To complete your Airbnb set of utensils, you need quality knives. A knife set isn’t a costly investment, but it is definitely one of the kitchen essentials.
We want to help you find a versatile and quality set that can endure regular use, so we’ve been exploring the best knife sets for Airbnb. After reading numerous reviews and assessing what guests need and what property owners find reliable, our top pick is the Cuisinart Advantage Metallic Knife Set.
Why Should You Get a Knife Set for Your Airbnb?
If you don’t want your guests to get frustrated while preparing their meal, you should invest in quality knives. Simple things such as this can easily be overlooked but they contribute to guests’ overall experience and the reviews they’ll give you.
A flatware set usually doesn’t include sharp knives for slicing bread or cooking ingredients, so that’s why a knife set is one of the basic items on the vacation rental kitchen checklist.
If you want the knives to last longer, you should sharpen them when needed. It is also highly recommendable that you get a cutting board if you don’t want the guests to damage your dishes or the countertop.
Some may think that they can get away with a single good knife, but in that case, the guests will overuse it since they won’t have any other choice. (This is such a nuisance to guests that the “all-purpose” Airbnb knife has even been the subject of a witty and ironic New York Times piece—have a read for a good chuckle.) Relying on a single knife means frequent replacement, and, over time, you’ll spend more on repurchasing knives than you would on buying a knife set.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Knife Set for Your Airbnb
The basic criteria you want to consider when buying a knife set for a vacation rental are:
Variety vs. Versatility – You should provide the guests with options; otherwise, they’ll be experimenting with slicing bread with a paring knife or dicing vegetables with a serrated knife. As we mentioned above, a single but versatile knife won’t have a long lifespan in an Airbnb.
The main knives you should have in a set are a serrated knife (for bread), a chef’s knife (for meat and vegetables), and a paring knife (for intricate slicing). These are the foundation, but all other knives are a great addition, especially for guests who love to cook.
Durability – Knives made of stainless steel promise to last the longest as they don’t rust or stain easily. Other durable materials are carbon steel, high carbon stainless steel, and ceramic material.
Ease of Cleaning – If you have a dishwasher in your Airbnb, you should expect that guests will put the knives in it. Even if you leave a note, some guests will simply forget and knives will end up in the dishwasher. To prevent any damage, try to get dishwasher-safe knives.
Price – Guests don’t go easy on items they use in short-term rentals, so buying an overly expensive set can be a waste of money. The most reasonable choice is a medium-priced set that delivers enough quality for Airbnb cooking.
Style – If you’re putting an emphasis on a fully equipped kitchen, you can find an attractive set and display it on the countertop. Guests who plan to cook during their stay might notice the set in the photos (make sure that it is visible in the listing photos of the kitchen) and that can convince them that your Airbnb is a perfect fit.
The Best Knife Set for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
This Cuisinart Advantage Metallic Knife Set is our top pick, and it will definitely impress your guests. These knives look and perform like high-end expensive knives, but they are quite affordable.
Cuisinart Advantage Metallic Knife Set
In addition to rave reviews, these are some of the reasons why this set is the winner for us:
Great Versatility – The set includes an 8″ chef’s knife, an 8″ slicing knife, an 8″ bread knife, a 7″ Santoku, a 6.5″ serrated utility knife, and a 3.5″ paring knife. The versatility makes it suitable for both kitchenettes and full kitchens.
Durable Material – The blades are made of high-quality stainless steel, and they have a nonstick ceramic coating for easy slicing and chopping.
Modern Style – The black design with slightly sparkly handles makes them look modern, and there’s also a colorful version for those who want a splash of color in the kitchen. If you like this style but you’ve set your mind on a set with a stand, MIDONE offers a similar set (but without a paring knife).
Safe and Easy to Use – The knives are sturdy and easy to hold in your hand. They also have a blade guard which especially comes in handy if you have guests with kids.
Easy to Clean – The manufacturer doesn’t mention that these knives can’t be washed in a dishwasher, but it’s still better if you mention to guests to wash them by hand, especially since the sleek surface makes them easy to clean. However, based on reviews from customers who’ve washed them in a dishwasher a few times, there was no damage.
Other Airbnb Knife Set Alternatives
In addition to our top pick, we also have a few solid contenders for those of you who want something different.
If you want a set with greater variety, we suggest the 17-piece Home Hero Kitchen Knife Set. The set includes 13 professional chef’s knives, kitchen scissors, a peeler, and a premium quality 2-stage knife sharpener—all stacked in a modern knife stand. If most of your guests cook in your rental, they’ll love this stainless steel set.
Self-sharpening knives can save you the trouble of adding this task to your long list of obligations. If you want to get such a set, we suggest the Calphalon Kitchen 15-piece Knife Set. The knives are made of stamped steel and the block has a built-in ceramic sharpener that automatically sharpens all straight-edge knives. We also like that the handles are labeled, so guests will have no problem with identifying which one goes where in the block.
Add a stylish flair to your rental with the Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Knife Block Set with an elegant and modern tempered glass block. These knives don’t just look nice; they are made of high-carbon German steel and have a taper-ground edge and an ergonomic handle. They are an expensive set, but property owners who have luxurious vacation rentals may find them to be a worthy investment.
Final Thoughts
With a great set of knives, your guests will be able to prepare any meal they wish and create that homey feel in your Airbnb. If you want a versatile, durable, and affordable set, we suggest the Cuisinart Advantage Metallic Knives as the best choice. Your guests will have a quality knife for every purpose without being overwhelmed with the options, and its just-right price will save your funds for other essentials for your rental property. It’s a clear win-win situation.
