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Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 11.03.13 - Why don't potato peelers need sharpening?
« on: 10/03/2011 18:23:38 »
Some very good ideas being put forward!
My first inclination is that the starchy, mineral laden 'meat' of the potato has some sort of abrasive property that continually sharpens the soft metal of the peeler as it's used.
My second idea is that the materials that are being peeled (could be carrot, apple, etc.) are actually soft enough that they're not dulling the blade at all, in fact, the blade isn't really cutting anything, it's just being forced like a specialized inclined plane (go simple machines!) under the skin of the fruit/veggie at the correct angle to deflect the skin off of the flesh of the fruit.
I imagine my second answer to be most correct because over my years of peeling, I'f definitely seen some reduced efficiency in the peeler, but it hasn't met with outright failure due to the fact that it's not actually necessary for it to do any 'cutting', it's just being wedged under the skin with enough applied force to peel regardless of the sharpness of the blade.
Love the show! thanks for the shout out this week!
Tay Sharpe
My first inclination is that the starchy, mineral laden 'meat' of the potato has some sort of abrasive property that continually sharpens the soft metal of the peeler as it's used.
My second idea is that the materials that are being peeled (could be carrot, apple, etc.) are actually soft enough that they're not dulling the blade at all, in fact, the blade isn't really cutting anything, it's just being forced like a specialized inclined plane (go simple machines!) under the skin of the fruit/veggie at the correct angle to deflect the skin off of the flesh of the fruit.
I imagine my second answer to be most correct because over my years of peeling, I'f definitely seen some reduced efficiency in the peeler, but it hasn't met with outright failure due to the fact that it's not actually necessary for it to do any 'cutting', it's just being wedged under the skin with enough applied force to peel regardless of the sharpness of the blade.
Love the show! thanks for the shout out this week!
Tay Sharpe