Making a meal from scratch at home may sound like a huge task for many. But with the right kitchen essentials, cooking becomes so much easier.
One of the kitchen essentials that is often misused or misunderstood is knives. Yes, you read it right! There are different types of knives for every purpose, but the most popular and commonly confused ones are chef knives and utility knives.
Are you wondering what a chef knife or utility knife is? Or how exactly are they different from one another? Dive right in to learn the difference and the purpose of a chef knife and a utility knife.
Table of Contents
What Is A Chef Knife?
By the name of it, you may think, only the professionals use the chef’s knife. But, that is not true. The chef knife is known to be the most versatile kitchen tool.
Be it a small kitchen task that requires chopping herbs or a big kitchen task like dicing an onion or cutting slices of ham, you can use a chef knife.
The size of the chef’s knife varies though, from 6 inches to 14 inches.
What Is A Utility Knife?
If you look closely, a utility knife is similar to a chef’s knife but is only smaller in size.
As the name suggests, utility knives serve a multitude of purposes in the kitchen.
If you wish to cut small food items more precisely, a utility knife comes in handy. Also, you can opt for a utility knife to cut, mince, carve, peel or slice food.
A Quick Comparison: Chef Knife Vs Utility Knife
| Aspect | Chef Knife | Utility Knife |
| Dimensions | 6 inches to 14 inches in length | 4 inches to 9 inches in length |
| Blade type | Sharp and smooth-edged blade or slightly angled | Serrated blade or straight blade |
| Material | It is made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or ceramic | It is also made of stainless steel, carbon, or ceramic |
| Used for | Chop big-sized fruits and vegetables like melon, broccoli, lettuce, etc Slicing large-sized meat that requires strength | Chop small-sized fruits and vegetables like apples, oranges, peppers, etc Slicing small-sized meat with precision |
Chef Knife Vs Utility Knife: What’s The Difference?
Dimensions
Chef’s knives are available in different dimensions, suiting the needs of different people. The average chef knife that most cooks can use is about 8 to 10 inches in length. However, professional cooks are seen to use chef knives of about 12 inches.
If you are in search of a chef knife to suit you, then here’s how you can find out.
Always choose the length of the knife that is similar to the size of your forearm, i.e. from your elbow to your wrist.
The average utility knives are about 6 inches in length. But just like chef’s knives, you can also get utility knives of different sizes. Or even tried similar knives such as Santoku.
Blade Type
The large and broad blade of the chef’s knife makes it perfect for cutting medium to large-sized fruits, vegetables, or any kind of meat. Moreover, the chef knives that are slightly angled allow you to cut through in the rocking motion just like a pro.
The utility knife that has a serrated blade is best to slice rolls or a loaf of bread in half with detailed precision. But, unlike the chef’s knife, you cannot cut through something in the rocking motion.
Material
The chef’s knife comes in 3 types of materials- stainless steel, ceramic, or carbon steel. The manufacturers make this type of knife in such a way that the blade goes way up to the blade, making it solid and durable.
A utility kitchen knife is also available in 3 different materials- stainless steel, ceramic, or carbon steel and has a similar construction to a chef’s knife.
Used For
Have medium to large-sized fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, and musk melons that you need to chop? The chef’s knife is the best-suited kitchen tool to serve the purpose here.
Apart from fruits, you can also quickly chop veggies like onions, garlic, cauliflower, herbs like basil, parsley, and coriander. In terms of meat and poultry, you can use a chef’s knife to dice or slice.
When it comes to utility knives, they are suited for cutting smaller fruits and vegetables like bananas, carrots, and cucumbers.
You can also slice bread rolls, buns, and sandwiches with this knife.
The chef’s knife is the right choice if you have to section food into pieces while serving or cut through bones or a large amount of meat. But this is something that you cannot do with the utility knife.
What’s The Verdict?
Both the chef knife and the utility knife come with their pros and cons. Depending primarily upon the type of food items, the chef knife and the utility knife have their own specialty.
If you’re looking to choose one between the two, you must consider your needs and requirements first.
In case you need to cut through heavy meat that requires strength or large fruits and vegetables, opt for a chef knife. But for precise tasks like slicing through small meat or vegetables, you can choose a utility knife.
FAQs
Can I Use Utility Knife To Cut Meat?
Yes, you can use a utility knife to cut meat. Start by trimming the fat of the meat or removing the skin and then cutting small pieces of meat. You can also use it to cut chicken breasts or fish fillets.
Is A Utility Knife Necessary?
Simply put, a utility knife is a combination of the chef’s knife and a paring knife.
This makes a utility knife an all-rounder in the world of kitchen essentials.
If you have small-sized hands or have food that you need to cut in a particular size, utility knives come in handy.
Can A Chef’s Knife Cut Through Bone?
Yes, you can use a chef’s knife to easily cut through bone or cut through a whole chicken, beef, or pork.
However, for an excellent cutting experience, a butcher knife or a meat cleaver can be better suited.
What Is The Name Of The Knife That Has Teeth?
The knives that come with teeth-like structures on the blade are commonly known as serrated knives.
These are suitable for cutting small fruits or vegetables with hard surfaces on the outside but softer on the inside.
Why Do Chefs Tap Their Knives?
There are two main reasons behind chefs tapping their knives. One is to clear off any remaining food particles from the cutting board. The second is to alert the people nearby that they will be using a knife since these are dangerously sharp and cause harm to anyone nearby.
Conclusion
If you’re merely a beginner in the world of cooking or want to be better at cooking, it is essential that you learn about all the essentials, such as kitchen knives. With so many different types, it is normal to get an overwhelming feeling while shopping for one.
If you wish to build the perfect kitchen and have a seamless meal preparation and cooking journey, you must have some primary knives like the chef’s knife, the utility knife, and the boning knife(if you are a non-vegetarian).
But then, again, you should gather knives depending on how much time you spend on cooking and what you’re preparing.
While a chef’s knife offers more strength for cutting through bigger things, a utility knife can help you carry out more precise cuts. Now, you can decide the knife you will require to have the ultimate cooking session!
