We use sliced meats for a whole host of things; sandwiches, platters, salads and much more. But have you seen the price of pre-sliced meats in the supermarkets these days? Just recently, we were in one of the leading supermarkets (we’ll mention no names), and they were trying to charge over £3 for five very small slices of ham. OK, it was very nice-looking ham and no doubt it tasted delicious, but two sandwiches and it would have been gone.If, like us, you aren’t willing to keep wasting your hard-earned money on overpriced sliced meat, then you might want to invest in a meat slicer. Now look, we’ll level with you, the initial cost of these pieces of equipment can be a little high. However, if you buy a quality meat slicer that’s going to last a lifetime, what you’ll save over that time will far exceed what you spend on the meat slicer in the first place.
Meat slicers aren’t the most commonly seen piece of kitchen equipment in UK homes, so a lot of people are unfamiliar with what to look for. In this guide, we will be introducing you to some of the best meat slicers on the market and telling you everything you need to know to help you buy the best product for your kitchen. Which is the best meat slicer on the market? See below for our meat slicer buying guide.
Table of contents
What Is a Meat Slicer?
A meat slicer goes by many names including a deli slicer, a slicing machine and even just a slicer. But these names all refer to the same piece of equipment which is used for slices both meats and cheeses to your desired thickness. Some slicers are even suitable for frozen meats and semi-frozen meat.While you could be forgiven for thinking that this type of prep work would be much simpler with a knife, it’s actually a lot more hard work. A good meat slicer makes it as good as effortless for the kitchen worker.
Older versions of the meat slicer would normally be operated using a crank but the more recent models are powered by electricity. In any case, you are able to adjust the thickness making these machines incredibly versatile.
Choosing the Best Meat Slicer for Your Kitchen
You will notice that there are a good deal of meat slicers on the market and this can make things somewhat confusing, especially if this is the first time you’re buying this type of equipment. But don’t let that put you off; our handy buying tips will point you in the right direction.
Meat Slicer Blade
We like to think we are pretty clued up when it comes to blades and this is one of the most important features to look at when choosing a meat slicer. You see, even if the meat slicer has a really powerful motor, that won’t make it perform well if the blade is inferior.There are two things you will need to think about when deciding between blades; the type and the size. Commercial electric meat slicers tend to have the biggest and most effective blades but there are lots of domestic meat slicers that can be just as efficient. Normally, a domestic food slicer will have a blade size of 7-inch and it will typically be a serrated stainless steel blade. The benefit of the serrated blade is that it makes the meat slicer more suitable for cutting smaller portions. On the downside, you’ll find that the raw meat sometimes sticks so you’ll need to stop halfway through the job to clean the blade.
If you want to go for a commercial model which is a premium electric meat slicer then you’ll be able to slice much larger portions without any worry of the blade clogging up. Unlike a domestic model, the commercial meat slicers have a flat blade and a very powerful motor to help it perform its best.
Meat Slicer Motor
Perhaps even more important than the blade, the motor of the electric meat slicer is one of the most essential things to consider. If this doesn’t have the get up and go to power the machine then the meat slicer's blade may as well be rendered useless. The motor will determine the speed that the blade spins and as a direct result of this, your blade will be more efficient at meat slicing and will cut more smoothly through thick or thin slices.There are lots of different options but if you want something neither too commercial or not quite good enough then look for something around the 120-watt mark. But there is another figure you will need to consider when looking at the motor and this is the RPM. This tells you how many times the motor turns the stainless steel blade in one minute, the higher the number, the faster the blade will spin and slice meat. A faster blade equals quicker and more efficient slicing.
User Friendliness
Whether you are a meat slicer pro or are totally new to this type of equipment, you’ll want something that doesn’t require a phD to figure out. Looking for products that have user-friendly features is a must and there are three key aspects to look out for.The first is that the electric food slicer comes with a safety food pusher and that the food carriage is the right size for what you’ll be cutting. Secondly, you’ll need to make sure that the machine comes apart easily which will make cleaning and maintenance a cinch. Finally, you should look at how easy it is to adjust the meat slicer.
