Meat Slicers: A world of meat
Meat slicers have been around since the end of the 19th century when a Dutch butcher, who went by the name of Wilhelmus Adrianus van Berkel, opened up a meat factory using this ground-breaking technology of the flywheel slicer to slice its meat. However, more than 100 years later, these devices are now much more affordable and can sit easily on your home work surface and can be used for pretty much any foodstuff you want to cut be that bread, meat, or cheese.
Despite this long history, the increased availability, and the improved compact design these devices are little seen in home kitchens. In this post, we make the case for taking the plunge on a home meat slicer, introduce you to everything you can use them for, and give you the low down on deli slicers with our home meat slicer reviews. If you invest in one of these, we can promise you, you won’t look back!
A brief history of the meat slicer
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In the ten years after the opening of the world’s first meat slicing factory, the Berkel family sold over 3,000 slicers thanks to their high precision. Up until that point it had required someone with incredible precision to slice prosciutto, Parma ham, and salami. However, the attractive flywheel slicer automated this process and produced more effective results and their success saw them opening a second factory right here in the US over in Chicago.
Before long Chicago became famous for its delicious deli sandwiches as delis invested in this new technology that enabled them to produce far more than they ever had before. So the world has a lot more to thank the old Dutch butcher van Berkel for than just his now famous brand selling a range of high precision kitchen utensils as he also helped bring about somewhat of a renaissance in the deli sandwich.
What is a meat slicer?
Well, basically the clue is in the name – it is a device that is specifically designed to cut meat. However, it is also more than that and can be used to cut bread, cheese, and vegetables if you so wish. They can also be manually or electrically driven and cut with incredible precision and consistency that would only usually possible after years of training in a professional kitchen if you wanted the same results with a knife.
Electric meat slicers are what most people tend to go for as they enhance the automation by automatically push the meat along as they slice. Manual slices still offer an almost equal level of precision but will require you to push whatever it is you are slicing along as you go. One advantage some people claim about manual meat slicers is that they create a better texture in terms of how the meat is cut but we’re not quite sure that this Luddite sentiment stands up to investigation.
Why buy a meat slicer?
Many people think that a meat slicer is not going to make enough of a difference in their life to invest in one for the worktop. However, we believe that these devices have come down in price enough that people should give them another look even if they are vegetarian as they aren’t just for meat in spite of what the name suggests! Here we will run you through 5 reasons we think deli slicers make a good investment in the home:
#1 Money saving
Although you have an initial outlay, investing in one of these can actually save you money! Buying pre-sliced anything is expensive, be it meat, veg or cheese, so one of these can be game changing if you want to keep down the food bills as it allows you buy things in bulk and easily cut them down to size without any faff and a major saving still in your pocket.
#2 They are highly efficient
These powerful devices are far more efficient than we can ever be by hand and their sharp blades mean that hard to cut expensive bread doesn’t crumble at your fingertips. This improved efficiency can make one nights roast dinner into a week’s worth of sandwiches and meals with just the flick of a switch. Don’t forget to give it a whirl with cheese, cabbage, onions and even to make homemade chips with either!
#3 Precision
Have you ever been out to a restaurant and thought you’d treat yourself to a nice carpaccio and regretted the expense compared to the level of work the chef has had to put into it? Well, these devices bring the chef’s precision into the home so you can rustle up your own carpaccio at just the cost of the meat thanks to the high precision cutting the best home meat slicers offer.
#4 Consistency
Sometimes we want to showcase our cooking talents at a dinner party or for the people we love and a big part of that includes the excellent presentation of our food. Unfortunately, when cutting by hand this can lead to waste of the finest bits of food due to a misstep. With a meat slicer, you can be sure to get the same cut every time with no fuss.
#5 Safe & easy to use
Food slicers are as easy as pie when it comes to using and have excellent safety features that remove the danger of the accidental knife slip that ends with a costly trip to the emergency room and a lot of bleeding. When we do things by hand results can be different every time even if we try our hardest, but a food slicer makes consistent results easy every time making your food go further.
