This article contains FAQs for the materials and storage of the K1100/K3300 Series Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull™ Knives & Sharpener. This supports the following product SKUs: K1100, K12502, K12502C, K31300, K31300B, K31300C, K32502 and K32502C.
Maintenance Questions
What do I do if I have not followed the sharpening maintenance routine?
If your knives have not been sharpened for an extended period (4 weeks or more), increase the sharpening to 20–30 swipes (more swipes may be needed for severely dull knives), then resume the ordinary maintenance routine (10 swipes at least every 2 weeks).
How often should I sharpen my knives?
For knives used daily, we recommend sharpening at least every 2 weeks to maintain their edges for a NeverDull® experience. For knives used less often, sharpen as soon as you notice a reduction in cutting performance and/or dull edges. Frequent sharpening will not damage knives.
Can I over sharpen my knives?
No, you cannot over sharpen your knives. Frequent sharpening will not damage knives.
How many times do I move the lever to sharpen?
Move the lever up and down 10 times for each knife. 10 swipes of the lever should restore each knife to optimal sharpness. The lever must travel the full length of the sharpener, regardless of knife size. Even with smaller knives, like the 3.5" Paring Knife and 4.5" Steak Knives, the lever must travel the full length. The upstroke positions the stone sharpening wheel, and the downstroke sharpens the knife. If your knife has not returned to preferred sharpness, repeat sharpening. For more instructions on sharpening, see the Use and Care Guide or "How do I sharpen my knives?" in the FAQs.
Can I sharpen other brands of knives?
No, only sharpen Ninja™ knives in the Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull® Knife System. The sharpener is designed for Ninja™ straight-edge knives only. Sharpening other branded knives, serrated knives, or shears could damage both the knives and the sharpener. NEVER sharpen a serrated Ninja™ Bread Knife or Ninja™ Kitchen Shears in the Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull® Knife System.
Why do I need to go all the way up and down with the lever?
The lever must travel the full length of the sharpener, regardless of knife size, because the stone sharpening wheel gets repositioned only if the lever reaches the end of the sharpener. It is this full downstroke that sharpens the knife. If the lever does not travel the full length, the stone sharpening wheel can get jammed at the end of the knife, which may prevent sharpening and cause damage to both the sharpener and knife. Travel the full length of the sharpener to sharpen your Ninja™ knives correctly.
Is my knife inserted all the way in the sharpener?
A clean Ninja™ knife is inserted all the way in the sharpener once you feel the blade come to a hard stop when firmly pushing on the inserted knife handle. Large-handle knives go in the wide section of the sharpening slot. Small-handle knives go in the narrow section of the sharpening slot.
Refer to the enclosed instructions (specifically the Quick Start Guide) for knife insertion diagrams and complete steps.
What type of cutting board should I use?
Wooden or bamboo cutting boards are recommended over plastic cutting boards to protect your knife blade's edge. DO NOT cut on marble, glass, ceramic, china, tile, granite, stainless steel or other metal, porcelain, or laminate surfaces. This will dull the blade edges quickly and decrease the lifespan of your knives.
Where do I store my standalone sharpener?
It is recommended to store your sharpener vertically on the counter or horizontally in a kitchen drawer.
Can I use a honing rod to sharpen my knife?
A honing rod is not required. For optimal performance, only sharpen your Ninja™ knives in the Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull® Knife System. It is recommended to sharpen knives at least every 2 weeks to maintain optimal sharpness.
Product Questions
Is the sharpener automatic?
No, the Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull® Knife System is manual. You must swipe the lever on the side of the knife sharpener all the way up and down 10 times to sharpen each Ninja™ knife.
What do I do if my knife is still dull after sharpening?
More swipes may be needed for severely dull knives. If your Ninja™ knife feels dull after 10 swipes, increase the sharpening to 20–30 swipes, then resume the ordinary maintenance routine (10 swipes at least every 2 weeks).
How do I replace the stone sharpening wheel?
- Remove all knives from your block or standalone sharpener.
- Move the sharpener lever to the bottom position.
- Rotate block and tilt the block forward so you can easily access the back or lay the sharpener horizontally on a stable surface. Open the stone sharpening wheel access door.
- As you hold the lever in the down position with your left hand, pull the wheel holder down and towards you with your right hand. The wheel holder should connect with the snap feature to be held in place. NOTE: The wheel holder may be greasy and/or oily.
- Remove the wheel by unsnapping and rotating the wheel pin clip upwards 90 degrees. Slide the wheel pin out and remove the wheel. If replacing the wheel, discard the old wheel and reserve the wheel pin.
- Replace the wheel by placing the new wheel, or cleaned wheel, in the wheel holder. It can be installed in either direction. Insert the wheel pin through the wheel and snap the wheel pin clip in place.
