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Welcome to our article dedicated to the slicer. Italy is one of the countries with the largest number of varieties of cured meats. Cheeses, hams, sausages, cured meats and other sausages are among the best-selling processed foods. Apart from its flavor, a good sausage wins us over for its presentation on the plate. To do it best, we need to use a slicer, one of the most versatile kitchen tools.
To obtain thin slices of cooked ham of the same thickness it is necessary to use a slicer. Today’s domestic slicers have characteristics and functions similar to those used by professional butchers and butchers. In this article, we’ll show you how they work, the types that exist, and what you should keep in mind when choosing one.
- Slicers are very versatile kitchen tools. They are mainly used to cut cured meats, but also cheeses, meat, bread and vegetables. Slicers offer great benefits, such as a better presentation of the food or a saving of time and effort.
- There are many types of slicers: manual, electric, professional and semi-professional, among others. Their use requires that we follow minimum safety standards to avoid accidents. Proper cleaning and maintenance is also required after each use.
- To choose the ideal slicer, you need to take into consideration the type of food you are going to cut. You should also look into the material of manufacture, the blades and its power in watts. Ease of cleaning and size are also factors to consider.
The best slicers on the market: our selection
Not sure which slicer best suits your needs and budget? Here is a selection with some of the best slicers currently on the market. We have relied on both their characteristics and buyer ratings, to offer you models that stand out for quality and convenience.
- The best-selling electric slicer
- The best-selling manual slicer
- The most convenient electric slicer
- The most convenient double blade slicer
The best-selling electric slicer
With a power of 120 W and a 20 cm blade, the RGV 20 Special Edition is a semi-professional Made in Italy slicer that boasts a very high volume of sales. The cutting capacity is 170 × 130 mm, while the carriage stroke reaches up to 210 mm. The blade is made of stainless steel and cuts with a thickness up to 14/16 mm. The structure is in lacquered aluminum and is equipped with a plate, bulkhead and blade cover, while the motor is ventilated.
Buyers generally express a very positive opinion, and despite the lack of a parafette (sold separately), they still consider it a valid product and suitable for slicing meats, cheeses and other foods.
The best-selling manual slicer
The best-selling manual slicer is the Graef H9 and enjoys numerous positive reviews, with enthusiastic buyers who appreciate its excellent quality and ease of use, being for some preferable the manual alternative to the electric one for a matter of consumption. , safety and noise. It is made entirely of metal, with a stainless steel trolley and blade, while the base is equipped with suction cups and the handle of the crank is made of wood.
The blade is wavy and has a diameter of 19 cm; it is particularly suitable for bread, but it is also successfully used with different types of vegetables and cured meats, as long as they have a good consistency and are not too soft.
The most convenient electric slicer
The OSTBA slicer is an economical proposal that boasts a high quality-price ratio and several positive reviews. It is equipped with a 150 W motor and a 19 cm stainless steel blade, wavy and suitable for cold cuts, cheeses, bread, fruit and vegetables, with a maximum thickness of 15 mm.
Buyers have nothing to complain about, and appreciate the ease of use and cleanliness, as well as the convenience.
The most convenient double blade slicer
One of the slicers with the best quality-price ratio ever is undoubtedly the Graef Twin G52, as it guarantees high versatility at a reasonable price. The body is made of plastic but is equipped with 2 stainless steel blades, one serrated and one with a smooth blade, with a diameter of 17 cm.
It is a Made in Germany product with a 45W motor, and is capable of making slices up to 20mm thick. The users’ opinion is very favorable, and is appreciated for the compact design and the overall quality.
Shopping guide: Everything you need to know about the slicer
Food must not only taste good and smell good, it must also catch our eye. In the case of cured meats, it is essential to cut them into thin and uniform slices. With a good slicer you will get slices measured to the millimeter, which is very difficult to achieve even with the sharpest knife. Do you want to know more about these useful machines?
What are the advantages of using a slicer?
Slicers are very useful tools, whether you are several at home and eat a lot of cured meats or you just want to take care of the presentation of your dishes. However, a slicer offers more benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Innovation . Slicing food will allow you to prepare new dishes and recipes. The precision and quality of the cut of these tools will make it possible.
- Savings . You no longer have to buy sliced cured meats, with the additional cost that this implies. It is always cheaper to buy whole pieces and cut them yourself.
- Ease of use . These tools are very safe and easy to use. With a slicer you can easily slice what is almost impossible to cut well even with the sharpest knife.
- Greater freshness . When you slice food, it loses some of their properties. Plus, it dries up and deteriorates before you keep it whole. With a slicer you will only prepare the quantity you are going to consume at that moment.
- Versatility. Slicers are not only used for cutting cold cuts, but you can also slice cheese, meat and bread, as well as many other foods.
- Hygiene . A clean and tidy home slicer guarantees you germ-free food. With this, you no longer have to wonder how often your butcher cleans his car.
Are there any disadvantages to slicers?
If you have decided to buy a slicer, you should know that the initial investment in a quality model can be quite high. However, the expense pays for itself in a short time. You should also keep in mind that it will take up an important space in your kitchen, so you must have planned where to store it.In terms of handling, it will be difficult to get the perfect cut at first. But don’t worry, the technique comes with continuous practice. On the other hand, some people are wary of having such a device in the house, especially when there are small children. The producers have thought of this possibility, equipping their slicers with very effective safety systems.
