If you find yourself constantly at the deli counter or you are looking to turn your roasted chicken or glazed ham into delicious slices for a sandwich the next day, purchasing the best meat slicer might be a great option for you and your family.
Luckily, there are many options out there, some of which don’t take up as much space on your counter (or in your budget).
If you’re searching for the best meat slicer to add to your kitchen, check out my top 5 picks of the meat slicers on the market!
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks…
Contents
Buying Guide
Types of Meat Slicers
There are two main types of meat slicers: electric and manual.
Electric food slicers, also known as automatic food slicers, are the go-to slicers for meat. Electric slicers are popular because they are easier to use as the machine does much of the work for you.
Manual slicers are less common nowadays, but still may be worth considering if you aren’t planning on using it daily. Some electric slicers can be switched to manual mode if you so desire.
Size
For most home cooks, you’ll want to stick to a meat slicer that’s smaller in size. Commercial food slicers tend to be large and heavy, while at-home slicers are much more compact, lighter and will not take up too much space on your countertop.
Most of the slicers on this list are small enough to sit on your countertop without getting in the way or being an eyesore.
Blade
There are two types of blades that can be used on a meat slicer: a serrated blade and a fine-edge blade. Serrated blades are great for cutting dense meats and other denser foods.
A fine-edge blade also called a smooth blade, is perfect for lean meats, cheeses, vegetables, and has the ability to slice meats paper thin.
Some machines come with one or the other, while others come with both types of blades. Depending on what you plan to cut, it may be a good option to have both on hand or at least check to see if the manufacturer gives you the option to buy it separately.
Budget
At first glance, a meat slicer can seem like a pretty big investment. Some meat slicers can cost up to $400 or more, but many cost much less than that.
It’s also worth mentioning that if you and your family eat a lot of sliced meat, slicing your own meat can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
All the slicers on our list are well under the $400, with most being extremely budget friendly. As with most products, a good rule of thumb is it’s worth spending a little more if you intend to use it frequently.
More Than Meat
If you think meat slicers are just for meat, you are in for a surprise! Meat slicers can be used in a variety of ways.
The most common item that can be sliced on a slicer other than meat is cheese. But don’t stop there! Other foods that can work on a slicer include vegetables and bread.
That said, be sure to check if the slicer you use works well on foods other than meat. Some slicers work best for meat only, while others are much more versatile.
Cleaning & Safety
It is very important to keep your meat slicer clean. Some machines are much easier to clean than others. When cleaning, it’s important to check all the nooks and crannies of the machine to make sure no food gets trapped in the narrow spaces.
Some machines will feature removable pieces that can be hand washed or even put in the dishwasher.
As far as safety goes, it should go without saying that a handling machine with a sharp rotating blade should be used with care. Meat slicers should be kept out of reach of children and should be used according to the instructions.
For a quick overview of how to use a meat slicer, check out this video:
As with all products though, be sure to read the manufacturer’s care instructions to get the longest life out of your slicer.
Top 5 Picks
Whether you are looking for a compact slicer for the every-once-in-a-while or you are looking for a reliable meat slicer that can withstand frequent and even daily usage, you are sure to find something right for you on this list.
1. Chef’s Choice 6150000 Food Slicer
This countertop meat slicer will get the job done. The 7″ serrated blade is sharp and with 120 watts of power, it will slice through any meat.
Getting a super thin slice proved to be a little tricky. This slicer works best for denser meats rather than lean meat but holds up well to frequent use.
Best of all, coming in at about 10 pounds and 15″ wide, finding enough space on the counter to put this slicer won’t be a problem.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Slices through most meats.
- Good size for smaller spaces.
Cons
- It’s a bit of a pain to clean. There are some pretty narrow spots that food can get stuck in.
2. Beswood 9″ Premium Carbon-Plated Electric Slicer
If you are looking for something that is durable, sturdy and will hold up to daily use, this is a great choice. The Beswood 9″ Premium slicer is great for both at home or commercial use.
