Last Updated on June 19, 2022 by
Can A Potato Peeler Be Sharpened? While peeling a sweet potato over the weekend, you might have noticed that all your potato peelers were completely dull. They just scraped at the peel rather than biting into it and cutting it.
It is possible that it made you start thinking, “can a potato peeler be Sharpened or should I throw them away and buy a new one?” In this article, you will be learning about how possible sharpening a potato peeler is and how it is done.
What is a Potato Peeler?
A potato peeler is a culinary tool that consists of a metal blade featuring a slot that has a sharp edge attached to a handle and is utilized to ensure the proper removal of your potato’s outer layer or skin. You can utilize your potato peeler whenever you plan on removing the outer layer of some vegetables such as potatoes, broccoli stalks, and carrots, as well as fruits such as apples and pears.
A good peeler will make it easy to peel many potatoes and a variety of other ingredients ranging from apples and carrots to butternut squash and more unusual suspects such as cheese and chocolate.
Types of Peelers
Swivel Peeler
Swivel peelers have a double-edged blade attached to a comfort grip handle and are perhaps the most common peeler. The blade swivels just enough to give you an advantage over the squished potato. A cupped, pointy tip is often found at the top of the swivel peeler, perfect for removing potato eyes or digging out small, bruised portions. Swivel peelers are useful for right-handed and left-handed cooks alike, as the blade may be used in either way. The majority of swivel peelers are dishwasher safe and composed of sturdy polymers and stainless steel.
Julienne Peeler
Julienne cuts include chopping vegetables into consistent, stick-like strips, making them great for garnishes, soups, and salads. The blade of the peeler may or may not swivel and contains toothlike projections along the sharp edge. You can utilize a Julienne peeler whenever you plan on making some hashbrowns, baking casseroles, or tossing potatoes into a Potato Coleslaw.
Keep the potato in one hand and the Julienne peeler in the other. If you want to keep the first set of peels, make sure the potato is well cleansed. To peel the potato, bring the peeler up to your face and apply mild pressure.
Spiralizer
This useful device can be operated either manually or electrically. The potato is spiralized whenever you push it along a stationary, straight blade (or turned when you utilize a hand-crank model). Peels are gathered into a collecting container or your bowl right beneath the spout. After you’ve peeled the potatoes, disassemble and handwash or place in the dishwasher (per the manufacturer’s directions).
Spiralizers are great for peeling and Julienneing vegetables, shredding cheese, and even shaping pasta. Many types come with adjustable blades, allowing you to customize your approach. It’s a little safer than a mandoline because you can operate it hands-free or with a turn-crank to keep your fingers out of the path. Spiralizers come in handy when making Classic Ratatouille.
Y Peeler
A Y peeler looks similar to a Lancashire peeler but is a little wider. The double-edged blade is held in place by a characteristic y-shaped frame that may swivel. The pointy edge of most Y peelers is used to remove potato eyes. Right-handed and left-handed people can both use this form of handle.
Pull the blade downward while holding the potato beside the peeler. Every time, you’ll obtain a straight, even peel, with the peels falling between the blade and your cutting surface. Y-shaped peelers are sturdy and won’t pull away from the valuable surface beneath the peel on various veggies. When it comes to potatoes, a Y peeler will come in helpful when making Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes.
Speed Peeler (Mechanical)
Speed peelers usually work manually and gets positioned on top of a sturdy (weighted or suctioned) base with an adjustable, straight blade. Blade orientation is horizontal. You’re to nount the fruit or vegetable (cored simultaneously) to a spinning rod, while you’re to adjust the blade in a way that it touches the exterior. Your rod can be operated by turning the handle, and the stabilized blade will help you in whisking away the outer peel of the potato thereby leaving you with a spiraled pile beneath.
When you are utilizing a speed peeler, you’ll have a pile of peels in no time, so get ready to make Potato Peel Crisps! There’s no reason to throw away those tasty peels. A speed peeler is an excellent addition for individuals who frequently bake, cook, or preserve fruits and vegetables, even though it is inconvenient to hand wash and store.
Lancashire Peeler
The blade of this peeler is double-edged and straight, but it does not move. Right-handers prefer this design peeler because it has more mass than the swivel and allows for a one-sweep peeling operation, but it cannot be easy to maneuver. Because the blade does not swivel, Lancashire peelers give an equal peel every time.
This type of peeler comes with various blade variations, some of which we’ve already described. A Lancashire –serrated and Julienne blades’ straight edge are also choices for this mount and can occasionally be found neatly on a multi-utensil. Toss the Lancashire peeler into the dishwasher after you’ve peeled potatoes for that scrumptious Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole; most are dishwasher safe.
Electric Peeler
Consider investing in an electric peeler if you do a lot of peeling. These motorized speed peelers are the best option for a robust base featuring a vertically placed rod and an adjustable, straight blade. Attach the potato to the rod and adjust the blade so that it is just touching the outside. You’ll have a hands-free, even peel in seconds with the push of a button.
