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Meat slicers, also known as food slicers, are an excellent tool that will make your cooking experience much faster and easier.
Instead of tiring your arm manually slicing each individual item for your sandwich, simply put the ingredients in the slicer and it will create even, clean slices for you in seconds.
In this review, we're going to highlight the best meat slicers on the market.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Meat Slicers
- OUR TOP PICK: Elite Gourmet EMT-503B
- Chef'sChoice 6090000 Food Slicer
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Nesco FS-250 Food Slicer
Comparison of the Best Meat Slicers
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What Makes a Great Meat Slicer?
Meat slicers are a great appliance to have, whether in your own kitchen to save you some extra time and energy or in a commercial kitchen where speed and efficiency are essential.
They may seem like simple machines, but there are many features to pay attention to that influence their performance and usability.
Blade
Not surprisingly, the blade is the most important part of the slicer. This is the piece that will actually be handling and cutting the food, so you want to make sure it’s the specific type you want.
There are two main types of blade edges: smooth or serrated.
Smooth-edge blades are ideal for softer foods, such as vegetables and lean meats. Serrated-edge blades are better for thicker things like dense meats and bread.
Blades are typically between 7-9 inches in diameter, and you can usually purchase an extra blade so you can switch blades depending on what you’re slicing.
Safety Features
Meat slicers are extremely convenient appliances, but they can also become dangerous if you aren’t careful.
It is best to get models with a switch safety feature, which are designed so you can’t turn the machine on by accident.
It is also essential to have a good blade guard and hand guard for your protection.
Usability
The purpose of a meat slicer is to make your job easier, so you want one that is easy to use.
As we discussed, they can also be dangerous, so it is even more essential to have one that is straightforward to avoid any mistakes or confusion that could lead to an accidental injury.
Look for features like detachable parts for easy cleanup or rubber feet that improve stability.
What is a Meat Slicer Best For?
Popular in delis and cafes, meat slicers can save you a lot of time and energy. Particularly if you are preparing food for a lot of people, they make the entire process much easier and simpler.
They are most commonly used for slicing meat for sandwiches, but can be used for any type of food. You can use them with all kinds of things like vegetables, cheeses, and bread.
Manually slicing takes a long time and can also be more dangerous. There is still a risk of getting cut by a meat slicer, but there are many safety features in place to prevent this from happening.
If you are cutting things up by hand, there is always a chance your hand could slip and cause a significant injury, especially if you are slicing up a large quantity of food because, as more time passes, you might not pay as careful attention.
Meat slicers make the process much simpler. Just put the food on the food carriage, set it to the thickness you want, make sure you aren’t near the blade, and you’re ready to go. It will create thin and even slices.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Meat Slicers
Here are the top three best meat slicers:
Review of the Best Meat Slicers
Now let’s move on to the product review section. We’ll look at a variety of different models. Most are best suited for at-home use, but there are a couple that would work great in a commercial setting, as well.
Best Meat Slicer Under $100:
Elite Gourmet EMT-503B Maxi-Matic Electric Food Slicer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
With its stainless steel construction and affordable price tag, this meat slicer is backed by a range of positive customer feedback. Buyers have used it to slice huge quantities of meat and have reported it to create really thin slices with good consistency. Moreover, buyers of this product purchased it for home use and have found it very helpful.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit has an all-black, good looking exterior, along with stainless steel, durable construction. It can slice a range of foods and meats, all at a rather affordable price. Therefore, this affordable yet highly efficient and functional machine stands out from others in the market.
Who Will Use This Most
As we read the buyer reports, we discovered that the machine is a better choice for home use than for commercial use. Its sustainability is decent enough for a professional, commercial kitchen, but is still more suited for home use. Moreover, people who need a meat slicer but won’t be using it rigorously can buy this since it is not very expensive.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this electric meat slicer is all about performance and good looks. It has an amazing price to performance ratio. It is made with premium-quality, die-cast aluminum and stainless steel parts meant to last for a long time. It also features an easy-to-use adjustment knob and is backed by a useful user guide.
