Chefs on Reddit Say This Is the Top Mistake Home Cooks Make—GH Experts Weigh In
As Malcolm Gladwell said, it takes 10,000 hours to perfect a skill. And sure, this may be an oversimplification of a bigger idea, but as any home cook can attest, learning how to get everything from scrambled eggs to coq au vin just right can feel like it takes a million years. That said, there is one thing professional chefs say you can do at home to up the ante on every meal, starting almost immediately (no practice required!). In early November, a Reddit user took to the AskReddit channel to pose the question: "Professional chefs of Reddit, what are the top mistakes you see the average home 'chef' commit?" More than 1,500 people took to the comments section, and the post gained more than 5,000 upvotes, showing it's a topic plenty of people care about, too. And the top tip, with more than 13,000 upvotes, is as simple as it gets: Sharpen your knives.EXPERT ADVICEHow to Sharpen a Knife Like a Pro Why you should only use sharp knives"My wife laughed at me when I had a professional knife-sharpening service come sharpen every knife in the house, but she's not laughing now," one Redditor wrote, adding the important edit that his post is not as ominous as it sounds. "She is really enjoying the sharp knives and scissors and how much more easily they cut things." Several others noted that the comment is inspiring them to finally take their knives out and have them professionally detailed, too. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen agree. "A sharp knife might be the most underrated tool in your kitchen. It’s not just about looking like a pro—it’s about safety, efficiency, and better-tasting food. Sharp blades glide through ingredients cleanly and predictably, giving you control and confidence. Unlike dull knives that can crush and bruise, a sharp knife preserves texture—and keeps your fingers safe," explains Chief Food Director Kate Merker.How to keep knives sharpYou don't need to shell out the cash for someone else to sharpen those knives for you."Between major sharpening, a few simple habits will keep your knives in top shape," Merker explains. "Hone regularly with a few strokes on a honing rod to realign the edge. Use wood or plastic cutting boards instead of glass or marble to prevent dulling. And hand wash and dry right away—the dishwasher’s heat and motion can damage the blade." (Repeat after us: Do not put those knives in the dishwasher!)Not sure if your knives need sharpening? Here's an easy way to identify if the blades need a boost: Try slicing a tomato. If you're having trouble cutting through the tomato, chances are you need to give your knifes a quick sharpen. Decide on your method: knife sharpener or whetstone. Experts say knife sharpeners are better for novices, so if it's your first go, pick up one of these four sharpeners to get this chore done with ease.View full post on InstagramOther cooking tips But keeping your knives sharp wasn't the only advice chefs shared in the comments. Another top remark came from a professional baker who said it's key for people to stop "believing the baking times on the recipe." They added, "Every oven is different; every time you use that oven, it's different. Timers are useful for reminding you that you have something in the oven, but beyond that, you have to know what done looks and feels like." Their best tip? "Probe thermometers are your friend." Merker agrees. "Treat recipe times as a roadmap, not a rulebook. Every oven and stove is different, so trust your senses—look, smell, and check early. The clock starts the conversation, but your eyes and taste buds finish it," she says.And one more had perhaps the best comment of all when they astutely noted that home chefs need to "realize that cooking is subjective and not objective. It doesn't matter if it's the world's best recipe, sometimes grandma's meatballs are what hits right." So don't forget to bring a little love into the kitchen.MORE COOKING ADVICEHere's How to Stop Destroying Pots and PansThe Best Cookware MaterialsAvoid This Common Slow Cooker Mistake
