Who says ceramic knives never get dull? Have you tried to cut bones and frozen foods with a ceramic knife? Misuse will put a chip on the blade. Just like other knives, they do become blunt over time and this is where sharpening comes in.
Can You Sharpen Ceramic Knives?
In short, yes.
You can sharpen ceramic knives. However, due to their hardness, sharpening ceramic knives required extra care as the blades are very brittle and it could easily snap.
We’ve compiled a list of sharpeners for ceramic knives that are both useful and affordable to help everyone restore dull ceramic knives from the comfort of their home.
There are many sharpeners for ceramic knives on the market. Manual sharpening requires skills and time but the electric ceramic knife sharpener can do a good job in under a minute.
Advantages of Ceramic Knives
Ceramic knives feature a ceramic blade instead of the usual steel blades. They are made from Zirconium dioxide and the blades have a tough edge that manages to maintain sharpness for much longer compared to the steel knives.
Apart from their sharpness, the knives are loved by chefs and home cooks because they are not porous and hence do not transfer odors and they are dense hence sanitary.
Manual or Electric Sharpeners for Ceramic Knives?
Compared to conventional manual sharpeners, electric knife sharpeners sharpen ceramic knives faster considering they are motorized. This can be advantageous even in high-volume settings like restaurants.
The other advantage of electric knife sharpeners is that they do not require any sharpening technique for good results to be enjoyed. You simply plug them in and slide your knife in the slot and you are good to go.
They are also very efficient considering that they do not pose any damage to your knife if you use it correctly (make sure you read the user’s guide first). Your knife remains in a good state and stays sharper longer with an electric ceramic knife sharpener.
Electric ceramic knife sharpeners are not only suitable for ceramic knives but can also sharpen other knives with the same precision.
But say no to serrated blades. Some electric sharpeners can handle serrated knives too. You may want to learn how to sharpen serrated knives in a couple of minutes with an electric knife sharpener.
They have removed the guesswork when it comes to sharpening knives and as long as you choose the best sharpener you stand to enjoy all the benefits.
There are lots of options on the market. By comparing and reviewing a few top best sharpeners for ceramic knives, you shall be getting razor-sharp ceramic knives in no time.
1. Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener
The most notable thing about this sharpener is that it is battery-powered. But considering that not too much pressure is required to sharpen ceramic blades, this does not interfere with the abilities of the knife sharpener.
Kyocera Ceramic Knife Sharpener is intended for sharpening ceramic blades, but it still does a very good job on steel blades as well. The fix-angle of 17-degree (total of 35-degree) is maintained to deliver a razor-sharp edge on both the ceramic and steel knives. It is also designed for left or right-handed use.
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The Features
Diamond wheel and grinding stone – It makes using the sharpener easy on ceramic knives and steel knives too. This electric knife sharpener has a diamond grinding stone that takes blades up to 0.5mm. The knife slot is fixed and together with the assist roller, they make sharpening swift.
Safety cover – Grinding and dust are completely contained within the cover so you enjoy clean safe sharpening every time. The cover eliminates issues with grind particles and also makes it easy for you to empty and clean.
PROS:
- Battery-powered (4 AA batteries)
- Small and portable, good for outdoor activities
- Sharpen ceramic and steel knives
- Assist roller to control sharpening
- Easy to clean
- Left or right-handed use
CONS:
- Battery not lasting
- Not for single-edge bevel and serrated knives
What We Liked
What is most outstanding about this battery-powered ceramic knife sharpener is that it is sleek and very easy to use. The grinding stone is designed as a separate unit so cleaning the entire unit is very easy. This also means that you can replace grinding stone easily when it wears off instead of having to buy a new sharpener.
Also worth mentioning is that the sharpener comes with clear, concise instructions so using is smooth even for first-time users.
2. Shenzhen Knife Sharpener
This ceramic knife sharpener is compact but comes with enough power to handle ceramic knives and even stainless steel knives. It is designed to offer consistent sharpness levels for your blades from the tip to the handle and at an impressive speed.
Shenzhen knife sharpener has two sharpening settings so you can choose to use coarse or fine depending on what your knife usage needs are. Thanks to the diamond grinding stones, it is capable to grind steel and ceramic knives in a relatively short time.
This tool sharpens at 18 to 20-degree angles, hence it may not be very suitable for professional chefs with delicate knives, but then again it is really not intended for that. But it does a very good job for kitchen knives.
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The Features
2-Stage sharpening process – Using this sharpener you will manage to hone the fine edge of your knife in a simple process. If you have a rough blade with visible nicks or rough edges, then you should start on the coarse setting before then polishing it on the fine setting.
The 2-stage process ensures smooth, sharp blades no matter how bad the state of your knife is.
Diamond wheel – The diamond wheel featured on the sharpener maintains precision sharpening all through the blade. The electric-powered wheel can remove chips of up to 1mm from your blade for a smooth, sharp knife that you will love to use.
The wheel is estimated to last a year depending on the usage so you can be sure to enjoy sharp knives for at least a year without needing a replacement.