This model is perfect if you’re looking for something super-affordable but still of great quality. It is made of die-cast aluminum with a removable and retractable 7.5-inch stainless steel blade.
The blade can be adjusted to make slices razor-thin to half an inch thickness. It can slice a variety of foods, including all kinds of meat, cheese, and bread. It has an efficient, sleek design and is supported by rubber feet for increased stability. It includes an on/off switch for safety.
This slicer is great for its price. It does everything you need it to do. Just adjust the blade for the thickness you want and you can slice basically anything. Some of its pieces don’t detach, which can make it a little harder to clean, but overall it is a quality, user-friendly slicer.
Best Meat Slicer Under $200:
Chef'sChoice 6090000 Food Slicer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers report that this unit is perfect for cutting through frozen meat. A lot of buyers have also used it particularly for rapid slicing and have found it to be safe and reliable, too. Moreover, buyer reports suggest that it also has an incredibly strong and sturdy build, which further made it a really satisfactory purchase.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most distinctive feature of this meat slicer is its construction quality. It features an aluminum-made adjustment knob that proves to truly sturdy and durable, along with stainless steel blades that also guarantee safety and hygiene. Plus, its incredible design also has a plastic-made rail with minimum friction.
Another great, affordable option from Chef’sChoice is the Model 6090000 Food Slicer. It has a cast-aluminum body and seven-inch stainless steel blade.
It is powered by a gear-driven, cool-running, and high-torque motor that uses about 100 watts, so it is reliable with a smooth operation.
It also has important safety features, including an on/off switch, handguard, and a safety button that keeps the food carriage in its locked position so the blade is not exposed when not in use.
Who Will Use This Most
Even though the majority of the buyers are home users, we still think that it is great for people who want to use it professionally or in commercial kitchens. Due to its strong and durable build, it will be a good investment for the long term.
Bottom Line
Wrapping it up, this is an outstanding product by one of the market-leading manufacturing brands. The only downside is that it is no longer manufactured, so you may have to purchase a used product. Other than that, the affordability of the machine, along with its incredible design and build quality make it a great investment.
This model is powerful, efficient, and easy to use. The motor is quiet, so using it will be less disruptive than with other slicers.
You may have to keep an eye on the adjuster knob to keep it from moving, but overall, it is consistent and powerful enough to cleanly slice through denser food.
Best Home Meat Slicer:
Nesco FS-250 180-Watt Food Slicer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers of this meat slicer range from home users to restaurant owners. The diverse customer base of this product speaks volumes about its performance quality. Buyer reports suggest that the machine has a rather compact size that fits well into small-sized kitchens but works just as great as larger options. Many home users have also bought it as their first meat slicer and repor satisfactory user experience.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most distinctive feature of this meat slicer is its size and home-use specific design. It has a powerful motor, packed into a stainless steel body. It is a smaller version of a large-scale meat slicer, which further makes it a reliable product. It also comes backed by a user guide that buyers report is truly helpful. Therefore, this product stands out to us.
This next model is our top pick if you’re looking for a quality slicer to use from the comfort of your own kitchen.
It has a 180-watt motor and a detachable 8.7-inch hardened stainless steel blade, which is larger than the other models we’ve discussed so far. It also has serrated blade handles and a stainless steel food carriage. The rotation speed is a little slow, but the blade is sharp and heavy, slicing through tough meat easily.
Who Will Use This Most
We would strongly recommend this meat slicer to home users. It can be used for many types of foods and meats, and is good for professional kitchens, as well. The price tag is also relatively affordable and, therefore, can be bought by people with a lower budget.
Bottom Line
Wrapping it up, this all-silver, stainless steel meat slicer with die-cast aluminum construction is an efficient product in the market. It can be used for slicing many types of meats reliably. It has a reliable and easy-to-use adjustment knob, along with a detailed user manual that adds further convenience.
The Nesco FS-250 is a durable and powerful slicer that would be a great addition to your home kitchen. It has important safety features and is larger than other models, allowing you to slice a wider variety of food. It is also easy to use and clean.
