Craft wire<\/strong> \u2013 Apply handles to 0.3-0.5 mm stainless steel craft wire using epoxy or screws<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe thickness and strength are what allow these items to substitute for standard cheese wires fairly well. Almost any thin, robust wire can do in a pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For occasional small home uses these everyday item hacks slice acceptable cheese portions<\/strong> to avoid buying single-use tools. But for restaurants and cheese shops, genuine stainless steel cheese wire is the only reliable choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Common Cheese Wire Accessories<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCertain accessories enhance convenience and usability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCheese wire stands<\/strong> \u2013 Hold wire horizontally at perfect height so cheese can be slid onto it instead of lifting heavy blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\nCheese pushers<\/strong> \u2013 Flat wooden paddles to apply even pressure sliding cheese through wire instead of hands<\/li>\n\n\n\nWire tightening clamps<\/strong> \u2013 Can adjust tension for clean precise cuts without over-stretching wire<\/li>\n\n\n\nWall-mounting hooks<\/strong> \u2013 Enable neatly storing wires ready for use instead of messy drawers<\/li>\n\n\n\nSanitizing containers<\/strong> \u2013 Soak wires in food-grade antibacterial solution between uses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nMuch like woodworker clamps or vises help secure and neatly guide workpieces, cheese wire accessories simplify maneuvering blocks for easy, consistent slicing. The accessories optimize efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Cleaning Cheese Wire<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDaily cleaning and sanitization help cheese wires retain a perfectly smooth surface and prevents corrosion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nRinsing<\/strong> - After every use, thoroughly rinse wires using clean warm water to remove all visible cheese residue and crumbs which can harbor bacteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\nScrubbing<\/strong> - Use a small nylon brush like a nail brush to periodically scrub both sides of wire and handles to remove clinging oils.<\/li>\n\n\n\nDisinfecting<\/strong> - Allow wires to soak for 5-10 minutes in a sanitizing solution like StarSan. This kills microbes and maintains hygienic sliced surfaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\nDrying<\/strong> - Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels and allow to fully air dry before returning to storage so moisture doesn't linger. Do not coil or store wet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nMuch like restaurant cutting boards require sanitizing between uses, cheese wire is exposed to the same potential contamination and must be cleaned rigorously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Careful cleaning and disinfecting is necessary since any microbes present are directly transferred into the sliced cheese interior that customers eat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Storing Cheese Wire Correctly<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLike all fine cutting tools, proper storage preserves sharpness and prevents nicks to the wire or damage to handles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCool dry location<\/strong> \u2013 Prevent corrosion by avoiding moist areas like sinks or dishwashers during storage periods<\/li>\n\n\n\nNo contact storage<\/strong> \u2013 Use hooks, racks or stands to store without touching other utensils<\/li>\n\n\n\nProper coiling<\/strong> \u2013 Gently coil wires before hanging to avoid kinks weakening wire<\/li>\n\n\n\nSheaths<\/strong> \u2013 Some wires come with or allow buying protective cases preventing dust or scratches<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIdeal storage when not in frequent use is off the worktable neatly coiled similar to a garden hose on a rack. Over time errant exposure to moisture or bumps lead to pitted wires that ultimately slice poorly. Careful lifetime storage retains the original smooth precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nKey Takeaway:<\/strong> Like all fine cutting implements, cheese wire should be thoroughly cleaned after each use and properly stored away from contact or contamination.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Cheese Wire vs Knives Comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile knives can be used, cheese wire offers unique advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\nAttribute<\/th> Cheese Wire<\/th> Knives<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Thickness<\/td> Ultralow 0.5mm<\/td> 1-4mm thicker<\/td><\/tr> Hardness<\/td> Very high<\/td> Softer steel<\/td><\/tr> Friction<\/td> Very low<\/td> High from knife sides<\/td><\/tr> Non-Stick<\/td> Yes<\/td> No, cheese adheres<\/td><\/tr> Oxidation<\/td> Highly stainless<\/td> Less corrosion-resistant<\/td><\/tr> Effort<\/td> Minimal pull effort<\/td> Substantial push pressure<\/td><\/tr> Cost<\/td> Inexpensive wire<\/td> Quality knives expensive<\/td><\/tr> Lifespan<\/td> Many years<\/td> Replacement often needed<\/td><\/tr> Cleanup<\/td> Fast rinsing<\/td> Cheese sticks in serrations<\/td><\/tr> Storage<\/td> Coils neatly<\/td> Bulky wooden blocks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe thin, strong, slick wire glides through cheese so smoothly knives struggle matching ease or precision. Wires neatly portion whole blocks knives would mangle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simple, economical cheese wire often outperforms far pricier, more complex serrated knives for this unique kitchen challenge of \"cutting soft bricks\".<\/strong> Durably built cheese wire reliably slices thousands of pounds over decades without deterioration like knife blades suffer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThus for commercial kitchens, gourmet shops and culinary professionals handling daily high cheese volumes, wire is the most essential and practical slicing implement keeping operations running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Why do cheese shops use wire instead of knives?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCheese shops routinely handle dozens of 25 pound or larger blocks daily needing portioning into many smaller slices or tastes. Using typical knives requires substantial effort slowly forcing the blade through each dense block which often results in messy cracking. In contrast cheese wire glides through cheese effortlessly with just a light pull creating perfect slices faster with no cracking or waste.<\/strong> Cheese shops rely on wires to cleanly and quickly slice the high volumes necesssary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What can be used instead of cheese wire at home?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile dedicated cheese wire works beautifully, acceptable alternatives to try just at home without handles include fishing line, sturdy thread, craft wire or guitar strings<\/strong> secured taught between hands or posts. These allow moderately clean slices for small wedges. But for perfect portions of huge blocks there's no real substitute for true stainless steel cheese wire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n