Why a Wooden Knife Block May or May Not Suit Your Kitchen
Throughout your life, there is probably one staple in every kitchen that you remember seeing: the knife block—sitting in the corner of the countertop with every knife you could ever use, complete with easy access.
Chances are you’ve owned a knife block or two during your adult life, but maybe you’ve never found the need for one. Either way, if you love to cook, you’re going to come across the need for a knife block at some point in time. Knife blocks are an essential part of the kitchen, offering quick access to the cutting utensils needed to make an awesome meal.
Sure, you could keep all the knives in a drawer but where would the fun in that be? Cooking is a stress relief for many, and having easy access to your best kitchen knife set while you’re whipping up something delicious helps enhance the experience that much more.
There are still some things to consider before you invest in one of these handy kitchen accessories, however. How many knives do you need in your knife block? What style do you like? What material best suits your knives and kitchen aesthetic? These are all questions that vary case by case, and depending on your needs, you’ll be able to decide which knife block is ideal for your situation.
Naturally, you don’t want just any old knife block taking up your counter space. You want something that is functional and capable of holding most of the knives that you’ll use most often. The ideal knife block will hold the most common chefs' knives and then some extras, but material from which the housing is made is often up for debate.
Knife blocks let the world know that you are a chef; you take your cooking seriously, and as such you need your hardware organized handsomely. Wooden knife blocks can be very aesthetically pleasing, as you’ll see from some of the most popular designs. Wooden knife blocks are the most common variety, staying fashionable for decades, and often costing less than the competition, which is a nice bonus! The right wooden knife block will also last for a long time in its durability and purpose, which is why many of the most popular chefs seek these out.
There are also some drawbacks to a wooden knife block. For starters, a wooden knife block is not as hypoallergenic as plastic or steel—the other two major materials used for this purpose. You need to work hard to make sure that you are not storing dirty utensils in a wooden knife block, as they can be susceptible to harboring bacteria.
You’ll need to make a greater effort to keep a wooden knife block clean, especially since it’s hard to see inside. This means keeping things sterile with your knives and any other utensils the block holds and avoiding cross-contamination. You’ll want to keep your wooden knife block away from the open flame, for obvious reasons.
Wooden knife blocks can also become damaged as time goes on. Not properly storing your knives will start to take a toll on the knife block. This wear and tear is something that many people notice, which is another reason why plastic and metal knife blocks have begun to gain in popularity.
A knife block is meant to enhance your kitchen aesthetic and keep things organized. Wood doesn’t go with everything, however, which is another drawback; if you have a very modern looking kitchen, the wooden knife block might not fit in with your décor.
If a wooden knife block matches your kitchen aesthetic, note that many of the more accessible models are cheaply made and feature little to no design. It’s worth investing in at least a semi-decent looking option, as you’ll appreciate the long-term quality use after use. The cheaper quality knife blocks are more likely to lose their fit and finish very quickly.
Make sure that you are choosing the knife block that suits your needs. Don't just go for the first knife block that you see, because the results will likely be less than satisfactory. If you take your cooking seriously, a good knife block will make a difference! Wooden knife blocks have positives and negatives, but so do all options. It’s about what works best for you, your knife set, and your visual preferences.
Whether you’re learning or you’re a professional, nothing is better than getting the perfect chop when you are in the kitchen. The right knife set makes all the difference in the world, and you’ll notice the difference when you are enjoying your knife set with a great knife block.
Resources— Epicurious, Misen, kitchn
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