Best Commercial Meat Slicer:
BESWOOD 10" Chromium-plated Carbon Steel Blade Electric Meat Slicer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers report that this meat slicer is actually very easy to clean. Its user-friendliness truly satisfies buyers. Moreover, the majority of the buyers have used it for commercial purposes and reported it to have lasted for a long time, providing great performance. Buyers also comment on the affordable price of this unit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The construction quality and design of this meat slicer are remarkable. The commercial-grade meat slicer has a chromium-plated, top-notch construction along with steel blades designed to cut through all types of foods and meat finely. It also has intelligent features such as the double illuminated on/off button that prevents protection from power shocks.
This meat slicer is a heavy-duty model designed for a commercial settings such as restaurants and cafes, but can be used at home, as well. Keep in mind, this model is much bulkier than other slicers, weighing a little over 30 pounds.
It has a premium Chromium-plated carbon steel blade. The blade is made to last as it is protected from corrosion and requires infrequent sharpening. It is also USA-standard approved by the ETL, NSF, AND FDA.
It has many essential safety features and is extremely durable, able to slice through a wide range of foods, from vegetables to tough meats and cheeses.
Who Will Use This Most
With its complex, yet sturdy design, we would strongly recommend this product to professional cooks, restaurant owners, and for those involved in commercial-level meat slicing. It can be used for homes as well, but the price tag might be too much for some people who only want to use it once in a while.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this is the best commercial-grade meat slicer you will find in the market. It has a remarkable, notable construction quality along with a good-looking appearance too. Overall, it proves to be a great product in terms of ease of cleaning, ease of use, and durability, as well.
This heavy-duty slicer is designed to be long-lasting and can slice through large quantities of food efficiently. It is powerful while still being precise and quiet when in use, making it a great option for a restaurants, delis, or cafes.
Best Electric Meat Slicer:
Chef’sChoice 610 Electric Food Slicer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This electric meat slicer is backed by several customer reviews that imply that the machine is of great use for home purposes. The majority of buyers comment positively on its ease of use. They also find it easy to clean, further satisfying them. Plus, buyers report the customer support with this unit to be of great help, too.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This electric food slicer has a compact size, yet notable functionality and performance. It is a truly multipurpose unit with its stainless steel blades, along with its reliable and sturdy carriage plates that securely lock into place when not in use. It also has a smart design featuring a cord storage space for better management.
Our favorite electric meat slicer is the Model 610 from Chef’sChoice. It is made of aluminum and stainless steel with a powerful 120-volt motor.
It is fairly large and has a tilted, retractable food carriage big enough to hold entire roasts. The slicer can create slices that range from deli thin to ¾-inch thick.
This model is also easy to clean. The blade, food carriage, food pusher, food deflector, and thickness guide can all be detached for washing.
It has multiple safety features, including an intermittent and continuous on/off switch and a safety button that locks the food carriage into position.
Who Will Use This Most
Buyers suggest that the product is perfect for slicing any type of food. From bread to meats, this unit is multipurpose and highly functional. Therefore, we recommend this top-notch, high-quality, and well-built unit to everyone, whether home users or professionals.
Bottom Line
Chef’sChoice has never disappointed its customers when it comes to providing some of the best kitchen appliances. Similarly, this outstanding unit is no different and therefore, has a lot of value to add to your investment. It has an easy-to-use design with a compact construction and a cord storage option, too.
Overall, this slicer is very sturdy and powerful. It can handle larger, denser food easily and has a decent range of slice thickness. It has a slower spinning speed, but still works efficiently and has a design that is made to last a long time.
6. Chef'sChoice 6150000 Food Slicer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A range of buyers used this machine to slice not only basic meat like turkey and beef but were also able to make great use of it for slicing cheese, bacon, and even frozen meat. Moreover, buyers also report that the manufacturer provides great customer support, which further made their user experience great. Buyer reports also suggest that the machine is able to create consistently thin slices.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The versatility of any slicer stands out to us most. The reason this machine impresses us so much is its color variety. You get to choose from two colors, enabling you to match the machine with your kitchen’s interior. In addition, the unit also has an intelligent design, including a cord storage space that makes it a sophisticated machine.
