Customer Reviews

Amco Dial-A-Slice Adjustable Apple Corer and Slicer

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a superb product!

A. You have the choice of 8 or 16 slices (ya hoo!)
B. It has a large diameter core.
C. The Core Blade is serrated, making it very secure (safe)... it "holds on to" the apple!
D. Once you've completed the core/slice stroke, you place the corer in its "lid", push down once more, and the slices POP OUT of the unit.

Regarding the one star reviews: With all due respect, this is one of those products that won't work well if you don't use it right. Contrary to what one reviewer said, the blades are not "too thin." (He or she stated that the blades were bent after only six uses.) YOU MUST PUSH DOWN STRAIGHT, FIRMLY AND SWIFTLY. This is precisely the same concept as in using a mandolin slicer. That is, no matter how much you spend on one, you can't slice things if you go too slowly. And - just as with this corer/slicer, no matter how expensive the mandolin you can count on seeing several one-star reviews, almost assuredly blaming "dull" and/or "thin" blades.

There is NOTHING wrong with this unit: You simply have to LET IT KNOW WHO THE BOSS IS - just as with many kitchen tools and gadgets.

I received the item quickly. I used to have the regular size slicer/corer. It was ok, but this is great, it not only slices pieces the regular size but it also can slice them smaller which is a great option. The other thing i liked about this one is it comes with a plastic bottom cover which acts as a release for the apples....so u don't have 2 pull them out of the slicer all u do is set it on the plastic cover/plate (provided) and it conveniently pushes the slices/core out of the slicer. Would definitely recommend!

Expensive but works great. Actual blades with a sharp edge help it work on solid apples such a Granny Smith. Slicing the bottom of the apple first for a flat surface helps tremendeously in getting the slicer completely thru the apple.

I eat one or two apples a day and finally got tired of slicing them by hand. After reading the reviews on various apple corers and slicers I chose this product and am happy that I did (after using it in the office, I ordered another one for home). Here is what I like:

1. I specifically bought this because of its ability to create 16 slices instead of 8. If you are not going to use this feature, then you might want to look at other products that cost about half the price that create only 8 slices.

2. Like many other slicing products for fruit and vegetables, this requires a good amount of "elbow grease", especially if you want 16 slices rather than 8. However, if you push down firmly and swiftly, this will work fine. The outer edges of each handle are rubber for greater comfort.

3. Unlike one of the negative reviews, I had no problem changing the setting from 8 slices to 16 slices and vice versa, which is accomplished with a plastic dial.

4. This has a cover that you can place on the bottom after you are done slicing. Push the slicer all the way down into the cover and voila!--the slices easily get pushed up for removal. The core is also easy to remove.

5. There are two sets of blades, which line up on top of each other if you choose the setting for 8 pieces. However, this alignment is not perfect (nor would I expect it to be be at this price), so that some small pieces of apple get caught between the two blades when you set this for 8 pieces. I found that I could easily remove them if I changed the setting to 16 blades after I was done slicing (so now all the blades are separated). This takes just seconds and is not a big deal. Cleaning tip for 16 blade setting: Unlock the blades as if you were going to change from 16 to 8, but don't actually move the setting. Unlocking the blades creates more space between them, and makes cleaning easier. When finished, just lock the blades.

6. This is well constructed, sturdy, and also is not hard to clean as one of the negative reviews suggests. I don't use any brushes for cleaning--I just rinse it under the faucet and if there is a stubborn little piece of apple or skin I use a fork to dislodge it (keep your fingers far away from the sharp blades).

7. I have used this on various size apples without any problem, though really large apples of course require more "elbow grease." I have also not found it difficult to line this up so that the whole core is removed (which can be an issue on inferior quality apple corers and slicers). Another review suggests cutting off the bottom of the apple so that the apple is level when you slice it; while this probably makes slicing a little easier, I have not found it necessary to do that.

8. Another negative review says that this product does not easily fit in a kitchen drawer, but I have no problem fitting it into mine.

