How do you store knives in cabinets?

Proper knife storage is an important aspect of any kitchen. Knives are essential tools for food preparation, but they can also pose safety risks if not stored properly. Using some simple guidelines and accessories can help keep your knives organized, protected, and within easy reach while minimizing the chance of injury.

Should You Store Knives in Drawers or Countertop Blocks?

Two common options for knife storage are drawers and countertop blocks. Each has advantages and disadvantages:

Drawer Storage:

• Provides enclosed, out of sight storage
• Allows storage of other utensils and tools alongside knives
• Has risk of knives rubbing together and becoming damaged
• Makes it hard to see all your knife options at a glance

Countertop Block:

• Keeps knives visible and within easy reach
• Protects blades from contact with other utensils
• Takes up counter space
• Leaves knife handles exposed

Many people opt to use a combination, storing their most-used knives on the countertop and lesser-used pieces in a drawer. This provides easy access to everyday knives while keeping the counter clutter-free.

Best Practices for Storing Knives in Drawers

If you choose to store some or all of your knives in drawers, there are some best practices to follow:

• Use a knife block or tray organizer. These provide defined slots to keep knives separated and prevent damage to the blades. Look for one sized to fit your drawer dimensions.
• Place knives spine up in the organizer. This keeps the sharpened edges protected.
• Arrange knives from largest to smallest. This makes it easier to quickly find the size you need.
• Store knives towards the top of the drawer. This reduces the chance of cutting yourself on a blade when reaching into the drawer.
• Consider installing child safety locks. These prevent kids from gaining access and injuring themselves.

Choosing an In-Drawer Knife Organizer

The main options for in-drawer knife organizers include:

Knife Block:

• Contains slots specifically sized for knives
• Models available in various materials like wood, plastic, or acrylic
• Can hold 4-15 knives depending on size

Knife Tray:

• Provides individual slots or ridges to separate knives
• Typically made of plastic or silicone
• More compact than blocks

Universal Drawer Organizer:

• Customizable trays, bars, or inserts to create specialized slots
• Lets you customize layout to fit knives and other utensils
• Components sold individually so you only buy what’s needed

Considerations:

• Material – Wood looks stylish but requires oiling. Plastic and acrylic are lower maintenance.
• Grip – Some models have non-slip feet or bottoms to stay put in the drawer.
• Capacity – Make sure the organizer can fit your existing knives with a little room to grow.

Storing Knife Sets Together or Separately

For knife sets or blocks, you can store them together in one drawer or separately based on usage. Here are the pros and cons:

Stored Together:

• Keeps all matching pieces in one place
• Makes it easy to remove the entire set at once
• Can make the drawer overly full if set is large

Stored Separately:

• Allows you to only keep most used knives handy
• Provides room to intermix pieces from different sets
• Makes it harder to keep track of all the pieces to a set

If your knife set includes a storage block, you can also keep the block in a drawer to free up counter space until you need to use the knives. Place a non-slip mat under the base to keep the block in place.

Choosing the Best Drawer for Knife Storage

The specific drawer you store your knives in can make a difference in convenience and safety:

• Use a higher drawer at least out of reach of small children.
• Choose a drawer near your main food prep area.
• Consider a narrow, deep drawer over a wide shallow one for better organization.
• Install stops on shallow drawers to prevent tipping if pulled out too far.

Storing Steak Knives in Drawers

Steak knives can bend, dull, or damage other utensils when tossed loose in a drawer. Better storage options include:

• Slotted knife blocks or trays
• Specialized steak knife organizers
• Utensil dividers
• Cutlery trays with knife slots
• Placing in sheaths or sleeves

Arrange steak knives with blades facing the same direction to avoid rubbing against each other. An insertable knife block just for steak knives is an easy way to keep these handy but protected.

Should You Store Knife Sharpeners in the Same Drawer?

While convenient, storing knife sharpeners in the same drawer has some risks:

• Sharpener abrasions can damage knife blades
• Loose sharpening rods are a hazard if knives aren’t secured
• Overcrowding can cause clutter and make knives hard to access

Some better options include:

• Storing sharpeners in their own dedicated drawer
• Keeping sharpeners in a separate closet or cabinet
• Securing knives and sharpeners in place with retention bars or slots
• Using vertical divider trays to separate different utensils

With careful organization, it’s possible to safely store sharpeners alongside knives. Just be sure to position them so they don’t make contact.

Should You Store Knives Tip-Up or Tip-Down?

How you orient knife blades in a drawer or block comes down to personal preference:

Tip-Down Benefits:

• Safer if knives shift position – less chance of cutting yourself
• Keeps sharp edges embedded in material (wood, plastic, etc)
• Handles are visible and easy to grasp

Tip-Up Benefits:

• Keeps blade edges protected
• Prevents accumulation of debris, moisture, and dirt on blades
• Provides better visibility of knife edges for inventory

Those with small children may prefer tip-down for safety. Others argue tip-up is better for the knives. As long as the knives fit securely either way, it comes down to preference.

