Kitchen Knife Storage Tips for the Home Chef

Whether you’re a master chef or an everyday cook, you should know the importance of properly storing your kitchen knives. Keeping some of your most essential tools in the wrong places can lead to dull blades, moisture damage, and even cutting hazards if you’re not careful. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to store your kitchen knives so they last longer and don’t present a danger to you and your family.

In this article, we’ll review several smart and cost-effective ways to store your kitchen knives so they’re kept clean, safe, and easy to find. From wooden knife blocks to magnetic strips, we’ll examine the pros and cons of common storage techniques and help you identify the best method for you.

Why does kitchen knife storage location matter?

The most important reason to store your kitchen knives in a dedicated, safe location is to prevent accidents and cutting hazards. Leaving sharp objects in the wrong locations can lead to people touching the blades by mistake, leading to potentially serious injuries. This is especially important if you have young children, who can be unpredictable and prone to accidents at the best of times. If stored improperly, knife blades can also sustain damage and break during use, leading to even more potential injuries.

Preventing damage to your knives is another reason to seek out proper storage solutions. Beyond jostling, chips, and nicks, keeping knives in an unsuitable place can lead to rust damage and dulled blades, requiring you to sharpen them more often and shortening their lifespan.

It’s also worth considering knife storage to maintain a well-organized kitchen. Your cooking tools can become cluttered and difficult to locate if you leave them scattered throughout drawers and cabinets, so proper storage will allow you to easily access them during cooking and save counter space. Leaving utensils out on the counter between uses can also attract bacteria and mold in the least suitable environments, so proper storage is useful for hygiene purposes as well.

What traditional methods of storing kitchen knives could I consider?

When you’re looking into how to store kitchen knives, you’ll find several tried-and-true knife storage options that home chefs have sworn by for decades. Let’s go over some of them now.

Knife blocks

A knife block is a simple wooden or plastic block with slots in it for inserting knives when they’re not being used. These blocks often come with knife sets, as they’re specifically manufactured for storing these specific sets. Knife blocks are simple to use–simply insert a knife into its corresponding slot when you’re done using it.

However, both wooden and plastic knife blocks can take up a lot of countertop space, and if slots aren’t perfectly sized to the knives you’re using, the edges can rub against the knife blades and dull them over time. These blocks are also prone to bacteria finding their way into knife slots, requiring extra cleaning of both the block and the knives

In-drawer storage

An in-drawer mat or knife storage block is a space-saving alternative to a traditional knife block, saving you countertop space and providing a convenient place to insert and remove knives. Drawer organizers are useful for a wider range of knives, and they’re not as prone to bacteria or knife dulling thanks to their wider slots and simpler anchoring systems. Professionals recommend getting a cork-lined holder, which will better protect your blades than one made out of wood.

Be careful with these organizers, though–they are often built to store blades pointing away from you, but you should still be careful, as they expose more of the blade than traditional knife blocks do. Smaller knife collections can benefit from using a couple of sheaths, which you can insert the knife into before putting it in a drawer for storage, protecting yourself and the blade all at once.

Knife rolls

If you have a smaller collection of kitchen knives or you travel a lot, you may want to look into a knife roll. These are durable fabric pockets that you insert knives into handle-first, then roll up and secure with a strap. A good quality knife roll will be easy to travel with and will hold up to the heaviest travel and kitchen needs.

A basic knife roll can be made of nylon with a foam core to protect your knives during travel, but if you want to pay extra for something higher-quality, invest in a waxed-canvas or leather knife roll. Some rolls have handles that allow you to carry them as their own bag; others will need to be inserted into a separate bag for transport. Even if you don’t travel, a knife roll is an organized way to store knives and save space–just be careful of the exposed blades when unrolling!

What are some modernized kitchen knife storage solutions to consider?

Plenty of new and innovative kitchen knife storage ideas have come along in recent years, and many of them are more sanitary and convenient than traditional methods of storage. Here are a few of the most popular.

Magnetic knife strips

A magnetic knife strip is a wall-mounted or cabinet-mounted wood or metal block with a magnet inside, allowing you to simply stick your knives to it and pull them away when you’re ready to use them. Many home and professional chefs recommend these strips as a convenient and practical alternative to knife blocks, saving you counter space and coming in a variety of different lengths for whatever size your collection of knives may be.

