Customer Reviews

Zyliss Easy Slice 2 Folding Mandoline

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've never used a mandoline or v-slicer before, and soon after I bought this one I just let it sit, unused, in my kitchen for a few days. I felt like kicking myself for buying yet another nonessential kitchen gadget on a whim. That was before I actually used the Zyliss Easy Slice 2 Folding Mandoline to effortlessly slice onions, cucumbers, and limes.

The directions that come with the Easy Slice 2 Folding Mandoline are very brief and clear, but be sure to read them carefully when it comes to how to turn the dial for stowing away the julienne blades. Zyliss USA also has an instructional usage video/ad on their website for this gadget, which can be useful if you've never used a similar item.

I haven't tried to use this mandoline for anything beyond hard veggies and citrus, but the results I have obtained have been great. I had trouble initially since I wasn't sure what was the best orientation to stick fruits and veggies with different shapes, sizes, and textures into the included food holder, but that's something you experiment with and I think may be required of all mandolines and v-slicers. Originally I gave up on using the food holder, thinking it to be too bothersome since I couldn't get things to stick properly to the food holder prongs. But after several near accidents, I decided it was necessary since I didn't have a cut-resistant butcher's or filleting glove lying around. Another thing one needs to learn through experimentation is how much downward/sideways pressure to apply in order to cut food smoothly with the mandoline.

The food holder can hold round and more elongated objects, and the way it's designed it doesn't waste much food. I was slicing some thick cucumbers lengthwise, and at the end of a quick bout of slicing all that was left stuck to the food holder was a thick section of cucumber peel. Be careful that you don't poke/scratch yourself with the smaller bumps on the food holder food-contact surfaces.

Although I haven't had other mandolines to compare with, I like the fact that the dial on the Zyliss model obviates the need for swapping out blades. The negative of having the dial and unswappable blades is that it isn't that easy to get around the julienne blades for cleaning purposes.

Bottom Line:

The Zyliss Easy Slice 2 Folding Mandoline is an inexpensive slicing alternative that delivers easy, consistent cuts in a reasonably safe manner. It may, however, take some experimentation to figure out the right combination of pressure and positioning needed to properly slice different fruits and vegetables.

I began my experience with mandolines grappling with a professional German stainless steel contraption that cost twice as much as the Zyliss, was as user-unfriendly as the devil (actually, this thing seemed to have stepped out straight from a medieval torture chamber) and left my fingers in tatters. It went straight onto the top shelf of that cupboard reserved for things we never want to see again, and I went without a mandoline.

Still determined to find one that worked, after doing my research I chose the Zyliss because I've yet to try something from the Swiss manufacturer that doesn't perform as promised. And I happily have to say that I'm not disappointed. The Zyliss is, indeed, a dream to handle. The instructions are clear and concise (I never needed to watch the DVD that comes with it), so putting this mandoline to work takes all of 30 seconds, especially if you've already used a mandoline before -- if you haven't, I advise you to read the instructions (and watch the DVD), familiarize yourself with its parts and test-drive a few potatoes.

Here are, in my opinion, its strong points:
* Very simple to set up and use.
* No moving parts that need to be inserted or removed for any function. Everything in the Zyliss is built into it (except the holder, which is par for the course), and it's all a matter of rotating a dial.
* Safe, especially in comparison with the German nightmare. However, if you don't pay attention to what you're doing, and don't follow the instructions, you can get cut (same as with a mishandled knife or anything with a cutting blade).
* Extremely easy to clean.
* Takes up very little storage space.
* Does exactly what it is supposed to do: slices chips in several different thicknesses, and juliennes as well.
* Does the job fast and precisely, and requires no strength to handle.

I am completely satisfied with this product, and my sister will get one for Christmas!

