Are you tired of spending countless hours slicing meat each week just to feed your family of six? That’s just one of the reasons that purchasing a meat slicer would be an excellent idea. Using a slicer instead of slicing everything by hand can save you a ton of time each day. Those already in possession of a trusty slicer have been known to shout their praises from the roof, exclaiming what used to take them two hours to slice now only takes them 15 minutes at the most. Granted, this would be in a meal planning or party scenario.
So you’ve decided that you want to buy the best slicer? If you’ve done any research on the topic, then you’ve already discovered how overwhelming the seemingly unlimited options can be. Where do you even begin when there are so many variations of a machine that accomplishes the same end goal? An exhaustive guide that covers everything you need to know about the best meat slicers is a good place to start. Once you’ve browsed through and figured out which type of slicer is best for you, take a look at our picks for the top ten meat slicers that are available today.
Benefits of Meat Slicers
Speaking of meal planning, preparing your meals for a week couldn’t be made any easier than it is when you have a handy food slicer available to you. Not only can you quickly slice through your meats and then freeze them or cook them up on the spot, but it is also a healthier way to prepare your meats. Take into consideration the number of additives, shelf extenders and other chemicals that are added to pre-packaged deli meat. When you think of the health aspect it almost seems like a no-brainer that slicing and preparing your own meats would be a better option than purchasing them in a bag that’s filled with unnecessary chemicals!
Beyond that, investing in a meat slicer can also save you money over time. If you have a large family or use a commercial slicer for a restaurant or deli, a food slicer will pay for itself almost instantly. Buying an entire roast or turkey breast, for example, is always cheaper than buying individual packs of sliced meat. After all, if the meat (or cheese) is pre-sliced and pre-packaged for you, then you end up paying for the convenience of it. If you often arrange a barbecue party, the slicer will be an excellent partner for your grill.
Let’s be realistic here, it just isn’t practical to purchase pre-packaged and pre-sliced foods when you’ve got a large gathering of people or are preparing to feed your extended family when the holiday season arrives. After all, who wants sliced deli meat instead of a fresh, juicy ham for Christmas dinner? In these situations, having a slicer saves you a ton of money, and also gives you more time that you can spend with your loved ones since you won’t be spending the entire day on food preparation. It’s an added bonus that you can just as easily slice up all your vegetables, cheeses, and breads if you invest the little bit of extra money so that you have a serrated blade and a smooth blade that are capable of slicing through nearly anything.
Here’s something else to think about: if you were to spend hours hand slicing through meats and cheese for a large gathering there are two additional issues that would very likely come in to play. Even if you don’t struggle with daily issues like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, your hands will surely be cramping up after spending several hours hand slicing tough meats and hard cheeses! In addition to that, your work would eventually become more and more sloppy. Your cuts would be uneven and you would likely tear the food up and make a big ole’ mess at time went on. Using a food slicer can easily eliminate both of these issues for you!
Chef’sChoice Food Slicer 615
This aluminum rugged Chef’sChoice slicer is ideal for slicing through bread with tough crusts, like sourdough, and meats like ham, turkey and roasts. It will even cut your vegetables, cheeses and raw meats with ease, as long as you are sure to thaw the meat out a bit beforehand. The fact that it weighs only ten pounds makes it easy to move from one location to another.
The pieces that make up this slicer are very easy to disassemble and wash within no more than five minutes! It’s best to hand wash the components that make up this slicer, particularly the blade since washing it in the dishwasher could damage the dishwasher, remove the lubricant from the driving gear and dull the blade. Want to know more about the Chef’sChoice Food Slicer? Check out all of this product’s features.
FEATURES:
- Comes with one stainless steel serrated blade that is 7 inches in diameter.
- 120 watts
- 1.25 Amp fuse
- Measures 15Lx11Wx11H inches.
- Weighs 10 pounds.
- Rubber feet help stabilize the slicer.
