Knives and Hand Tools Chapter 8

Knives

The knife is the chef’s most important tool

Knives are usually made from one of three types of metals 1. carbon steel- has been used for

hundreds of years, easiest to sharpen, will rust if left wet

2. stainless steel- doesn’t rust or discolor, difficult to sharpen

3. high carbon stainless steel- most good quality professional knives made of this, easy to sharpen, do not discolor

Knives- Parts

Tip

Cutting edge

SpineBolster

Heel

Tang

Rivets

Types of Knives and Uses

Chef knife Most used knife, used for chopping,

slicing,

Types of Knives and Uses

Utility knife- smaller version of chef knife, more flexible blade, not wide enough for chopping

Types of Knives and Uses

Paring knife- used to cut away skin or peel, also useful for garnishes

Types of Knives and Uses

Serrated slicer (bread knife)- slices breads and pastries without crumbling or flattening them

Types of Knives and Uses

Cleaver- used for chopping, heavy cleavers can chop through bones when used by butchers

Cutting Boards

Wooden cutting boards and butcher blocks are less likely to allow bacteria growth than plastic or synthetic boards

Matter of preference

Synthetic are much cheaper

Colored boards

Sharpening Knives

A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp knife

There are two ways to sharpen a knife

Steel- a rod used to keep a knife sharp while working

Whetstone- an abrasive stone used to sharpen the knife after it’s already dull

Kitchen UtensilsSmall Equipment

1. Measuring Spoons

Type: Measuring Uses: Used to

measure solid and liquid ingredients

2. Rubber Scraper/Spatula Type: Mixing Uses: Used to mix

ingredients

3. Tongs

Type: cooking and serving

Uses: to move and transfer foods

4. Peeler

Type: preparation, cutting

Uses: peels skin off vegetables and fruits

5. Straight Edge Spatula

Type: baking tool Uses: spread cake

icing, level ingredients in measuring cups

6. Slotted Spoon

Type: mixing tools Uses: removes

pieces of foods from liquids

7. Liquid measuring cups Type: measuring

tool Uses: used to

measure liquid ingredients

8. Whisk

Type: mixing tool Uses: incorporates

air into foods

9. Knife

Type: Cutting Uses: Cuts, slices,

and chops

10. Sifter

Type: baking tool Uses: used to

blend dry ingredients or remove lumps

11. Rolling Pin

Type: baking tool Uses: rolls out

dough and pastries

12. Kitchen Shears

Type: Cutting tool Uses: used to cut

herbs or trim vegetables

13. Shredder/Grater

Type: cutting tool Uses: shred or

grates foods such as cheese and cabbage

14. Baster

Type: Other Uses: Used to

suction juices from meat or poultry for basting

15. Strainer

Type: Other Uses: used to

separate liquids from solids

16. Pastry Blender

Type: baking tool Uses: used to

blend shortening with flour when making pastries

17. Rotary Blender

Type: mixing tool Uses: used to

beat, blend and incorporate egg into foods

18. Ladle

Type: other Uses: used for

dipping and pouring sauces, soups, gravy, etc.

19. Dry Measuring Cups

Type: measuring tool

Uses: used to measure dry ingredients like flour, sugar, etc.

20. Thermometer

Type: Thermometer

Uses: used to measure the internal temperature of cooking foods