Bottom line: This works just fine if used properly, and literally takes just seconds to have some nice apple slices.

Update June 13, 2011: This also works really well on peaches, nectarines, and plums so long as they are not too soft.

Update October 22, 2011: A simple toothpick works well to get rid of small pieces of apple on this unit.

I love the idea of this for slicing pie apples. Especially since I just bought a really good peeler, that doesn't core or slice at all. And, I was very impressed with how sharp the blades were, how cleanly it cut, and the base to help press apples out. Unfortunately, other problems make this slicer a pain to use with any regularity..

1) It's difficult to switch between settings. I have trouble with it not snapping into place solidly, or even jumping off the track completely. And then I can't force it back on the track and have to get my husband to fix it.

2) Very difficult to clean, because of the space between the two layers of blades, and the added depth. I literally have to use a toothbrush to clean this well.

I will keep this apple slicer, but only use when slicing large quantities of apples to freeze for pies. It's just not worth the trials of more frequent use. I'll have to buy another apple slicer for everyday use for eating apples.

Use for apples for pies or for eating.. easy to switch from 8 slices per apple to 16 slices.

Firm grips.. my wife absolutely loves it. Previously had just 8 slice type.

Buy it!

Since I wake up earliest I pack the lunches of our 3 school age kids. The boys like apples, sliced, and to save precious time in the morning I felt that buying a slicer would be a wise choice.

Heck, who am I trying to fool? I like kitchen gadgets and slicing apples for lunches gave me an excuse to buy another kitchen toy.

America's Test Kitchen (Cooks Illustrated magazine) rated a Williams-Sonoma slicer as their top pick - that slicer is exactly the same as this one, just re-branded. Overall I'm happy with it, though it's not perfect.

Pros:
- Sharp blades, cuts through apples with ease.
- Easy to switch from 8 to 16 wedges.
- Removes entire core
- Snap-on lid makes it safe to store in a drawer.

Cons:
- When set for 8 slices, blades don't align perfectly so apple can get stuck in between them.
- Locking mechanism can be a little fussy, sometimes it's hard to get the slicer to lock in one position.

At Williams-Sonoma they say to hand wash this slicer but I've been running it through the dishwasher without any ill effect. Other reviewers complained the slicer removed an excessively large core but I haven't found that to be the case. Prior to buying this slicer I was using the OXO Good Grips Corer (coincidentally ATK's top apple corer). I usually had to run the corer through the apple 2 or 3 times to get all the core removed - this slicer gets it all the first time through.

It's a handy little slicer. It's not perfect but it gets the job done. The kids like the thinner wedges I get from the 16 slice setting - most slicers cut 8 or maybe 12 slices. The thin wedges are ideal for apple pie as well.

We had an apple corer/slicer that didn't work very well. I don't think it's ever worked very well. It was extremely difficult to push down through the apple and didn't always leave clean slices. It was hard to "center" over the core and left a lot of the undesirable core and seeds to remove by conventional means. It didn't cut through to the bottom of the apple.

The Amco Dial-a-Slice gives you a choice of bigger or thinner slices. It's very sharp and really slices the apple. The section for the core is quite large and gets all of the core. It's a two-step process but, you can slice all the way to the bottom of the apple. After the initial "press", attach the plastic protective "cover" to the bottom of the utensil with the apple still attached. Press down all the way and the pieces will separate and come out as individual slices.

The Dial-a-Slice works better because it's very sharp. It's easy to slice your finger until you learn how to avoid getting cut.

This has to be the best apple corer/slicer I have even owned. It is very sturdy, nothing bends or pops when you use it. It is very easy to adjust from 8 to 16 slices. Would advise anyone who is in the market for an apple corer/slicer to buy this one. The price was very good too, about $5.00 or a little more cheaper than another place I saw this.

Love this apple slicer works great though it does take a bit more push on hard apples but not that hard to do. Really like the smaller siZe slices that one gets with this slicer.