- Thickness control knob
- Slice deflector
- Carriage “lock/remove” control
- Cord storage compartment
- Covered by a one-year manufacturer warranty
MANUAL
PROS
Reasonable price
Can slice through any fruit, vegetable, bread, or thawed meat
Cuts foods into slices as thin as 1/8″ thin and up to 3/4 inch thick
Can easily be disassembled for cleaning
Comes with an extra fuse
CONS
Does not come with a smooth blade
Slider mechanism is plastic
Several customers claim that it is not long lasting or durable
Does not cut small chunks of meat well as the blade tends to open wider than what it is set at
Blade spins much slower than most
PRODUCT
Super Deal Commercial Stainless Steel Semi-Auto Meat Slicer
This sturdy, 35-pound Super Deal Commercial meat slicer features thick rubber stoppers that prevent the slicer from sliding during use. The slicer is small enough for home use, yet powerful enough for use by business owners and caterers. The built-in sharpener allows the whetstones to be sharpened in less than a minute! To top it off, the fixed ring guard helps cut back on accidents that would occur by unintentionally coming into contact with the blade. As if that’s not enough to sell you on the product, this slicer has more features than we even knew was possible!
FEATURES:
- 110 Volt
- 240 Watt
- Measures 19″ x 18-7/10″ x 16-1/2″.
- Weighs 35 pounds.
- 10″ stainless steel blade
- Has a speed of 530 rotations per minute
- Two whetstones
- Sharpening control buttons
- Numerical scale knob allows adjustment of blade to slice meat from shaved meat up to 1/2″ thickness.
- Two stainless steel baffle plates
- Transparent plastic plate
- Moving handle
- Fixed device handle
- Large sliced meat exit
PROS
Compact enough for home use, yet sturdy and dependable enough for commercial use
Rubber feet keep the slicer from sliding during use
Reasonably priced for a commercial grade slicer
Can easily slice through thawed meats
Built-in blade sharpener
Semi-automatic
Durable and quiet
CONS
The blade cannot be removed for cleaning without proper tools
The allen wrench that is needed to remove the blade is very difficult to find
The instruction manual is poorly translated from Chinese
It is difficult to clean
PRODUCT
Chef’sChoice 610 Electric Food Slicer
The powerful high torque motor in Chef’sChoice 610 slicer allows for fast and efficient slicing of thick roasts and other meats, breads, fruits, vegetables and cheeses. The components are easy to remove for cleaning. This unit features a convenient serving tray and a fuse that will automatically shut the slicer down in the event of a power surge. Check out all the features and pros that you can enjoy with this meat slicer!
FEATURES:
- 120 Volts
- 100 Watt motor
- Weighs 11.3 pounds
- Measures 12.4 x 16.3 x 11.9 inches
- Cast aluminum and stainless steel
- 7-inch diameter serrated blade
- Tilted, large capacity food storage
- Cantilever design
- Food deflector
- Components are easily disassembled
- Power surge protection
- Comes with a replacement fuse
PROS
Can slice deli-thin meat or up to 3/4″ thick
The components can be removed to allow for easy cleanup and handwashing of removable components
Durable
Comes with a catching/serving tray
Cuts through lightly thawed frozen meats with ease
CONS
The gear that turns the blade is plastic and wears down quickly when cutting frozen meats
The quality is mediocre
Sometimes we had issues with the screws that hold the blade in place
Thickness dial has issues with slipping
Does not come with a smooth blade
Blade lubricant has to be reapplied often
PRODUCT
Chef’sChoice 6090000 Food Slicer
Chef’sChoice offers two different options for this slicer, with the aluminum slicer being the more budget-friendly of the two. The other option is a stainless steel slicer. This model features one serrated blade that is ideal for cutting through breads, hard cheeses and non-deli meat. Suction cup feet prevent the product from sliding during use and the lightweight and compact frame makes this slicer easy to store in a cabinet when not in use if you don’t want it taking up counter space. Don’t you hate it when you spend your hard earned cash on a product that won’t even stay stable during use?
