Meat slicer? What to get?

Anyone have a home meat slicer?

Sliced meat is really popular in Japanese cooking, like shabu shabu, and I want to make it at home. However many grocery stores don't sell thinly sliced meat so I'm thinking about getting a slicer.

Chefs Choice has some versions, but is there any differences between the version that make one better than another?

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pgcath

I keep hearing go pro, or don't go.

I think there are a couple of forum members that have pro slicers that they spotted deals on.

pd3ski_278514

I totally agree with Max ... there are deals on the bay but you know ya gotta do the searches! Aren't you out in chi town... I would think there would be an abundance of used available through supply houses. One day I'll have one cause relying on my Asian store to have the right cut is hit and miss.

I keep thinking about Seinfeld while typing... was there an episode?

FrankM_3301

I have had the Chefs Choice 610 for several years. It's no commercial slicer, but I have not had any problems with it as a home slicer. I make my own charcuterie and this slicer has been just fine to cut cured meats and bacon. It will easily go through meat for shabu shabu. I would recommend that raw meat be slightly frozen for the best slice. It is easy to clean, but be careful, the blade is extremely sharp. Now, the downside, and for me this is the only one...and I've learned to overcome it. There is a little bit of play in the thickness setting, so that when you push the product along the blade, it actually gets sliced thicker than the initial setting. Once you recognize this it is not difficult to adjust for. A little manipulation is required for very thin slicing. But, again, I've learned to live with it. For my occasional needs, I really have no complaints.

Also, see if you have an H-Mart near you. They sell thinly sliced meats commonly found in Korean cuisine, which you can easily use in other applications.

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

Dont know what your budget is or how much you are going to use it. I found a 10" Berkel commercial slicer on Craig's list and ended up paying $150. Replaced the blade and belt ($85) took it apart and cleaned and oiled everything, and now have an $800 (used) slicer that is unbeleivable. WARNING****this mother weighs about 65 lbs which is the downfall of all commercial slicers...

wolfiegirl

Which ever way you go, do yourself a favor and invest in a proper metal glove. The fingers you save WILL be yours.

hairyotter_273859

All you kids with your fancy e-lectricity...

This beauty belonged to my grand-mother. She was a beautiful woman, loved to cook and entertain guests in grand style.

Built to last and still razor sharp. I do have an electric meat slicer but it's a pain to clean. Old Reliable here does a fairly decent job. Kind of tricky at first, like tapping the top of your head and rubbing your belly at the same time.

hairyotter_273859

Old school ain't a bad way to go.

dancurren

That is gorgeous! The two handed crank has me terrifies that I would be too uncoordinated but if I could buy this I still wouldn't hesitate.

hairyotter_273859

A trip down memory lane.

Looking at that meat slicer brings back memories. When I was a young child, long time ago, my parents were in the grocery store business, we had several stores. This was before Fry's and Safeway came to town. The stores had fully stocked meat departments with band saws, meat grinders and huge meat slicers similar to the one you posted. I have many fond memories of watching the butcher slicing endless supplies of bologna and ham, I can still hear the hypnotic sound of the band saw slicing through meat and bone. I also have some rather negative memories of spending my entire summer break from school dusting and fronting merchandise on the shelves and bagging groceries while all my friends spent their summers days playing outside.

JasonWirth_68226

This is pretty amazing! I never knew that there was a hand slicer but it makes total sense.

JasonWirth_68226

I guess my budget is in the $100-150 range. I could go higher for something that's perfect. Going used for commercial equipment is a great idea.

JasonWirth_68226

When you say "pro", you mean professional equipment in general, or the "professional" version in Chef Choice's line up?

JasonWirth_68226

Thanks! This was perfect feedback. I like your emphasis on the "home" and bringing me back to earth. I often feel like many of the "home" products are not good enough, but in reality they are more than sufficient for home needs. After all, I'm not running a deli-counter.

Ironically I happened to be in the area so I went to H-Mart last night to check it out.

JasonWirth_68226

Yeah, Chicago. I didn't previously think about used professional equipment but there's a chance!

Even though asian restaurants have the stuff, sometimes it's better (more fun?) to do it at home.

pd3ski_278514

Yup Chicago is is meat central!! There's gotta be one out there for you 🎟

pgcath

When I say "pro", I am thinking of a Hobart professional slicer, or the equivalent.

Should have been more specific. Sorry!

(Although, this is looking kinda sexy... http://www.webstaurantstore.com/berkel-330m-13-prosciutto-meat-slicer/165330M.html)

JasonWirth_68226

Go pro... how about go broke! Haha. Looks sexy though.

Tim_Martin_592844

A good meat slicer could saves you a lot of trouble and energy. It is hard to slice the meat with same thickness only using your sharp knife. The meat slicer can allow you to recreate much of the processed foods you have come to love while skipping on all of the health issues.

micheleberilli_747115

I agree with other users, you'd better go pro than buy a slicer that works for one year or so and then breaks up. Personally I use a commercial meat slicer from an Italian brand called Manconi, I bought it second-hand some years ago and it still works exceptionally, it's incredibly smooth and resistant, plus it's easy to clean.

Unfortunately the producer doesn't list prices on it's website, but I'm sure the model I own is this one: https://www.manconi.com/en/slicers/linea-smarty/250-vx-ve. To be honest I suspect it could be quite expensive if you buy it new, so I suggest to look for a used one on the internet as I did myself. Good luck

Michelangelo_Roberti_1528085

I can suggest Italianslicers (born from the merger of Historical brands Essedue and Rheninghaus) that produces reliable and sturdy slicers, the models are many and a bit for all budgets. They have professional and also home slicers.

https://www.italianslicers.com/en/prodotti/affettatrici-professionali

The smallest and cheapest is probably:

https://www.italianslicers.com/en/products/household-slicers/linea-classic/195