Cutting in the Deep: Learn How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife

Cooking is a science and an art. And like any other art form, it takes practice and skill to not have to deal with messy and complicated processes. Apart from the skills, most meals are successfully prepared with the right tools that you can find in the kitchen, each serving a purpose, such as the serrated knife. A serrated knife is a must-have cooking item in any kitchen. They're perfect for slicing bread, tomatoes, and other soft fruits and vegetables. 

While they're typically pretty sharp out of the box, they can become dull over time. So, what's the best solution out there? It's very simple: learning how to sharpen a serrated knife. Here in this blog post, we'll show you how to get your serrated knives razor-sharp with a few easy steps if you don't know how to start. So, keep scrolling below and discover the other things you miss out on.

Slicing Moments: Ways on How to Use Serrated Knife

While you can do kitchen work with a few basic tools, many different types of kitchen knives are each designed for a specific task. A serrated knife is a kitchen knife that comes in handy for a variety of kitchen chores. Here are five great uses for a serrated knife:

For slicing a bread: The sharp teeth of a serrated bread knife make quick work of even the crustiest of bread. Remember to be cautious when sawing to avoid crushing the bread.

For cutting tomatoes: Tomatoes can be tricky to cut with a regular kitchen knife. But a serrated knife can easily slice through their soft flesh and thick skin. 

For carving meat: A serrated knife can also carve meat, such as roast chicken, turkey, or steak. The sharp blade will make clean cuts through the meat without tearing it. Glide the blade back and forth across the surface of the meat to create tiny incisions. This meat-slicing method will help the marinade or seasoning penetrate deeper into the meat, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

For chopping herbs: A serrated knife can be very helpful in keeping herbs from slipping and sliding all over the cutting board. 

For carving fruits: Fruits like melons and citrons can also be carved using a serrated knife. Its cutting edge slides effortlessly into the fruit's flesh, making it so easy to prepare colorful fruit salads and flavorful garnishes.

For chopping vegetables: The teeth of a serrated knife help grip the vegetable with tougher skins, making it easier to chop evenly.

For slicing a piece of cake: The strong teeth of a sharp serrated knife make it simple to slice the cake cleanly without smashing it.

Whether you're slicing up a loaf of bread or preparing dinner for your family, there's no better kitchen companion than a trusty serrated knife!

The Risks of Sharpening a Serrated Knife Blade

People don't give much time to the danger of using an unsharpened knife. After all, what harm can a dull blade do? However, the truth is that even a slightly dull serrated knife can pose a serious risk. 

For example, an unsharpened blade can slip while cutting or chopping, resulting in painful and potentially dangerous nicks and cuts to the user's fingers or hands. Additionally, damaged or improperly maintained knives may be more prone to breaking under heavy pressure, causing pieces of the blade to fly off unpredictably. 

Another potential risk with an unsharpened serrated knife is that it can be more difficult to control. The sawing motion needed for this type of knife can be difficult to execute accurately without a keen edge on the blade. This leads to all sorts of kitchen mishaps, from dropping your food on the floor to accidentally cutting yourself.

Other possible risks associated with serrated kitchen knives include:

• Poor grip strength due to slippery handles
• Slipping on wet kitchen surfaces
• Accidents involving other kitchen appliances or utensils

Overall, it is essential to exercise caution when handling serrated kitchen knives to reduce the risk of injury from these potential dangers. You can ensure safe and effective kitchen prep no matter what dish you're working on! 

Sharpening Serrated Knives Without a Sharpening Rod

Let's get straight to the point. We often use a sharpening rod for serrated knives. But knowing how to sharpen a serrated knife with an electric sharpener is also an innovative way to do it. But, of course, there are lowlights in choosing this tool.

• First of all, some electric sharpeners are designed specifically for serrated knives, while others can't handle the unique shape of the blade. If you're unsure whether your sharpener can take on a serrated knife, consult the manual or contact the manufacturer.

• Once you've found a suitable sharpener, the next step is to select the correct setting. Most electric sharpeners have multiple settings for different blade types and degrees of dullness. You'll want to choose a specifically designed setting for serrated knives. If your sharpener doesn't have such a setting, start with the coarsest setting and work until you find one that produces the desired results.

• Finally, it's important to understand that electric sharpeners will never produce the same results as professionals. If your serrated knives are significantly dull, it's best to have them sharpened by knife experts.

How to Sharpen Serrated Knives With Electric Sharpener

Admit it—some kitchen cooks are intimidated by the knife sharpening process, thinking it is complicated or time-consuming. But on a closer look, using an electric sharpener for a serrated knife is quite simple and only takes minutes.

1. First, find an electric sharpening tool that has both coarse and fine settings. You will need to experiment with different angles and pressure to find the optimal setting for your knife, but a good rule of thumb is to start with a low setting and increase the pressure slowly until you achieve the desired results. You can choose a coarse disc if the blades of your knives are severely dull and you need to remove a lot of material from their edges. If, however, your blades only need a little refinement, you should use a fine disc.

2. Second, place the blade in the electric knife sharpener at the correct angle. The ideal angle for a serrated knife is between 20 and 30 degrees. 

3. Third, run the electric sharpener over the blade slowly and deliberately while applying even pressure. Use guiding slots or guides on your kitchen sharpener as needed for extra precision and control.

4. Tilt your knife over and repeat the technique on the opposite side after finishing the first side. Check until both sides have been sharpened to your satisfaction.

5. Give your blade a quick rinse under cold water and wipe it dry to remove any remaining metal shavings or debris from sharpening.

6. Finally, give them a few test cuts to ensure they are properly aligned and ready for use in the kitchen.

Final Thoughts

Serrated knives make quick work slicing everything from bread to tomatoes in the kitchen. However, they must be kept sharp, just like any other tool, or they will not perform as effectively. Practice these steps regularly, so your blades stay sharp and slicing through food becomes effortless. 

We hope that by walking you through how to sharpen a serrated knife and providing some tips on using them, you feel more confident in using this type of blade. If you want to learn more about knives, check out our comprehensive guide, which includes all the latest info on types of blades, care and maintenance, and how to choose the right knife for the task at hand.