Brilio.net - A dull knife often makes the cooking process more difficult and less enjoyable. A knife that is not sharp enough not only hinders efficiency in cutting food ingredients but can also increase the risk of injury. When the knife is not sharp enough, you have to exert more force to cut, which can cause your hand to slip and cause injury. Therefore, maintaining the sharpness of the knife is key to ensuring safety and comfort when cooking.
In addition to the risk of injury, a dull knife also reduces the quality of the cut food. Cutting vegetables, meat, or fruit with a dull knife often results in untidy cuts and damages the texture of the food. For example, tomatoes cut with a dull knife tend to be crushed and lose a lot of juice, while meat cut with a dull knife can become torn and stringy. These inconsistent cuts not only affect the aesthetics of the dish, but can also change the taste and texture of the dish.
To avoid this problem, it is important to take good care of your kitchen knives. Sharpening your knives regularly using a knife sharpener or whetstone can help maintain their sharpness. However, if you don't have a whetstone, there are other tools you can use to sharpen your knives.
A TikTok user @bismillahrumahimpian once used the tool. As reported by BrilioFood from the TikTok account @bismillahrumahimpian on Tuesday (11/19), the tool in question is a pestle. Yup, a pestle can be used to grind spices and can be used as a substitute for a whetstone. However, it should be noted that the pestle used must be made of stone, yes.
photo: TikTok/@bismillahrumahimpian
How to use it is quite easy. First, place the pestle on a wooden stand. If there is none, you can use a sturdy or non-slippery base. This will prevent the pestle from shifting easily and reduce injuries.
photo: TikTok/@bismillahrumahimpian
Next, take a knife that is already blunt. Then sharpen it by rubbing the blade on the pestle in a circular motion. Do this process on both sides of the blade so that the sharpness is also really even. If so, wipe the knife using a cloth.
photo: TikTok/@bismillahrumahimpian
Well, this sharpened knife can be used immediately. The owner of the TikTok account @bismillahrumahimpian seems to be using it directly to peel a mango. According to him, the knife is practical to use and can peel the mango skin easily.
Then the knife that is already sharp needs to be maintained properly so that it does not become blunt again easily. Maintaining a knife so that it remains sharp and does not become blunt easily requires several important steps that should be followed routinely. First, always use the right cutting board, such as one made of wood or plastic, because these surfaces are softer and do not damage the blade compared to glass or ceramic cutting boards.
In addition, how you store your knife also has a big impact on its sharpness. Knives should be stored in a knife block, magnetic rack, or knife guard that ensures the blade does not come into contact with other hard objects. Avoid storing knives randomly in a drawer, as this can cause collisions with other equipment that can make the knife dull quickly.
Finally, its important to wash your knives properly. Its best to hand wash your knives with warm water and mild soap immediately after use, then dry them with a clean towel before storing. Dont wash your knives in the dishwasher, as strong detergents and excessive heat can damage the blades and handles.