Buying guide for Best mandoline slicers
For quickly and evenly slicing fruits and vegetables, a mandoline slicer is a powerful tool to have in your kitchen. Though all mandoline slicers serve the same function, they function differently and can vary greatly in their design.
Handheld mandoline slicers take a bit of getting used to but tend to be inexpensive. Stand models are easier to use but offer less flexibility. The shape of the blade determines what sort of foods your slicer can handle; straight blades, diagonal blades, and v-shaped blades are the primary varieties. You should also look into additional features like a cutting guard or additional blades. The blade material and ease of cleaning can determine the longevity of your slicer.
Despite the simplicity of this kitchen tool, there is a lot to consider.
Types of mandoline slicers
You can find two varieties of mandoline slicers: handheld models, and those that come on a stand.
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Handheld mandoline slicers have a handle that you hold on one end, while you rest the other end against a bowl or cutting board. Some users find these models easier to control, whereas others feel safer with a more sturdy model. Since they have fewer parts to them, handheld versions tend to cost less than those models with a stand.
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Mandoline slicers that come on a stand tend to be more solid, and some people feel like they're safer to use, especially those new to mandoline slicing. The legs or platform may or may not be adjustable to allow for different angles.
Expert Tip
When storing my mandoline, I lay a bar towel over the blade to prevent slicing myself with it as I reach into a cabinet for something else. A paper towel or washcloth would work well too.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Blade types
Mandoline slicers come with either straight, diagonal, or V-shaped blades.
Straight blade
Traditionally, mandoline slicers had straight blades, and most French models still do. While this blade type is great for slicing hard and dense fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes and apples, it tends to crush soft produce, especially items with strong skins, such as tomatoes.
Diagonal blade
Diagonal blades cut one part of the produce first and gradually slice through the rest, meaning you don't need to exert as much force to cut your produce. As such, softer fruits and veggies, like peppers and tomatoes, remain intact.
V-shaped blade
V-shaped blades are like having two diagonal blades, so they, too, are good at cutting soft foods. Whether or not they're better than diagonal blades at slicing soft produce without crushing it is debatable (you'll find users in both camps, and some that say they're equally good), but they're definitely the most popular choice.
We take into account features like ease of adjustment and blade removal/cleaning when evaluating the best mandoline slicers.
When deciding which of the top mandoline slicers to recommend, we consider the complex and sturdy European variety.
The simple, versatile, and lightweight Japanese-style mandoline slicer is one of the first varieties we look at when searching for mandolines with mass appeal.
We give extra points to mandoline slicers with useful features like dimples and holes that keep moist food from sticking too much during slicing.
We appreciate mandolines with durable legs that lend themselves to freehanded use.
We carefully consider how easy a mandoline slicer’s food guide is to use and how good of a job it does protecting hands from the sharp blade.
We pay attention to how easy it is to remove pieces of food from the joints and crevices of each mandoline on our research list.
Whether a mandoline slicer’s blade can be sharpened—and how long it lasts between touch ups or replacement—are important pieces of information for us.
We look at the size and shape of each mandoline slicer in order to find the most helpful products that work with the largest variety of produce.
Handy add-ons like julienne blades and mated food prep containers are among the helpful features we appreciate when evaluating the best mandoline slicers.
Considerations for selecting a mandoline slicer
Cutting guard
The cutting guard of a mandoline slicer is sometimes called a "safety guard" or a "food holder." It's essentially a handle with spikes on one end and a plastic or metal plate in between. The spikes stick into the end of whatever food you plan to slice, you hold the handle while you move it back and forth over the blades, and the plate protects your fingers from contact with the blade. Without a cutting guard, it's quite easy to give yourself a nasty injury on a mandoline slicer, so make sure your chosen model comes with a good one.
Ease of cleaning
Mandoline slicers can be tricky to clean for two reasons. First, food can easily get trapped in the blades, and it can be tough to get into all the nooks and crannies on some models. Second, the blades are very sharp, so you have to be careful when washing them by hand, which can cause you to be less thorough. If you have a dishwasher, we definitely recommend buying a dishwasher-safe model. A dishwasher will get the blades cleaner without risking you slicing your fingers.
Expert Tip
Never immerse any blades under soap bubbles. You’ll forget it’s there, plunge your hands into the sink, and get cut.
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Blade material
Most mandoline slicer blades are made from either stainless steel or ceramic. Both have extremely sharp edges, but ceramic is designed to stay sharp, whereas stainless steel needs sharpening. How regularly a steel blade needs to be sharpened depends on how often you use your mandoline slicer. The only problem with ceramic is that it can't be sharpened, so if it does become dull (for instance, through misuse) it will need to be replaced.
Blade types
Mandoline slicers have interchangeable blades for performing different jobs. The standard blade is for creating regular slices (though you may have several for creating cuts of varying thicknesses), but most models also come with blades for shredding and julienning. Less common blade types can create cubes, waffle cuts, crinkle cuts, and dices. These less common blades come as standard with some models, but they will need to be purchased separately for others, assuming they’re available at all.
Expert Tip
Pick firm vegetables at the grocery store when you’re going to use them on the mandoline. Since you need to exert some force on vegetables to slice them with a mandoline, firm vegetables hold up better and slice more neatly.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Mandoline slicer tips
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It's best to cut long vegetables, such as cucumbers, into shorter lengths before slicing, as you have more control.
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Make your own chips by slicing potatoes and other root vegetables, then baking or frying them.
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You get the most even results slicing produce using quick motions. As long as you have your cutting guard in place, there's little risk of you slicing yourself.
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When using your mandoline slicer, push the food downwards towards the blade, rather than pulling it towards you.
Mandoline slicer prices
Just how much should you expect to pay for a mandoline slicer?
Inexpensive
Basic mandoline slicers, including handheld models, start at about $10 to $15. They may not come with a large range of blade types, and their performance will be poorer than high-end models, but they're fine for occasional use.
Mid-range
Mandoline slicers in this range cost roughly $15 to $30. They tend to be easy to use, and they come with a number of different blades.
Expensive
High-end mandoline slicers cost between $30 and $70. In this price range, expect top-notch performance and a large number of spare blades and accessories.
FAQ
Q. Are mandoline slicers safe to use?
A. A mandoline slicer's blades are razor sharp, so you should always exercise caution when using them. Even experienced chefs have shaved off the tip of a finger using a mandoline slicer in an unsafe manner. Always use a cutting guard or cut-resistant gloves when slicing produce, and be careful when handling the blades to wash them or to swap one type for another.
Q. Can I buy extra blades and accessories for my mandoline slicer?
A. Some mandoline slicers come complete with a wide range of blades and other accessories, such as a box in which to catch the sliced produce. If your chosen mandoline slicer lacks an accessory you want, you may be able to buy it separately. However, bear in mind that these accessories aren't universal, so a blade designed for one mandoline slicer won't fit on a different model.
Q. Why do I need a mandoline slicer?
A. Mandoline slicers cut fruits and vegetables much thinner and more uniformly than most of us can cut by hand. Evenly sliced produce makes for even cooking, and it looks much neater, too. What's more, once you've got the hang of using your mandoline slicer, you'll cut your meal prep time in half, as it's much quicker than using a knife.
