How Do You Sharpen an Electric Fillet Knife?

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In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to sharpen an electric fillet knife, as well as give you some useful hints and tips about care and cleaning for your fillet knife.

Let's dive deep into the topic.

How to sharpen the blade of an electric fillet knife

If you aren't sure how to sharpen a knife, no need to worry – we've got some helpful tips for you right here.

How To Sharpen Electric Knife Blades
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It doesn't matter if your blades have gone blunt or if they are still sharp but don't slice through fish as cleanly and evenly as they used to. Here's how to get them back up to their best and ready for your next filleting session.

Step 1: You'll need a whetstone

There are lots of ways to sharpen a knife. There are also different kinds of stones that you can use. However, if your knives have gone blunt then you'll need a whetstone to help them regain their former sharpness.

Step 2: Get the right angle for sharpening the blade

If you want to get your blades as sharp as possible, we recommend learning how to properly sharpen electric fillet knives at home. Getting the right angles to do so is crucial.

That's because when done correctly (and with the right equipment), it will be much easier to get your blades as sharp as possible. Getting professional help with the job could also be a great idea the first time round.

Step 3: Ensure you remove all of the old blade material

You must remove all of the material from your electric fillet knife blade before you start sharpening it. Otherwise, this could damage whetstones and make things difficult for you later on in the process. Be sure to go over your blades thoroughly using a little elbow grease first.

Step 4: Start sharpening the electric fillet knife blade

  • Once you've removed all of the material from your blades, it's time to start sharpening them. If you're using a whetstone, follow these steps:
  • Use moderate pressure when sliding the blade back and forth over the stone 
  • Run your blade in one direction over the entire length of the stone (avoid running it directly back and forth) *Note – if you are learning how to sharpen an electric fillet knife, then we suggest that you avoid slipping. 
  • Once your electric fillet knife is as sharp as it can be, whetstones will no longer have any effect at all. 
  • After this point, only use them for polishing.
sharepning electric fillet knife
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Step 5: Use a soft cloth to remove the material from your blade

Once you are done sharpening your electric fillet knife, be sure to remove all of the material that is clinging to it. Once again, if you don't do this then it will damage your whetstone and make things difficult for you later on in the process.

Step 6: Repeat steps 1-5 as necessary

To get a well-sharpened blade (and one that feels smooth and comfortable against your skin), it's important to repeat each step over and over again until you're happy with the results. If nothing else, keep repeating them until the process starts becoming second nature to you.

Taking care of your electric fillet knives

Buying the best electric fillet knife is a great first step; taking care of it is a great second one.

However, even when treated properly, blades will gradually become dull. You'll need to sharpen them regularly (as described above) to keep using them. However, taking care of your knives is also important. This includes cleaning and storing them properly so that they are free from damage, rusting, or even being left out in the rain.

Best Electric Fillet Knives
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As well as doing this for your safety, you should do it so that your fillet knife keeps its edge for longer too. Here's what you can do:

Cleaning

First up, make sure that you clean all parts of your electric fillet knife thoroughly after use – especially the blade part. The reason? Well, fish and other food will leave behind harmful bacteria if not removed straight away. Otherwise, it could lead to some serious health problems for you. You should clean your blades before and after each use.

Make sure that you wash your electric fillet knife by hand (do not put it in the dishwasher.). Doing this will help keep rust at bay. If you do notice any rust forming on your blades, however, be sure to clean them with a little vinegar or other cleaning product as soon as possible.

Storing

Next up, make sure that you store your knives safely so that they don't get damaged when not being used. Here's what we recommend: 

  • Keep them in a dry place – one that is away from moisture is best (maybe even inside of a wood box) 
  • Make sure they aren't knocked against hard items.
  • Be careful about leaving them in the kitchen overnight – rodents and insects like to get inside of them.

Oiling

Finally, make sure that you oil your blades regularly. This will stop rusting from forming on them while in storage. 

If you want to be extra careful about things, then why not add a layer of protective varnish or another protective coating? This should help prevent any further damage from occurring over time. You can read more on fillet bluegill on our blog to find out more tips!

Storing your whetstones and other sharpening stones

Electric fillet knives are a great way to quickly and easily slice up fish for making sushi, ceviche, or any other dish that calls for thinly sliced fish. 

Even when treated properly, whetstones and other kinds of sharpening stones will gradually become dull too. This means that they'll have to be replaced eventually.

As well as doing this for your safety, you should do it so that your whetstones and other sharpening stones keep their edge for longer too. Here's what you can do:

Storing your whetstones properly will make them easier to use, seeing as they don't slip all over the place when trying to sharpen something. On top of that, it will keep them safe from damage and moisture (which could lead to rust forming). Make sure that you store your whetstones away from things like water and bleach – or any other sort of liquid-based cleaning product.

Making sure things are clean is extremely important if you want to avoid having your whetstone break or become damaged in some other way. This is because if there's dirt or oil present, it will make things more difficult when you're sharpening your blades – leading them to wear out quicker too. To clean your whetstone, we recommend that you first wipe off any dust or debris from the surface with a cloth (or some paper towels). After that, wash the stone in warm water and soap.

Make sure you dry your whetstone thoroughly before storing it away. By doing this, you'll be able to prevent rust from forming on its surface.

Finally, adding some protective varnish or another protective coating onto the surface of your whetstone should stop the damage from occurring while it is stored away (and for longer while it remains in use). This is because it will act as a barrier between the stone and all other liquids.

Tips for cooking with an electric fillet knife

When it comes to filleting food with an electric knife, safety should be your priority. Why? If you don't follow the proper steps, there's a high chance that injury could occur – whether it is to you or someone else.

One of the most important things about being safe when using an electric fillet knife involves not cutting yourself while using one. With this in mind, we highly recommend wearing protective gloves and goggles while preparing food. Doing so will help prevent accidents from occurring during use too. We also strongly suggest cleaning the blade off after each use by hand before putting it away for future meals. This will help cut down on any risk of infection spreading to the rest of your food due to leftovers being present.

Another thing you should keep in mind is that the blade of an electric fillet knife can get extremely hot. This is why we recommend washing your hands after each use to avoid getting burnt. To be even safer, just use a rag or paper towel when touching it instead of your hand. It's also advisable to plug the unit into its electrical socket with a timer – this will prevent you from forgetting about it when preparing dinner. 

Final thoughts on how to sharpen an electric fillet knife

Sharpening your electric knife is a very similar process to doing so with a standard blade. 

On top of that, using an electric fillet knife is extremely easy and will save you a lot of time preparing food for your family or friends – with much less effort than other options out there.

By taking care of your electric knife the right way, you’ll get the most out of your tool over the years. 

 

Ben James

Ben James

Ben is an experienced content writer with a passion for kitchen remodeling. He loves writing about latest kitchen designs & trends so that he can educate our readers make the best decisions possible when it comes to kitchens.

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