A while back, home expert Ina Garten revealed which kitchen knives she uses on a daily basis to create her admired recipes. Now, The Barefoot Contessa has given us another crucial piece of info: how she keeps these knives sharp.
After having recommended the Wüsthof Gourmet Knife Block, Garten has taken to her Instagram page for an instalment of her Ask Ina series, in which she demonstrates how she keeps her knives sharp. The answer? The Model 1520 Electric Sharpener by Chef'sChoice.
It's often said that the most dangerous tool in the kitchen is a dull knife; and while many of us may opt to take our knives to professionals for sharpening, Garten proves that doing it at home (with a trusty appliance of course) is actually quite manageable.
The 1520-angle select professional electric knife sharpener is the perfect tool for improved cutting performance on both 15 and 20-degree class knives. Using 100 percent diamonds, the patented abrasives sharpen faster and easier than any alterantive – for a sharp, longer-lasting edge.
'We've all seen chefs take a knife to sharpen it,' Garten says in the video. 'I'm always worried I'm going to get the wrong angle, and it will ruin the knife, so I'm going to show you how to sharpen a knife.'
She then proceeds to show us exactly how she utilizes the sharpener. First, she explains that there are two sides to the sharpener – a rough side and a fine side. She recommends gently putting the knife through each side twice in order to achieve optimal sharpness.
'All I do is wash the knife to get any filaments off, and you've got perfectly sharp knives every time,' she states.
Experts say that sharpened knives are imperative to safely and effectively preparing food; not only will ingredients be cut sharply, but there is less danger of losing grip of the knife, which can happen when it becomes dull.
'If you send them to a professional, I would recommend sharpening your knives once a year,' says Homes & Gardens' editor Jennifer Ebert. 'However, if you have an electric sharpener like Ina Garten's, you can sharpen as often as every three to four months.'
We love the sleek finish of the Chef'sChoice product; however, it also comes in black for those who prefer a darker appearance. Regardless, these neutral colors go with practically any existing kitchen decor and style.
-
5 outdoor decor pieces designers say you should always thrift to give character and charm to your backyardFrom rustic plant pots to wrought iron decor, these five pieces should be on your radar next time you're thrifting or antiquing
-
8 summer table centerpiece ideas to elevate your seasonal hostingCreate a stunning focal point for your events with these elegant and eye-catching summer table centerpiece ideas, using florals, candles, and on-trend finds
-
Ina Garten swears by the only roasting pan you'll ever need – it cooks vegetables and meat to perfection for under $100This roasting pan keeps everything well-cooked in Ina Garten's Hamptons kitchen – it's stylish, durable, and easy to use at an affordable price
-
Ina Garten's storage pantry is an insightful window into all of the best cookware used by the chef – and it's easy to recreate on your kitchen shelves from $48
The beautiful dishware in The Barefoot Contessa's Hamptons pantry showcases the tools she uses most often to cook – this is exactly how you replicate it
-
Ina Garten uses this multi-purpose basket to bring order to her East Hampton kitchen – it's Vietnamese-designed and currently under $34The Barefoot Contessa shared the specific basket she swears by to keep her kitchen organized – it's now at one of the lowest prices we've seen
-
Ina Garten's spring dining table challenges design conventions – she's mixed 'things up thoughtfully' (and it's so easy to recreate)
The Barefoot Contessa's tablescape features mixed and matched chairs, colorful napkins, and gorgeous floral arrangements for a unique seasonal set-up
-
Ina Garten's kitchen bowl set allows you to 'prep, mix, and bake like a pro' – it includes every size you could ever need (for under $49)
The Barefoot Contessa's bowl set has influenced culinary habits since 1905 – they're ultra-strong and nest inside one another for space-saving storage.
-
Ina Garten depends on this iconic stand mixer for perfect recipes in her East Hamptons kitchen – it's on sale now for under $350The Barefoot Contessa is loyal to the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer – a beloved model that counts Jennifer Garner and Selena Gomez among its users
-
Ina Garten's countertop lamps have changed how I look at kitchen lighting – they're warm, ambient, and surprisingly practical
The Barefoot Contessa's East Hampton kitchen has long served as a design inspiration point, but her unique lighting is the most intelligent feature to date
-
This Ina Garten-approved scale is a reliable way to measure ingredients – it looks sleek on every countertop (and is under $53)
The best appliances are those that make recipes easy while looking beautiful in the process – this is the case with Garten's go-to scales
