The Cooks' Den » Mandoline Slicers http://www.thecooksden.com Cooking Tools - Gear for Cooks and Chefs Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:49:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Larien Bagel Biter w/ Stainless Steel Blade | Commercial Bakery Deli Tool http://www.thecooksden.com/larien-bagel-biter-w-stainless-steel-blade-commercial-bakery-deli-tool/ http://www.thecooksden.com/larien-bagel-biter-w-stainless-steel-blade-commercial-bakery-deli-tool/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:58 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8253 Larien Bagel Biter w/ Stainless SteelThe Larien Bagel Biter may seem like a lot of machine if all you want is a sliced bagel, but that baker's treat stays fresher if you buy them unsliced, and if you want to open one up at home to add a spread of cream cheese, you seldom get even halves with just a knife and a cutting board. For this machine to be practical in your home, you'll just have to love bagels.

Since this is one of very few commercial-quality machines that is also affordable, it's worth a close look even if you're not a heavy user of bagels. Soft breads might not work so well with this diagonal guillotine blade, but the tougher texture of a bagel is something it handles very well. With one smooth stroke, you get perfect symmetrical toastable halves nearly every time.

The ABS food grade plastic construction of base and frame is strong and safe. One-handed operation is easy, and there's no penalty for left handers. Cleanup is simple and should be nothing more than a quick wipe down by hand.

Safety was my primary doubt when I saw this thing for the first time, and should be a concern of anyone who has young children or even teenagers in the house. Although the clear plastic safety shields technically will stop the plunging motion before the blade reaches a playful finger, the shield itself could cause some painful injuries. Store this gadget out of the reach of children, and watch them carefully if you let them work with it.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/larien-bagel-biter-w-stainless-steel-blade-commercial-bakery-deli-tool/feed/ 1 Bron Original Stainless Steel Mandoline Slicer http://www.thecooksden.com/bron-original-stainless-steel-mandoline-slicer/ http://www.thecooksden.com/bron-original-stainless-steel-mandoline-slicer/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:01:59 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=5159 Bron Original Stainless Steel MandolineThe infinite repeatability, consistency, and precise control a mandoline brings to the table isn't something which many cooks can easily duplicate with a knife. Normally, I'll simply reach for an extremely sharp thin knife. But even professionals and skilled home cooks will have a tough time making the kind of consistent, precise cuts that the industry requires. And when that's what is required, a mandoline is what I go to if I need thin slices or even julienned veggies. But there are times where the speed and precision of a mandoline is exactly what you need to complete a recipe with a minimum of fuss.

A mandoline is something which I consider to be a specialty tool, but there aren't many professional kitchens I've worked in that don't have a mandoline or two in their batterie of tools. Does that mean everyone needs one? Probably not, but if you want to be able to produce professional results without professional skills, this could be well worth the investment.

This is a stainless steel, pro quality tool, which will last most people for a lifetime, making it easy to justify the arguably steep price. Whether you need to create thin slices for a tart, julienne veggies for a slaw, or create veggie sticks for snack trays or even french fries, this will produce the kind of cuts of which anyone would be proud.

Complete your food prep set with a nifty egg slicer from Westmark.

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Bron Mandolin Food Slicer Bron Mandolin Food Slicer
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Bron Mandolin Cutter Shredder S S 38 Blades NEW Bron Mandolin Cutter Shredder S S 38 Blades NEW
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Gourmet Mandoline Vegetable Cutter Slicer Bron Coucke Gourmet Mandoline Vegetable Cutter Slicer Bron Coucke
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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/bron-original-stainless-steel-mandoline-slicer/feed/ 0 Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Plus Julienne Mandoline Food Slicer http://www.thecooksden.com/swissmar-borner-v-slicer-plus-julienne-mandoline-food-slicer/ http://www.thecooksden.com/swissmar-borner-v-slicer-plus-julienne-mandoline-food-slicer/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:22:39 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4763 Swissmar Borner V-Slicer Plus JulienneWith sharp V-shaped blades, settings for thick and thin slicing, and a simple design that produces bowls of full width chips or julienned vegetables in minutes, the V-Slicer from Swissmar Borner has a faithful following and no shortage of satisfied customers. Whether you will like this simplified mandoline will depend on how well you adapt to several shortcomings in this economical machine.