Let’s start with our top choice, the Chef’s Choice 6150000. This slicer has an engine with a power of 120 watts. It has a multipurpose serrated blade made from stainless steel with a seven-inch diameter. There is also a smooth-edge blade that can be purchased separately.
It has a great design that is easy to operate. It includes a tilted food carriage that fully retracts when not in use. The slicer mechanism moves smoothly, and there are precision thickness controls you can use to create slices that range from deli-thin to about one-inch thick.
Who Will Use This Most
We would strongly recommend this machine to people who want to slice bacon in very thin slices. Moreover, it is also incredible for cutting frozen meat, so if you have less time and can’t defrost the meat, this machine will be great for you. It’s a good unit for home use.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, this meat slicer proves to be truly beneficial for all types of user needs. From cutting cheese to cutting beef, it is truly functional. It is also a rather affordable, value-adding machine compared to other products in the market.
Overall, this is a quality meat slicer at an affordable price. It is sturdy and well-designed with the necessary safety features to prevent any accidents. While it is a little smaller than some of the other models, it can still slice a variety of foods.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Meat Slicers
If you are still confused about whether or not to invest in a meat slicer, then knowing its advantages and disadvantages can help you out:
Advantages
A meat slicer can be a great investment because:
Time Efficiency
Cutting food, specifically with a slicer, is a much faster and better process. It takes less energy and cuts a lot faster than with your hand and a knife.
Consistency
Cutting by hand does not bring consistency in the slices of the meat. Some slices can be too thick or too thin, which might put many perfectionists off.
Better Cost Savings
There are pre-sliced meats available in the market. However, you have to pay extra for these. Therefore, having your own reliable meat slicer at home can help you save money.
Disadvantages
Meanwhile, it does bring along some limitations, including:
Require Maintenance
While meat slicers offer great convenience when it comes to cutting meat with consistent thickness and size, they can be difficult to take care of. They get dirty very easily and require regular cleaning in order to ensure hygiene and good performance of the machine.
Noisy
Meat slicers can be relatively noisy. This can be a big issue for some people, especially if you have smaller homes or kitchens to use the slicer in.
How to Use a Meat Slicer
Even though different types of meats need to be handled differently with a slicer, you still have to follow a standard set of rules and steps to ensure the good functionality of the machine. The section will discuss some important steps for cutting meat with a slicer.
1. Always Wear Disposable Gloves
It is important to keep the meat sanitary. Therefore, washing your hands with warm water is an important step, followed by wearing disposable gloves, too.
2. Place the Bulk Meat in the Clamp Arm
The clamp arm will have to be removed to make space for the meat. You will have to place the meat between the clamp arm and the surface of the slicer.
3. Use the Knob For Adjustments
The adjustment knob will be used for deciding the thickness of the meat slicers.
4. Keep Safe From the Blades
These machines have large, sharp blades. You will have to keep yourself protected and safe from these blades. Keep your movement slow, careful, and steady to remain cautious.
5. Push the Carriage Smoothly and Slowly
The carriage will be moved back and forth with your right hand. You will collect the sliced meat with your left. Make sure to push the carriage smoothly and slowly.
Check out the following video to understand what is described above in a better manner.
How to Sharpen a Meat Slicer Blade
Usually, after years of usage, meat slicers become dull. To sharpen them, you can do a number of things. Usually, when they start to tear the meat, you know that it’s time to sharpen your blade.
1. Find the Sharpening Attachments
Many slicers come with built-in sharpening attachments. However, if yours does not have its own attachment, you will still find some reliable sharpening stones and tools for the slicer.
2. Remove the Blades
Once you have the sharpener, take your blades out of the slicer. Make sure that the machine is turned off.
