10 Safety Tips for Using Electric Knife Sharpeners
Electric knife sharpeners are convenient and generally easy to work with, but you still need to be careful when using them. There are some vital safety tips that you need to adhere to or you might risk harming yourself, or you might cause possible irreparable damage to the sharpener. Here are some safety tips that you should take note of. Yes, they may seem downright obvious, but it’s easy for them to slip the mind...
(1) Read the user guide and make sure you fully understand the instructions before you start using a particular electric sharpener. This is so important, but many people seem to get it wrong. They would simply disregard the user manual and get right into action without learning the proper procedure.
Such approach would usually lead to a couple of displeasing results. Number one, it might damage the sharpening unit. Number two, it could mess up your high-quality knives, causing scratches on the surface of the blade, or taking off way too much material from the knife blade. If you wish to avoid these issues, make sure you view the instructions and understand them first, only then should you get into action.
(2) You must not use water or any lubricants with the electric sharpener. Also be careful not place the sharpener in the water or other liquids such as soap water mixed with liquid detergent. Doing so will expose you to the risk of electrical shock. I’ve seen folks using an electric sharpener near an open container full of water. That’s just asking for trouble!
(3) You must avoid using the electric knife sharpener for other than the intended use. For instance, if the sharpener isn’t designed to sharpen scissors or serrated knives, then don’t use it on your scissors or serrated knives.
Some people tend to throw caution to the wind and would try to sharpen just about anything with the electric sharpener. Avoid this mistake. If the instruction says you’re not supposed to sharpen say, a hunting knife with the electric sharpener, you listen. Just go buy a sharpener that does sharpen a hunting knife, or sharpen it manually if you really have to.
(4) Don’t use a sharpener that has a damaged cord or plug. It’s dangerous. Some people would try to act smart by fixing damaged cords on their own using electrical tape. Forget it! Electrical tape isn’t sufficient for repairing damaged cords. Your best bet is to send the unit to the manufacturer’s service center for proper reparation.
(5) Do not allow children to mess around with an electric sharpener. And be very careful when using the sharpener near children. If there are kids nearby, I think it’s best that you ask them to move a little further away before you start using the sharpener.
(6) Always make sure you switch off and unplug the unit from the power outlet after each use or before you clean it.
(7) The sharpener is meant for household use, so don’t use it outdoors.
(8) It’s important that you untangle the power cord before you begin operating the electric sharpener. Straighten the cord properly to get rid of any kinks.
(9) During sharpening, please ensure that the power cord does not hang over the edge of your kitchen top or come in contact with hot surfaces. Once again, I’ve seen one or two instances where people were using the sharpener near a heated oven. The power cord almost came into contact with the oven! This is very dangerous and must be avoided at all cost.
(10) Most electric knife sharpeners are equipped with a polarized electrical plug. This means there’s only one way for it to fit into an electrical outlet. It’s a safety feature designed to decrease the risk of electric shock. Now, if the plug isn’t compatible with your electrical outlet, what you should do is call a qualified electrician to assist you in this matter. Do not try to be smart by attempting to modify or defeat the safety feature, otherwise you might get shocked!
So that concludes my ten safety tips for using electric knife sharpeners. Be sure to keep them in mind, have fun sharpening your knives, and take very good care of yourself as well as people that you care about. So long and warm regards!
(1) Read the user guide and make sure you fully understand the instructions before you start using a particular electric sharpener. This is so important, but many people seem to get it wrong. They would simply disregard the user manual and get right into action without learning the proper procedure.
Such approach would usually lead to a couple of displeasing results. Number one, it might damage the sharpening unit. Number two, it could mess up your high-quality knives, causing scratches on the surface of the blade, or taking off way too much material from the knife blade. If you wish to avoid these issues, make sure you view the instructions and understand them first, only then should you get into action.
(2) You must not use water or any lubricants with the electric sharpener. Also be careful not place the sharpener in the water or other liquids such as soap water mixed with liquid detergent. Doing so will expose you to the risk of electrical shock. I’ve seen folks using an electric sharpener near an open container full of water. That’s just asking for trouble!
(3) You must avoid using the electric knife sharpener for other than the intended use. For instance, if the sharpener isn’t designed to sharpen scissors or serrated knives, then don’t use it on your scissors or serrated knives.
Some people tend to throw caution to the wind and would try to sharpen just about anything with the electric sharpener. Avoid this mistake. If the instruction says you’re not supposed to sharpen say, a hunting knife with the electric sharpener, you listen. Just go buy a sharpener that does sharpen a hunting knife, or sharpen it manually if you really have to.
(4) Don’t use a sharpener that has a damaged cord or plug. It’s dangerous. Some people would try to act smart by fixing damaged cords on their own using electrical tape. Forget it! Electrical tape isn’t sufficient for repairing damaged cords. Your best bet is to send the unit to the manufacturer’s service center for proper reparation.
(5) Do not allow children to mess around with an electric sharpener. And be very careful when using the sharpener near children. If there are kids nearby, I think it’s best that you ask them to move a little further away before you start using the sharpener.
(6) Always make sure you switch off and unplug the unit from the power outlet after each use or before you clean it.
(7) The sharpener is meant for household use, so don’t use it outdoors.
(8) It’s important that you untangle the power cord before you begin operating the electric sharpener. Straighten the cord properly to get rid of any kinks.
(9) During sharpening, please ensure that the power cord does not hang over the edge of your kitchen top or come in contact with hot surfaces. Once again, I’ve seen one or two instances where people were using the sharpener near a heated oven. The power cord almost came into contact with the oven! This is very dangerous and must be avoided at all cost.
(10) Most electric knife sharpeners are equipped with a polarized electrical plug. This means there’s only one way for it to fit into an electrical outlet. It’s a safety feature designed to decrease the risk of electric shock. Now, if the plug isn’t compatible with your electrical outlet, what you should do is call a qualified electrician to assist you in this matter. Do not try to be smart by attempting to modify or defeat the safety feature, otherwise you might get shocked!
So that concludes my ten safety tips for using electric knife sharpeners. Be sure to keep them in mind, have fun sharpening your knives, and take very good care of yourself as well as people that you care about. So long and warm regards!