This slicer comes with a two stone blade sharpener, but luckily, the carbon steel blade won’t need to be sharpened very often.
The Beswood slicer is great for a variety of foods including meat, cheese, vegetables, and bread. And if you love your meat sliced super thin, this slicer will deliver.
Do take note that this is a much larger slicer than the Chef’s Choice (weighing in at 30 pounds!) and comes with a higher, but still reasonable price. For those looking for an everyday slicer though, this one is a good bet.
Pros
- Slices meat super thin.
- Works on a variety of food.
- The blade doesn’t need to be sharpened very often.
Cons
- Big and heavy.
- Most expensive slicer on the list.
3. ARKSEN Premium Electric Meat Slicer with 7.5″ Blade
This powerful little slicer won’t take up much space and is sure to slice through tough meat with ease. And the price is right for anyone looking for a slicer to have handy when the desire for freshly sliced meat arises.
Easy to clean and easy to use, this slicer has a 7.5″ stainless steel blade that works well for any type of meat. Though the slicer says that it works well slicing frozen meats, I found that not to be the case. If you don’t want to wear down the unit, stick to fresh or mostly thawed meats instead.
This slicer is strictly for home use and probably isn’t a good option for those who are planning to use it frequently. However, if you are looking for a slicer to have on hand, definitely consider the ARKSEN.
Pros
- Compact.
- Easy to clean.
- Can adjust meat thickness up to 5/8″
Cons
- Not good for frequent use or slicing frozen meat.
4. Valley Sportsman 8.7″ Stainless Steel Electric Slicer
While not the most compact slicer of the list, this meat slicer is an affordable choice for those looking to make jerky, slice lunchmeat and more. It may be a little tricky getting used to figuring out how to adjust the thickness via the adjustment knob on the side.
The stainless steel carriage cover is removable for easy cleaning. While the design might not be the main reason you are buying a slicer, it doesn’t hurt that the overall look is sleek, rather than industrial looking, as this slicer will take up a little more space on your countertop.
If you are looking for a slicer just for meat, then the large 8.7″ stainless steel serrated blade on this slicer will get the job done.
Pros
- Durable and sturdy.
- Works great on any type of meat.
- Larger size blade.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- The blade doesn’t move as fast as the others on this list.
- Doesn’t work great for slicing cheese.
5. Cuisinart Food Pro Slicer
As the name suggests, this slicer isn’t just for meat. The serrated stainless steel blade on this compact slicer will slice bread, cheese and more up to a ½” thick.
This sturdy little slicer has non-slip feet to prevent it from moving while slicing. It is also the smallest slicer on the list coming in at about 11″ wide.
While it works on a variety of foods, it works best on more solid food like denser meats and harder cheeses.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Small size
- Durable & stable
Cons
- Doesn’t work well on lean meats or softer cheeses.
FAQs
Q: What foods shouldn’t be sliced in a meat slicer?
A: As mentioned before, you can slice much more than meat on a meat slicer. However, a few things you shouldn’t slice include foods with seeds such as apples, avocados, peaches and the like. The only exception would be tomatoes.
Another food that shouldn’t be sliced on a meat slicer is fully frozen foods. Allow the food to thaw so that it is just slightly frozen before slicing. Also, do not slice bone as it could damage your machine.
Q: When do I need to sharpen the blade of a meat slicer?
A: The short answer: it depends. If you use your meat slicer more frequently, you will need to sharpen or replace your blade more frequently.
The best way to tell if your blade needs to be sharpened is to check the meat. Is it tearing? Are the pieces being sliced evenly and are they consistently the same thickness?
If not, it is probably time to sharpen your blade.
Bottom Line
A meat slicer can be a great investment, but make sure to consider how much you would use it as well as what you will predominately slice. If you find that you would like to slice meat and other food regularly, I would strongly suggest the Beswood 9″ Premium Slicer.
However, for most people, the Chef’s Choice 6150000 Food Slicer is a reliable and affordable choice as the best meat slicer for getting delicious sliced meat whenever you want.
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