Xiaomi knife sharpener: how to use correctly and not spoil the knives
Xiaomi’s electric sharpeners are compact and functional devices that will bring back the sharpness of the factory in a few minutes, but many users face problems: knives start to tear products instead of cutting them, or the device quickly overheats, it’s all about the wrong technique of use.
In this article, we will discuss step-by-step instructions for popular models - Mi Electric Knife Sharpener (MJXJSQ01ZM) and Redmi Smart Knife Sharpener (LXJSQ01ZM), talk about sharpening modes, choice of abrasive and care nuances. And also explain why Xiaomi sharpeners are not suitable for ceramic and Japanese knife with one-sided sharpening, and what to do if the device suddenly stopped turning on.
Spoiler: 80 percent of Xiaomi sharpeners problems are due to ignoring the pre-production stage of cleaning the knife and checking the angle of sharpening. Let's start with that.
Preparation of knife and sharpener before work
First rule: never sharpen a dirty knife. Food residue, fat, or rust will not only damage abrasive discs, but can also cause uneven sharpening. Wash the knife with warm water with detergent, wipe dry with a paper towel. If there are traces of corrosion on the blade, use fine-grained sandpaper (P1000-P1500 grain) for pre-cleaning.
Next, check:
- 🔍 The angle of sharpening the knife. Most kitchen knives have an angle. 15-20° Xiaomi sharpeners are designed for a standard angle. 17°. If your knife is sharpened under 10-12° (For example, fillet knives, use a hand sharpener.
- 📏 The maximum length of the knife for the Mi Electric Knife Sharpener is 22 cm. Longer knives (for example, for bread) can not be sharpened, this will lead to a distortion of the abrasive discs.
- 🔌 Power sharpener. Make sure the device is connected to a grounded outlet. Using extension cords or tees can cause the engine to overheat.
If the sharpener has not been used for a long time, check the condition of the abrasive discs, they should not be chipped, deep scratches or traces of oil, if necessary, clean the discs with a dry brush with soft bristles.
Step-by-step: how to sharpen a knife in a Xiaomi sharpener
The algorithm is the same for all electric sharpeners of the brand, but there are nuances depending on the model.
- Select sharpening mode.The Mi Electric Knife Sharpener has two slots: 🔹 Slot 1 (rough sharpening) – for severely blunted knives or re-establishing the cutting edge. 🔹 Slot 2 (slim sharpening) – to maintain sharpness or final polishing.
Redmi Smart Knife Sharpener has one versatile slot, but with adjustable pressure - the harder you press the knife, the more intense sharpening.
Positioning of the knife
90°
Sharpening
Power
3-5 times
Verification of the result
Slot 2
Important: Do not hold the knife in one position for longer than 2-3 seconds - this leads to local overheating of the metal and can deform the edge.
Wash and dry the knife.|
Checked the knife sharpening angle (15-20°)|
Confirmed that the blade length ≤ 22 cm|
Connected the sharpener to the ground outlet |
Selected the right slot (Slot 1 for rough, Slot 2 for fine sharpening)-->
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that shorten the life of the sharpener or spoil the knives.
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpening of knives with a one-sided edge (for example, Japanese debas) | The angle of sharpening is knocked down, the knife becomes unsuitable for accurate cutting. | Use a hand sharpener or give the knife to a professional |
| Too much pressure on the blade. | Overheating of discs, accelerated wear of abrasive, risk of engine failure | Hold the knife easily, without pressing - the sharpener regulates the pressure itself |
| Sharpening ceramic knives | Blade chips, damage to abrasive discs | Ceramics are sharpened only with diamond bars by hand |
| Use of sharpeners for scissors or secators | Disc deformation, uneven sharpening | Only sharpen kitchen knives with a straight blade |
Pay special attention to Damascus steel knives, their layered structure requires delicate sharpening, use only Slot 2 (thin sharpening) and reduce the number of passes to 2-3 times.
What happens if you sharpen the knife for too long?
Care for Xiaomi sharpener: cleaning and storage
To sharpener last longer than 3-5 years (the warranty period of most models), follow these rules:
- 🧹 Clean after each use. Remove metal shavings from disks with a dry brush or vacuum at minimum power. Do not use wet wipes, this will lead to corrosion of metal parts.