FEATURES:100 Watts110 VoltsWeighs 10.3 pounds.Measures 10.5 x 15.5 x 11 in.Suction cup feet
PROS
Can be adjusted to make up to 3/4″ thick slices
Perfectly slices through frozen meats
Protected by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty
Parts can be easily removed for ease of cleaning
Able to slice meats and cheeses so thin that you can nearly see through them
Can cut through meat with small bones, like oxtail
CONS
Does not cut hot or freshly cooked meat well
Only comes with a serrated blade, which is not ideal for slicing thin deli meats
Lubricant must be applied to gears and the back of the blade regularly
Not suitable for commercial use
Plastic drive gear wears down quickly with regular use
PRODUCT
Chef’sChoice 6090000 Food Slicer
Weston Heavy Duty Food 9-Inch Slicer
The Weston slicer is perfect for slicing perfect pieces of jerky, deli-thin meat and juicy steaks. The stainless steel design helps prevent rusting and the blade is easily removable, which makes cleanup a breeze. The fact that this slicer is compact makes transporting and storing easier than with competitor’s products. The added suction feet help to keep the slicer stable during use, preventing any mishaps from happening. Check out the great things that customers have to say about this home slicer.
PRODUCT
Weston Heavy Duty Food 9-Inch Slicer (61-0901-W)
KWS Premium Commercial 320w Electric Meat Slicer
This KWS Premium commercial grade slicer is the first one in this list that features a Teflon coating that covers the 10″ stainless steel blade. This Teflon coating ensures that the blade remains free from rust regardless of how many times you use and clean this unit! Having a Teflon blade also means that you will be able to cut down on the amount of time you spend cleaning the blade during the slicing of produce.
This slicer includes a dual built-in whetstone sharpener, as well as a guard ring that makes it easier and safer to slice meats, fruits, vegetables and cheese. The motor gives you the best of both worlds – it’s powerful, yet produces only a low level of noise. To top it all off, the removable tray is designed in such a way that you can easily access areas that are hard to reach during cleaning on other slicers, which eliminates the risk of passing bacteria to your food. If you aren’t already sold on this amazing product, just trust us when we say that it gets even better from here!
PRODUCT
ARKSEN Electric Meat Slicer
ARKSEN has successfully delivered one of the most budget-friendly slicers. For a low price, this product can meet all of your personal slicing needs. Fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese and bread can all be sliced through with ease when using this home slicer. The serrated 7.5-inch blade that comes with the slicer is perfect for cutting through both deli and almost fully frozen meats, and for a small price you can purchase a smooth blade that will meet the rest of your slicing needs. Are you not quite sold? Take a moment to weight out the pros and cons of this bargain-priced slicer.
PRODUCT
ARKSEN Electric Meat Slicer 7.5″ Blade Home Deli Meat Food Slicer Premium Home Kitchen, 180 Watt
Tangkula 9″ Blade Commercial Meat Slicer
If you’re looking for a slicer to use in your butcher shop, restaurant, kitchen, deli, or even at home, then this Tangkula commercial meat slicer is one of the top ones that you should consider before making your purchase. It can slice through nearly anything with ease, from breads to almost fully frozen meats, although it is not recommended that you use it to cut through thick bones as it can dull the blade and wear down on the motor. Many slicers struggle with cutting through freshly cooked meat, but that is no match for this powerhouse of a slicer.
PRODUCT
KWS Premium Commercial 420w Electric Meat Slicer 12″
This KitchenWare Station meat slicer is the biggest, sturdiest slicer on the market! Weighing in at over 60 pounds, it’s best to pick a permanent spot for this monster of a product and leave it. As is the case with the other KWS in this list, this 12-inch smooth blade is coated with Teflon to prevent rusting and ensure that you get that perfect cut every time, even after slicing through 300+ pounds of meat a week.
The sticker price on this item can be a little intimidating, but the pros of this slicer far outweigh the cons, making this one of the best commercial slicers on the market. No vegetable, cheese or frozen meat will be a challenge for you to slice if you choose this slicer for your business.
PROS
Quiet
High quality and durable
Powerful motor
Covered by a one year manufacturer’s warranty
Cleanup is fairly quick and simple, with easily removable parts
Can be used at home or commercially
CONS
Expensive
Difficult to return through manufacturer
PRODUCT
Buyer’s Guide
If you thought that was all there was to learn about slicers, think again. Beyond deciding what type of slicer you want to purchase, there are a few additional things that you should take into consideration.
Types of Slicers
Types of Slicers that it truly is in your best option to go ahead and buy that slicer that you’ve been thinking of springing for. The question now is: which one do you buy where there are so many options? Don’t get overwhelmed with all the varying models that you will surely come across. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide which type of food slicer is best for you.
