It took me 11 years to figure out I was using my vegetable peeler backwards

I was peeling carrots last Saturday and my coworker Dave at the restaurant just stared at me and goes 'uh you know that thing works better if you pull it toward you right?' I had been pushing it away from my body the entire time since culinary school. My wrists always ached after prepping and I just thought that was normal. Now I feel like I've been driving with the parking brake on for a decade. Has anyone else discovered they were using a basic kitchen tool completely the wrong way?

3 comments

3 Comments

violar351mo ago

Pushing away actually gives you better control and keeps the blade from digging in too deep.

vera_johnson91mo ago

Exactly, pushing away lets you follow through naturally instead of fighting the blade. It's the difference between sawing and carving.

daniel1401mo ago

Wait are you saying that pushing away instead of pulling toward you is actually BETTER? Because I just spent the last 15 minutes watching YouTube videos of chefs peeling carrots and every single one of them is pulling toward themselves. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here. But honestly if it saves my wrists I'm willing to try anything at this point.