Whether you’ve decided to heat up the grill and take advantage of the warm and pleasant weather or even spend time in the wilderness hunting and preparing your own food, cooking outdoors is always better with a high-quality knife. Great knives can make cutting faster and simpler, they can help to prevent any unwanted injuries, and they might even be quite practical for other outdoor uses. With that in mind, here are some ways you can use knives when cooking outdoors, and some tips on how to choose the best ones and maintain them properly:
Uses for outdoor knives
When spending time outdoors, a high-quality knife is one of the most important tools you should always carry with you. Of course, it can be used for cutting and preparing food, as well as cooking it over a fire, but the right knife can be used in a number of different ways, too. If you’re spending time in the wild, for example, a knife can be of great help in hunting, fishing, and gathering the food you plan on eating later in the day. Similarly, it can be a useful tool in terms of cutting ropes and fishing lines, opening packages, chopping wood, etc.
Outdoor cooking knives
In case you’re merely planning a calm picnic or a barbecue in your backyard, a classic chef’s knife is always the best way to go. They’re specifically made for cooking food, and they can be used for various purposes, from cutting and slicing to chopping and dicing. Chef’s knives are truly the most dependable and versatile in terms of preparing food. However, you can decide to bring a chef’s knife that was specifically made for outdoor living as well. These knives tend to be sturdier and more resistant to the elements, thus being more suitable for harsher environments.
Source: scotsman.com
Outdoor activity knives
If you’re camping, hiking, practicing adventure sports, or doing any other more complex outdoor activity, you may need a more suitable and functional knife. For instance, you can buy durable otf automatic knives to take care of all your outdoor needs. Not only are these knives lightweight and portable, but they’re quite tough and resilient as well. What’s more, an automatic knife can turn out to be incredibly versatile, helping you with everything from hunting and cooking food to starting fires and setting up tents.
Additional useful knives
When you have more demanding cooking needs or have enough room to bring the whole preparation kit with you outdoors, you could also consider a couple of additional knife types to make the cooking process a bit quicker and simpler. For example, you can bring a serrated knife for slicing bread and cheese more easily, or even a boning knife for cutting up fish and meat effortlessly. If space is an issue, a small paring knife can also be of great help for smaller tasks and finer details, such as peeling fruits and vegetables or mincing tiny foods.
Source: opinel-usa.com
Cleaning knives outside
When it comes to proper knife maintenance, regular washing by hand after each use is often advised to prolong the life of the blade as much as possible. And while you may be able to do that when barbecuing in your backyard, cooking in the wild might make washing a bit more difficult. To clean your knives when spending time in nature, try to thoroughly rinse them in water and leave them out to dry on a paper towel, in case you aren’t able to bring any other cleaning supplies. This will help to prevent damage until you come home and can wash your knives properly.
Storing and packing knives
Along with cleaning, storing your knives properly is another important aspect of maintenance that may be tricky when spending time outdoors. If you cook outdoors frequently, investing in a special carrying case that will keep your knives safe and protected is the best possible solution. If not, you could also transport your knives safely by wrapping them up in a thick kitchen towel, ensuring the blades are shielded by a double layer of fabric.
Cooking is always quicker and easier with a high-quality knife, especially outdoors. Follow the tips mentioned above next time you decide to cook in nature and make the process even more enjoyable.
Source: sunshinebarossa.com.au
How To Pick the Best Option
In the end, all that matters is your activity. When cooking outdoors you need to have a clear goal in mind. Is it a simple picnic? Or is it a trip into the wilderness? Questions like these matter. They matter a lot. In some cases, a simple back pocket knife will do. In other cases, you’ll need a real survival knife. In some cases, if you plan it all well, you’ll do just fine with a simple kitchen knife. When in the wild it’s better to have a knife that can serve as a weapon. If you’re doing it in your backyard, just use your set of knives from the kitchen.
Also, depending on your planned activity, and the number of days you’ll be spending out you might require a set of knives. It is all up to you. But, in the article above we have singled out the most important knives one could need on any adventure. Furthermore, you need to be aware of your meals. Are you a fisherman, or a hunter? Are you going to focus on cutting meats, or you’ll be eating vegetables? Also, will there be some carving? These are all important questions. Matters that you should address before you leave the coziness of your home.
The best would be to have one universal knife, but that’s not always possible. That’s why we have blessed you with plenty of additional options. What you should always have in mind is that you need a durable blade, one that can withstand all conditions and elements and that comes in a size that you’ll be able to handle with ease. With the amount of advice we have given you, all that is left is for you to make the right decision. Now, that won’t be too hard, right?