Commercial versus Home
The first step you should take is narrowing down your search to include those slicers which will best serve your needs. Are you buying a meat slicer for personal use or to produce mass amounts of sliced meats, cheeses, veggies and breads for a commercial business?
While some companies offer models that are suitable for both personal and commercial use, the majority of slicers fall into one category or the other.You can typically determine which type of slicer you are looking at based off of the size and weight of it. Home slicers are typically around ten pounds and have a compact design, while commercial slicers weigh 30+ pounds and have a sturdier design. Another tell-tale sign is the type of feet on the product. Home slicers usually have suction feet and commercial slicers have thicker rubber feet.
Manual, Automatic or Semi-Automatic?
A manual slicer sounds like a great way to save money on a slicer, right? Perhaps you will want to rethink that when you understand why most people bypass manual slicers. First off, they are only ideal for home kitchen use.
More importantly, they are not nearly as safe, quick, precise, or hygienic as their automatic and semi-automatic counterparts. Automatic and semi-automatic slicers vary slightly. Automatic slicers, as you would imagine, can get the job done with little assistance from you. Semi-automatic slicers require that you grasp a handle and guide the tray back and forth, but have a propelling mechanism built into the design.
Vertical versus Gravity
As you can imagine, vertical slicer machines feature a plate that is perpendicular to the blade. Vertical slicers take up minimal space, are great for slicing meat, and will give you excellent uniformity and precision in your slices. However, you will have to apply some force when guiding the food along the blade.
Gravity slicers, on the other hand, feature an inclined plate that allows the food to automatically glide across the blade. Gravity slicers are larger, due to their design, but they are recommended for slicing everything other than meat and are also easier to operate than vertical slicer machines.
Gear Driven versus Belt Driven
The different between a gear driven and a belt driven slicer is simple. Gear driven slicers are more common and provide you with a more reliable and efficient slicing mechanism. These are ideal if you have to slice large quantities of food, but they are also more expensive than the alternative. A belt driven slicer will go easier on your wallet, but won’t provide the same results you would get from a slicer that is gear driven. These are ideal for slicing smaller amounts of food and aren’t a bad option for those looking for a home slicer.
How To Choose the Best Meat Slicer
You need to consider several factors.
Size
You’ve already learned that home slicers and vertical slicers take up the smallest amount of room, which is an important factor to take into consideration if you are working with a limited amount of space. Home meat slicers are typically compact and lightweight enough to allow for easy transport and storage. That means that you can tuck your slicer away in a cabinet when you are using it if you opt for a smaller slicer.
Blade Size and Design
A larger slicer will often feature a larger blade and a larger catching tray. All of these things will allow you to slice through larger slices of food, creating lengthier cuts. Some people purchase a slicer and simply use the blade that comes with it. However, it is a better idea to invest a little extra cash to ensure that you have a smooth and serrated blade on hand. Serrated blades are best for slicing bread and cheese, while smooth blades do a better job of making paper-thin cuts out of deli meats.
Power
Not all slicers are made the same. Some are more certainly of a lower quality, and the power of the motor is often a good hint as to whether or not you are dealing with a higher quality product. In general, stronger motors lead to better-looking food products and they also are able to cut through a larger amount of food before burning out.
Noise
Fortunately, most automatic and semi-automatic slicers now produce a low level of noise. However, there is always an exception to the rule. If it’s important to you to not have to constantly hear the humming of a food slicer, then be sure to investigate what customers say about the noise level of the slicer that you are interested in.
Safety
Safety is another one of those areas in which it’s best to check customer reviews. It’s important to remember that even if a manufacturer claims that they have additional safety features built-in to their product, it is the customers who will always tell the truth when it comes to safety. If there is a safety concern with the product that you are investigating, it surely will not be difficult to find countless reviews of customers either praising or warning against the safety of that item.
NOTE: All slicers should have certain safety features that include a blade guard, hand guides, an on/off switch and either suction or rubber feet.
Helpful Tips for Using a Meat Slicer
If you are one of the unfortunate souls who end up purchasing a slicer that has a poorly translated manual, you can reference this guide to learn a few helpful tips for using a meat slicer.
