Which steak knife set is best?

Nothing ruins the chargrilled perfection of a beautifully seared steak faster than a dull knife. The blade grabs and shreds rather than slices, changing the texture of the steak and drying it out with a series of ragged cuts. Dull knives can also be dangerous, forcing you to apply more pressure to cut. The best steak knife set is beautiful, functional and seriously sharp.

If you are looking for a well-crafted, durable set of knives, the Wusthof Gourmet Steak Knife Set is a great choice.

What to know before you buy a steak knife set

Number of knives

A good steak knife set is a must if you regularly serve grilled meats. You’ll need to get enough knives for everyone when family and friends sit down to eat. Most steak knife sets come in six, but it’s possible to find sets of eight or more.

Blade and handle material

Most steak knives are made from either stainless steel or high-carbon steel (although ceramic is gaining in popularity). Stainless steel is durable and resists rust, but it can also be flimsy if it’s not of good quality. High-carbon steel is popular for its longevity and ability to keep a sharp edge but can cost more.

Handles are available in wood, plastic resin materials or metal. Wood is classic, but more modern designs can be found in plastic and metal.

Type of blade

There are three basic types of blades: serrated, straight and hollow.

Serrated: These blades stay sharper longer as there are more cutting surfaces along the entire edge. The sawing action of these is best for roasts and crusty bread. Serrated knives stay sharp longer but can be sharpened when needed.
Straight: Straight blades are best for a seamless cut. They do not tear the meat but produce a clean cut. The blade is easily sharpened.
Hollow: The finest slices are created by a hollow steak knife blade. There are slight indentations along the side of the blade that prevent slices of food from clinging to the knife. These can also be sharpened easily.

What to look for in a quality steak knife set

Knife block

An included knife block makes for easier storage. Knife blocks also protect your knives from damage they might incur when banging around in a silverware drawer.

Full-tang knives

The tang of a knife is the part that extends into the handle. A full-tang knife reaches to the end of the handle and also spans its width. This type of steak knife feels weightier and is more durable than a knife with a tang that narrows to insert into the handle.

Easy to sharpen

Every knife will dull with use. The best steak knife set will be easy to sharpen and hold its edge longer.

Triple-riveted handles

Triple-riveted handles with no visible gaps or evidence of joinery are going to be stronger and more durable. Generally, these also feel better in the hand, as the whole construction feels more substantial.

Comfortable and balanced

A good knife feels comfortable and balanced in the hand. That means that the handle fits nicely whether you use it in your right or left hand, and the blade feels substantial in relation to the knife. The handle and blade should feel about the same weight.

How much you can expect to spend on a steak knife set

Steak knives can be a good investment if you regularly indulge in delicious cuts of steak, chicken and other meats. Expect to spend $50-$200 on a set of six or more.

Steak knife set FAQ

How do you care for steak knives?

A. Your steak knives should not be washed in the dishwasher. The high heat of the drying cycle causes the handles to warp, and other silverware can ding the blade.

Instead, hand-wash each knife in mild detergent and warm water. Dry them completely before storing.

How do you sharpen steak knives?

A. All steak knives, even serrated ones, need to be sharpened eventually. There are a few different methods  — which one works best depends on the type of blade and blade material you’re dealing with.

Straight or hollow steel blades can be honed after each use with a honing steel. This straightens the blade but does not remove any material.  To sharpen this type of blade, use a damp whetstone and run the blade across it from handle to tip at a 15-degree angle. Do this multiple times on each side, testing the blade for sharpness after a dozen or so strokes.

Serrated steak knives can be sharpened with a ceramic sharpening rod or a triangle sharpener. Each of these is designed to get into each toothed area.

Of course, the easiest way to sharpen your steak knives is to send them out to a professional. Many grocery and hardware stores provide this service.

What’s the best steak knife set to buy?

Top steak knife set

Wusthof Gourmet Steak Knife Set

What you need to know: Professional chefs rely on this brand, and their steak knives are of similar professional quality.

What you’ll love: They are well-balanced in the hand and easy to use. The high-carbon stainless steel blades are strong and hold an edge and the handles are triple-riveted and resist warping or discoloration.

What you should consider: It’s an expensive set if you only need steak knives occasionally.

Top steak knife set for the money

Dalstrong Steak Knife Set with Modular Storage Block

What you need to know: These knives are sharp, durable and come with a beautiful storage block.

What you’ll love: German steel makes these knives strong and sharp. The handles are hefty and balanced. Triple rivets keep handles secured to the tang of each knife. The storage block can be stored both vertically and horizontally in a drawer.

What you should consider: If you have limited space, the storage block is not a good option.

Worth checking out

Imarku 6-Piece Steak Knives

What you need to know: This is a solid set of knives at a reasonable price.

What you’ll love: The high-carbon stainless steel blade resists rust and corrosion. It has a one-piece full-tang blade secured by two rivets in the handle. The handle itself is made of wood and feels good in the hand, and this set comes in a gift box.

What you should consider: Some users found them too light.

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Which paella pan is best?

Originally from Valencia, a rice-growing region in Spain, paella is a slow-cooked dish of meat, seafood and vegetables that are all simmered with saffron. This deeply flavored culinary masterpiece uses a pan that is wide and fairly shallow. This exposes as much of the rice as possible to the bottom, allowing it to form the crispy crust — the socarrat — that paella is famous for.

The Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Paella Pan is the pan professionals choose when cooking at home. It’s durable, well-made and nonstick with proper seasoning and care.

What to know before you buy a paella pan

Material

This dish’s high cooking temperature and long duration of cooking require that a paella pan be durable and able to heat evenly.

There are several materials to choose from.

