I get it. You want to slice things easier and faster, but also safely. With so many options out there, want to know how to choose the best mandoline slicer? You’ve come to the right place because I’ve just been re-evaluating my own choice. Here are the questions I went through to finalize it.
1) Does this fit my needs? Write ‘em out if you need to!
I have a Pampered Chef Simple Slicer that I love. It adjusts to 3 thicknesses, it’s super sharp, and it’s ultra-safe when using both guards. BUT…yeah, you knew that was coming. I like to make these things called Sweet Potato “Toasts” which call for LONG potato slices…and the round food holder on this slicer will only hold things that are round up to a 3.5” diameter. Won’t work for this application.
2) Do you find yourself having to adjust when you use this tool? Even if that’s dangerous?
So, I’ve been taking my life in my hands and VERY SLOWLY cutting my potatoes WITHOUT the guard when I make these. Taking this kind of risk goes against everything in my rule-follower nature. In fact, I’ve felt so bad about it, when I saw another option that looked similar in the Aldi flyer, I went looking for it…just to test.
3) Is there another option that has the benefits you like AND takes care of the adjustment you needed?
When I actually saw it at Aldi, my first impression was yeah, this could definitely work. The slicer itself looks almost exactly like the Pampered Chef one. But it only has one guard…the one you use to hold the food as you slide it back and forth against the blade…no “limited” size or shape food holder! For $9.99, I was quite excited (I didn’t want to spend a lot for ANOTHER slicer). Even sent a photo to my son’s fiancée as something she should consider.
4) Is smaller better? (Think “real estate” even in the kitchen!)
I bought one, of course, and was ecstatic when it met my every need in a mandoline slicer…for a better price AND taking up less storage space. The wins just kept coming. (Later that same week, I saw the exact same slicer at TJ Maxx Home Goods with a different brand name on it, but exactly the same. They even have them here on Amazon…of course!)
5) Look at each piece. Does it meet MY needs and the way I cook?
Then the fiancée texted me with the OXO option they had registered for, and I stopped dead in my tracks. It has 4 different grate or slice surfaces AND it fits on a box to catch what you cut AND they all fit together in their box for storage. WOW! I needed to think about that.
At some point, you have to come down to what YOU need for the way YOU cook. I don’t use cheese most of the time. While I did purchase a cheese grater with storage attached, I mostly use my trusty handheld grater and wash it immediately (since you grate by pushing away from you and into the holes, wash by pulling the dishrag towards you for safer, easier cleaning). It’s used most often to grate ginger root, so storage isn’t really something I needed there either.
And it’s small enough to tuck into a drawer with essential small tools (there it is between the measuring cups). It was a gift several years back, and I don’t remember the brand unfortunately, but they’re available just about everywhere.
That took care of the grating surfaces in the OXO package. On to the slicer surface. One size only, whereas the others adjust to three thicknesses. And yes, I have used each size for different things. Plus, when you “close” them, the plastic is flush with the blade so less change of injury. (I always clean it towards me for safety as well!) This one doesn’t close…it just is what it is.
6) Do I really need this as opposed to other options?
One more surface to think about…the spiralizer. About a year ago I went through this testing process with spiralizers…and it took 3 tries before I found the one I like.
It’s manual BUT not manual like this one. You actually would have to turn the vegetable with your hand as the blade is just sitting there. I don’t see myself doing that (I’m testing an electric spiralizer even now!). So even though it looked like a great multiple use, self-contained option, for ME it’s not the way to go.
And there you have it!
I hope this makes you think about the functions you need and the tools you choose for those. Don’t keep a tool for years struggling with it because it doesn’t meet your needs. Re-assess it by asking these questions, and you’ll know how to choose the best tools…for YOU!
(Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Opinions and reviews are all my own personal ones.)