Serrated blades are best for slicing bread and cheese, while smooth blades are best for achieving paper-thin cuts with deli meats.
Cold food and partially frozen meats typically make less of a mess and are easier to cut. Warm cheeses and freshly cooked foods often tear and make a mess when using most slicers.
You should never force the sliding plate, just gently guide it and let it do its thing.
It’s best to cut food in half before slicing so that you have a flat surface to work with. Also, consider cutting the food down to size so that it fits into the slicer. This will keep the thickness adjustment from faltering and leaving you with uneven cuts.
Do not try to slice through bone, seeds or fully frozen meats. This can wear down the motor of your slicer and quickly dull the blade.
Keep your hands away from the blade! These blades can and will slice into, or through, your finger if you get too close. Don’t rush the process, take your time so that you don’t have any slip ups and make use of the guide handles to ensure that your fingers stay far away from the blade.
Always wear cut resistant gloves when working with a meat slicer.
Keep the area clutter-free.
Lock the blade when it’s not in use.
Don’t reach across the slicer.
Be careful when cleaning, particularly when handling the blade.
Make sure that you thoroughly clean your slicer after every use. Sometimes you will need to wipe it clean while slicing if you are cutting through a ton of food.
How to Clean a Meat Slicer
When cleaning a meat slicer it is important to know the most common places that food can build up. This frequently happens around the ring guard, blade guards, slicer handles, and between the slicer and gear. Take your time when cleaning and be sure to clean all of the food out of these nooks and crannies to prevent bacteria from building up. If seems, seals or gaskets are cracked or worn down, then that could lead to bacteria building up as well.
You may want to wipe the slicer down between cutting different things, perhaps when transitioning from cutting cheese to cutting meats for example. If you are continually using your slicer in a commercial business, the FDA recommends fully cleaning the slicer every 4 hours.
You should always wear cut resistant gloves during cleaning and follow the instructions in the manual when disassembling the components. Keep steel wool away from the machine as it can scratch and compromise the components. Also keep in mind that the slicer should not ever be fully submerged and that the components are not dishwasher safe.
When cleaning your slicer, follow these 10 steps:
Turn off and unplug the machine.
Put the gauge plate in the fully closed position and ensure that the sharpening stone is out of the way.
Remove all parts that are removable. This may include the blade, product tray, slice deflector, and center plate.
Use kitchen paper to wipe the slicer and components clean of any large food residue.
Use water, a neutral detergent and a non-scratch sponge to wash the removable components and wipe down the rest of the slicer.
NOTE: You can leave the blade intact and use either a 1:1 water to detergent ratio or a degreaser spray to clean the blade. Wipe from the center outward.
Rinse everything, making sure that it is free of soap and detergent.
Let the removable components air dry.
Use a meat slicing sanitizer spray to wipe down the rest of the machine (you can also use this on the blade after cleaning), then wipe it clean with a warm wet rag.
Reapply a lubricant to the rear of the blade or the gears before reassembling.
Once everything is dry you can reassemble your slicer.
NOTE: Some slicers require that a certain brand of lubricant be used, while others allow for the use of any food-safe lubricant.
Winner:Winner: KWS Premium Commercial 320w Electric Meat Slicer 10″
Amongst those that are in the running, only one can come out on top, winning the award for the overall best meat slicer. When choosing the best of the best we were looking for a few things: price, power, quality, durability and usability. While many of the slicers in this list are offered at a fraction of the price, we feel that the KWS Premium Commercial 320w Electric Meat Slicer 10″ with Non-sticky Teflon Blade offers the best “bang for your buck”. As far as pricing goes, this product falls right in the middle of the list at the price point it is listed at. Ultimately, we feel that the features of this slicer, along with all of its positive points, make this slicer well worth the money. It has a powerful, yet quiet motor that is paired with a Teflon blade that will last far longer than blades found on competitor’s models. This is true even if you are using the slicer in a commercial setting, slicing hundreds of pounds of meats, vegetables and cheeses every week. The powerful motor and the quality and durability of this machine make it ideal for commercial use, while the size of it allows you to use it for personal use.