How to Choose the Best Electric Knife?
Table of Contents
Top Best Electric Knife Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need an Electric Knife for Kitchen?
The electric knife has found its way into the modern kitchen. Say bye to the conventional and manual knife! Built with an electric motor, these devices require little effort and provide precision cuts. They can be used on virtually anything you need knives for – poultry foods, fish, beef, bread, to mention a few. When you lay your hands on a good model, you’re assured of no crumbs but just smooth, fast, effortless and accurate cuts.
To assist you in your purchase, you will find here the main criteria that will help you buy a better value electric knife.
Top 8 Criteria to Know When Buying an Electric Knife
#1 Wireless vs Corded Electric Knife
The key differentials between wireless electric knives and corded electric knives are portability and power. The main problem with wireless models is that it will run out of battery. Sometimes, when the battery starts to go down, the electric knife may not cut so well because of the lack of energy.
Therefore, using a model that you will have to keep plugged in will help maintain consistent and effective cutting power. The disadvantage with wired models is that you have to sacrifice maneuverability and portability. However, some models integrate the features of these two.
So, you can switch between wireless mode and cable mode. These can be a bit expensive, but they let you have the best of the two models.
#2 Power and Performance
The power of the device determines the ability of the electric knife to cut all kinds of food, from frozen food to bread and roasts. Depending on the models and brands, this power can vary between 100 and 450 W. We, therefore, advise you to choose a knife powerful enough to come to grips with all kinds of food, from the tenderest to the hardest, without you having to make the slightest effort.
With a power of 100 watts, the small motor of this device makes it suitable for cutting tender foods. If you prefer a more powerful device that can slice through bones, look for a knife with 350 or 450 watts of power. Also analyze the voltage of the product, which must be adequate to the electrical current in your home.
A powerful wattage gives the knife a foolproof efficiency. Each time, the cut will be flawless. It is difficult to make a perfectly square dice with a conventional knife. However, the meat cubes will be easy to make thanks to the choice of high-performing kitchen equipment. The cut of country bread will be perfectly straight. The same is possible for vegetables, cheese, and other ingredients.
Of course, high power usually involves energy consumption. But since you only use your electric knife for a short period, your electric bill is not going to go over the top for that reason.
#3 The Length of the Blade
Electric knives are in no way like the old knives we grew up to know. To find out which is the best electric knife on the market, you also need to look at the dimensions of the device you want to acquire. Your knife should not be as long as the conventional ones. It should be easy to handle. This will bring more precision to your efforts and at the same time, will prevent accidents. The design and all functions must be close at hand to allow easy handling.
If possible, before buying, try the device to see if its ergonomics really meet your expectations or if you experience any difficulty in using it.
Some knives come with a few blade kits. Most have a blade to slice bread and another for other functions. So, check out the blade(s) length, which can be on the product description.
Some knife lengths are great for poultry foods, while some are optimal for fish. For instance, some makers have shorter blades (about 7.5 inches long). These are ideal for filleting fish. However, for good handling and effective response, opt for knives with 8-9 inches.
#4 A Versatile Double Blade
For efficient cuts, choose an electric knife that has two blades. They are easily ejected for cleaning. It would be a shame for your bread to smell like frozen chicken due to repeated and unmaintained uses. As such, the second blade of this device should be specially designed for cutting products from the frozen section.
With this accessory, preparing the fish or refining the meat will be a pleasure. Besides, the blades do not require any particular maintenance; they are self-sharpened.
There are quite a number of knives with these dual cutting blades. One example is the Bella Electric Carving Knife. Some of the knives with two blades usually include a bread blade (of course for bread) and a carving blade. This set usually includes one like a saw and a manual knife. The saw-less set is ideal for slicing fruits, vegetables and desserts and the other set is suitable for roast meats.
However, note that devices with dual blades necessarily have to come with their storage case. This is for the storage of the spare blade, to prevent it from rusts and getting blunt.
#5 Optimal Ergonomics
There are two main parts of an electric knife. These include the steel or blade section and the handle. The mode of design of the knife, more often than not, will determine how ergonomic the device will be. Hence, the handle of the device should be designed in plastic, both for ease of use and resistance from electric shock.
This plastic handle also has to be designed in a way in which the hand can be easily wrapped around it. If you are a lefty, then ensure you choose models designed for the left-handed or both hands.
The best electric knife is that which is particularly handy and lightweight, with a small rounded motor. An ergonomic knife can be handled without any effort. The user will hardly have to adjust his cut; the blades will take care of the rest. For this, it’s better to choose a cordless type.
#6 Safety Features
If you prefer to buy a wired electric knife, choose one that has an auto shut-off. The manipulator will take care to disconnect it after each use. Either way, you’ll still have to press a button to operate this device. Accidents may be inevitable, but choose a machine that will be safe to use. As far as possible, such a device should not be within reach of children.
Also, make sure it has a mechanism that locks and unlocks the base blades with just a touch. An advantage of this function is that it prevents the equipment from turning on if the blades are not properly seated in the base. It is also worth evaluating what the blade locking mechanism looks like. It must be firm at the same time to prevent the blades from loosening, but simple to unlock when cleaning. This is why the device must have an automatic blade ejection system.
#7 Cable Length and Battery Life
Hand in hand with the first point (Wired or Corded), if you decide to choose the wireless one, then you need to know how longlasting the battery is. It is not fun to take out the electric knife to cut through with great force and discover that it has run out of power.
If you have to choose a wired option, check the cable length and ensure it is long enough. This means, before purchase, you have to calculate what length you need. This is achievable by simply measuring the distance between your wall socket and where you prepare your food.
However, the length has to be moderate. If you have curious kids around, know that an electric knife with a long cord may mean ease of access to them.
#8 Stainless Steel Blade
The material of the blade is very important since this is what does the cutting and carving. Stainless steel knives are the favorites in this category. This is because stainless steel adapts well with time. It resists stains and rusts. You may, however, also find some models built with composite materials or some other materials.
In Summary
Anyone who likes to cook with ease will appreciate the efficiency of a versatile electric knife. To ensure the efficiency and durability of the electric knife, the blades should ideally be made of stainless steel. Choose a device with a set of blades. This ensures multifunctional use.
One of the most important characteristics of an electric knife is the power of the motor. A powerful device will help the electric knife trace a good roast straight out of the oven. It will have no trouble doing the same for raw fish, bread, bones or other food. With this, preparing the meal will become a breeze. The power can be 100, 120, 350 or 450 Watts.
Another essential feature of an electric knife is the safety lock, which prevents the device from being activated without you noticing it. To remove or change the blade during washing, your electric knife should have an automatic blade ejection system.
This greatly improves your safety and helps prevent accidents. When a model satisfies these primary criteria, you can proceed to the store to buy your new electric knife.
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