Two interchangeable inserts control the thickness settings: one 1/4" and one 1/8" plate. The V-shaped blade itself does come razor sharp, and holds up well, but is not replaceable or practical to sharpen. Tender veggies like onions and zucchini often work up well with the V-slicer but tougher produce like potatoes take more effort and more caution. Too much pressure causes the ABS plastic bed to flex and results in thicker cuts, with a tendency to jam the machine.

With narrow veggies like carrots and zucchini you can't work from tip to stalk without risking your fingers on the very sharp cutters. The safety handle/holder that grips veggies won't securely hold long sections, and dividing these types of veggies into short grippable lengths adds to the amount that remains behind as "handle" pieces. This safety grip is also a little slick, with notched edges that help dig into larger items such as potatoes, and contribute to the grip's tendency to slip out of your hand when you need it most.

If you need a light duty machine and have a light touch the V-Slicer may fit your needs perfectly. If your touch is heavy and you expect machines to do more than the designers intended, you should consider something bigger, in stainless steel.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/swissmar-borner-v-slicer-plus-julienne-mandoline-food-slicer/feed/ 0 World Cuisine Spiralo Vegetable Slicer | White 3 Tri-Blade Spiral Blade Set http://www.thecooksden.com/world-cuisine-spiralo-vegetable-slicer-white-3-tri-blade-spiral-blade-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/world-cuisine-spiralo-vegetable-slicer-white-3-tri-blade-spiral-blade-set/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:57:54 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4752 World Cuisine Spiralo Vegetable Slicer Especially popular with raw food enthusiasts, the Spiralo 3 from World Cuisine quickly transforms suitable produce like sweet potatoes and zucchini into beautiful spiral slices and two sizes of "vegetable pasta." Even with the one year warranty, the lightweight ABS plastic construction will require some extra care in actual use.

The spiralizer will not work with every type of vegetable. Choose firm root vegetables of medium size and remember that a 3/8" core will be punched out of the middle by the process. If you are working with a slender carrot, for example, it won't yield much and may not even hold together in the machine. If you try a large diameter white potato, that may be too much cutting torque for this machine. Experiment a little. If critical parts bend or the produce jams against the cutting blade, reconsider. There's a middle choice that works.

Side pressure, that you provide, is what drives the machine--and too much of that can't be good for the ABS plastic crank and handle, so be careful. The machine does have some useful perks, such as built-in storage for the three cutting blades and suction cup feet that help hold the machine in place on tables or counter tops during use. All parts should be cleaned carefully by hand after use--though rated dishwasher safe, the high heat of a dishwasher can weaken plastic parts. Rinsing is not enough, even if info-mercials say it's so--you will need a little mild detergent and rubbing along with that rinse.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/world-cuisine-spiralo-vegetable-slicer-white-3-tri-blade-spiral-blade-set/feed/ 0 Matfer Mandoline Vegetable Slicer | Stainless Steel w/ Plain and Serrated Blade Set http://www.thecooksden.com/matfer-mandoline-vegetable-slicer-stainless-steel-w-plain-and-serrated-blade-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/matfer-mandoline-vegetable-slicer-stainless-steel-w-plain-and-serrated-blade-set/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:52:20 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4485 Matfer Mandoline Vegetable Slicer As a labor saving device I usually consider a mandoline somewhat suspect, because a cook skilled with a knife and cutting board can out-produce a mandoline operator if all that's required is sliced vegetables. In restaurants the mandoline or a similar device can assureproductuniformity, which often is not critical in a home kitchen. The Matfer 215000 is not the usual countertop machine, however, and creative home chefs as well as professionals may find something special here.

Construction is simple and solid, with a stainless steel build and tempered replaceable cutting blades. A handle at the top provides a convenient stabilizing grip, and the vegetable holder provides safety for your fingers while reducing the amount of vegetable or fruit that winds up as stubs, not food. Of course the remnants can still be used, but appearance of the product is the reason to have this machine, and perfect results are spoiled by haphazard chops added to the mix.

A plain blade allows uniform straight cuts, and a serrated edge produces uniform waffle cuts, in the rippled potato chip pattern--perfect also for home made sandwich pickles. Additional blades give the chef the option of many widths of julienned vegetables, the largest big enough for french fries. Three different blades and cutter sets give a total of 38 different product types.

The fanciest is the waffle cut, with a technique I won't explain here that produces a thin vegetable mesh for a unique addition to salads or the ultra crispy but delicate potato chip you'll never see in stores.

