The importance of knives in the kitchen cannot be overemphasized, and that is a fact. Kitchen knives are used for several purposes in the kitchen, and it is almost impossible for a chef to operate without a set. In fact, knives have been referred to as the spine of the kitchen, which makes it even more difficult to imagine a chef without one. However, it is often challenging to select the types of knives to purchase for your kitchen among the many types of knives that are available today.
Knives are primarily used for cutting, and there are many types of knives used in the kitchen for different cutting tasks. Although most private kitchens often only have a few of these knives in their collection, a commercial kitchen will find it very difficult to make meaningful progress if they don’t have the majority of these knives. While some of these knives can be ignored, others hold too much significance in the kitchen. And there’s hardly any knife as crucial as the chef’s knife in the kitchen. This article will show you how your paring knife fairs against the kitchen favorite.
Chef’s Knife
A chef’s knife, or a cook’s knife as it is sometimes referred to, is essential in any kitchen. And since knives are priority tools in the kitchen, the chef’s knife can be one of the most crucial kitchen tools. A chef knife is signified by its broad, sharp, 8 to 12-inch long blade that curves up to a pointed tip at the top. The blade is often made of steel and is connected to a handle with tiny pins. The knife is designed to be very comfortable in the chef’s hand, like a hand extension.
Uses
The chef knife is a multipurpose knife that is used to carry out several cutting tasks in the kitchen. But its ideal uses include;
- It is used for cutting meat into smaller pieces
- It is used for chopping nuts
- It is used for slicing vegetables
- It is used for cutting herbs.
But despite the numerous uses of a chef’s knife, specific tasks like splitting bones, cutting bread, and mincing vegetables should not be done with this knife to avoid damages.
Paring Knife
The paring knife is a small kitchen knife that picks up from where a chef’s knife left off and is equally crucial in any kitchen. A paring knife has a similar blade as the chef’s knife, but the sizes range between 2.5 and 6 inches.
Uses
A paring can also be considered a multipurpose knife, as it is used for multiple cutting tasks in the kitchen that require a smaller knife. Its uses include;
- Peeling fruits and vegetables
- Cutting smaller fruits
- Removing seeds from fruits
- Deveining shrimps
Conclusion
A chef’s knife is often used more than a paring knife in the kitchen, but a paring knife can be used in place of a chef’s knife to perform some other cutting tasks in the kitchen. However, it is best to have both knives available at your disposal if you wish to operate a successful kitchen.