I bought the slicer for our 90 year old near blind grandma to slice her tomatoes thin and even without cutting herself. My husband tested it out & loves it. We had so much fun we sliced a lot at first. It slices both large tomatoes and plum tomatoes without squishing them and you can adjust it for thick or thin. Orange slices look great and you can eat them without squirting juice all over. I sliced apples & made cinnamon apple bake. It cleans quickly & easily & folds away conveniently - and you don't have to change the blade. We kept the slicer for ourselves and ordered another one for Grandma. She loves it too!

I've used mandolin slicers before but this is the first one that had an adjustable blade instead of inserts. I find that this is an advantage in that I can't lose the extra inserts and I don't have to worry about where to store them. It also comes with a little plastic safety cover for the blade that helps prevent accidents during storage. I also like the way that when folded it can stand upright on on end. As far as having to shake it to get the water out of it after cleaning, that is a unavoidable drawback of its ability to fold. It functions like a champ and really speeds up food preparation in my kitchen. I really have to laugh about the 1 star review titled "Sharp & Dangerous". It's like reading a negative review about a sports car titled "Fast & Maneuverable". If you stick your fingers into the blades of a slicing machine you shouldn't blame the machine for the resultant injury. These are the kind of people who close down kids playgrounds.

If you only want to make simple slices of the vegetable and thick straight potato fry sticks, this device works well. But it cannot make thin shreds, nor curved slices or fries. Another thing is its plastic surface get stained by food color, such as carrot color. Soap water cannot clean the stains.

This mandoline is very sharp, my husband got a deep cut while slicing sweet potato, and he was using the food holder! I still have no idea how did that happen.

This is a mandoline after all, so I don't rate it lower because of the sharpness. The reason for the 4-star instead of 5 is because the food holder retains water after wash. You have to shake and wipe while holding the black square button in various positions (low, high and everywhere in between) in order to get all the water out. With all the prongs on the holder, it's a dangerous and tedious task.

I am very pleased with this product. One of the handiest little gadgets that I have ever used! Slices very evenly. Easy to use, easy clean up.

I purchased the slicing mandoline to replace one that I had. This is a great addition to any kitchen. I use it almost daily. Clean up is easy and I especially like that it folds up for easy storage. I would recommend this product.

I have a Benriner mandoline and thought it fairly useful but it can't hold a candle to this Zyliss! I LOVE that there is no need to change blades to obtain different cuts, and it's very easy to turn the dial to get varying thicknesses in slicing. Its pop-out stand is steady and I love the clever way you can position this over a bowl to slice right into the serving container.

I use it probably 6 to 8 times a week for various items - it slices fresh tomatoes thick or thin, makes short work of slicing an onion, and I make all varieties of "fries" with the julienne setting - great for zucchini, crookneck, pumpkin, butternut, sweet potato or any other veggie you care to make fries from - I simply cut, toss with a little olive oil, place on a foil-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with a little salt, then pop into a preheated 450* oven til browning. Alternatively, you can also deep-fry any of the above.

I like that the slicer folds and stores easily - after I wash it, I simply fold it about halfway and lay on its side on a paper towel to dry overnight.

The ONLY complaint I might make of it is that because there are no blades to interchange, you can only make ONE size of julienne cuts - but that size is perfect - just about McDonald's French fry size!

Oh, and you can also dice an onion - peel and cut off the top end (leave the root end intact) and run your knife down the onion every 1/4" to 1/2" - not all the way through, let the root end hold the onion together - then turn the onion perpendicular to the cuts you made and use the julienne setting - you will have a diced onion pronto! Haven't tried it on other veggies but I'm guessing you could do the same for potatoes for hash browns or whatever other veggie you want diced.

I'm very glad I bought this!

First off let me say I'm not a chef.. but I make a great salad and this mandoline is perfect. It slices in many different widths quickly and efficiently, and so SHARP.. be careful, I sliced my pinky finger being too impatient so heed the warnings and use the great holder when getting close to the end. The unit comes with a safety plastic blade guide which I always apply after using and cleaning. I bought another mandoline after this one for travel usage, a kyocera toy.. the Zyliss is a major tool compared to it. I just highly recommend the Zyliss mandoline.. works perfectly and I'm 100% happy with it.