An electric knife is a powerful kitchen tool that has many applications in the culinary world. It can be used for slicing meat, veggies, bread, and even cheese. They can also be used for home DIY projects like cutting through thick pieces of foam.
The main benefit of an electric knife is that it does the physical work for you. So instead of breaking a sweat carving that turkey, you can rely on an electric knife to take care of the physical labour. Contrary to a standard knife, they require little to no sharpening in their lifetime.
Keep reading to learn more about electric knives. We’ll also highlight the best electric knives available on the market in Canada this year.
What Are Electric Knives Used For?
Electric knives can serve many purposes in the kitchen, but they are most commonly used for carving meat large cuts of meat such as turkey or brisket. Electric knives can also be used for evenly slicing bread, vegetables, and even cheese. They allow you to slice quicker and more consistently than what is possible with a standard kitchen knife.
Lastly, electric knives are handy for those with physical disabilities. An electric knife generally reduces the amount of physical strength required to slice certain food items.
The 5 Best Electric Knives in Canada in 2024
There are many electric knives on the market in Canada. The best one for you depends on your cutting needs and your budget. Here are our favorite models this year.
Chefman Electric Knife
The Chefman is the most budget-friendly electric knife on this list. However, we can assure you that its price does not compromise its quality. It has an 8-inch stainless steel blade that can slice through pretty much anything with ease. Instead of one blade, the knife is made up of two reciprocating serrated blades. This adds more precision and power when slicing.
The Chefman electric knife was designed with safety in mind. It has a convenient safety lock that can be switched on or off when not in use. It also comes with a sleek black storage case for safe and easy storage.
Chefman is confident about the durability of its product and offers both a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty.
Hamilton Beach Carve ‘n Set Electric Knife
The Hamilton Beach Carve ‘n Set comes with a carving knife, a carving fork, and a sturdy case for easy storage. The blades are made from stainless steel and don’t require any sharpening.
While it’s not the best at cutting through crusty bread, the knife is great at slicing meat. We love that it comes with a slim storage case that makes it easy and safe to store. The included carving fork is also convenient for serving. The knife is corded, so you’ll need to set it up near a power outlet. With just the press of a button, the blade is easy to remove and clean.
Cuisinart CEK-41C Electric Knife Set
The Cuisinart CEK-41 is another electric knife worth considering. Its blade is made from stainless steel and is micro-serrated for a clean cut. The set also includes a serving fork, a bamboo cutting board, and a serving tray to keep everything in place.
In terms of cutting, the CEK-41 does a good at slicing through most meats, soft vegetables, and bread. The set also includes a serving fork, a bamboo cutting board, and a serving tray to keep everything in place. The knife has an ergonomic design that is comfortable for both left and right-handed users.
We like that the Cuisinart CEK-41 has a built-in safety lock that must be switched off in order to begin cutting. It also has a 5.5-foot cord that is long enough to reach most kitchen counters or tables.
BUBBA Lithium ION Cordless Electric Fillet Knife
While this is not your typical electric knife, it’s the best electric knife for filleting fish. The set comes with a compact zippered case, 4 blades, 2 lithium-ion batteries, and a charger. Its blades have a dual-rivit design, making it the most effective electric knife on this list.
Unlike most consumer electric knives, the BUBBA knife is battery-operated and portable. This makes it convenient for using outdoors or in remote locations. What’s also great about this electric filet knife is its ergonomic non-slip grip handle. While there is no integrated safety lock, its grip and trigger design makes it safe to use.
The knife is powered by lithium-ion batteries that boast an impressive battery life. It can easily be recharged with a charging cable that’s included. The main downside of this electric fillet knife is its weight and size. It has an 8.5-inch handle and weighs just over a pound.
BLACK+DECKER 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife
Black+Decker’s 9-inch electric carving knife is another affordable but effective electric knife. Its 9-inch serrated blades are made from high-grade stainless steel that will last for years. It has great cutting speed and requires little force to get the job done.
The knife is self-sharpening, so you don’t have to worry much about maintenance over time. It’s also easy to clean with dishwasher-safe parts. While it doesn’t come with a storage case, it does come with a blade cover for safer storage. Like most of the electric knives on this list, it has an integrated safety lock.
Black+Decker’s knife is overall an excellent choice for a budget-friendly electric knife, but it’s not perfect. Some users have complained about the design of the handle in relation to the on/off trigger.
How To Use An Electric Knife?
Electric knives are generally easy to use, but there is a learning curve. How to use an electric knife will largely depend on the model, but most electric knives in the consumer category share certain features.
Before getting started, we recommend getting comfortable handling the electric knife while it’s unplugged. Most electric knives on the market are corded and therefore must be plugged in before use. You want to make sure you’re gripping the knife comfortably. Most good quality electric knives will have an ergonomic handle that is intuitive to grip. The “on” trigger will normally be positioned where your thumb rests. You will generally have to press down on this button while slicing, in order for the knife to do its job. You also want to be aware of any integrated safety features and how to use them. If the electric knife has a safety lock, you will have to toggle it off before getting started.
When you’re done slicing, most electric knives will have an eject button so that the blade can be cleaned without submerging the electronic components in water. Oftentimes, an electric knife’s blades are dishwasher safe, but it’s important to refer to the product’s manual before making this assumption.
FAQ
An electric knife can be used to cut frozen meat, however, it will affect the texture of the meat slices. This is because cutting through frozen meat is essentially like sawing through wood. Instead of a clean slice, you will be creating small shreds along the way. This will leave you with meat slices that may have a grainy texture. We recommend thawing your meat before cutting it with an electric knife.
Despite the downside of cutting through frozen meat, using an electric knife is the best way to cut frozen meat. Since they do most of the hard work for you, electric knives allow you to cut through frozen meat effortlessly.
An electric knife is a great tool for cutting raw meat. When used correctly, it will leave you with clean and professional-grade slices of meat. One of the reasons why electric knives are great at cutting raw meat is their power. Their power makes them helpful at cutting through bones and cartilage that would otherwise be difficult with a standard kitchen knife.
Since electric knives are most commonly made from serrated and hard stainless steel, they do not require sharpening as often as a standard knife. Due to the hardness of the steel and the serrated edges, they are also very difficult to sharpen properly on your own. If your electric knife’s blade is dull, we recommend hiring a specialized professional or contacting the manufacturer for a replacement blade.
