How to Choose a Cheese Slicer

Cheese slicers are typically chosen based upon the hardness of the cheese they will be used on.

Choosing a cheese slicer takes a good bit of thought. Cheese slicers come in a few varieties and each has its own advantages for working with certain types of cheese. Some cheese slicers resemble knives with blades, some use wires to cut through the cheese and others have surfaces that are similar to planes that cut the dairy product. Before you decide on which style to use, consider which cheeses you will likely be serving.

Instructions

1. Purchase the slicer that uses the wires as its cutting device if you plan on cutting blocks of semi-hard cheese. This style of slicer features a horizontal wire held between to arms that join a handle, making for simple and concise cutting. Some wire cutters also have rolling bars placed under the wire to make for smoother, easier cutting. Certain slicers will feature two wires, to allow for different widths of cuts.

2. Obtain the knife-style slicer to work with hard cheeses. This type of slicer typically cuts through the harder varieties of cheese the best. Some knives feature split or forked blades that allow you to pick up the cheese or other food easily.

3. Purchase a broad metal slicer to work with hard cheeses. This type of slicer employs a plane-like blade that cuts off small pieces and shavings of cheeses, which are ideal for appetizers or sandwiches. This slicer, also known as the Scandinavian cheese slicer, also works well when cutting cheese from blocks.

4. Obtain a soft cheese knife to cut through soft cheeses. These knives typically contain rounded blades that can easily cut through the delicate cheeses. You could also use a device that will cut your soft cheese into many slices. You simply lay the piece of cheese down on the slicer's bottom half and then pull down the top piece---which is fitted with many blades---through the cheese. You are then left with many slices of the soft cheese.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase cheese slicers at gourmet food or cooking supply stores.

References

• Recipe Tips: Cheese Slicer
• Real Restaurant Recipes: Cheese Slicers, Cheese Knives