Kitchen

[Tinkrbl44]

Okay, this one took me by surprise ....

Years ago I invested in a set of Cutco Knives in a wooden knife block.   They are the best and I so glad I made this purchase.

Today I read at tthetakeout dot com that these blocks can harbor bacteria and mold!

If you don't want to read the whole article, here's a short blurb.

What are your thoughts about this??? 

The Nasty Reason Why You Should Ditch Your Knife Block

The knife block has been the go-to storage device for cutlery since I can remember; it's a fixture in almost every kitchen I've ever been in. While these units can add a decorative touch to your space, there's a strong possibility that you've been an unsuspecting victim of convenience.

Victim? Yes. Although practical, these blocks can also be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. It might seem like your knives are clean because when you pull them out, they look just fine. But, it's not so, my friends.

The moral of the story is that your knives can appear pristine, all the while introducing tiny food particles or moisture into what I call a hidden hygiene hazard. For anyone concerned about kitchen cleanliness, it's worth reconsidering using a knife block, as better alternatives exist. When you know better, you do better, so there's no excuse for not making the switch — like now.

The knife block's makeup has doomed it from the start. It's difficult to clean, especially inside the narrow slots. Each time you insert a knife, you potentially introduce moisture or food particles that can get trapped. Without proper ventilation, this dark, damp space creates the ideal conditions for bacteria and mold to flourish.

Over time, these microorganisms can multiply, contaminating your knives every time you store them. Unfortunately, if you use your cutting utensils for raw meats or produce, something even more threatening, like salmonella or E. coli, can lurk in those crevices.

[KailaS]

No.  I had read about the bacteria issue about 40 years ago.

[sunshine45]

no, i store my older regular knives in a drawer and i store my better knives in a knife carrying bag that has a lock on it.

my moms older cutco knives from the late 1950s came with plastic drawer inserts to store them. i still have them!

[PA Mom-mom]

@Tinkrbl44 I never liked the idea of a knife block. I use this Kuhn Rikon knife holder:

And one like this for my more frequently used knives:

[RedTop]

Yes; haven't had an issue in 50 years, so what "they" say is of no concern to me.

[Mz iMac]

Just as easy to grab one from the drawer.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

This applies to wooden cutting boards too, lots of stuff can embed in the wood fibers . Plus, cutting and chopping on plastic cutting boards can shave off little bits of plastic that end up in your food.

We have the Kuhn Rikon acrylic knife holder for knife storage, have had it for ages.  I own many wood and plastic cutting boards but recently switched to a titanium cutting board..

[Nightowlz]

Oh that's gross. Glad I never used one. I have some inserts that came with our steak knives & a few other knives. I store them in those in a drawer. The rest of our knives have knife blade guard covers on them in the drawer.

I have been looking for knife blocks for my drawer but think now I will just leave them. 

[hayseed00]

@PA Mom-mom   I have the same Kuhn Rikon holder, I bought it years ago on QVC,  it washes easily.  Amazon does sell them.

[vermint]

---

@RedTop wrote:

Yes; haven't had an issue in 50 years, so what "they" say is of no concern to me.

---

@RedTop Same here!