Although Matfer says the blades can be sharpened at home, unless you have special tools and considerable experience don't expect to renew anything but the straight blade. Buy replacements for the rest.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/matfer-mandoline-vegetable-slicer-stainless-steel-w-plain-and-serrated-blade-set/feed/ 0 Kanekichi Benriner Spiralizer | Food Turning Slicer Mandoline http://www.thecooksden.com/kanekichi-benriner-spiralizer-food-turning-slicer-mandoline/ http://www.thecooksden.com/kanekichi-benriner-spiralizer-food-turning-slicer-mandoline/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:02:39 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4432 Kanekichi Benriner Spiralizer A new approach to grating and slicing, the Benriner Turning Slicer from Kanekichi creates mounds of light vegetable ribbons or "pasta" style noodles in minutes, for quick salads, sandwich fixings, or a last minute addition to stir fry meals. Chefs accustomed to the older models of mandolines could be pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and safety of this hand powered machine.

Using concepts familiar to any machinist or turner, the Benriner spins portions of already cleaned and peeled vegetables against a fixed slicing blade, cutting continuous thin ribbons as the vegetable is pressed through the device. Several replaceable accessory blades can be used along with the basic ribbon cutter to automatically divide the ribbons into finer spaghetti-like strands.

Not every fruit or vegetable will work well with the Benriner slicer. Onions may be a problem, tending to separate along the layers instead of going through the machine. Cucumber, squash, zucchini, apples, daikon, large carrots and potatoes are examples of food that the machine handles well. Operation is a little awkward, since the device is not clamped down and tends to walk around a bit while in use--fortunately it is pretty fast and you get results before you get tired. There's very little waste, since the core and base that remain can be easily chopped by hand and added to the mix.

Cleaning should be done by hand. Dishwashers are tough even on stainless steel, and the Benrini is mostly reinforced plastic. Over the long haul the harsh environment of a machine cycle can weaken critical parts.

See the Swissmar Borner Mandoline if you're looking to simplify.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/kanekichi-benriner-spiralizer-food-turning-slicer-mandoline/feed/ 0 MIU French Fry Cutter | Stainless Steel Vegetable Food Slicer http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-french-fry-cutter-stainless-steel-vegetable-food-slicer/ http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-french-fry-cutter-stainless-steel-vegetable-food-slicer/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:04:17 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=4523 MIU French Fry Cutter The idea is sound: push a potato through a cutting grid, using a hand leverage press, and you have french fries ready to cook. This particular machine is built a little light for that purpose. The stamped stainless steel lever arms and slides of the MIU Cutter can easily bend or jam under conditions you would consider normal.

You will have better luck with this machine if you stick to working with small or medium Irish potatoes. Large white potatoes or tougher sweet potatoes are more than it can handle. Divide those into small pieces before running them through the MIU. Give the machine a little help by lubricating slides and pivot points with a few drops of cooking oil or mineral oil--if the action isn't smooth when you try it empty, it's not going to improve when you try it on produce. Two cutting grids are supplied, a 1/4" pattern and a 1/2" pattern; the 1/2" pattern puts less stress on the machine.

Press the handle straight down, and if the handle flexes out of line and starts to buckle, back off. You've done too much. Fix the problem and try again. It doesn't take a weight lifter to ruin a machine of this quality. If you undertake this project cautiously you can learn what works and what doesn't without breaking the machine.

Cleaning this by running it through a dishwasher will be tempting, but to keep the blade sharp take the cutter out and wash at least that section by hand. Inspect the rest of the MIU carefully and finish up what the dishwasher missed. Every time you wash the machine, re-lubricate the critical points.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-french-fry-cutter-stainless-steel-vegetable-food-slicer/feed/ 0 Swissmar V-Prep ABS Mandoline Slicer w/ Storage Box http://www.thecooksden.com/swissmar-v-prep-abs-mandoline-slicer-w-storage-box/ http://www.thecooksden.com/swissmar-v-prep-abs-mandoline-slicer-w-storage-box/#comments Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:04:40 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=3565 Swissmar V-Prep ABS Mandoline Slicer w/An inexpensive handheld version of the multi purpose counter top Mandoline, the V-Prep is a newer version of the company's V-Slicer model. Two interchangeable cutter plates allow the home chef to quickly work up large or small quantities of julienned vegetables or even french fries. Used alone, the V blade quickly slices vegetables and fruits. The storage box doubles as a base for the mandoline while in use, catching food and juices as you work.

