The Best Deli Meat Slicers
There are numerous considerations when comparing deli meat slicers. First and foremost is whether the slicer is for use at home or in a deli or restaurant. Other considerations include dependability, ease of use, reliability and cost. You probably don't want to spend thousands of dollars for home slicing. Some slicers, particularly for home and small deli or restaurant use, are compact. Others, for an expansive kitchen or for restaurants or supermarkets, are much larger and more versatile. Prices quoted are as of 2009.
-
Best Home Use
-
By consensus, the Chef's Choice Model 610 is the most affordable, versatile and reliable of the home deli slicers. It offers several features you'd expect to find on higher priced commercial slicers such as a precision slicing thickness adjustment. According to Bizrate.com, this model of Chef's Choice can be found in a price range of $25 to $99. In addition to its ability to handle relatively large pieces of meat, and removable blade for easy and thorough cleaning, the price is especially attractive. If you move up to the Chef's Choice Model 630 you make a substantial leap in price, starting at $200.
A Close Second, Third and Fourth
-
The Professional Series Heavy Duty Meat Slicer earned a 4.3 out of 5 stars rating from users at Overstock.com. At a starting price of about $70, it stood out above the the Rival Model 1060-C among reviewers. The Professional is comparable to Chef's Choice in quality but is slightly more expensive with a base retail price of about $75--or lower to the savvy shopper. Based on user ratings from Home & Garden, the Williams & Sonoma slicer received the very highest rating. It ventures into the professional price range at $300--a high quality machine for the serious cook
Middle Price Range
-
The Omcam Meat Slicer Model 195F and 195S with a fixed blade sharpener normally lists for more than $700 but can be found at online sites for as little as $450. The slicer rolls on ball bearings, allowing it to move with barely the suggestion of effort. Chef's Choice is also a very highly rated brand for its price. There is a range of models available starting at $250 up to $400. It too comes highly rated among reviewers.
Mid- to Upper-End Slicers
-
The Globe Chefmate Compact 12 Meat Slicer is designed primarily for home use but its price is targeted for the serious home chef or small deli owner. Good for kitchens with limited counter space. It may seem like a small matter but its cord is 12 inches long, unlike many other slicers that limit mobility in relation to an electrical outlet. The price is what makes it serious, starting at $1,280.
High End Best
-
The most commonly used machines, which receive the highest recommendation for heavy-duty work on large pieces of meat at large commercial establishments comes down to two manufacturers whose reputation appears to set the standard for the industry. They are Berkel and Hobart meat slicers. There is but a nuance of difference in reliability, durability and consistency of cuts; recommendations appear to rely mostly on little more than personal preference and brand reputation. It's a toss-up. Expect to pay at least $1,000 to $1,500 as a base price for the Berkel.
The reason Berkel may have gotten a slight nod over the Hobart is price. Hobart, while offering the same reliable performance, has one added feature not held by Berkel: an antibacterial design that reduces the risk of bacterial infection.The Hobart 2912, which can run automatically, can cost more than $6,000 for the very, very slicing serious.
-