Things to consider when trying to find the best meat slicer
For many, a meat slicer is considered to be a luxury appliance that they are inclined to ignore. However, as we have shown there are plenty of good reasons as to why these devices should be considered an integral part of anyone’s home kitchen and can even save money in the long run. So if you have decided to shell out for a home meat slicer, then you will want to make sure you make the right choice when you do. Here are 5 things you should consider when it comes to purchasing your own meat slicer:
#1 The motor power
If you are opting for an electric meat slicer, then you should aim for one with a powerful enough motor that means it won’t quickly overheat. Choose one with at least 130 watts, or preferably 240 watts and you’ll be fine. You should also choose a high power if you intend to cut a lot of frozen meat as this is going to put more strain on your motor.
#2 The type of blade
Some cutters will have a serrated blade and others use a smooth edged blade. If you intend on cutting a lot of frozen meat, breads and cheese, then a serrated blade tends to be more effective. If you see yourself cutting more fresh meat, fish, and vegetables, then a smooth blade will produce a cleaner cut. Some models will also offer a choice of blades if you want the best of all worlds.
#3 Sturdiness vs cost
When you shell out for a meat slicer the last thing you want to happen is for it to break down pretty sharpish. This means that, although you can buy meat slicers for under $100 you might want to look a little higher up the price range, and we would recommend at least spending $100 or more if you don’t want to get caught out. But a higher price doesn’t automatically equate to durability. However, as a rule of thumb, the more metal parts a slicer has, the longer it will last.
#4 Size
One thing that often puts people off a meat slicer is their size. However, these days, even high powered electric meat slicers can be pretty small and tidy and many have a beautifully sleek design that looks pretty great on the work surface if you don’t have anywhere to put it away. Bigger slices also weigh a lot so make sure you check out the weight too as this may make it difficult to maneuver for some people.
#5 How easy is it to clean?
This is another major concern for most people whenever they buy a new surface top application, be it a juicer, blender, or meat slicer. Commercial meat slicers have more removable parts that make them easier to clean. Keeping your food slicer clean is going to be important at home too though as when you are working with meat and fish you are going to want a sterile environment to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. If you can, find out whether they key parts of your preferred meat slicer are removable as this means they will be easier to clean.
How to pick the best meat slicer for home use
Picking the right meat slicer is easy if you take into account the things we have mentioned above. However, finding everything you need out can be time consuming and require scrolling through hundreds of meat slicer reviews to find what you need. With saving you time in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best meat slicers on the market that meet our criteria and pick one suitable for every budget and need.
Top 10 Best Meat Slicers 2022
#1 Best professional grade meat slicer for home: KitchenWare Station’s 320-watt premium Commercial grade electric meat slicer
This professional quality electric meat slicer packs a punch when it comes to power with 240-watts that make it suitable for heavy use and even though it uses a smooth edged blade it can cope with frozen meat as well as the tender fresh cuts. This blade also handily sharpens itself as it goes with the built in sharpener that works with a simple click of a button. Made with predominantly metal parts you can be sure that this meat slicer is built to last.
Other things that you’ll love about this meat slicer are that: it can be fully dissembled which makes deep cleaning easier; it runs quietly in spite of the powerful motor, and; the stainless steel blade is made with a high-quality coating of Teflon which helps keep it sharper for longer even when used on things like bread and cheese. The downside of this meat slicer is that it comes at a high price (it is the most expensive on this list) and although it is handy to be able to disassemble it so you can clean it well it will take you about ten minutes and requires a screwdriver.
#Meat_Slicer #Professional_Kitchenware #Cheese_Slice #Bread_Cutter #Teflon_Blades
#2 Best adjustable electric meat slicer: Chef’s Choice’s electric meat slicer with thickness control
If you’re after an electric meat slicer that still good quality but a bit cheaper, then you’ll love this neat and compact slicer. With all the major components made from either aluminum or stainless steel, you can be sure of the longevity of this device and it is particularly easy to clean compared to some of the other slicers on this list. The easily adjustable food carriage also makes it easier to use this slicer on strangely shaped foodstuffs such as vegetables and tough cuts of meat.
