The Best Electric Knives (Review) in 2020

When you are looking for an electric knife it is important to purchase one that suits your specific needs. If you are looking for a knife to perfectly carve a meat joint, then a fish filleting knife may not quite suit your needs. This is why it is important to understand a little more about electric knives and what to look for in one that you are considering. In this section of the guide, we look at electric knives in a little more detail and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about electric knives.

What to Look for in an Electric Knife

An electric knife is an ideal time and labor-saving device, but only if you buy the right one for you. When looking for an electric knife the main thing to consider is its purpose. Can the knife cut what you need it to cut? Does it have additional blades that allow you to easily cut a wide range of items? As well as a purpose there are numerous other things to look for in an electric knife, including:

• Blade material

What is the blade made from? Is it strong enough for the task at hand? Is it long-lasting and durable? Most electric knives have stainless steel blades because it provides durability, strength, and sharpness.

• Blade replacement

Does the knife sets come with a single all-purpose blade or different blades for different purposes? Many of the best knives include a straight-edged carving blade and a serrated blade that is ideal for bread. As well as the type of edge, consider the length of the blade to ensure it passes through what you are cutting without missing any sections. You may also want to consider the depth of the blade and the shape and contour of the point, depending on your main purpose for buying the electric knife.

• Handle design

Is the handle comfortable to hold? Are the power and control buttons easy to reach? Can it be used in either hand without compromising control, precision, or comfort? Good electric knives have ergonomically designed handles to reduce tiredness and discomfort when they are used over an extended period. The ideal knife will also have the power, speed, and safety controls centrally positioned so you can reach them without stretching, even if you use the knife in your left hand.

• Handle material

As well as being well designed the handle needs to be lightweight and durable. It needs to be easy to clean and have no areas where meat, fish, or other debris can become stuck.

• Cord length

Is the cord long enough for your needs? The cord length on an electric knife can vary greatly between different manufacturers. You need to ensure that you don’t end up with the meat on the floor, trailing miles of the extension cable, or tripping over tightly pulled cords, simply to carve dinner. Some electric knives do come with rechargeable batteries instead of mains power. With these knives, you need to check how long they take to fully recharge and the length of the charge they hold while in use.

• Safety features

Accidents happen, but they shouldn’t happen with an electric knife. The best knives have automatic cut off switches when the knife is not in use. They also have safety locks to stop the blades from slipping or falling out of the handle.

• Speed

You need to ensure the knife oscillates quickly enough for the task at hand. Some knives have varying speeds so that you can set it at the right speed for you.

• Storage

Quality electric knives come complete with storage that keeps the blades safe when they are not in use. There are many different types of storage, from butcher blocks to zipped cases. Choose the one that fits your kitchen and your safety requirement. However, if you are considering a block, then look for additional safety features such as blade locks that stop your blades from slipping or falling out of the block.

• Cleaning

The knife blades should be removable and easy to clean. Most of the best electric knives have blades that are dishwasher safe.

Why You Should Use an Electric Knife

Knives are something that every household has in their kitchen. They are used for everything from carving joints of meat to slicing cheese for sandwiches. They are also used for a range of other none food purposes and crafts. One of the many reasons that electric knives are the knives of choice for all these activities is the level of accuracy they provide.

Traditional knives rely on the movement of your arm and hand to determine the movement of the knife and therefore the blade. The slightest change in the angle while you are carving can greatly change the direction of the blade. You may start with a thin slice of meat, but the finish of with a huge chunk. With an electric knife, the blade does the work. It moves backward and forwards, while you guide the knife downwards. This reduces the chance of unintended movements, meaning straighter bread, cheese, and meat slices, cleaner fillets, and more control around bones and through vegetables.

An electric knife does most of the work for you, meaning that you need to exert less pressure and use less energy while cutting. Not only does this reduce fatigue, but it also speeds up the process of preparing and serving food. This gives you more time and energy to spend on the things you love.

As well as being time and energy saving, an electric knife is an ideal solution if you suffer from pain or weakness in your arm or hand. Because the knife does most of the work, you need to put less pressure on it, reducing the risk of pain and further damage to your joints.

Electric Knives vs. Traditional Knives

There are times when an electric knife is not suitable for the cutting job you have; using an electric knife on a banana could be overkill. However, there are plenty of times when an electric knife is clearly superior, and therefore the better choice than a traditional knife.

• Consistency

An electric knife gives greater consistency than a standard knife. If you want uniform slices, regularly cuts of meat, of specific cuts or angles, then an electric knife is more capable of providing these things because of its speed and accuracy. It is also superior because it requires less effort and input from you, and therefore reduces human error.

• Speed

Carving meat or slicing bread with a traditional knife is time-consuming, especially if you trying to get a specific thickness. An electric knife cuts correctly the first time and makes each cut quicker, reducing the time you spend cutting, slicing, and carving food.

• Safety

Electric knives are less likely to catch or slip while cutting, which makes them safer. As the cuts they make are quicker and straighter than a standard knife, there is less chance of your fingers getting in the way. The handle design means you are much less likely to drop the knife during use. They are also easier to store as the blades can be removed from the handle and made safe at the end of each use.

• Sharpness

Unlike traditional knives, electric knives do not need to be sharpened. The action of the knife puts much less pressure onto the blade, meaning they stay sharp for much longer. If the blade does begin to blunt, it can be replaced without needing to buy a whole new unit.

How to Use an Electric Knife

Each makes, and model of knife differs slightly in how it needs to be set up ready for use. Given this, it is important to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure that your blades are locked into place before you start carving.

Before you start, ensure that you can effectively move the knife around once you are connected to the mains outlet. If you feel the cord tugging, then consider a new cutting position that is closer to an outlet.

Carefully connect the blade to the handle, ensuring that the safety lock is used. You can also check that the blades are connected by pointing them safely away from yourself and other objects and pressing the start button. If the blades work as they should, then they are properly connected. Some knives will not start at all if the blades are not correctly locked in place.

Once ready, position the item you want to cut on a suitable surface. Position the knife above where you want to start cutting and press the on or start button. Now lower the blade and begin cutting. Having the blade running before you lower the blades reduces the risk of it tearing into the item as you start it up.

Always keep your fingers out of the way and remember that you should only need to put light downward pressure onto the knife as it cuts. Once finished, turn off the knife, carefully release the blades. Clean and dry them before storing them away safely. Check the handle, wipe over if needed, remove from the power source and store.

Best Electric Knife FAQ:

Q: How does an electric knife work?

A: An electric knife uses two blades moving in opposite directions to create a continuous sawing motion that cuts effortlessly through a range of items including meat, fish, bread, cheese, and non-food items. The two blades clip or otherwise join together to ensure one fine cut is made. The blades fit into a handle that contains the blade controls, safety switch, and in some cases speed controls as well. The unit then runs on either mains electricity or a rechargeable battery unit.

Q: How do I clean an electric knife?

A: Remove the blades from the handle and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most blades are stainless steel and can, therefore, be cleaned in your dishwasher. When placing them in the dishwasher ensure the sharp edge is facing downwards and the point is away from you. Check the handle over at the end of every use and wipe with a damp cloth to remove any food particles. Ensure that the blades are dry before storing or reusing.

Q: Do I need to sharpen an electric knife?

A: The blades on an electric knife are generally designed not to be sharpened. They are more durable and longer-lasting than traditional knives. While it is possible to sharpen them, it is not recommended as it could impair their function, particularly if you change the angle of the blade and it no longer sits properly next to its partner blade.