STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO CLEAN, STORE, AND MAINTAIN KITCHEN SCISSORS.
Kitchen shears are handy tools, aren’t they? They can be used for cutting meat, cutting through packages, or for cutting herbs. One thing that we know is the fact that even the best kitchen shears won’t last very long if they aren’t properly cared for. When we say properly cared for, we mean keeping them sharp, clean, and safely stored.
Once that is done, you will enjoy the best experience around your kitchen while using your pair of scissors. You will no longer need to cut your herbs with tremendous pressure, and your food will always be healthy. We’ll bring respect back to kitchen shears so everyone can use them well. By the end of this article, you will have learned so much about caring for your kitchen scissors, and once you use the knowledge, you will notice a difference.
STEP 1: HOW TO USE KITCHEN SCISSORS PROPERLY
Kitchen scissors and shears prove to be very versatile. You can use them to butcher and trim beef, pork, poultry, and fish. Also, to cut different kinds of food, including fruits and vegetables. And remember, they are not the same as those you use for cloth, crafts, or paper; these are for food-related tasks only. Built to last, they are thicker, sturdier, more durable, and made from stainless steel with corrosion resistance properties.
STEP 2: HOW TO CLEAN KITCHEN SCISSORS
Next, we want to talk about keeping the kitchen shears nice and clean. And that is quickly enough done using dish soap and hot water, just like any other kitchen utensil. When washing them, clean the area where the blade and handle come into contact to remove any food particles where dangerous bacteria can grow. This can be difficult to do with some shears, but it’s not that difficult with the ones you can take apart. Use an old toothbrush and dishwashing liquid for those that can’t be taken apart. It will help get into the small spaces where food might get stuck.
It’s important not to let your kitchen shears “soak” in your sink. It would help if you never submerged them in water for a few seconds. Instead, you should wash and dry them immediately. Although most are now made from stainless steel and aren’t subject to rust, oxidation can still occur on the surface of the stainless steel, potentially weakening it.
STEP 3: HOW TO PROPERLY WIPE KITCHEN SCISSORS.
To properly wipe any scissors and shears clean and dry: Use clean, soft, absorbent material (we use microfibre cloths, for example). With the scissors wide open, try wiping all the insides you can get into, especially close to the interiors of the screw area. Pay as much attention as possible to the insides of the backs, and the insides of the blades, on both sides of the pair. Then work the scissors a few times, and perform the same wipe again. Buff the outsides of the closed scissors with the same (possibly now oily) piece of cloth, and finally give them a good clean, dry wipe all over with a clean, dry piece (or area) of fabric.
STEP 4: HOW TO SHARPEN YOUR KITCHEN SCISSORS
If you have a pair of scissors in your kitchen drawer, chances are they’re dull. Most people are, anyway. That’s because very few home cooks know you can sharpen scissors, let alone how to do it. Sharpening your kitchen scissors comes with lodes of benefits. Well, you will enjoy smooth cuts on your foodstuffs in the kitchen. A sharp pair of scissors will reduce the time you spend cutting meat, opening packages in the kitchen, or even cutting herbs. There are numerous ways you could sharpen your kitchen scissors with. As most prefer, you can take your pair of scissors to a professional who will get them as sharp and efficient for you to use. Others prefer less expensive ways to sharpen their kitchen scissors and sharpen them in the comfort of their homes. You could use sandpaper, aluminum foil, a whetstone, or even a glass bottle or major jar to get your kitchen scissors as sharp as a professional would do it. In the end, you will have a more efficient pair of scissors in your kitchen.
STEP 5: HOW TO OIL YOUR KITCHEN SCISSORS
It’s also essential to keep your kitchen shears oiled, especially around the hinge and where the screw is located. To do this, you must use a small amount of food-grade mineral oil in these areas and then wipe any excess off of them before storing them.
This will prevent the scissors from rusting and make them smooth to use since there is no stress. Oiling your pair of kitchen scissors will make them more efficient to use.
STEP 6: HOW TO STORE YOUR KITCHEN SCISSORS
Store your kitchen scissors in a different drawer away from other kitchen wares like metal, ceramic, and glass. If you need to put them in the same drawer, wrap them in a clean towel before putting them away. Many scissors come in a protective box, pouch, or plastic sheath. Save and use it to store scissors and protect them. You can hang them on a magnetic board or strips to protect them from scratching and banging against other things inside your kitchen drawer.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KITCHEN SCISSORS AND KITCHEN SHEARS?
Scissors and shears are different tools designed for applications but are often thought to be the same. Scissors are multipurpose cutting tools that are found in almost all kitchens. They are characterized by two small blades (less than 6 inches long), which are riveted together. The blades are brought together or separated with the help of handles to cut through various materials in the kitchen.
Shears are used to describing scissors that are more than 6 inches long. Shears can therefore be thought of as large scissors, which are designed for specific applications. One common design difference between a scissor and a shear is that, typically, a shear has a larger handle on either side. This is so the user can accommodate more fingers into it and apply more force needed to cut more rigid materials.
Thus, scissors and shears, though appearance-wise may look similar in many cases, are two distinct types of tools meant for different applications. Hence, one must choose the correct instrument that is most appropriate for a particular application.
CONCLUSION
In reading this, we hope you see what makes kitchen scissors significantly different from a regular pair of scissors. There’s no harm in having one or the other, but if you do a lot of detailed meal preparation, kitchen scissors are for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS
QUESTION: Can You Use Regular Scissors As Kitchen Shears?
ANSWER: Those teeth make kitchen shears the superior cutting tool to regular scissors. We’ve mentioned the functionality of these teeth earlier (opens jars and lids, cracks, nuts, etc.). Regular scissors don’t have this feature, so that they can be used as an alternative.
QUESTION: How do I sharpen kitchen scissors with a honing rod?
ANSWER: Kitchen scissors shouldn’t need honing since they should never be in touch with a surface harder than a chicken bone. However, they may need sharpening from time to time. See How to Sharpen Scissors for several ways to do this.
QUESTION: How do I remove rust from my kitchen scissors?
ANSWER: If you see rust on your scissors, they are not kitchen scissors, and you should not be using them with food. Kitchen scissors are usually made from stainless steel with corrosion resistance properties.
