What is the Best Mandoline Slicer?

A mandoline slicer has been invaluable to the chef or seasoned cook for centuries. Uniform and precise slices are very important in food preparation and presentation.

Food slicers and choppers have evolved throughout the years but everyone comes back to the mandoline because of the reliability and quality that you can count on. Mandolines are now available to households that love to cook, creating masterpieces, just like professionals.

A good mandoline slicer is be designed to last many years. Sharp stainless steel blades that remain rust free, slicing or chopping with ease and very little friction are three main features to look for. Mandolines come available in durable plastic or stainless steel to withstand any type of cooking project. Square or V shaped models offer different angles of cutting, depending on your preference. German-made mandolines have always been a favorite because of the quality craftsmanship that goes into their knives and blades, designed for indefinite use. If you are purchasing your very first mandoline, read a few reviews and check out a company's background and reputation.

Have you ever wondered how a chef is able to present meals in such a way as to portray a work of art? The Mandoline is designed to deliver precise slices with every move of the hand so you never end up with a vegetable with torn edges, uneven slices or an unappealing, amateur look. The mandoline is perfect for drying vegetables and fruit in a food dehydrator, turning out professional looking pieces every time. Your friends will think your dried apples, pears and more had to have come from a store package.

Developed and made in Germany, the Swissmar Borner V Slicer is a professional style mandoline designed for amateurs and professionals alike. The V shape shredding surface prevents friction of foods from getting hung up in the slicer, turning out each individual slice with precision. This slicer will find a permanent spot on your counter top for frequent use of everyday cooking, easily replacing your set of knives. Julienne slices, French fries, dehydrated foods, and platters of fresh fruits and vegetables come alive, giving your display the appearance of a 4-star restaurant.

Although nothing lasts forever, the Swissmar tries its best when you clean the stainless steel blade after each use. A permanent utensil in my kitchen, my V slicer has not let me down since purchasing over ten years ago. The plastic casing is strong and durable, has not discolored or cracked and the stainless steel blade is as sharp as the day I bought it. I have a friend who has no use for this amazing tool but I think that this is a situation of what you grow accustomed to. She has always used knives and cannot grasp the concept of how to operate a mandoline. I watch as she toils over every chopping chore and cannot believe that this seems a better way to her.

The next Mandoline that I will buy is the Bron Original Stainless Steel model. Although I love my plastic V Slicer, I feel like I've turned pro and would appreciate this model that has its own legs to free up my hands for grabbing and preparing the next vegetable. The safety feature of a sliding guard for resting your food is a plus and there is no doubt in my mind that the stainless steel casing will probably last the rest of my life. This model is definitely worth the additional cost when you can't live without your mandoline for everyday use.

Both the Swissmar Borner V slicer and the Bron Original Stainless Steel Mandoline are excellent choices for all of your slicing and chopping needs. I am particularly fond of the mandolne for preparation of drying fresh food in my dehydrator. The most time consuming aspect of making dehydrated foods is the preparation and with a mandoline, the time just flies.

Although the stainless steel model runs anywhere from $250-$300, you are investing in a piece of equipment that will last a lifetime, ready at a moment's notice. For those just beginning with their very first mandoline, the hard plastic V model is great for learning and at the mere price of $40, most people wonder how they ever lived without this time saving tool that makes them look like a pro.