, camping, picnics, etc.
Why do I need a serrated knife?
Well, everyone needs to have a serrated knife for making the terrible job of cutting a favorite pastime.
Despite its sharp blade, the tooth-ed design gives a ‘U’ shape that reduces the chances of harsh cuts from a serrated knife.
Some also look like a ‘V’ shape but nothing is risky unless you touch the blade with bare fingers. In light of that, let’s talk about the advantages that serrated knives possess.
Uses of a serrated knife
- The saw-like appearance of a serrated knife helps in cutting ingredients that are already soft and flexible. These ingredients just need a balanced steady pressure cutting that no one else than a serrated knife can do.
- The sharp edge of a serrated knife smoothly slices the substances without ravaging the texture and shape of the food.
- For foods with harder surfaces, a serrated knife can make your work simple by delicately cutting the fine slices of all fruits and vegetables, etc.
- They have extra sharp, hard, and stainless-steel blades that last pretty long regardless of how frequently you use them.
- By its sawing action, serrated knives slightly glide over the food and can easily cut the food in any desired shape.
- Using a serrated knife doesn’t require much effort or force on cutting down hard shafts such as fish, salmon, spinach, etc.
- Most of the serrated knives are water resistant that prevents them from rust or corrosion on both indoor and outdoor use.
- The serrated edge of the blade helps in distanced and precise cuts especially on marination of beef, meat, turkey, fish, etc.
- Besides cutting and chopping, serrated knives can also be used for smoothing or compressing soft foods by their wide steel body.
- Serrated knives offer a strong and easy grip while cutting which is why they are highly recommended for people with wide fingers.
Any type of cutting that you struggle to do with a straight edge knife surely calls for an effective serrated knife. Not only the foods mentioned, but there are various other daily ingredients on which serrated knives can be used.
However, it’s usually preferred to use serrated knives for incising those foods that have a hard exterior and soft interior.
Serrated knives are specifically used for sliding or tearing up the outer crust rather than breaking it into pieces. For other purposes, you may look for straight edges or other knives.
How to Use a Serrated Knife?
Normally, a serrated knife uses transverse direction for slicing the crust at the start and then cutting it in directions that you want.
You’ll definitely love cutting your favorite foods with a serrated knife for the first time. It does wonders in downward cutting as the u-shaped gullets are present at the lower side of the knife.
From bread, fruits, vegetables, cooked meats to all the doughy substances, the gentleness of a serrated blade will make clean cuts every time.
The way you use a serrated knife depends on the food you cut with it. Any food you cut, simply follows the grain rule throughout the cutting.
Try to move the knife in a parallel direction at first and then make perpendicular cuts to avoid mess while cutting.
For mushy fruits and vegetables like melon, tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, gently run the knife in a backward and forward motion. Keep repeating the same step unless you have pierced a cutting and can see the inner matter of the substance.
Maintaining a Serrated Knife:
Make sure your serrated knife is regularly sharpened and honed by an expert knife sharpener.
- Store your serrated knife in a safe and dry place with no water contact.
- Don’t leave the knives uncleaned but sanitize them before and after use.
- Never use automatic dishwashing detergent on the knives as it may harm the stainless blade steels.
- Cover the knife with a protected sheath once you’ve washed and dried it thoroughly.
Conclusion
Always remember greater the serrations in a knife- the lesser the force required and finer the cuts produced.
Now you no more have to buy multiple knives while cutting but only keep a single quality serrated knife.
Using a serrated knife is also an affordable option as you won’t have to break a bank for sharpening its blades.
With minimum force, affordable price, less maintenance, and quality cuts, buying a serrated knife will do everything for you.