Other reasons to choose this blender are that: it is close to the bottom end of the market but of a higher quality than its price suggests; it has a truly stylish design; all parts that need cleaning are easily removable, and; it fits well even on a small work surface. The downside of this unit are that it only has a 7-inch food carriage so is not suitable for really large objects in one go and the motor is not super powerful at just 120-watts so it is not the bets for frozen meats or bread.
#Work_Surface_Slicer #Kitchen_Slicer #Kitchenware #Slicer #Meat_Slicer
#3 Best electric deli slicer for precision cuts: Beswood’s chromium-plated carbon steel blade food slicer
This is another slicer right at the top end of the spectrum when it comes to cost but that is well worth the investment if you have a few more dollars to spend. The special smooth and chromium-plated blade means you only need to sharpen it very rarely and also means it lasts a lot longer too. You’ll love this slicer if you are looking for a slicer to cut things super thin and to an extremely precise level of consistency. Carpaccio will be your new pièce de résistance!
You’ll also like this meat slicer because: it has a high-powered electric motor with 2400 watts of force m making it suitable for frozen meats and tough breads and cheeses; it has more than 8-inches room in its food carriage tray; its design makes it extremely easy to clean, and; it has a special design that reduces horrible noises some electric slicers tend to make. You do need to be careful when removing the blade to clean it as it is super sharp.
#Meat_Blades #Slicing_Meat #Slicers #Metal_Slicer #Durable_Blade
#4 Best value meat slicer: Gourmia’s Electric power food 7 meat slicer
Flying into this list at under $100 this cheap but well-made slicer does have more plastic parts in order to keep the price down but it still fairly durable. It also has some nice features that are easy to use, such as the adjustable handle to adapt the thickness of the cut and the serrated blade that means you can still cut bread with this slicer even though it does not have the most powerful motor.
Other things to like about this meat slicer are that: it has good safety features such as a suction grip bottom to prevent slippage; it is great for slicing meat whether you like thin or thick cuts (although some of the very lowest/thinner settings are not always consistent in quality), and; it’s a great price. The downsides of this cutter are the lack of power, it is not super consistent in cutting quality, and it contains lots of plastic components.
#Value_Slicer #Deli_Slicer #Home_Meat_Slicer #Cheap_Meat_Slicer #Adjustable
#5 Best meat slicer with a serrated blade: Chefman’s Electric deli slicer
Another slicer coming in at under $100 but still with plenty to offer. This food slicer packs a punch in terms of power with a 180-watt motor making it a versatile cutter that can cope with some challenges if you have some tough slicing demands planned! This is also a great choice for people who don’t have much surface space and want to be able to put the slicer away when they aren’t using it.
Other things that make this blender a good choice are that: it is easy to clean and remove parts for cleaning; it comes with a 1-year warranty; it has a usefully long chord length if you want to store it under a counter but leave it plugged in, and; you can adjust the thickness of the cut easily. The downsides of this slicer are that it again has quite a few plastic bits so it is not super durable and the food carrying tray is small.
#Food_Slicer #Bread_Cutter #Bread_Slice #Cheese_Slice #Cheese_Cutter
#6 Best value meat slicer for portability: Weston’s meat and food slicer
If you are on a bit of a budget, are lacking in surface space, and want a slicer that can be taken to multiple destinations without too much struggle, then this great value piece is sturdy, compact, and lightweight. It does come in at under $100 meaning that there are quite a few components made out of plastic, but there is plenty of strong and sturdy stainless steel too and this device can take some serious knocks and come out fighting.
Other things to shout about regarding this meat slicer are that: it is easy to clean and take apart; it has a decent 150-watt motor powered by a long-lasting belt; it cuts with superb precision with its 9-inch slicer, and; it is specifically designed for use in the home kitchen. The downsides of this slicer are that it can’t handle huge cuts of meat and is not really suitable for bread or frozen meats.
