I’m not a kitchen equipment junkie. I more of a kitchen minimalist. I really couldn’t do without just a few things: stainless steel mixing bowls, my darling Kitchen Aid, a cast iron skillet, and good metal measuring cups, high temperature spatulas and my brilliant bench knife.
Don’t have a bench knife? Well you should! A bench knife is a 3-inch by 6- inch smooth piece of metal topped with a molded plastic or wood gripping handle. Don’t be fooled by the name, the edge of this piece of metal isn’t sharp like a cutting knife, but it can still work its way around the kitchen. It’s great for dividing dough, slicing refrigerator cookies and leveling off measured ingredients like flour and baking soda. Some bench knives have measurements in inches along the cutting edge. How handy is that!? It’s also great for cleaning off counters and tables that might have bits of dough or flour on them. It’s a simple and efficient tool that can be used as many ways as you can think up! It’s a real gem!
March 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
My mom put a bench knife in my stocking this past Christmas and I LOVE it! I use it all the time, I can’t believe I functioned without one for so long!
March 8th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’m kind of a kitchen equipment junkie … I can’t help it, I’m an impulsive shopper, but somehow I don’t have one of these. Looks like a shopping trip is in my future haha
March 8th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I just discovered your lovely blog
I definitely need a bench knife that is as rockin’ as yours!
March 8th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Chelle- That’s hilarious! A bench knife as a stocking stuffer is fantastic!
Nikki- Like you ever need an excuse to go shopping… but now you have one!
Recipe Girl- Yay! Thanks for stopping by!
March 9th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Hi Joy…love your bench knife. I wish I had just a clutch of things like you & was a minimalist too. My 2 fave kitchen gadgets at the moment are a microplaner, which grates ginger garlic in a hurry too, & my santuko knife. Now a bench knife seems like the next thing on my list! What a great post!! The pictures are beautiful too…what camera do you use?
March 9th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Bench knife - check! I was in Williams-Sonoma this morning and saw it on their gadget wall and had to get it! Now on to those cinnamon rolls…
March 9th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I use mine to transfer things from the cutting board to the pot or pan. You can pick up a lot more than with your knife!!
March 9th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
i need one!
March 11th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Uh oh, I am most definitely a kitchen gadget junkie! I’m desperately searching for Kitchen Equipment Addicts Anonymous branch in my city, so please let me know if you know of one! Until then, I’ll just pop out at lunch and pick up a bench knife, hee-hee.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Just wanted to let you know that your post is featured on BlogHer today! ~ AK
July 9th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Kitchen Aid mixer is where it’s at! I adore mine! Sure beats standing there like a chump with a hand mixer and does a much better job too. I’ll have to get a bench knife too….wonder if kitchen aid makes them…in black to match my mixer…