Carbon steel: Carbon steel is the traditional material for paella pans designed to last for generations. They heat evenly and hold that heat for a long time, but they need special care to prevent rust and remain nonstick.
Cast iron: Cast iron is great for use over an open flame, but it is very heavy. It also requires specific seasoning and care. You can get enameled cast iron, which is easier to care for.
Nonstick steel: These pans are not traditional, but they do provide a nonstick surface. Make sure you select a pan that is PFOA-free.
Stainless steel: These pans work well and look great, but they don’t release food as easily and can be expensive.

Capacity

Paella pans are traditionally large, up to 32 inches in diameter, but they can be as small as 8 inches. Regardless of the size, the pan should have straight sides that are no more than 3 inches deep. This shallow surface helps achieve the perfect texture of rice, meat, seafood and vegetables.

Nonstick vs. raw materials

While nonstick pans make food release more easily, some cooks prefer to limit the number of potential chemicals leaching into their food. Look for raw materials, such as steel or cast iron.

What to look for in a quality paella pan

Stay-cool handles

It is hard to find stay-cool handles on a paella pan. These are usually coated with something that minimizes heat transfer from the pan. If you don’t want to fuss with pot holders, this is a useful feature. However, keep in mind that even stay-cool handles can get warm, and proceed with caution.

Dimples

The dimples on the bottom of a paella pan look like the dimples on a golf ball. These shallow indentations promote even heating.

Lid

Lids are optional because they are not traditionally used to prepare paella. However, if you plan to use your pan for other dishes where a lid would come in handy, this is a nice addition to have.

Free from harmful chemicals

Many people avoid nonstick cookware due to the potential for chemicals to leach into food. The newest generation of these slippery pans uses coatings that are PFOA-free and nontoxic, with no chance of food contamination.

How much you can expect to spend on a paella pan

When it comes to these pans, the lower the price, the lower your expectations should be. Expect to spend $25-$250.

Paella pan FAQ

What else can you prepare in a paella pan?

A. If you don’t have the space — or patience — for a unitasking kitchen tool, don’t worry. Use your paella pan to prepare:

Stir-fries.
Shallow-fried chicken.
Egg dishes.
Gratin.
Pancakes.
Sautéed vegetables.
Jambalaya.
Curries.
Pork chops.
Steaks.
One-skillet meals (on the stovetop or in the oven).

Can paella pans be used on induction burners or backyard grills?

A. Some paella pans are safe for use on all surfaces, including induction burners and backyard grills. If you want a versatile pan that can be used on every cooking surface, cast iron is your best bet. It is heavy, but its durable construction and ability to be nonstick with proper care make it a good choice.

Do paella pans require special care?

A. Some paella pans do require special care to retain or develop a nonstick surface. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care that are included with your pan.

What’s the best paella pan to buy?

Top paella pan

Matfer Bourgeat Black Steel Paella Pan

What you need to know: Once this pan is seasoned, it releases every morsel easily.

What you’ll love: The deep sides of this pan accommodate large batches of paella. It weighs 7.6 pounds and feels substantial. The handles are oven-safe at high temperatures. This pan works on all surfaces, including induction burners.

What you should consider: It is the most expensive option, so if you don’t make paella often, you might want to choose a different pan.

Top paella pan for the money

Ecolution Sol Paella Pan

What you need to know: This slightly smaller pan is good for people with less storage space who still want a well-constructed pan.

What you’ll love: It’s a 15-inch nonstick pan that uses Hydrolon, a water-based, nontoxic coating, on durable carbon steel. Dimples on the bottom distribute heat evenly. The handles are chrome-plated to stay cool, and the pan is dishwasher-safe. The packaging is made from 70% recycled material.

What you should consider: It feels less substantial than more expensive models.

Worth checking out

Garcima Carbon Steel Paella Pan

What you need to know: It’s a pan that makes paella for a group of six to 10 people.

What you’ll love: The carbon steel distributes heat evenly through dimples hammered into the bottom of the pan. It heats quickly and is great for cooking eggs too. It comes with recipes and is made in Spain.

What you should consider: Because it is raw steel, it requires additional care.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Since early January, Minneapolis leaders have been waiting for a federal judge to sign off on a consent decree that would hold the police department to court-enforced changes.

That limbo could be extended even further after a Minnesota assistant U.S. attorney and several members of the Department of Justice on Tuesday asked U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson to stay the proceeding until March 20. Winkle speaks in favor of ban on IVF

The move is not out of left field. A few days into his new administration, President Donald Trump’s DOJ leadership issued a memo directing attorneys to provide notice of any court-enforceable agreements to reform police agencies that had been finalized within the last 90 days. The memo said the new administration “may wish to reconsider” such agreements.

The court filing states that the city does not support the motion; however, the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis agrees with the request.

Minneapolis city leaders have publicly supported the consent decree after working with the DOJ to reach an agreement since 2023 — when a federal investigation slammed the police department for patterns of racist policing and unjustifiable use of excessive force.

“From day one, I’ve made it clear the terms outlined in this consent decree will happen — with or without support from the White House,” Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement last month. “It’s unfortunate the Trump administration may not be interested in cooperating with us to improve policing and support our community, but make no mistake, we have the tools, the resolve, and the community’s backing to fulfill our promise to the people of Minneapolis. Our work will not be stopped.”

The MPD is currently bound by a state settlement agreement that followed an earlier investigation from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. An independent evaluator is monitoring that process as it approaches the end of its first year when a set of changes, including some policy revisions, will be due.

Both state and federal investigations started within a year of the police killing of George Floyd, five years ago this May. The DOJ opened its probe the day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in Hennepin County District Court.

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