To use a washed-up raw meat knife

[CuppaDog]

DP and I had a big dispute regarding a hygiene issue. As these happen regularly, I'd love to get a sense check from this esteemed audience.

I cut DD (10)'s bread roll with a kitchen knife. That knife was used to cut raw chicken on the day before and subsequently washed up and has been dry overnight.

The strongly expressed demand was that I immediately throw away the bread roll, and that this is "common sense".

YABU - Using a raw meat knife for directly eaten food is never acceptable, even if it has been washed up
YANBU - It's fine to use a raw meat knife as long as it has been washed up

He’s batshit

Is he religious? Does he have ocd?

So, what, he'd have special knives for cutting each things, that's ridiculous

Sorry but sometimes I despair about how people function in the world.

I have a bread knife , carving knife etc. if they've been washed they can be used for anything. The bread knife usually gets a cursory wipe and back in the block.

Your DH sounds like hard work! Yes, it’s fine, of course.

What is the problem?

To be fair, I only use my bread knife for bread but that's because it's as sharp as a mother and I don't want the serrated edge to blunt on bones or whatever.

But that's not what he's saying.

A clean knife is clean and can therefore cut anything.

Bonkers.

Although I do hate it when knives are used for the wrong purpose. Using the bread knife to cut a wet sandwich... just stop, please.

But what you described, yep, bonkers.

This reminds me of a thread years ago where an MNer was horrified to find out that her husband cooked roasties in with the chicken when he was making dinner, she was convinced it was awful to cook them in "raw" chicken juices. If memory serves, I am not sure that she ever really understood why it was fine!

Your partner sounds thick.

And who has a “raw meat knife.” They’re just called knives. You use them for whatever you’re cutting. Then you wash them. Then you use them for whatever you’re cutting. Then you wash them! Round and round it goes. He is a plonker. Good choice in a man, OP.

I generally would use a different knife for raw meat to bread but that is to do with the way they cut rather than a question of hygiene. I would use a paring knife for raw meat, veg, fruit etc but a serrated knife for bread, cooked meat etc.

Thanks for all the reassurances so far!

There is also a cultural dimension to this question. DP is Chinese where apparently the need for strict and full separation of raw meat and other utensils is taught from childhood.

i was going to say do you have a kosher kitchen? seperate chopping boards separate knives etc.,

Your husband is a weirdo.

well that is a different story!

I have sharp knives, that’s it. They get used when clean, then washed. No separation except by blade size and type.

Has he put a system in place that he follows & expects you to also?

Would it be easy to do if so?

I’ve only had 2 Chinese friends but neither of them ever did this when cooking.

But that’s possibly as they usually wash up in cold water- kitchens don’t tend to have hot water unless you’re v well
off or the apartments are built for westerners

Then it's safe to use for any food item. Your Dh is bring unreasonable to think it's unhygienic.

This has been going on for over 10 years and you're only checking now? 😂

Well I'd use a bread knife to cut a roll but otherwise no issue. I use the same knife to cut meat and veg ( not in that order unless washing in between).

I haven't come across this in my Chinese family, but China is a big place...

In my grandparents', and aunts' and uncles', one cleaver is all you need for pretty much all food prep...

DP is Chinese where apparently the need for strict and full separation of raw meat and other utensils is taught from childhood.

That's quite pertinent!

Do the conditions that make this necessary still apply?