Wooden-surfaced knife strips provide the most grip and prevent knives from sliding around on them, but metal-surfaced knife strips require less maintenance and will be damaged less easily. If you’re shopping for a knife strip, consider size, material, how it will integrate with your kitchen aesthetic, and whether you’d like to mount it on a wall or in a cabinet door–different kitchens have different knife strip needs!

Magnetic knife blocks

A countertop alternative to slotted knife blocks, a magnetic knife block is a vertical piece of wood or metal with embedded magnets that you stick knives to in the same way as knife strips. Instead of a slotted block, a magnetic knife block is made up of a flat surface that’s easy to wash and wipe down to prevent bacteria.

Because these blocks are thinner and vertically oriented, they take up far less counter space than standard slotted knife blocks while requiring no wall-mounting setup. You also won’t be limited to knives that fit the slots of a slotted block–magnetic blocks are slot-free.

Multi-purpose storage solutions

There are plenty of ways to store both your knives and your other kitchen tools using the same devices. Some drawer organizers have space for both a set of kitchen knives and a cutting board, allowing you to keep all your slicing and mincing tools in the same drawer. Some cutting boards come with built-in knife storage, and even some magnetic knife blocks can double as a flat cutting board.

Where should I avoid storing my kitchen knives?

We don’t mean to call anyone out, but home and professional chefs alike make many common knife storage mistakes. Here are a few things to avoid.

Don’t store your knives loose in a drawer

It can be tempting to just throw your kitchen knife in a drawer with other utensils and call it a day, but doing so can lead to those other utensils damaging your blade, and your blade damaging your utensils. A loose blade is also easy to cut yourself on by mistake, and piling knives up in a drawer means you might have trouble finding them when you need them. Use a storage solution that will keep your blades protected and easy to locate!

Don’t just leave your knives in the dishwasher

Even dishwasher-safe knives shouldn’t be left in the dishwasher for an extended period. Dishwashers trap heat and moisture, leading to potential rust and warping, and blades can become dull when they’re in regular contact with other materials. Wooden-handled knives, in particular, are prone to heat and moisture damage as well. Store your knives in a cool and dry place to prevent this damage!

Don’t leave your knives out on the counter

Leaving knives out in the open may make them easier to find in the moment, but it also makes them easier to accidentally cut yourself on. Leaving them exposed to the elements will also lead to damage and dulling on the blades, as well as generally contributing to a more cluttered kitchen. Find a dedicated space to keep your knives!

How do I choose the right knife storage location?

Now that you’ve got a few options and weighed the pros and cons of each, and you know what not to do when storing your knives, let’s go over a few steps to figure out the best location in your kitchen to put them.

Assess your kitchen space

Never make a storage decision before you know what kind of space you’re working with. Take a look at your available counter space. See what wall and cabinet door space you might have for a magnetic knife strip and work out whether you can mount a strip or not; this may not be an option if you’re renting your living space. If you plan on using a drawer organizer, measure your drawers’ depth and width to see if one will fit.

Match your storage to your knife collection

If you’ve only got a few knives that you use as workhorses, you won’t need nearly as much space or as large a storage solution as you would with a much larger collection. A magnetic strip or block will be the perfect solution if you use your knives relatively often, as they’ll always be at the ready; otherwise, a drawer organizer will be appropriate if you’re not constantly reaching for them. You may also need to give extra space to specialized storage for specialty knives, such as those made of delicate materials or intended for specific uses like paring or peeling.

Balance safety and accessibility

With magnetic knife strips or blocks, consider your height (or the height of your resident home chef) and choose a solution that makes the knives easiest to reach. Keep any knife organizers out of reach of children, whether that means mounting them higher than your child can reach or keeping them in a drawer they can’t reach into.

What are some storage solutions specific to certain kitchen spaces?

Small kitchens

When you’re working with a smaller kitchen, you should maximize what vertical space you can, as you won’t have nearly as much countertop or drawer space to use. Smaller drawer organizers and magnetic blocks will help you maximize this space, and you may also want to consider using a cutting board storage device that can also store your knives. You will most likely have a smaller collection in a smaller kitchen, but if you have too many knives, you may need to consider which to keep and which to get rid of.

