How to Use a Vegetable Peeler

Vegetable peelers have an inclosed circular blade to prevent injury.

Vegetable peelers are designed to remove a thin layer of peel and food material from the surface of a fruit or vegetable and are also used to slice thin sheets of hard cheeses and chocolate. The way a vegetable peeler is held determines how thick and long the shaved portion is. Make your vegetable peeler work for you by planing sheets of food material quickly and with precision. Does this Spark an idea?

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Rubber gloves (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  Hold the underside of the food item firmly as you press the blade of the vegetable peeler into the edge of the food's surface closest to you. The amount of pressure applied to the blade determines the thickness of the slice.
- 2
  
  Slide the vegetable peeler along the contours of the food away from your body while maintaining equal pressure on the blade throughout the stroke. Some peelers are designed to slice in both directions, but moving the blade away from the body is considered to be a safer way to peel.
- 3
  
  Pull the food slice from between the blades and set it aside if it does not fall out on its own. Proceed with a second slice using the same technique or adjust the pressure slightly to control the depth of the slices.
- 4
  
  Wash the vegetable peeler with hot soapy water and dry it completely before putting it away in the utensil drawer. Putting a peeler away while it is still dirty or wet could cause rust on the blade and reduce its sharpness and allow the growth of bacteria.

Tips & Warnings

Vegetable peelers with serrated blades slide through thick and tough skins with ease.
Keep your hand out of the path of the vegetable peeler blade. Sharp peelers can remove a few layers of skin and draw blood.

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Vegetable Peeler Reviews

Photo Credit potatoes in a bag with a peeler image by Tijara Images from Fotolia.com

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