Kitchen experts weigh in on the best ways to keep your knife block clean and bacteria-free.
If you have aknife block, its probably something you use every time you cook.
The good news is, there are ways to keep your knife block clean and bacteria-free.
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Heres what the experts have to say.
Are Knife Blocks Actually That Dirty?
As long as you arent placing dirty knives back into the knife block, it shouldnt be that dirtyright?
Credit:BHG / Sydney Saporito
It turns out, even clean knives can harbor bacteria inside those tiny slots.
Novacek explains that knife blocks can become very dirty without proper maintenance.
Clean the Outside
Then, clean the outside of the block with soapy water.
Avoid using too much watermoisture is why you have mold and bacteria in the first place, he says.
When finished, wipe down the block with a clean, damp cloth.
If theres excess moisture or soapy residue, use a scraper to remove it.
Grab a wood scraper and run it along all the sides of your block.
Clean the outside of the wooden block with a scrub brush and the diluted bleach solution, Novacek says.
Use a pipe cleaner dipped in bleach solution to clean each one of the slots.
Then wipe it down again with a damp cloth and let it dry completely for at least 12 hours.
Here are a few suggestions for making that happen.
Choose the Right Block
Certain types of wooden blocks can offer added protection, Novacek says.
Its never a good idea to store knives uncovered in a drawer.
a paring knife for a picnic spread!
), Wasserman explains.
Just remember to wash and fully dry them before storage.