We touched on cleaning and maintenance there and that’s something else that’s important when you’re thinking about how easy a meat slicer is to use. Generally speaking, meat slicers are pretty easy tools to look after and you’ll really only need to worry about keeping the blade sharp and making sure the tool is cleaned after each use.
When it comes to sharpening the blade, this isn’t something you would typically do at home. In most cases, you’ll take your meat slicer to a professional who will be able to do the job safely and correctly. However, if you don’t want the hassle of having to take your meat slicer to the shop then commercial slicers might be the right choice for you. This is because many of these have built-in sharpening systems so maintenance suddenly becomes that much easier.
Meat Slicer Safety
Anything that has a blade has the scope to cause serious injury so there’s no point in choosing a meat slicer that isn’t safe to use. The good news is that all good meat slicers come with safety features that help to prevent injuries. The most important safety feature to look out for is one that has a safety food pusher. This prevents you from having to have your fingers anywhere near the blade. You’ll also need to ensure that the food is secured such as with a meat grip arm, and won’t move around during cutting.
Meat Slicers - Our Top Picks
If you have already started shopping for an affordable slicer then you will know just how many products there are out there. This can feel a little confusing, especially if this is the first time you’re buying a meat slicer. Using our handy buying guide above will give you all the information you need. So, instead of trawling the internet and meat slicer reviews for hours on end, why not check out the best meat slicers that we love for perfectly sliced meat?KITCHENER Meat Deli Cheese Food Slicer
One of the things that we love about this meat slicer is how efficient and reliable it is. It’ll produce clean, consistent cuts and has a powerful 150 watt motor to make sure that the job is done right every time. What’s more, the Kitchener meat slicer is incredibly safe to use and comes with a pusher so you can keep your fingers well out of the way.
By no means is this what we would call a budget meat slicer, it does come with a slightly higher price tag than other products. But what you get for this is a robust and well-built piece of equipment that’s easy to use and maintain. The combination of stainless steel and aluminium makes this a very hygienic piece of equipment.
You will also notice how versatile the Kitchener meat slicer is. It comes with an easy-to-use adjustment knob that allows you to cut everything from thick board meats through to thinly sliced deli cuts. It’s great if you like to mix things up in the kitchen.
Progress EK3683P
We had to include this meat slicer purely because of how affordable it is. If you’re shopping on a budget but don’t want to compromise on quality then this is an excellent option. It’s also a good choice for people who aren’t going to use a meat slicer every day but want one in their kitchen cupboard for when the moment calls for it.
It’s every bit as versatile as the previous model we looked at with the option to adjust the thickness between 1mm and 15mm. What’s more, this is all done via a simple knob located on the back of the slicer so there are no complicated routines to using it.
This is one of the safer machines as it features a thumb guard and non-slip feet. However, we did notice that it doesn’t come with a pusher tool which does let it down slightly. That said, for a budget product, it’s not the end of the world. And when you consider how well made this one is, using stainless steel, this is a meat slicer worth considering.
Buffalo Meat Slicer
If you’re in the market for a commercial meat slicer that prepares deli meat then this one blows all others out of the water. Yes, it does require a bit of an investment but you’re getting a tool that’s really going to stand the test of time and that will perform excellently.
It’s made from anodised aluminium, a material that has been shown to last more than 40 years when properly cared for. Not only this but it won’t fade or scratch so your meat slicer will remain looking its best for a lifetime.
Of course, it isn’t all about looks and how the meat slicer performs is just something else worth getting excited about. With ball bearings to ensure smooth action of the food carriage and easy adjustments, the Buffalo meat slicer ensures the perfect cut every time. What’s more, it’s a heavier model so there’s no risk of it slipping and sliding during use; perfect for commercial kitchens or domestic chefs who want something that little bit extra special. This is an excellent meat slicer.