Should You Use Blade Guards or Sheaths?

Sheaths and guards provide extra protection by covering the blades of stored knives. Pros and cons include:

Pros:

• Prevent cuts from exposed blades
• Protect blade edges from damage
• Allow stacking knives without contact
• Come in various materials like plastic, vinyl, or leather

Cons:

• Time consuming to remove/replace each time you get a knife
• Difficult to identify knives without removing guards
• Less need if knives stored properly in slots

Guards can be useful when kids are present or in busy kitchens to minimize risks. Otherwise, proper storage should keep blades secured.

Installing Safety Catches on Drawers

For safety, especially in homes with children, you may want to install catches on your knife drawers. Options include:

• Drawer latches – latch or lock drawer shut when not in use
• Drawer slides – limit how far drawer opens
• Drawer straps – straps attach to cabinet to prevent full extension
• Small object locks – removable locks insert in drawer slots

Catches can help prevent injury but need to be disengaged each time you need to open the drawer. Ensure other drawers and cabinets lock as well if you use this approach.

Using Cabinet Organizers for Knife Storage

For an alternate approach, you can store knives inside cabinet organizers. Options include:

• Over the cabinet door organizers
• Magnetic strips or panels
• Wall-mounted knife racks
• Drawer organizer units mounted inside cabinet
• Rotating vertical carousels

The benefits of cabinet storage include keeping knives completely out of reach and freeing up drawer space. Downsides are knives are less convenient to access and not hidden away.

Storing Knives in a Cutlery Tray or Drawer Insert

Using a specialized cutlery tray or drawer insert offers these advantages for knife storage:

• Custom slots keep knives separated and organized
• Prevents blades from contacting other utensils
• Allows grouping knives by type or usage
• Made from materials like wood, plastic, acrylic, or silicone
• Provides padded surface to minimize damage
• Models sized for specific drawers available

Look for trays with silicone edges to grip the drawer, slots that fit your knives, and smooth surfaces that won’t scratch. This approach combines protection and organization.

Which Knives Should Be Stored in Drawers vs. on Counters?

As a general guide, store your most used knives close at hand on the counter or in blocks, while lesser used pieces can be kept in drawers. Specifically:

In Drawers:

• Steak knives
• Bread knives
• Paring knives
• Carving knives
• Set knives that only get occasional use

On Counters:

• Chef’s knives
• Santoku knives
• Utility knives
• Vegetable knives
• Most-used set knives

Consider your cooking habits and accessibility needs based on your kitchen layout when deciding where to store specific pieces.

Installing In-Cabinet Knife Drawers or Trays

For an organized built-in solution, you can install pull-out trays or drawers designed just for knife storage inside kitchen cabinets. Benefits include:

• Custom fit to your cabinet dimensions
• Can be installed at convenient heights
• Keep knives completely enclosed and out of reach when stowed
• Provide easy access when drawer is extended
• Designed with slots, retention bars, or magnets to secure knives

This integrated approach keeps your knives organized and accessible without taking up counter space. Include soft-closing slides for smooth and safe use.

Should You Store Knives in Their Original Packaging?

While some people store new knives in original boxes or sleeves, it’s not generally recommended for a few reasons:

• Packaging takes up more space in drawers or blocks
• Blades can still rub together and damage in packaging
• Daily insertion/removal creates wear and tear
• Hard to see/identify knives in opaque boxes or sleeves

Once unboxed, quickly storing knives in a slotted organizer or block is better to protect the blades. Only keep original packaging if the knives are collectibles or will be stowed long-term.

Easy Access is Key for Knife Storage

No matter where you store knives, be sure they are readily accessible while cooking. Having to dig around increases the chance of cuts. Ways to improve access include:

• Storing the most used knives on the counter or at the top of a drawer/block
• Choosing a storage height convenient for your height
• Opting for open concept storage like magnetic strips or wall racks
• Using pull-out trays or drawers that bring contents into view
• Arranging knives from largest to smallest for easy identification

Take note if any storage options make knives awkward to access. Adjust your storage method accordingly for maximum convenience and safety.

Protecting Valuable Knife Collections

For valuable knife collections or display pieces, more protective storage is recommended:

• Display in framed glass cases or shadow boxes
• Mount shelves or racks on walls for storage
• Use museum wax in slots to hold knives firmly in place
• Store in presentation cases lined with protective foam
• Keep in drawer with retention system and pads to prevent shifting

The goal is preventing any damage or wear. If knives need to be accessible, glass-front cabinets or racks make for safe display storage.

Conclusion

With a wide range of storage options and accessories, you can find a knife storage solution for almost any kitchen setup. Focus on keeping knives secure, protected, and easy to access based on your space and cooking habits. Proper organization will help ensure your knives remain safe, sharp and ready to use for all your meal prepping needs.