- Verify the wheel is installed correctly by spinning the wheel. The wheel should rotate in the wheel holder. If it is jammed, is wobbly, or easily pops out, repeat step 6 until it rolls freely. NOTE: The wheel is meant to be angled in the wheel holder.
- Gently raise the wheel holder back to its original position inside the sharpener. Close the stone sharpening wheel access door.
- Tilt block back so it is standing upright on counter or stand the sharpener upright vertically. Move the lever up and down 3 times to ensure the sharpener is not jammed. If it is, repeat steps 2–9. Store your knives back in their designated slots (if applicable).
Refer to the enclosed instructions for a complete guide on how to replace the stone sharpening wheel.
For replacing the stone sharpening wheel videos, please visit qr.ninjakitchen.com/neverdull.
Where do I purchase a replacement stone sharpening wheel?
To purchase a replacement wheel, visit ninjakitchen.com. If you sharpen your knives every 2 weeks, it is recommended to replace the wheel every 2 years.
What material is the blade?
Each Ninja™ knife is made of premium, durable, high-carbon German stainless steel that can be easily sharpened with the Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull® Knife System. The specific blade material is X50cr15MoV.
How often should I replace the stone sharpening wheel?
If you sharpen your knives every 2 weeks, it is recommended to replace the wheel every 2 years.
What material is the handle?
Each Ninja™ knife is made of durable POM (Polyoxymethylene). POM has high mechanical strength and rigidity, low moisture absorption, excellent wear resistance, discoloration resistance, high impact strength, and low fading properties.
Should my sharpener be making noise?
The Ninja™ Foodi™ NeverDull® Knife System does make noise when used properly. The stone sharpening wheel grinds against the knife blade to sharpen it, which is what makes the grinding noise on the downstroke of the sharpening lever.
Can I cut bones and frozen foods with my knives?
DO NOT cut through bone with knives or use knives to poke, pry, or separate frozen foods.
What do I do if food sticks to my knife?
It is common for moist foods, like potatoes, onions, and cheese, to stick to the surface of the knife blade due to surface tension while cutting. When this occurs, it is recommended to use a Ninja™ Santoku Knife, because the hollow oval indents along the knife blade help reduce food from sticking.
Why can’t I remove my knife from the sharpener?
Make sure you are pushing down and holding the release button while carefully removing your knife. The knife will be held in place while sharpening, and the release button is needed when you are ready to remove the knife from the sharpener. Note: ensure the lever is at the bottom of the sharpener when removing your knife.
What material is the block/sharpener?
Each plastic block is made of stainless steel and ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). ABS is easily machined and has superior hardness, gloss, toughness, and resistance properties.
It is recommended to store your sharpener vertically on the counter or horizontally in a kitchen drawer.
Knives must be stored in a safe place, protecting the cutting edge and preventing against injuries. DO NOT store knives in the sharpener. It is recommended to store knives in a knife block or a drawer organizer.
Cleaning
Are my knives dishwasher safe?
No. DO NOT place knives in dishwasher. To clean your knives, hand wash and immediately dry thoroughly to prevent watermarks, spotting, and rusting. Dishwashers can reduce performance and longevity of your knives and damage the handles and blades. To increase the lifetime of your knives, only hand wash. DO NOT touch sharp edge of knife.
How do I clean my knives?
For best results, hand wash knives with soap and water and towel dry immediately to prevent watermarks, spotting, and rusting. DO NOT place knives in dishwasher. Dishwashers can reduce performance and longevity of your knives and damage the handles and blades. To increase the lifetime of your knives, only hand wash. DO NOT touch sharp edge of knife.
Can I use scour pads when washing my knives?
No. DO NOT use any type of scour pads, such as Scotch Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Sponges, while hand washing your knives. Scour pads could damage the blade and cause scratch marks. Only use gentle sponges or dish cloths to hand wash knives with soap and water.
How do I dry my knives?
To protect the blade surface from watermarks, spotting, and rusting, it is recommended to towel dry knives immediately after hand washing. DO NOT air dry. DO NOT touch sharp edge of knife.
How do I remove discoloration or staining from my knife blade?
If your knife blade shows signs of staining, use a non-abrasive metal polish for cleaning or gently scrub a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water with a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse and dry immediately.
How do I restore the initial color of my knife handle?
To restore the initial color of your handle, we recommend applying a small amount of oil or cooking spray to a paper towel and carefully rubbing it onto the handle. Rub for about 30 seconds and be sure to fully coat the knife handle. Use care to hand wash the handle with soap and water to remove excess oil. Towel dry immediately. If you are not satisfied with the results, repeat this process. Always carefully wash away all the oil and dry thoroughly before use.
How do I clean the stone sharpening wheel?
Follow the steps in the enclosed instructions to remove the stone sharpening wheel. Rinse the wheel under running water and use a soft bristle brush to remove any metal shavings. Towel dry immediately before reassembling inside the sharpener. If you sharpen your knives every 2 weeks, it is recommended to clean the wheel every 6 months.