Kitchen

If you are a meat bloke, then meat must make your day shine. Craving for a meatball sub? Why not use a meatball slicer to get the perfect slice every time? Chefs or foodies know it very well, how important it is to get the perfect visual of a dish. That’s why having the best meat slicers would surely come in handy in your kitchen. Using a knife won’t be able to give you the perfect texture as you want. A meat slicer will surely give you nice fine, even cuts every time. So, why not go for a slicer? To help you figure out the perfect one, we will tell you all about meat slicers. Shall we begin?

Different Types of Meat Slicers

There are different types of meat slicers now on the market. The perfect one will depend on your unique needs and expertise. Mainly there are two types.

Electric Slicers

This is one of the powerful slicers on the market. You might think they are a bit pricey, but with the technological revolution, they are quite affordable now. They run on electricity. So, you'll have to plug it in before use. The electric motor will create a lot of torque for the blade to rotate. You will be able to do heavy work without any effort at all. Some advanced level models also come with a manual switch for a better cut.

Manual Slicers

These slicers also come with a lot of fans. In these, you won’t get the motor support as you did in the electric slicers. That’s why it takes some time and strength to get the ultra-thin slices from a huge chunk of meat. However, with these, you will get more control over the cuts and actions. Manual slicers usually support in giving a unique texture than electric ones. Also, they are much more affordable. If you are not a professional chef, then for home cooking, manual slicers are the best choice.

What Features You Need to Look Into?

You’ll need to look into some aspects before choosing the best meat slicers from the market. These are lifetime investments, so you need to be careful before you spend your money. If you can maintain it properly, it may last forever. These are some of the factors you need to look into.

• Power

Power is the number one thing you need to consider if you want an electric slicer. Professional cooks, who need a lot of meat every day should go for high power motor for a better output. High-power would mean a better speed, and you will be able to produce good quality in a short time. They do have a downside too. These slicers will get heated quickly for the extra torque. You’ll need to let it cool off for 10 minutes before using it again.

• Size

With so many models it's easy to get confused at certain times. But don't forget what purpose it would serve. Bigger slicers are good, but they take up a lot of space in the kitchen. Not only that, but they are also, harder to clean up. Look for an efficient size that comes with a nice build along with a nice size. Smaller ones might have less power, but they are perfect for household cooking.

• Blade Size

Blade size is another essential feature to look into. The size and quality mainly determine the texture of the meat. An ideal length for commercial use would be a 12" blade. They are universally popular among chefs. However, going for a 14” for a bulk work is also a great choice. If it’s for general purposes, then a 7”-10” blade would do the trick. But whatever the size may be, it should have a nice build and made of durable materials.

• Shelf Life

As we said earlier, these are lifetime investments. Metal ones are much longer lasting than plastic ones. So, before you buy, look into the material of the slicer. The top companies mainly use stainless steel for a longer lasting product. Stainless steel can last for years without any corrosion and rust. It might cost you a bit, but it will surely be worth it.

How to Maintain It?

You'll need to clean it properly to maintain it. Don't leave it dirty after a session, wash it after every session or else the small meat pieces will rot and infect the slicer with bacteria. Not something to look forward to in a tasty dish. Usually, the best ones are detachable to help you out in cleaning. You can detach the parts and wash them thoroughly. If some of them are not detachable, use sanitizers to get rid of the bacteria. You can use food lubricants, to keep the slicer run smoothly after every use. There are also safety cleaning kits now, which will help you to keep it fresh. It’s best to clean it within 4 hours of use. Now that you know just how to buy and clean a meat slicer, you will be able to use it safely. Don't forget to wash it every time after use. With all the different textures your meat-loving fiesta begins now!