How to Troubleshoot an Electric Knife

Carving a ham or turkey is a lot easier with the assistance of an electric carving knife. Periodic maintenance and cleaning can keep this appliance working for years to come.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Light silicon grease
• Light machine oil

1. Assess why the electric carving knife is not working. Verify that the knife is plugged in securely and the cord is intact.

2. Unplug the knife. Look at the blades. If the blades are bent, try to straighten them by applying pressure against a flat surface. The blades will need to be replaced if they can not be straightened.

3. Ensure that the knife is not plugged into an electrical outlet for the following steps. Remove the blades very carefully.

4. Locate the screws on the back of the electric knife. Remove the screws and carefully open the housing. It may be necessary to use a flat head screwdriver to pry the knife open. Be ready for the blade retainers to fall out when the housing is opened.

5. Remove the screws connecting the motor and the drive assembly to the housing case. Lift the drive assembly and motor out of the casing.

6. Look for signs of wear or broken parts on the driver assembly and motor. Rotate the fan gently. If the fan does not move smoothly, apply lightweight grease to the driver assembly for lubrication. Rotate the fan a few times to distribute the grease.

7. Finish up by adding a small drop of light machine oil to the bearings. Reassemble the knife.