Large kitchens

A large kitchen offers you many more storage options, such as extra counter and drawer space, as well as more wall space to mount a magnetic knife strip. You can even benefit from storing different knives in different places around your kitchen–chopping and prep knives can be stored where you keep your cutting board, while bread knives can be stored near your bread box, for example. Take notes from the professionals and set aside different areas in your kitchen for prep, cooking, and serving, then store knives accordingly.

Special considerations for rental kitchens

If you don’t own your living space, you may be a little more limited in your kitchen knife storage options–for example, you won’t be able to do any permanent wall mounting with a drill. For these kitchens, drawer organizers and magnetic blocks are perfect space-saving solutions that won’t cost you your security deposit. You may also be able to mount a strip using damage-free adhesives such as Command strips, or use a knife roll to store a smaller knife collection you won’t be keeping in a single place for a long time.

How should I properly take care of my knife storage system?

Cleaning different storage systems

Different ways of storing kitchen knives will require different methods of cleaning; as a rule of thumb, you won’t need to clean them as much if you wash and take care of your knives properly. A traditional knife block needs to be carefully washed and wiped every once in a while, and the slots need to be sanitized to prevent bacteria growth. Magnetic strips and blocks, on the other hand, just need to have their surfaces sprayed and wiped down, then allowed to dry. Drawer organizers only need you to remove their inserts and spray and wipe them as well.

Preventing moisture and bacteria

The easiest way to keep moisture from gathering on your knives is to properly dry them after you wash each one, and be sure your kitchen space is kept free of humidity if possible. Invest in a dehumidifier for your space if you need one, and check to make sure it’s properly ventilated. You should also regularly check your knives and storage devices to make sure there aren’t any recurring rust and moisture problems–where moisture gathers, bacteria will most likely gather as well.

What different knife storage options are available for lower and higher budgets?

Solutions for low budgets

If you’re looking to save money on your knife storage, you can easily do so by building your own knife blocks out of DIY materials if you’re a woodworker. You can also repurpose smaller storage containers, such as boxes and tubs, as storage for knives you won’t necessarily use very often. Be sure to compare the prices of available magnetic knife strips as well, as many are available that will store a small collection and won’t break the bank.

Solutions worth investing in

You can actually save money in the long term if you’re willing to pay more up front for a higher-quality storage solution, such as a stronger wooden surface on a magnetic knife block, as these will protect your knives better and sustain less damage, requiring replacement less often. The most professional options will be made of high-quality wood, and magnetic strips and blocks will have stronger magnets inside that will last far longer.

What are some general safety tips worth considering for knife storage?

No matter the storage method you find is best for your kitchen knives, there are several practical and useful things to consider when storing them:

Proper knife handling

Any sharp object is dangerous if not handled with care. Always hold your kitchen knives with the blade pointed down and away from you, and practice proper handle grip when removing and storing knives to minimize the risk of injury. Teach your children about how dangerous knives can be and pass on your safe handling and storage knowledge when they’re old enough to understand, and have a first aid kit on hand in the case of an injury.

Knife and storage maintenance

Regularly sharpen your knives, as dull blades are more prone to slipping. Inspect your storage components to make sure they’re securely holding your knives and are free of moisture or other damage, and replace them if any signs of damage appear. If you’re using a wall-mounted magnetic knife strip, regularly test it to make sure the mounting is holding up and the magnets are securely holding the knives in place.

What if I’m looking for longer-term self-storage for my kitchen knives?

As you’ve seen, there’s no shortage of kitchen knife storage options available for home chefs–the trick is identifying the one that works best for you. No matter what your collection’s size may be, always choose a solution that saves counter space and keeps your knife blades clean and free of bacteria. Keep them easily accessible, keep the blades away from areas where you could potentially injure yourself, and protect the blades so they don’t dull too quickly and will last longer over time.If you’re looking to put your unused knives (or other utensils!) in a longer-term storage solution that won’t break the bank, SelfStorage.com can help you find affordable climate controlled self storage units near you. Try our search tool to compare local options, or call (844) 220-8921 to speak to an expert and find personalized solutions for your needs.