How to use Xiaomi knife sharpener: a complete guide with tips from experts

Xiaomi’s electric knife sharpener is a breakthrough for those who appreciate effortlessly sharp blades. These compact devices combine the advanced technology of the Mi Home ecosystem with ease of use. However, even this intuitive gadget has nuances that affect the sharpening and lifespan of both the device and your knives.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply turn on the sharpener and run the blade over the abrasive discs. In practice, it is important to consider the material of the knife, its degree of bluntness and even the angle of sharpening. For example, Japanese knives require one approach, and European kitchen knives require a completely different approach. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic instructions, but also the hidden functions of Xiaomi Mijia and Viomi sharpeners, which the manufacturer does not always advertise.

We'll focus on the common mistakes that make blades go bad faster than they get sharpened, and we'll learn how to avoid metal overheating, why you can't sharpen ceramic knives in standard modes, and what to do if the sharpener suddenly starts buzzing louder than usual, and for those who just choose a model, we've developed a performance chart to help you make sure you don't make a mistake with your purchase.

What Xiaomi sharpeners are and how they differ

Xiaomi currently has two major electric sharpeners, Mijia and Viomi, which, despite their similarities, have fundamental differences in functionality and sharpening. Let's take a closer look at them.

Mijia Knife Sharpener (model) ZNCZ01JM) — This is the basic version that will work for most household knives, and it has two abrasive discs: a rough one (for reconstituting highly blunted blades) and a thin one (for finishing polishing), and the feature of the model is automatic sharpening angle adjustment, which makes it easier for beginners to do the job. However, it has a limitation: the sharpener is not intended for knives with a toothed blade (for example, bread) and ceramic knives.

Viomi Knife Sharpener (model) V-SHARP1) — More advanced version with three sharpening modes:

In addition, Viomi supports sharpening of ceramic knives (when using a special mode) and has a built-in work area lighting, another advantage is a removable container for metal shavings, which is easy to clean.

To make it easier for you to choose, we have compiled a comparative table:

If you often cook and use different types of knives, Viomi is the best choice. Mijia is enough for rare home use.

Preparation of sharpeners and knife for work: step-by-step instructions

Before using a Xiaomi sharpener for the first time, several mandatory steps must be taken, and neglecting them can lead to uneven sharpening or even damage to the blade.

First, check the package. The box should have:

• 📦 The sharpener itself.
• 🔌 Power adapter (if the model is not wireless)
• 📄 Instructions in Chinese/English
• 🧴 Lubrication for abrasive discs (in some sets)

If there is no lubricant, it can be replaced with mineral oil (a few drops on each disc before the first use).

Follow the preparation checklist:

Pay special attention to the condition of the knife. If there are large chips or rust marks on the blade, first treat it manually on a grinding bar. The electric sharpener is not designed to "resuscitate" badly damaged knives - it will only aggravate the defects.

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Before sharpening, wash the knife with warm water and detergent and dry. The fat deposits on the blade reduce the effectiveness of abrasive.

How to sharpen the knife: technique and angles of sharpening

The most important step is sharpening, where many people make critical mistakes that make the knife blunt faster, and the basic rule is that the movements should be smooth and uniform, without much pressure.

For knives, Xiaomi recommends the following algorithm:

1. Turn on the sharpener and wait until the discs reach their maximum speed (usually). 1-2 seconds).
2. Take the knife by the handle and place the blade at the base of the disc at an angle. 15-20° (for most kitchen knives).
3. Softly move the blade from the handle to the tip, pressing it slightly against the disc. 3-5 time-to-side.
4. Switch to a thin disk (or polishing mode) and repeat the procedure.

The angle of sharpening depends on the type of knife:

• 🔪 European knives (e.g. Zwilling, Wüsthof): 17-22°
• 🍣 Japanese knives (e.g. Global, Shun): 12-15°
• 🥖 Bread knives (dented): 20-25° (hard disk!)

Note: if you sharpen a knife with a double sharpened (for example, a cook), the number of passes should be the same for both parties. For one-way sharpened knives (for example, a sushi knife), handle only the work side.

Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Viomi) V-SHARP1) They have an angle sensor built in, and if your sharpener doesn't have one, use a simple trick: put a coin next to the sharpener. ~1.5 mm) and use it as an angle limiter.

⚠️ Please note: Never sharpen a knife longer. 30 So you can have a second straight on one disc, and overheating the metal causes you to lose hardening and become blunt. 10-15 seconds.

