Customer Reviews

Chef's Choice International Professional Food Slicer

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

 

 

If you've ever owned or tried a "home" food slicer, you know they don't really work that well. This one does.

When I first got it, I tried slicing several items -- Pepperoni, bulk cheese (Cojack) and two different kinds of bread --regular "store" bread and a artisan loaf. The pepperoni came out in perfect, exactly the same thickness slices. The thickness knob did not slip, and the blade cut cleanly. My Cojack was perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, and I got three even slices out of one slice of regular bread without tearing the bread! (That was a test to see what I could get away with). The artisan bread sliced perfectly for crostini. I sliced potatoes for potato chips, and they were all the same thickness,(actually, "thinness") and perfect for frying.

This aluminum and stainless steel German slicer is worth every penny you pay for it. The thickness adjustment knob stays where it's set, and the settings are repeatable, there's room under the blade for a large platter, the instant-on/off switch works perfectly, the motor is quiet and powerful, it's easy to clean and the slicer works exactly the way you always wanted a slicer to work--i.e., just like the one at the deli!

If you have the need, and room, for this rather large slicer, go for it! It's worth it.

We were as disappointed on receiving this slicer as we were excited anticipating it. We've talked for years of getting a slicer. The other review (aluminum, stainless steel, easy to clean) convinced us this was the model for us of the many available at amazon(.com). Clearly, we have a different opinion on quality and what the price of this item should bring with it.

The prime reason we returned this slicer after inspecting it is that it is unreasonably difficult to clean and sanitize. The plastic trolley and plastic pusher come off and can be hand washed in mild soapy water (no dishwasher)...after which the trolley rail needs to be re-oiled using a brush to reach the proper surfaces.

BUT, the slicing guide (against which you push the food while slicing) is permanently attached to the unit. Cleaning this surface is not even discussed in the manual. How do you spell bacteria and food poisoning? Meat fats will not come off without soap/detergent - a simple wipe is not enough. So, perhaps repetitive sponge washes and rinses are intended. To sterilize? A bleach/water solution sponged on would do it. Easy? I don't think so.

Then we come to the blade. Either follow the same procedure to clean it - or remove it with a coin (and many rotations of the screw) to clean the back side as well. You'll then find the nylon gear attached to the blade's back that is covered with vasoline (the recommended lubricant). Sudsy water (again no dishwasher) will disolve this, so re-lube before reassembling - also putting vasoline on a (...) black plastic gasket that protects the motor (and looks like it wouldn't last many years).

There, wasn't that easy? Well, perhaps not that bad if you intend to only use this slicer once or twice a year. We roast all of our own meats and had planned on using the slicer once or twice a week to slice lunch meats and cheeses. My wife is a food safety expert, and no way were we going to use this without regular sanitizing...and that is way too much work given the design. Back to the old knife and cutting board, thick as those slices may be.

The main description of the product calls it 'rugged aluminum and stainless steel' - basically what we wanted to hear for a professional unit in this price range. The number of cheap plastic parts was a big disappointment. The description (and the box) refer to a 'beautiful serving tray' - (...): this is a little 4"x6" or so translucent plastic tray (...) The tray is superfluous, however, since the unit sits high enough to fit most any plate or tray under it.

So...we're back to searching for a decent slicer that is indeed rugged, stainless steel and aluminum with no plastic, and which disassembles to clean all surfaces in contact with food, preferably in a dishwasher.

If you want to spend this much money for a slicer, go ahead and buy this machine! I use it for almost two years now.
It's not so hard to clean as described by a previous reviewer.I simply sponge each side of the blade with a bleach/water solution after each use and i had the blade removed only a couple of times.
If you go out to eat you have a much better chance to catch foodpoisoning. Certainly not from this machine!

I'm very pleased with this slicer. Shaves ham and slices bread. Cheddar cheese doesn't slow the motor down in the least. Nicely designed. Easy to clean, it takes less than 10 minutes to disassemble, wash and re-assemble. It fits on the kitchen counter and is good looking. Highly recommended.

I have owned this slicer for a year now and find it the best slicer for the home I have ever used. I have tried a number of less expensive slicers and have ended up selling them at yard sales. This Chefs Choice is precise, sturdy, and easy to clean. I do alot of sous vide cooking of meats and poultry. With this slicer, I can slice these cuts evenly to a thick cut or to the thinness of a potato chip. I have also used the slicer on fruit(apples and oranges) and vegatables(potatoes and tomatoes) with great success. It is a little pricey, but until you can afford it I recommend you stick to slicing with a knife.

If you like freshly sliced meats and cheeses, this slicer is fantastic! Easy to use and maintain, cleans quickly. Gave this to two of my kids for their kitchens and they love it! I use mine all the time,saves money and less spoilage because I can cut fresh when I want it. Makes using left overs a breeze!

I bought mine in 2004. It is outstanding and allows me to slice deli-thin. Clean up is a breeze but a little too much hassle to use casually. I like to slice up an entire chub of salami or a roast all at once. Very well made, I doubt I will ever have to replace it and there is no job it cannot do. Most of my friends that have tried to get by with cheaper products have ended up disappointed and they aren't using theirs anymore. I use mine at least twice a month and it never disappoints. Yes, its a lot to pay but it can save you lots of bucks on salami alone.

I have read through all the reviews of this product. Here are the common nuggets discernable from the collection ( and my knowledge of the bacteriology of food poisoning):

1. The slicer works well doing everything it claims.

2. The slicer is not professional quality having many plastic and easily damaged parts.

3. The slicer requires at least 10 minutes to clean enough to reduce the risk of bacterial food poisoning to a fairly low level. Since many of the foods that you slice are not cooked afterward proceeding with less cleaning runs something more than non-zero risk (which is of course anathema to most Americans).

4. The slicer cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher.

So if you think thinly and uniformly sliced bread, meat, vegetables, etc. are worth $299 and 10 minutes of manual cleaning per use, then buy it. Otherwise, don't. I have decided that I will not buy it.