Ideas for Cutlery Storage

Some knife sets come with a storage block.

Sharp knives are an essential tool for preparing food, but they also pose a serious danger in your kitchen. Cutlery storage is especially important if you have children entering or preparing food in your kitchen. Besides the safety issue, cutlery needs to be kept clean and dry to remain sharp.

Magnetic Storage

One option for cutlery storage is a magnetic bar. These bars may have metal or even wood surfaces and house powerful magnets that cause even large pieces of cutlery to stick securely to the surface. You can mount a magnetic bar at any height, making it easy to store knives out of the reach of children. Magnetic bars also keep your knives visible and easy to access during meal preparation.

Inside Drawers

Storing cutlery inside a closing drawer keeps it out of sight and protects it from dust, humidity and kitchen messes. A silverware tray can keep your cutlery organized in different compartments, and a child safety lock can make it difficult for anyone but adults to open the drawer. Removing knives from a drawer can be dangerous unless you're careful to always replace the knives with their blades pointing inward.

Knife Blocks

Knife blocks are a convenient countertop solution for cutlery storage. They feature individual slots for each knife in a set and place the knives at an angle that makes them easy to remove safely. A knife block shields the blades and may also feature space for a sharpener or utility scissors. Some knife blocks use a pliable foam material instead of wooden slots. This material is easy to puncture when you insert a knife, and it allows you to store any size knife anywhere in the block. This type of block also prevents dirt and water from entering the blade slots.

Rolls

Knife rolls are flexible fabric or synthetic sheets that roll up with a set of knives inside. Besides providing an easy means of transporting knives safely, knife rolls take up relatively little space, making them a useful storage method for a cramped kitchen. Knife rolls usually include individual sleeves for blades, providing additional protection.

Sleeves

Individual blade sleeves and cases protect individual pieces of cutlery. They can cover the blades while knives are in a drawer or provide full-time protection for high-end knives or those that you use only occasionally. Not all knife sleeves are strong enough to prevent a sharp blade from cutting through, so you'll need to select a puncture-proof sleeve or exercise caution when inserting and removing knives.

References

• The Kitchn: Knife Storage: Five Ways To Store Your Knives Safely
• Style Feeder: Kitchen Knife Storage

Resources

• Chef's Blade: A Guide to Kitchen Safety