How does a home slicer differ from a professional one?
Salami slicers are generally classified as professional and domestic. The former are more powerful and resistant, as they have to withstand intensive use. They are bulky and quite heavy devices, made of stainless steel or anodized aluminum, a highly corrosion resistant material.Domestic slicers have smaller dimensions than professional ones. Some models are foldable, which makes it easy to store them in any kitchen cabinet. The blades are also smaller, no more than 20 cm in diameter. Their power usually varies between 100 and 200 watts.
How many types of slicers are there?
The slicers for cured meats can be manual or automatic. In the first you will have to slide the food so that the cut takes place. Electric or automatic slicers perform the cut without having to push the piece we want to slice. Domestic slicers are, for the most part, manual.Slicers are also classified according to format and cutting mechanism. These are the main types.
- Gravity slicer . It is usually the cutting system of machines for professional or semi-professional use. The cut is produced by the weight exerted by the piece of salami on a slightly inclined blade.
- Vertical slicer . They are designed to slice raw or cooked meat without jamming. In them, the blade forms a 90 ° angle with the support base.
- Belt slicer . They are cheaper than previous models, but less accurate. Engine power is transmitted to the blade via belts, rather than directly.
- Gear slicer . They are designed for hard cured meats, such as raw ham or cheese. They are the most used system in professional slicers for their great power, precision and resistance.
- Automatic gear slicer . They are like the previous ones, only they do the cut automatically. It is the system used in industrial slicers.
What foods can be cut with a slicer?
Slicers are not only used for slicing cold cuts, but can also be used to process other foods. To do this, it is convenient to choose a model with interchangeable blades. The serrated blade is better for slicing hard food, while the smooth-edged blade is more suitable for cutting soft food.These are some examples of foods you can work with a slicer.
- Cured meats and sausages : salami, coppa, bresaola, mortadella, cooked ham, raw ham, among others.
- Meat : You can cut perfect fillets of chicken breast, turkey, beef, pork or lamb.
- Dairy products: aged, fresh and semi-aged hard cheese.
- Hard vegetables : pumpkin, cucumber, carrot, potatoes, onions, among others.
- Bread : with a slicer the bread does not break during cutting and all the slices come out of the same thickness.
How do you sharpen the blades of a slicer?
It is important to keep the blade of your slicer sharp. A sharp blade ensures a clean and regular cut. In addition, it will wear out less, as it will be easier for you to make the cut. Mid to high range slicers usually include a sharpening attachment. If your slicer is not supplied, you can purchase a universal sharpener, compatible with most models.But how do you know your slicer needs sharpening? For example, when you notice that the slices are torn and not all of the same thickness. Let’s see how to sharpen a slicer blade with all the safety guarantees.
- Unplug the slicer . Before attaching the sharpening accessory, unplug the machine. Also make sure the blade is completely clean.
- Remove the disc cover . Once this is done, adjust the sharpener on the blade. In models that include the sharpener, this will not be necessary.
- Use lubricating oil . Some manufacturers recommend wetting the blade with a little lubricating oil.
- Turn on the appliance . Start at a low speed, to gradually increase for about a minute. Turn off the machine.
- Check the sharpness . You can do this by cutting the edge of a sheet. If the cut is satisfactory, clean the blade thoroughly with a cloth moistened with alcohol.
How to clean a slicer?
You will need to be especially careful with the maintenance and cleaning of this type of machine. A slicer with leftover food can be a health risk. Indeed, effective cleaning and disinfection of these utensils are essential to prevent diseases such as listeriosis ( 1 ) . But how to properly clean it safely?
- Unplug the appliance. For added safety, unplug the power cord.
- Clean the arm and carriage. If they are removable, take them apart and clean them well with warm water and a neutral detergent.
- Clean the base and tray. Carefully scrub both the base of the machine and the pan where the slices are deposited.
- Clean the blade. Clean the blade thoroughly with a soft cloth dampened with water and neutral soap. Do not use an abrasive pad, you could scratch it. It is not a bad idea to wear protective gloves for this task.
- Dry all the pieces well. Use kitchen paper. Some manufacturers recommend lubricating the slicer arm and carriage for better smoothness.
- Reassemble the removed parts.
How to use a delicatessen slicer safely?
The blade of a slicer is very sharp, so much so that it can cut fingers as easily as a salami. Therefore, before using it, you need to know some safety guidelines to avoid accidents. Let’s see what they are.
- Make sure of its stability. Before cutting, check that the slicer is firmly placed on a flat and stable surface. Some models are equipped with suction cups or support feet so that they do not slip.
- Place the food before turning on the machine. Once the piece is positioned and fixed, choose the thickness of the cut. Once this is done, turn on the machine and proceed with the cut by pushing the trolley handle. Never push food directly by hand.
- Cut decisively. You have to push the cart quickly and firmly, reaching the end of its stroke without stopping. Do this movement for all the slices you need.
- Use the tweezers to pick up the slices. Don’t pick them up as they fall.
- Turn off the car. Place the thickness selector in position 0 and proceed to clean the slicer as indicated by us.