In this article, you will learn how to choose a household helper such as an electric household slicer.
The slicer cannot be called a basic necessity, of course. But, despite this, it is gaining more and more popularity and takes root in the kitchens of housewives who are not indifferent to technical progress. Moreover, you can cut on it not only sausage and cheeses, but also vegetables, and into rings. And this is a very popular form of cutting for many dishes, but not every food processor can handle it.
But the main thing is that the slicer shreds cabbage perfectly! For lovers of borscht and other dishes made from this vegetable, such a device is just a godsend.
In what cases the slicer should not be purchased
Any slicer is a mini circular. And no matter how protected it is, it is still a high-risk technique. And, if you have children under eight in your house, then you should not make such a purchase. Moreover, the slicer is a large enough device and it is advisable to install it permanently, and not put it in a cabinet after each use.
Also, it is not really necessary if you are not addicted to sandwiches. If such snacks are rare for you, then buy a slicer for slicing bread and vegetables. By and large, slicing a loaf of bread is a matter of five minutes; it is also better to cut vegetables with a knife than to disassemble and wash the slicer.
Here is sausage and cheese - yes, it is not so easy to cut them thinly. And with a slicer - just beauty! Cut a lot at once, put it in a container and use it. And it is convenient and products are consumed more economically.
See also - Which fryer is better to buy for the home - rating of 2019
What security features should a slicer have?
- Locking in case of unintentional activation
- Rubber feet, as without them the slicer could move in the process, leading to serious injury
- Protective cover on the knife
- Special support for the hands, as without it there is a high risk of injury
- Studded product pusher (if you have one, you don't need to hold the product in your hands at all)
If your chosen model does not have these functions, then it is better to refuse to purchase.
Important factors in choosing a slicer
Quality and shape of the knife
The quality of steel for a circular knife is the most important thing. If it becomes blunt quickly, then such a slicer will bring you too much trouble. Firstly, sharpening is not cheap, and secondly, very often the quality of the cut slices will not be very good, to put it mildly. The bread will crumble, the sausage will come out with torn edges, the pieces of cheese will break. And why then a slicer?
Therefore, there is no need to save on steel. It is desirable that the knife is self-sharpening, with wavy edges.
And the best blade manufacturer is Solingen. This is an old German brand specializing in the production of kitchen knives and they are truly timeless. Reputable firms for the production of household appliances, it is with them that the slicers are completed and this is necessarily indicated in the instructions for the device.
In addition, the shape of the sharpening is important.Plain, straight, dull over time and copes with cutting only solid products (cheese, sausage, vegetables). The wavelike edge, on the other hand, guarantees perfect slicing of bread, soft ham and other products that tend to crumble.
Slicing thickness: an important aspect
All slicers have the ability to adjust the slicing thickness. Be sure to pay attention to this when choosing. The larger the range, the more maneuver. That is, you can cut not only cheeses and sausages, but also bread, as well as a variety of vegetables.
Usually the gap is between 1 mm and 17 mm (1.7 cm). The finest gaps are good for dry sausages, and the widest gaps are good for bread or fruit.
Adjusting the switching speed
If this function is not provided in the model, then the shape of the knife sharpening will not matter. If it is consistently high, then the wavy knife will not cut soft bread.
High speed for hard food, low speed for soft food. Therefore, we advise you not to use a fixed speed slicer.
Device power: which one to stop at
Slicers are quite economical in terms of energy consumption. Most models produce only 100 W of power, which is quite enough for home, infrequent use. If you understand that you will be using the device more often than a couple of times a day, then it makes sense to take a closer look at the models that consume 200 watts. Such slicers are more hardy and can handle even frozen bacon, which is not available to weaker devices.
It is also very convenient if the slicer is equipped with a tray for folding the pieces. Also, there is a compartment for storing the cord. Another very good thing is the possibility of embedding into the worktop using special bolts.
Top 5 best slicers
Ritter E 16 Is a well-established brand. Slicer in a metal case, has a special holder for small products. Power 160 W. Speed control is present.
mile EFS 980 - folding model, which is very convenient for small kitchens. Knife with a wave-like sharpening, there is a speed adjustment, the range of slices is from 1 mm to 15 mm. The disadvantage of this model is that it is not stable enough due to its low weight. Power 150 watts.
ZELMER 294.6 - heavy and solid slicer, also made of metal. Has protection against turning on, cutting range from 1 mm to 15, there is protection against accidental turning on. But the speed cannot be changed and this is a big minus. Power 200 W.
Bosch MAS 4201N - this brand produces the safest models. There is also a cover and finger guard and a special button to prevent accidental start. The knife is wavy, and the thickness of the slices is from 1 mm to 15 mm. Power 100 W.
Gorenje R506E - a large, stationary slicer, weighing almost 4.3 kg. Power 110 W, cutting thickness from 1 mm to 15 mm, no speed regulation. In our opinion, not the most successful model for the house, since its width is about 50 cm, it will take up too much space.
Now you know how to choose a household item like an electric slicer for your home. We really hope that the information will be useful to you!
See also - 10 best slicers for home
