About the Parts of an Electric Knife
Electric knife parts work together in conjunction to make the knife blades move either in a forwards and backwards motion powered by a motor housed in the handle. There is either a chord or battery and a switch for powering on and off. Some electric knives have better working parts than others. Repair or replacement is possible. Does this Spark an idea?
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Blades
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The blades usually come in pairs that are attached together in a way that lets them glide past each other by a rivet on one blade and a slot on the other that allow back and forth movement of the blade. They are serrated (the sharp-bumpy edge) and come in a variety of shapes. I have seen special thin blades that are forward swept for filleting and the long straight blades traditionally used as turkey carving blades. Typically, the blades are removable and should be (as should the rest of the appliance) hand washed in hot soapy water. The blades should be thoroughly dried after washing and should not contact any other metal during that could compromise their stainless steel and cause rust. Occasionally, the blades may require sharpening and there are several electric knife sharpeners available for this purpose which are more likely to ensure the proper blade angle and preserve blade serrations.
Housing
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The housing of the appliance is usually plastic and allows the insertion of the blades which are locked into place. See the instructions that come with your specific model for details on how to operate your model. The housing also has a switch or button that is conveniently located to allow turning the device on or off for one-handed operation. The housing can be opened but be aware that this appliance was not designed to be opened except by repairmen who know how to do so safely. When opening this or any device, also be aware that it may be difficult to put it back together again unless you know the workings of your specific model since opening the device can cause breakage or parts to not be held in place by the housing. Make sure that your power source is disconnected and that you take this and all other precautions that might be relevant to your device according to the manufacturer's repair instructions.
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Power
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There is often a cord. Make sure that your specific device has a cord that is long enough to not disrupt use of the device. If the cord is in the way or restricts movement in any way, it can be dangerous to operation. Longer cords may help you to meet these requirements. Many devices do not use a chord and have instead a battery which can make the device significantly heavier and require full charging before use. If the battery or batteries are built to be readily detachable or removable, make sure that you do not store batteries in the device or you risk accidental activation or eventual corrosion in the device itself.
Motor
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The motor is in the housing and often is designed to air-cool itself with appropriate flow. Often on the end of the motor (opposite the fan) is a screw shaped object. This object spins when the motor is on and contacts the cam (see below). You may want to make sure that your motor is at least 100 watts for turkey carving.
Cam
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The cam is a gear attached to a wheel that is eccentric (not centered) to which the deepest base of the knife blades are attached. This cam is in contact with the screw shaped part of the motor tip. The gear teeth on the outside edge of the cam are driven by the turning screw. When the gear rotates, the cam rotates eccentrically on the axle/pivot point. The eccentrically rotating part is in contact with the base of a blade. Since there are often two blades, each one is connected to its own eccentrically moving cam section. Since the blades are attached together by a "rivet and slot" in a way that allows them to freely glide past each other and they are set to move in opposite directions, they cut in this fashion.
Repair
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According to Fix-It Club (see link below), the most common reasons that an electric knife fails results from improper care of the blades. This care can be given in part by following manufacturer instructions for lubrication. If the blades are dirty, clean them. Make sure that they are in working order and are not worn out. If the problem is in the housing or electrical, take it to a repairman. It could be that the cord has become faulty, making it a hazard for shock or fire.
Where to buy a new one?
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If your machine has reached the end of its usefulness and is beyond repair, it may be that you need a new appliance. More likely than not, you have purchased a cheaper model that was not designed for rigorous use. Cuisinart comes highly recommended by galttech.com but it is recommended in their article that you prepare to spend about $50 to get a quality electric knife. Also be aware that the parts attached to the motor can make varied amounts of noise depending on the model that is in operation and that this may be a consideration for purchase. When you buy your new knife, if you buy the right model, it should last a lifetime.
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