3. Clean the Blade
Before sharpening, clean the blades thoroughly with dishwashing soap, warm water, and a clean cloth.
4. Apply Oil to the Blade
Once cleaned and ready to be sharpened, apply cooking oil to the edge of the blade. This will make the sharpening a lot smoother and safer.
5. Sharpen the Blade From its Very Edge
The blade needs to be sharpened from its very edge. This is a critical step, as you will have to position the blade to the sharpener in such a manner that it meets the very edge of the blade. For clearer instructions, we recommend you refer to the user guide that the sharpening attachment has come with.
Here’s a video demonstrating what was just described so that you know the right way of sharpening your slicer.
How to Clean a Meat Slicer
To clean your meat slicer, you will need to follow some steps. After cleaning, we recommend you get a slicer sanitizing spray, so you can finish off the cleaning with perfection.
1. Wear Protective Gloves
Before cleaning, it is crucial that you wear protective or cut-resistant gloves. The blades of the machine are really big and sharp and can harm you if not careful.
2. Do Not Use Steel Wool
Steel wool will leave scratches on your slicer. Rather, use a soft cloth or towel to wipe the slicer.
3. Only Clean/Wash the Dishwasher Safe Parts
Some people make the mistake of submerging the whole slicer to clean it. Do not do that, and instead, remove certain dishwasher or water-safe parts and clean them separately.
4. Remove Important Parts
The product tray, sharpening stone, center plate, and slice deflector are some important parts of the machine that you can remove from the slicer. Clean these parts by rinsing them in hot water and wiping thoroughly.
5. Use Hot Water
For any part you clean or wash, use hot water. Hot water kills bacteria and germs really thoroughly, therefore, make good use of it.
6. Use a Soapy Solution For the Blades
To clean the blades, first, you will have to be really careful. You can either clean the blade by leaving them in place or you can remove them and take them out. It depends on the setup of your machine and recommended cleaning instructions. To clean the blades, use hot soapy water solution.
7. Let All Parts Air Dry
Do not use towels or tissues to dry the slicer. Let it sit in the air and give it a while to dry properly.
If you’re still confused about how to clean the slicer, the following video can help.
Conclusion
Whether you’re working in your own kitchen or in a commercial setting, having a quality meat slicer is a game changer in regards to speed and efficiency.
You’ll save a lot of time to focus on other parts of the cooking process as the slicer does some of the work for you. Find a model that has safety features and the design you want, and you can’t go wrong.
People Also Ask
To help you not only pick the best slicer but also understand how to use one, the following section will be really beneficial. We have answered some commonly asked questions and confusion regarding meat slicers.
How Often Must a Meat Slicer Be Cleaned and Sanitized When in Constant Use?
When in constant use, kitchen equipment requires frequent cleaning. This is because the residue of the food remains in the machine a lot of time, creating build-up and hence, allowing unhygienic conditions to develop. We recommend cleaning the slicer at least once each day.
What Can You Slice With a Meat Slicer?
Meat slicers are diverse. Anything you slice with it will be sliced in the same manner with just a few changes here and there. With a meat slicer, you can slice turkey, beef, and ham, as well. You can also slice cheese.
Can You Cut Frozen Meat With a Meat Slicer?
Slicers have incredibly sharp blades. They can cut through most types of meat that you might not be able to cut with a knife. They can cut through frozen meat as well. However, it’s not safe nor the right way to cut meat. Always defrost the meat before putting it into the slicer.
Can You Sharpen Meat Slicer Blade?
Yes, you can definitely sharpen the meat slicer blade. In fact, many slicers themselves come with a sharpening attachment that helps you sharpen the blade when it goes dull after frequent use. It is rather important to sharpen the blade since it starts to tear and ruin the meat due to dull edges.
How Much Does a Meat Slicer Cost?
When searching for a good meat slicer, you will see that there is a wide price range. You can find a home-use, basic slicer for under $100. Meanwhile, you can also find slicers costing between $100 and $400. Your budget and your usage will determine which slicer you will choose for yourself.
