Food prep is a time consuming and sometimes dangerous part of cooking. Chopping fruit, vegetables and cheese with a sharp paring knife can lead to cuts, and carving pieces of meat with a large knife can be even more dangerous. These necessary steps in cooking are also time-consuming, which is why grocery stores sell pre-sliced and pre-chopped food at a premium price. If you’re tired of spending time in the kitchen prepping for meals and want an affordable, fast and safe way to chop, slice, dice and cut food safely, it’s time to invest in a food slicer.
A food slicer, meat slicer and mandoline all work in similar ways for different types of food. Designed with one or several sharp blades, these instruments make it easy to slice food quickly and without the use of a hand-held knife or cutting board. Mandolines have several blades and are typically used with fruit and vegetables and come with attachments for different cuts, including julienne and crinkle cuts. Deli-style meat slicers have one spinning blade and generally are much larger in size and can be set to different thickness levels, allowing users to finely and evenly slice meat.
Depending on the types of food you prepare, one or more food slicers could help to reduce the time you spend in the kitchen and enable you to create a more artistic presentation of your meals. Check out four of our favorite food slicers below and start saving time in the kitchen.
1. Grocery Art Mandoline Slicer
The Grocery Art Mandoline Slicer is an adjustable mandoline that gives users the option of flat, uniform slices measuring between 1 – 9mm and julienne slices measuring between 4.5 – 9 mm. Designed to work exceptionally well with sweet potatoes, apples, onions, cucumbers, cabbage and other hard-bodied fruits and vegetables, this food slicer can also cut fruits with a softer flesh like tomatoes and bananas. The detachable rotating blade on the mandoline is extra thick to create a blade that is durable and long lasting. Cleaning is easy too, with the mandoline only requiring a quick rinse under running water.
Pros: Grocery Art focuses on safety. The mandoline features three levels of protection, including cut resistant gloves, a blade guard and a food holder.
Cons: The Grocery Art mandoline does not come with as many attachments and slicing options as the other two mandolines on our list. The gloves included with the mandoline are size large and may make it difficult for some users to hold the fruit or vegetables. The Grocery Art mandoline doesn’t come with a safety cover to protect it while not in use.
2. Mueller Austria Multi Blade Mandoline Slicer
For a versatile food slicer, we recommend the Mueller Austria Multi-Blade Mandoline Slicer. The Mueller comes with five detachable blades that fit into the plastic mandoline, giving users the option of wavy cuts, shredding, coarse shredding and grating. Each blade is made with 420-grade hardened surgical stainless steel and the ABS plastic used for the mandoline is BPA-free. A thumb dial allows users to quickly adjust the mandoline to their desired thickness. We also like that the Mueller comes with a slicing guard with stainless steel prongs for added protection.
Pros: The Mueller comes with a storage case specifically for the five attachment blades to keep them protected when not in use. The attractive design is a nice touch for customers who store this kitchen gadget on their counter.
Cons: Safety gloves are not included with the Mueller but should be worn, especially when changing the blades.
3. OSTBA Meat Slicer
Slice your way through the contents of your fridge using the versatile OSTBA Meat Slicer. The OSTBA has a 150-watt motor to power a 7.5” stainless steel serrated blade that delivers fast and precise cuts starting at very thin and moving up to 3/4 inch. Slice hard cheese, fruits, vegetables and, of course, meat with ease and precision. A removable ring guard ensures that food won’t build up on the cutting surface. The OSTBA requires users to hold down the On button and Lock button at the same time as an added safety precaution. The OSTBA can be taken apart for cleaning, including removing the feeder, food carriage, slide-rod extension and food pusher.
Pros: Compared to other meat slicers, the OSBTA has a small footprint at 14” x 10” and is relatively light and easy to move at 8.6 lbs.
Cons: The Meat Slicer comes with a big price tag and is overkill for anyone looking for a slicer for fruit and vegetables only. Cleaning the OSBTA is difficult.
4. Fullstar Mandoline Slicer
The most affordable food slicer on our list is also the most versatile. The Fullstar Mandoline Slicer comes with six interchangeable blades, including a 3mm and 5mm mandoline, a grater, a julienne blade, a blade for ribbon cuts and one for spirals. A blade caddy keeps the blades safely stored when not in use and comes with a brush designed to clean the blades. Made with ABS plastic and nontoxic and BPA free plastic, the dishwasher-safe mandoline includes a safety glove and a finger guard.
Pros: The Fullstar includes a catch tray that ensures food gunk won’t end up all over your counter.
Cons: The Fullstar is a small mandoline and the tray may have to be emptied frequently to make room for more slices. The grating surface is also small and the blades are not of the same quality as other mandolines on our list.