- 🛢️ Bearing lubrication. 6 months 1-2 silicone lubricant droplets on the spin axis of the discs (the hole is on the back panel) will prevent creaking and overheating.
- 🔌 Keep the sharpener dry, away from heat sources, and if the device has not been used for more than a month, keep it in its original packaging or microfiber case.
- ⚡ Electrical safety. Don't leave the sharpener on unattended. After use, remove the plug from the socket, which will protect against surges of voltage.
If the discs are worn out (deep furrows or chips appear), they can be replaced. The original XMSHQ01ZM (a set of 2) is suitable for the Mi Electric Knife Sharpener. The replacement takes 5-10 minutes and requires no special tools - a screwdriver with a cross tip is enough.
💡
To check the wear of the discs, swipe your fingernail over them. If you feel deep wavy, it's time to change them. New discs should be smooth, with barely noticeable texture.
Comparison of models: Mi Electric vs Redmi Smart Knife Sharpener
There are two main Xiaomi sharpeners on the market, often confused, but they have key differences:
| Parameter | Mi Electric Knife Sharpener (MJXJSQ01ZM) | Redmi Smart Knife Sharpener (LXJSQ01ZM) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine power | 60 W. | 45 W. |
| Number of slots | 2 (rough + fine sharpening) | 1 (universal) |
| Max. The length of the knife. | 22 cm | 20 cm |
| Noise level | ≤ 65 dB | ≤ 70 dB |
| Weight. | 1.2 kg | 0.9 kg |
Mi Electric is suitable for professional use (for example, in a cafe or for a large number of knives), and Redmi Smart is a budget option for home kitchen. Note: Redmi does not have a separate polishing mode, so after sharpening, you may need to fine-tune on musat (leather belt).
Another nuance: the Mi Electric is automatically shut down after 10 minutes of continuous operation, and the Redmi Smart after 5 minutes, which is designed to protect the engine from overheating.
What to do if Xiaomi’s sharpener doesn’t work
If the device does not turn on or does not work correctly, perform a diagnosis using this algorithm:
- Check the power: 🔌 Make sure the plug is tightly inserted into the socket. 🔋 Try another power cable (if the model has an external unit). 💡 Connect the sharpener to another outlet - perhaps the protection machine worked.
Look at the switching button.
Check the engine.
XMSHQ02ZM
Reset the settings.
5 seconds
If the sharpener turns on, but the discs rotate in jerks or with extraneous noise, the bearings are probably worn out. 800-1500 ₽ (model-wise).
💡
90% of Xiaomi sharpeners break down due to moisture or metal shavings entering the mechanism. Regular cleaning and proper storage extend the life of the device by 2-3 times.
If the warranty is still valid (standard period — 12 months), contact the authorized service center Xiaomi. mi.com/ru/service. Don’t forget to bring a check or a guarantee card.
Alternative ways to sharpen knives
Electric sharpeners are not the only option, but in some cases, it is better to use other methods:
- 🔪 Hand sharpeners (e.g. Xiaomi Mijia Manual Knife Sharpener) are suitable for knives with a non-standard sharpening angle or delicate blades (e.g. Santoku.
- 🧱 Diamond or ceramic bars (grain #1000/#3000) They give you more precise control over the process.
- 🛠️ Musat: Leather or steel musat is used to edit the edge between the main sharpenings. It doesn't remove metal, it just aligns micro-dents.
- 👨🍳 Professional sharpening, if the knife is expensive (for example, Wüsthof Or Zwilling, you'd better give it to the master. ₽ single-knife.
Xiaomi electric sharpeners are optimal for European stainless steel knives (for example, Victorinox, Gude). For Japanese cuisine or hand forging knives, it is better to combine bars and musat.
Can I sharpen scissors in Xiaomi sharpener?
FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions
❓ How long does it take to sharpen one knife?
❓ Can knives be sharpened with a jagged blade (for example, for bread)?
❓ Why does the knife cut worse after sharpening?
❓ How often should you sharpen knives?
❓ Where to buy original spare parts for Xiaomi sharpener?
If your question is not covered in the FAQ, check the instructions for a specific model (you can download it on the Xiaomi website in the support section) or contact the support team at 8 800 775-65-55 (the call is free in Russia).