#Mini_Meat_Slicer #Meat_Slicing #Home_Slicer #Slicing_Meat #Small_Meat_Slicer
#7 Best Easy Clean Meat Slicer: CukAid Electric Meat Slicer Machine
If you thought a meat slicer was just for professional kitchens or delis then think again. This easy-clean meat slicer from CukAid will fit well in any conventional kitchen and we promise it will make cutting so much easier. You will find yourself buying cuts of meat you never thought possible to tackle before and slice through them with the smooth stainless steel blade. What’s more, this meat slicer is also easy to clean. The removable blade is dishwasher safe making clearing up that much easier.
Use this meat slicer for chopping up your favorite meats including beef jerky and charcuterie. Plus, you can even use this to cut up your favorite cheeses and bread for an additional delicious platter to impress your friends. This machine also comes with complete safety credentials including anti-skid sucking pads. Give it a try and if you don’t like it you CukAid offer a 30 day money back guarantee plus a 1 year replacement warranty.
#Meat_slicer #Cheese_slicer #Easy_clean #Dishwasher_safe #Kitchen #Recipes
#8 Best small electric meat slicer for cheese: Vevor’s commercial quality deli meat and cheese slicer
If you are after a high powered food slicer that is great with cheese, then this compact little number is going to be the gadget of your heart’s desires! AT just 19 by 19 by 17 inches, this slicer fits on most work surfaces and is reasonably easy to maneuver. The in-built blade sharpener means it easy to keep this operating at the top of its capacity and the heavy duty blade is also particularly durable even with regular sharpening.
Other good things about this powerful slicer are that: it has excellent safety guards that ensure your fingers stay attached; all parts that need cleaning can be detached; it is one of the fastest working slicers on this list, and; this slicer will deal with any challenges you put in its path. The downside of this slicer is that cleaning is not easy and it takes a good twenty minutes to disassemble this unit.
#Slicers #Kitchen_Slicer #Kitchen_Goods #Electric_Slicer #Electric_Chopper
#9 Best manual meat slicer for frozen meat: Befen’s stainless steel meat cutter
If you are someone who buys into the idea that electric cutters don’t produce the same kind of textured cut as a manual meat slicer, then you’ll love this product. Its powerful cutting mechanism and sturdy stainless steel frame ensure it can routinely chop even tough frozen cuts of meat in a uniform fashion. You’ll also be able to cut larger chunks of meat and veg with this device as there is no limiting food feeding tray.
Other reasons to opt for this manual meat slicer are that: it is more lightweight than it electric cousins; it gives you an added sense of control and a sense of closeness to our hunter-gathering days; it has a 1-year warranty, and; it has a very detailed manual with some great tips on how to make the most of this slicer. The downside of this slicer is that it is not electric so it does require some force an effort that an electric slicer would do for you.
#Manual_Slicer #Manual_Meat_Slicer #Manual_Deli_Slicer #Slicer #Frozen_Meat
#10 Best meat slicer for making jerky: Weston’s manual jerky slicer
In my opinion, the best jerky is always the homemade stuff! You know where it’s come from, you know what it’s been flavored with, and you know where it has been dried out. This slicer is also a good one for the purists out there as it is fully manual. Getting jerky isn’t always easy so for those living in places yet to have fully accepted modern day integration this exceptional jerky slicer can bring the taste of home to the most backward of places.
Other good things about this jerky slicer are that: it can take a hunk of meat that is 1.25-inches thick and can be as wide as 5 inches; it comes with tongs for improved hygiene; its design prevents any jamming as it cuts you hunk of meat into a maximum of 15 strips; it fits to your surface top really securely. The downsides of this device are that it is only suitable for surfaces that are only 2-inches deep and it is just for jerky.
#Jerky #Jerky_Slicer #Homemade_Jerky #Homemade_Goods #Manual_Slicer
Conclusion
Despite the meat slicer’s long history it has often been overlooked in the home kitchen. However, there are now a range of professional quality deli slicers available on the market at affordable prices. Moreover, meat slicers can actually save you time, money, and effort meaning a little extra investment today could save you a whole lot of strife and hard Wonga going forward. On this list, you’ll find a meat slicer for every budget and need to save you time searching through thousands of meat slicer reviews to find your perfect meat cutting companion!
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