The V blade and cutters of this mandoline are sharp, so use of the food holder is a good idea that will keep your fingers out of harm's way. Mandolines are very difficult to resharpen, but work on a different principle than a chef's knife. Pushing food through the cutters will almost always result in jamming the machine, but a fast flicking motion with only slight downward pressure gets good results.

The plastic parts of the Swissmar V-prep are easily cleaned, and in theory are dishwasher safe, but the better you care for the edges of the cutters the less trouble you'll have with this gadget. Even the dishwasher cycle will often leave food particles in crevices, so a good cleaning by hand is a better idea.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/swissmar-v-prep-abs-mandoline-slicer-w-storage-box/feed/ 1 MIU Professional Mandoline Food Slicer | Kitchen Stainless Steel Blade Set http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-professional-mandoline-food-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-blade-set/ http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-professional-mandoline-food-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-blade-set/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:12:32 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-professional-mandoline-food-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-blade-set/ MIU Professional Mandoline Food Slicer This large Mandoline from MIU, with five interchangeable blades, a stainless steel vegetable holder (to protect your fingers) and easily adjustable settings, can be either a welcome and useful addition to your kitchen or a complete frustration. Mandolines are often touted as labor saving, capable of producing uniformly sliced, julienned or grated vegetables, fruits, and cheeses in short order. They do require some practice to reach that level of utility.

The most common issue is sharpness. The blades probably will not be--I'd say it's rare that a set arrives razor sharp. In any case, the blades won't stay razor sharp for long if used very often. Sharpening one of these removable blades with its tiny serrations will require special tools most cooks won't have. If you use a cheap vegetable grater (the kind that looks a little like an old-fashioned washboard) you know the fundamental problem.

The way to make a mandoline work is the same trick that makes my three piece set of graters work even though they haven't been sharp for about ten years. Don't push the food through the mandoline; play it like a musical instrument. Sounds silly, but yes, you have to strum it and flash the food over the cutter. It works more by velocity than sharpness.

Here's where the extra features of the MIU Mandoline help. The holder keeps your fingers from becoming part of the meal. Part of the vegetable will be left uncut. Accept that. Some cuts will be imperfect; it's a limitation of the device. Work with it and it's a great help for holiday meals when work has to be done in large amounts and quickly, but as an everyday item you may find you prefer a knife and a cutting board.

The MIU Mandoline takes care of your slicing chores. For fine grating, see the Microplane 4-in-1 Box Grater.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/miu-professional-mandoline-food-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-blade-set/feed/ 0 De Buyer Pro V Mandoline Slicer | Kitchen Stainless Steel Vegetable Blade http://www.thecooksden.com/de-buyer-pro-v-mandoline-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-vegetable-blade/ http://www.thecooksden.com/de-buyer-pro-v-mandoline-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-vegetable-blade/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:22:36 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/de-buyer-pro-v-mandoline-slicer-kitchen-stainless-steel-vegetable-blade/ De Buyer Pro V Mandoline Slicer Ah, contraptions . . . . creative inventors have always tried to come up with ways to substitute ingenuity for actual skill. Whether the price is a few dollars or a few hundred the limitations are always the same.

This Mandoline from De Buyer is actually a step above most, strongly built from stainless steel with a push handle that will keep your fingers away from the blades. Thickness of the cut is adjustable with a simple hand crank beneath the bed. The De Buyer version comes with five blades, two of them v-shaped for extra efficiency. The remaining options are julienne blades in different sizes.

The uniformity of product when a mandoline is used is the ultimate reason for having one. Hand slicing will seldom look as good. In restaurant kitchens professional devices based on these same concepts are often used, to ensure that quality and appearance from plate to plate are always the same.

At home, where we have to deal with all issues the machine brings up, it's not a clearcut choice. Cleanup is time consuming, the efficiency is almost always less than desired, and the blades are not something most of us can sharpen at home. For holiday meals when large batches of home cooking are the rule, the mandoline shines. For everyday tasks, a knife and a cutting board are better.

If you decide you have to have one of these, get a good one. The De Buyer Pro V is a fair choice for home use.

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De Buyer La Mandoline Slicer 5 Blade Kit With DVD 301124 NEW IN BOX De Buyer La Mandoline Slicer 5 Blade Kit With DVD 301124 NEW IN BOX
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de Buyer LA MANDOLINE Swing Red NSF Approved NEW de Buyer LA MANDOLINE Swing Red NSF Approved NEW
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