We need to cut many things every day. A knife is an essential tool of our kitchen that performs many tasks like cutting fruits, vegetables, and different condiments. We spend a long time in our kitchen with a knife. It is normal to get dirty due to regular use.
So, we should know when must a knife be cleaned and sanitized. A cook or housewife must keep everything clean in the kitchen. When you buy a knife, you will go for a high-quality knife. As a result, lack of proper care it will deteriorate very quickly. As a user, you do not allow it because a high-quality knife is quite costly.
So, the tool needs proper care, storage, and handling for long-term use. You must know the proper procedure to protect your property. The same principle applies to keep a knife durable and using it for many days. That means you should keep your knife clean always. So, it is very essential to know when should a knife be cleaned and sanitized.
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When Must A Knife be Sanitized?
There is no time limit to sanitize a knife. The answer to the question of when must a knife be sanitized dependson a lot of factors. The answer depends on the frequency of the usage of the knife. It also depends on what types of foods you cut with the knife. We have divided these factories into three parts as explained below:
For Chopping Fish With A Single Knife
This criterion is for you if you use a knife only for one specific purpose. In the kitchen, we regularly cut fish and meat with knives. This is why there are separate knives for cutting fish or meat. Most cooks cut fish or meat with a specific knife and do not cut any other food with that knife. In such cases, the knife should be sanitized after cutting the fish or meat.
Using A Single Knife To Cut Multiple Foods
This is the second situation and it is much different from the previous one. It is a little worrying when a single person uses a knife to cut multiple foods. In this case, you need to pay a little more attention to clean and sanitize the knife.
Suppose you are cutting a slice of meat or fish with a knife. Then if you go to cut any vegetable with this knife, you must wash the knife before cutting the vegetable. Needless to say, use different boards to cut different types of food. This will often prevent bacteria from entering your food.
A Single Knife Used By Several People
A family consists of many members. So, many in your family may use the knife. This is a concerning situation. You have to clean the knife thoroughly in this situation. You must clean the knife before you use it.
Now if you do not sanitize it properly before use, there is a possibility of spreading bacteria. Because you have no idea if the person who used the knife before you cleaned the knife or not. The first and second factor is also applicable here.
Why Is It Important to Clean and Sanitize Knives?
The root of good health is cleanliness. This one sentence is enough to answer this question. Our atmosphere is not completely fresh. Diseases and germs are scattered in this environment. Moreover, covid-19 has created a more horrible situation.
We should not take any risk with safety standing at the moment. So, it is very important to clean and sanitize knives. The reasons are given below:
- The knife may contain micro bacteria or viruses.
- Some viruses die of overheating, but you must not burn any meat or vegetables.
- Knives can also get germs from other people’s hands.
- Some bacteria or viruses can cause the life-threatening issue.
- Cross-contamination can create dangerous conditions.
- May cause allergic problems.
In general, if the knife used in your kitchen is unclean, there is a huge possibility of curing major diseases of bacteria. You never want to run to the hospital because of carelessness. So, it is extremely important to clean and sanitize knives.
How Do You Properly Clean A Knife?
Cleaning a knife is not so hard. You can clean a knife in a very simple way. You don’t need any expensive material to clean a knife. Just follow some simple procedures properly and clean the knife. The main purpose of cleaning a knife to remove the toxic elements. Let’s discuss the main procedure.
- Use warm water if you use the knife to cut meat or fish.
- Use cold water if you cut other foods using the knife.
- Apply soap on a wet soft towel and scrub the knife well.
- Now rinse the knife thoroughly with tap water or container water.
Now it is time to sanitize your knife.
- Take some water and alcohol/ Hydrogen peroxide.
- Mix them and make a solution of water.
- Dip the knife into the solution for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Then wash the knife with clean water and wipe with microfiber.
Warning
A knife is a very sharp tool. It may accidentally cut your finger and cause you to bleed. So always hold the handle while cleaning the knife. It is better not to hold the sharp blade of the knife.
When Must A Knife be Cleaned and Sanitized Food Handlers?
A food handler is a person who works in a food service part-time or full-time. He manages many tasks like making, cooking, preparing, serving, packing, displaying, and storing food.
Since he handles so many aspects, he may need to use a knife more often in doing so. So, if he does not clean his hands properly and does not clean the used knife, food poisoning may occur.
We have already described three different aspects about when must a knife be cleaned and sanitized food safety. However, if you continuously do the same thing, it is better to clean the knife after 4 hours.
FAQs
Q: When must a knife be cleaned and sanitized after 4 hours?
Ans. When you chop different items with a knife, you need to clean the knife every time. But if you cut the same item constantly, then a knife must be cleaned and sanitized after 4 hours.
Q: Can you clean a knife with rubbing alcohol?
Ans. You cannot clean a knife with alcohol. But sanitize a knife, you need alcohol.
Q: How do I clean and sanitize kitchen knives?
Ans. We have already discussed how to clean a knife in the fourth portion of the article. Just follow the procedure step by step.
Final Verdict
Our health will be protected if we have clean and fresh food every day. This is why it is a must to clean the knife regularly. To assure healthier food, you have to know when must a knife be cleaned and sanitized. If the knife is clean, live threatening germs cannot enter the food. And that will keep the disease a mile away.
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