Why is it important to sharpen my knives?

For three reasons:

Safety. Forcing a cut with a dull knife is one of the easiest ways to injure yourself. Properly sharpened and maintained knives actually help prevent accidents.

Good cutting action. You will get straighter, cleaner cuts with a sharp, well-maintained knife than you will with a dull knife.

Comfort. Using a high level of force over an extended period of time can cause discomfort to your hand. Keeping your knives sharp makes it easier to cut, thereby reducing the required force and time per use.

How often should I sharpen the knives?

For maximum performance, the knives should be sharpened before each use. The Slicer will need much less frequent sharpening and should be taken to a professional. At a minimum, sharpen your knives one per month, or whenever your knives become dull.

How do I wash my iCook™ Knifeware? Are they dishwasher safe?

iCook™ Knifeware is NOT dishwasher safe. In order to create and maintain an edge on a knife, a special type of stainless steel is used. This steel is very different from the stainless steel used to make iCook™ cookware. The stainless steel used to make cookware is very corrosion resistant. The stainless steel used to make knives is less corrosion resistant so it can rust if not properly cared for. Dishwasher use or soaking the knives can cause moisture to get trapped underneath the knife's composite handle, resulting in the development of corrosion/rust. We recommend you wash knives in a solution of Amway Home™ Dish Drops™ dishwashing liquid and vinegar before the first use to remove any lingering oils or polishes from the knives. Carefully hand wash immediately after each subsequent use. Dry your knives thoroughly. Knives can be dried with a towel or air dried. Do not store your knives if they are still wet, as rust could form. Do not allow food residue to remain on the blades for prolonged periods of time.