PROS:
- Well-built, high quality
- Powerful and easy to operate
- Compact design for easy storage
- Sharpen ceramic and steel knives
- Diamond wheel
- Removable diamond wheel cartridge
- 2-stage sharpening system
- Each to clean
- Runs quietly
CONS:
- Not for serrated blades
What We Liked
The fact that the wheel cartridge can be removed for easy cleaning makes the sharpener very convenient for any given setting. It also has a universal knife guide slot that can accommodate most ceramic and steel kitchen knives.
Factors to Consider When Buying Electric Ceramic Knife Sharpener
With so many electric ceramic knife sharpeners available in the market, it is important to know what matters most so as to select the best. It is only fair that you get a sharpener that serves your sharpening needs effectively and for longer.
Below are a few of the important aspects you should consider to find the best electric sharpener.
Ease of Use
Whether you have used an electric sharpener before or not, the unit you choose should be straightforward in terms of use.
Most sharpeners do come with instructions for use, but in essence, they should not be too complex for you. It is best when you can sharpen your knives quickly and easily.
Also, read Electric knife sharpener review to gain a better understanding of the different features and functionalities of electric knife sharpeners on Amazon.
Knife Slots
Electric sharpeners that have more than one blade slot for your knives offer a multi-step sharpening process.
Such is better compared to just single-slotted systems because they boost the life of the unit by dealing with bluntness in a simple process.
Whether it is a 2-stage or 3-stage sharpener, the sharpening process should be straightforward and require little or no learning curve.
A device with two or more stages will usually deliver razor-sharp knives better than a single slot.
The multiple-stage also means that you have an easier time sharpening your knife to the right level.
For instance, a knife used for slathering butter need not be too sharp otherwise it becomes a cutting tool.
Types of Blades
Sharpeners for ceramic knives are designed for ceramic knives, but a sharpener that can also handle steel knives will be more convenient.
It is also important to remember that most of the sharpeners are for flat blades.
If you want to be in a position to also sharpen ceramic and steel blades, take care that your device can handle them.
Not all units are designed equal so ensure that you buy a tool that will handle all knife sharpening needs you have.
Sharpening Degree
The angle through which your sharpener works will determine the kinds of results you get on different knives.
Kitchen knives require between 17 to 20 degrees. Asian-style knives are designed to be 15 degrees.
You may consider a sharpener that can handle both angles so you can enjoy fine-cut knives even as time passes by. It is best you know about the angle of sharpening before buying your device.
But for the electric ceramic knife sharpener, everything is taken care of.
Sharpener Material
Durability is very important, even when buying an electric knife sharpener for your ceramic knives.
Units that have diamond abrasives are far more durable considering that diamond is among the hardest minerals on earth.
Devices featuring diamonds in their design may be a little pricey compared to others, but they are definitely worth it.
As for sharpeners for ceramic knives, only diamond abrasives are used.
Ease of Cleaning
Remember that the sharpening process means dust resides because parts of the blade are shaved off to achieve sharpness. Consider therefore how the metal or ceramic shards are collected at the unit and whether it is possible to separate the parts for easy thorough cleaning.
Design and Size
The design and size of sharpeners are usually a matter of personal preference.
Consider where you wish to place the sharpener when looking at size and design. Also, remember that larger units may come with more features compared to compact units.
Know your needs clearly, make comparisons, and select the device that appeals to you the most. Most people will look for a powerful and compact unit.
The Kyocera knife sharpener is a battery-operated device, so it’s portable and compact.
Electric Ceramic Knife Sharpener Use and Safety Tips
Use Tips
- Always place the blade in the knife slot with the heel pressed down so there is a connection with the grinding stone
- Slide your knife through the slot at a 15 to 20-degree angle. A good sharpener will automatically set the knife handle angle as you pull through slots
- Ensure you pass the blade slowly twice on each side to have a sharp reshaped blade fast
- If need be repeat the process on finer settings, especially if you started on a coarse setting
- Always rinse your knife dry after use; it helps clear shavings that could be left on the blade
Safety Tips
- Always read the manual or user guide for use instructions before starting with your sharpener
- Never use lubricants or water on your device; it exposes you to electrical shock risk
- Always switch off and unplug your device after use and before cleaning
- Ensure you clean your knife sharpener in the right way; refer to the user guide if not sure
- Keep the device off the reach of children and use it only indoors
How to Maintain Ceramic Knives
Although ceramic is harder than steel, chances are it could easily chip due to its brittleness. Always take special care to maintain edge sharpness and prolong its lifespan.
- Choose a cutting board that always pairs well with ceramic knives to prolong its longevity (edge sharpness). Wooden and plastic cutting boards work best with ceramic knives.
- Avoid dropping the knives onto the hard floor (tilt). This is the fastest and easiest way to chip the blade.
- Do not use ceramic knives to cut bones and hard frozen foods.
Conclusion
Sharpening a ceramic knife is not difficult if the right tool is used. Since there are various sharpeners for ceramic knives available on Amazon, there is no apparent reason to throw away ceramic knives when they become dull.
So, get ready to restore dull ceramic knives with the help of a ceramic knife sharpener.
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