Sharpening modes: when and how to use them

The mode of choice depends on the condition of the knife. If you use a Mijia with two discs, the logic is simple:

• 🔧 Rough disc: for knives that don't cut paper or become blunt when pressed on a tomato.
• ✨ Thin disc: to maintain sharpness (use) 1 time 2-3 weekdays).

Viomi has a three-mode algorithm that is more complex:

1. Regime. 1 (rough: only for knives with chipped or severe blunting. 5-7 passway.
2. Regime. 2 (Medium: for regular care. Optimal 3-5 monthly.
3. Mode 3 (Polishing): for finishing after rough sharpening or before important use (e.g. before sashimi cutting).

For ceramic knives, Viomi has a special mode (usually indicated by a blue indicator).

• ⚡ Ceramics grinds 2 times slower than steel.
• 🕒 Maximum continuous sharpening time – 20 seconds.
• 🚫 Do not use a rough disk - only medium or polish.

If your sharpener begins to vibrate or make unusual sounds, this is a sign:

• 🔋 Wear of abrasive discs (replacement required).
• 🧲 Metal shavings in the mechanism (need to be cleaned).
• ⚠️ Incorrect assembly after cleaning.

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For Damascus steel knives, only use polishing mode. Rough sharpening can damage the layered structure of the metal.

Care for sharpener: cleaning, lubrication and storage

To make Xiaomi sharpener last longer, it needs to be maintained regularly.

• 🧹 Cleaning abrasive discs: after every 10th use, remove the metal shavings with a soft brush (comes complete).
• 🛢️ Lubricant: every 3 months 1-2 mineral oil drops on disc bearings.
• 🔌 Storage: Keep the sharpener in a dry place, away from heat sources (not on the cooker stove!).

For deep cleaning:

1. Turn off the sharpener.
2. Remove the protective cover (if it is in your model).
3. Use compressed air (such as a keyboard cleaner) to blow shavings out of hard-to-reach places.
4. Wipe the body with a wet cloth, avoiding water from entering electrical contacts.

If the sharpener has stopped turning on:

• 🔌 Check the power cable for damage.
• 🔋 Make sure the power button is not stuck (relevant for models with a mechanical switch).
• 🔧 Examine abrasive discs – if they are completely erased, the sharpener may be blocked for safety reasons.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use abrasive detergents or metal brushes to clean, which will damage the surface of the discs and reduce the efficiency of sharpening.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that shorten the life of the knives or the sharpener itself, and here are the most common ones:

1. Pressing the knife too hard

• ❌ What happens: the blade overheats, loses hardening, microcracks appear.
• ✅ Right, the knife has to slide across the disc under its own weight.

2. Uneven number of passages for the two sides of the knife

• ❌ What happens: the blade "leads" to the side, the knife cuts the curve.
• ✅ How to count the passes or do them alternately (1 time on one side, 1 time on the other).

3. Sharpening of a dirty or rusty knife

• ❌ What happens: abrasive discs clog with dirt particles, efficiency drops.
• ✅ Always wash and dry the knife before sharpening. Use special means for rust (for example, for rust, WD-40).

Ignoring sharpening regimes

• ❌ What happens: A coarse disc eats away too much metal, the knife quickly becomes thinner.
• ✅ How to do it: Use rough mode only when absolutely necessary.

5. Storage of sharpeners in a wet room

• ❌ What happens: oxidation of contacts, corrosion of metal parts.
• ✅ How to do it: after use, wipe the case with a dry cloth and store it in a ventilated cabinet.

If you notice that after sharpening the knife began to cut worse than before, chances are you used the wrong angle or too rough abrasive. In this case, try to smooth out defects on a thin disk or manually on a bar with a grain of 1000 grains.+.

Comparison with hand sharpeners and bars

Xiaomi’s electric sharpeners are convenient, but not always the best choice. Let’s compare them to alternative sharpening methods:

Electric sharpener is justified if:

• 🕒 You need speed and convenience.
• 🔪 You have a lot of knives that you need to sharpen regularly.
• 🛠️ You don’t want to learn the skills of hand sharpening.

Snap or hand sharpeners are better to choose if:

• 🎯 You need the perfect sharpening angle (for example, for professional knives).
• 💎 You are working with expensive ceramics or Damascus steel.
• 💰 You're on a budget.

Many professional chefs combine both methods: use an electric sharpener for quick sharpening, and bars for finishing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi sharpeners