Buying guide for Best meat slicers
If you regularly enjoy sandwiches and charcuterie, you may want to invest in a meat slicer. You can use one for meat, cheese, and veggies, allowing to you save money on sliced pre-packaged deli meat, for example. You’ll also save time trying to cut uniformly thin slices.
Before you buy a meat slicer, though, there are some things to consider. Quality is of the utmost importance, as an inefficient meat slicer can be dangerous. Also keep an eye out for blade size, ability to slice different foods, ease of cleaning, and loudness of motor and power. A more powerful meat slicer will also require time to cool off after extended periods of use.
While meat slicers aren’t cheap initially, you’ll save in the long run.
Our team considers both professional-grade and home-use meat slicers to determine which type would be best for each person’s needs.
We compare meat slicers by the quality of their safety guards to make sure our readers find the safest models to operate.
We look for meat slicers that are easy to disassemble safely for thorough and careful cleaning.
Our researchers compare meat slicers based on blade adjustability to find those with the best range of thick and thin slices.
Some meat slicers are suitable for use with foods beyond meat, like cheese and vegetables. In our research, we highlight the models that are most versatile.
Most meat slicers take up a lot of counter space. As such, we place high value on meat slicers that are easy to store when not in use.
The motor power of your meat slicer determines how long it can be continuously used. We note the wattage of different models to find the perfect strength for every user.
Meat slicers come with different blade sizes for different levels of use. For heavy-duty use, we look for meat slicers with large blades.
We appreciate meat slicers with rubberized feet and other non-slip enhancements that keep them stable and secure while you slice.
A meat slicer is not a purchase most people want to make multiple times. Our team looks for durable meat slicers that are known to stand the test of time.
Do you need a meat slicer?
Meat slicers are not just for the corner deli. Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, a meat slicer is the best way to achieve paper-thin cuts of meat, cheese, and veggies.
A meat slicer makes the tedious task of slicing quick and easy. If you want to slice up food for cooking or freezing, a meat slicer is the most efficient tool to use.
While the initial cost of a meat slicer can be considerable, slicing your own meat, cheese, and vegetables is an excellent way to save money in the long run. With a meat slicer, you can buy ingredients in bulk rather than pre-packaged and pre-sliced.
What to look for when buying a meat slicer
Quality
Quality is an essential consideration when it comes to meat slicers. A sturdier model is both more durable and easier to handle.
Look for a rust-proof meat slicer to ensure the blade stays sharp and undamaged.
Entry-level vs. professional-grade
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What do I want to slice? If the answer is “just meat,” then an entry-level model is all you need. If you’re planning on cutting up unusually large cuts of meat, make sure the meat slicer’s carriage size and blade are large enough to accommodate the food. If you want to slice cheese, a more powerful machine will be required. Cheese, surprisingly, is difficult for a slicer to cut through.
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How much do I want to slice? If you want to use your slicer each week after you come home from grocery shopping to cut up food for freezing, then an entry-level model is an excellent choice. For daily use, however, a heavy-duty professional-grade model is best, so the motor doesn’t burn out.
Power
The wattage of a meat slicer’s motor dictates how powerful it is and how long it can continuously run.
If you plan to use your meat slicer infrequently, for less than an hour, you don’t need a machine with excessive power.
Blade size
Inexpensive meat slicers have smaller blades, since they are not designed for frequent, heavy use.
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty model, look for a larger blade.
Professional-grade meat slicers for commercial kitchens have the largest blades.
Versatility
Some meat slicers not only slice meat but can slice vegetables and hard cheeses, too, making them more versatile.
These types of meat slicers are more expensive and tend to be made for commercial use.
Ease of cleaning
A meat slicer that’s simple to clean will make your life easier. Look for a model that’s easy to wipe down and disassemble.
Most meat slicers must be disassembled for cleaning, and the parts are not usually dishwasher-safe.
When cleaning a meat slicer, make sure it’s unplugged first.
Storage
Meat slicers are not lightweight appliances. If you’re planning to purchase a slicer for your home kitchen, consider where you will store it.
Slicers tend to be bulky. You’ll want a model light enough to lift out of storage on your own, if you don’t plan to keep it on the countertop at all times.
Price
Inexpensive
Lower-priced meat slicers are basic and are designed for low-frequency use.
Mid-range
If you plan on using your appliance more frequently, it’s a good idea to look at mid-range meat slicers. Units priced a little higher will be able to slice cheese, too.
Expensive
Top-of-the line models are designed for professional use. They can be used daily and can handle a variety of foodstuffs.
For your safety
Unplug your slicer when you’re finished using it to prevent accidents.
STAFF
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Tips for using a meat slicer safely
Any device with a blade is a potential safety hazard. Some meat slicers come equipped with more safety features than others to protect you from cuts and lacerations.
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Look for a meat slicer with as little exposed blade as possible, in order to prevent dangerous contact.
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Blade guards protect your fingers from coming into contact with any sharp edge on the machine.
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A meat slicer should sit securely on a countertop. Any unwanted movement could be dangerous.
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It should be tough to accidentally hit the power button on a meat slicer. Check where the on/off switch is located.
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Pay attention! You can purchase special gloves to protect your fingers from cuts but always be aware of where your fingers are. That’s the best way to prevent serious injury.
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Never clean the machine when it’s plugged in. Unplug a meat slicer before wiping down the blade.
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Meat slicer accidents are common. Anytime you’re using the machine, make sure you are careful and focused on the task at hand.
FAQ
Q. How do I maintain a meat slicer?
A. Clean your meat slicer regularly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to sanitize your machine after you cut any meat. Frequent cleaning is the best way to eliminate the possibility of bacterial contamination and to keep the slicer working efficiently. You’ll also want to keep the blade sharp. A simple sharpening tool will do the job just fine.
Q. Should I expect a meat slicer to make a lot of noise?
A. Meat slicers are not quiet appliances. Some models are quieter than others, but these powerful machines all make noise.
Q. I’m a home cook, is a meat slicer for me?
A. Absolutely! If you enjoy cooking at home, a meat slicer can be a great addition to your kitchen. Instead of purchasing expensive pre-packaged, pre-sliced foods, you can slice your own meat, cheese, and veggies at home.