For recipes like Scalloped Potatoes, electric peelers are great for quickly prepping many potatoes. They are bulky, which is a disadvantage in kitchens with little storage space. For individuals who like to bake and prepare in large amounts, electric peelers can be quite useful for vegetables and fruits. You’ll have to wash this gadget by hand because it’s not easily disassembled.
Serrated Peeler
Serrated peelers can be attached to various handles, including those we’ve already described, such as y-shaped or comfort grips. It could swivel or not. The scalloped-shaped, serrated blade makes this knife unique in that it can pierce through hard-surfaced, soft, or waxy vegetable skins without hurting the flesh beneath. On the other hand, serrated knife blades are often used to slice foods delicately with a sawing motion.
Hold a serrated peeler in your dominant hand while holding the potato in the opposite. Get it pulled down away from you or up toward you while gently applying pressure on the potato. The peel slides between the blades and falls to the ground below. Serrated peelers will create a pattern of rises and troughs on the potato’s exterior, which will make a lovely presentation for Baked Potato Chips or garnishes.
Can a Potato Peeler be Sharpened?
You can change the depth of the bite by adjusting the mouth. If you squeeze the blade to make the mouth narrower, the cut will be shallower. Squeezing the blade to make the mouth a little wider will cause it to cut deeper. Some people peel potatoes in both directions with a stick peeler. If you are the kind of person that peels his/her potatoes in a unidirectional manner, you can remove the blade, flip it 180 degrees, and you will have a new cutting edge.
The metal-on-metal process of getting the tip of a paring knife run along each blade of your potato peeler will help you in restoring some of the edges of your blade. Most people are unaware that their peelers are becoming dull. Still, once you try this tip, you’ll be amazed at how much less resistance you’ll have as you tackle potato after potato, carrot after carrot this holiday season.
You can decide to utilize a similar technique on any metal grater or knife in your kitchen. Sharpen your box grater or cheese slicer if you have the time. You can usually find paring knives for under a dollar at discount stores, and you won’t mind if they’re a little roughed up.
Sharpening peelers is a breeze with the Spyderco sharpener. Since I bought this system a long time ago, I’ve been sharpening my peelers this way, so I’m no longer buying peelers because the blade is dull.
You can either purchase the Spyderco Tri-angle sharp maker or purchase a replacement ceramic rod and sharpen your peelers with it.
Best Potato Peelers to Try
Scalpel Blade Peeler
This peeler handled round white potatoes, bumpy sweet potatoes, and long Russet potatoes with ease. The razor-sharp stainless steel blade glided through the skin in our tests, allowing us to work quickly. It swiveled to accommodate irregularly shaped produce and has a built-in eyer to remove flaws. This peeler was an expert at peeling potatoes and squash, carrots, apples, and tomatoes. It is dishwasher safe, lightweight, and has a long handle that reduces strain.
Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler
Do not allow yourself to get fooled by the low price and simple design: this peeler is a kitchen staple. The Original Swiss Peeler is quite famous in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. The super-sharp swiveling carbon steel blade and lightweight design enabled quick peeling in our tests. This peeler will also help you remove a thin layer of skin from whatever you’re peeling, thereby reducing waste. The eyer scoops out blemishes without gouging the produce, and its small size makes it easy to store. It was a close second to our favorite, but it must be hand-washed and thoroughly dried to avoid rust. As a bonus: This peeler is available in a variety of colors.
Best Potato Peeler Sharpeners to Try
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
Sharp Pebble’s Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone is the solution for beginners who are uncertain where to start because of the price, quality, and obvious advantage of having two sharpening stones for the price. This double-sided Waterstone has a medium and fine side and a sharpening guide, and a non-slip bamboo base for convenience. Click here to see on Amazon
Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker with Safety Rods
The primary method for sharpening any cutting tool is to remove the steel at the edge while keeping the blade and stone consistent. Spyderco’s Tri-Angle Sharpmaker removes the mystery from this process, allowing anyone to effectively sharpen a knife with just a few minutes of practice. The sturdy ABS plastic base of this spyderco sharpmaker features some keyed holes that helps in setting the sharpening angles of the stones precisely at 30° (15° each side) or 40° (20° each side) for sharpening knives. If you plan on sharpening your potato peeler or any blade, keep the plane of the blade vertical and draw the edge along each stone. Click here to see on Amazon
Conclusion
You will no longer dread having to peel your potatoes after just a few minutes of work as you now know the answer to the question that was at the back of your mind. It is incredible how fast you can make the dull blade of your potato peeler sharper.
How often should you sharpen your tools? There’s no hard and fast rule. Sharpeners are produced from slightly different alloys, freshwater vs. saltwater, rinsing dishes in saltwater, how often you use the sharpener, and other factors all contribute to how quickly it becomes dull. When you’re frustrated with peeling, sharpen again!
