What knife should you use for meat? Which one do professionals prefer? What about a chef’s knife? These are all good questions that deserve answers.
A butcher or cook can answer these questions with ease, but for the rest of us, it’s not always easy to know which knives to use for what tasks.
This article will help you find the best cutting tool for your cooking needs – from the type of knife to how to care for them.
What is a chef’s knife?
A chef’s knife is a popular kitchen knife that can be used for chopping, slicing, and dicing. The blade has the general shape of a broad blade with a pointed tip that curves to an edge that is typically sharpened on both sides.
What is a cleaver?
A cleaver is a knife with a wide, heavy blade that’s designed for chopping through bones and other tough materials. It has a thick spine and sharp edge, which makes it perfect for cutting through meat or bones.
Which one should I use for meat?
The size of the meat you are cutting will determine which knife is best for your needs. If you’re working with large pieces of meat, a butcher’s cleaver is the way to go! Chef’s knives and paring knives are not usually used for butchering because they can’t handle the tough cuts required.
If you’re just cooking small pieces of meat, a chef’s knife or paring knife would be an excellent choice. The blade of both knives are thinner and sharper than a butcher’s cleaver, making it ideal for cutting through poultry. A chef’s knife features a wide blade that’s perfect for chopping veggies or mincing herbs while the paring knife has a thin blade that lets you cut detailed slices in delicate fruits and vegetables.
However, if your main goal is to slice beef for sandwiches, then either one could work fine. It really depends on what size sandwich you want to make.
Conclusion
This is not an easy question to answer. Both types of knives have their advantages and disadvantages. If you are only cooking meat, then a cleaver is the best option. But if you are doing chopping, slicing, and dicing, then the chef’s knife is the best option.
The best way is to use both types of knives. You can use your chef’s knife to do the slicing, chopping, and dicing. And use your cleaver to do the cutting.
