How a Spiral Ham Slicing Machine Works

Spiral sliced ham dresses up a meal.

Spiral sliced ham has been a holiday favorite since it first appeared on the market more than 40 years ago. Its inventor, Harry J. Hoenselaar, patented a machine to slice ham in a continuous spiral. Similar machines followed, and the technique is now used with bone-in and boneless meats and poultry. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Machine Components
- The machine consists of a motor-driven base that rotates and moves up and down. Spikes on the base hold the ham in place. A slicing blade is spring loaded to adjust to the width of the ham.
How it Works
- The ham is positioned vertically onto spikes on the base; a second spiked arm holds the ham from the top. The ham rotates on the base and is gradually lowered as a blade cuts through the meat to create a continuous spiral from bottom to top.
How to Serve
- If the meat is a turkey breast or boneless ham, separate the slices with a knife before serving. For bone-in ham, cut completely around the bone to separate it from the meat, then cut down and through the meat to free the slices.

Photo Credit cutting of three grades of meat image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com

Comments

How to Spiral Slice Ham
Ham is usually presliced in a spiral when you buy it from meat stores for certain holidays, but if you purchase a...
How Are Spiral-Cut Hams Made?
Spiral-cut hams are enjoyed as much for their decorative appearance as for their flavor. Commercially sold hams get that spiral look from...
How to Cook Hillshire Farms Spiral Sliced Ham
A Hillshire Farms spiral sliced ham is fully cooked and requires no further cooking before it can be eaten. While this is...
How Spiral Panning Machines Work
Spiral panning machines are automated devices that are used by gold prospectors to pan gold. Instead of the prospector having to manually...
How to Pick a Spiral Ham
Typically reserved for holidays and special occasions, spiral hams are significantly more expensive than your run-of-the-mill ham. Spiral-cut or spiral-sliced hams ...
What Is a Spiral Cut Ham?
A spiral-cut ham is a specially sliced, fully cooked ham that is easy to carve and serve at home. Most people serve...
How to Reheat a Spiral Cut Ham
Spiral-cut ham is fully cooked and cured ham that is sliced, but remains on the bone. This keeps it fresh, but easy...
What Is Difference Between a Mandoline & a Spiral Slicer?
Two specialty cutting tools available for the gourmet kitchen are the mandoline and the spiral slicer. A knife is no match for...
How to Cook a Spiral Ham
Spiral ham is a loaf of ham that has been sliced with a helical cut. This type of cut is performed with...
Spiral Ham Preparation
Over 50 years ago, Harry J. Hoenselaar invented a machine that would cut a perfect spiral into a full-sized ham, creating a...
How to Choose a Commercial Slicer
Delis, cafés and restaurants rely on one primary tool: the commercial slicer. Commercial slicers cut vegetables, cheeses or meats in a variety...
How to Carve a Spiral Ham
There is nothing like the wonderful smell of a hot, holiday ham baking in your oven. But if you want to enhance...
How to Cook a Ham
Nothing says home cooking like a baked ham. This recipe is simple but delicious and is sure to have your family begging...
How to Bake Spiral Ham
Whether it's Easter, Christmas, or a special Sunday dinner, you can't go wrong with spiral ham. Spiral ham is precooked ham that...
Spiral Sliced Ham Cooking Time
A spiral-sliced ham is perfect for any occasion. It is quickest of all of the hams to serve because of the way...
How to Prepare Spiral Sliced Ham
Spiral sliced hams make baking and serving a deliciously succulent ham easy as there is no need for the fuss of carving...
How to Serve Spiral Ham Without Heating It
Carving a ham to achieve perfect slices is a challenge for a home cook. Ham is oddly shaped with a large bone...