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[jdmessner]

I've just started looking around at meat slicers. The bad news is I don't have a very large budget. I see there are some nice looking ones for around a $100, give or take a little either way. Any brands to stay away from or ones that really stand out? I have two that I am currently looking at, but nothing that I am locked into.

The first is a Nesco 250, it has an 8.7 inch serated blade and a 180 W motor. It is in stock where my wife works, so we would get a small discount. The cost would be around $88. It seems to be a good little machine. Little however is the key word. From what I've read, it is not big enough to do a large roast.

The other is a Della slicer. It has a 10 inch smooth blade and a 200 W motor and is priced at $129.97. From the reviews I read it will handle larger cuts of meat OK. Trying to do a cost benefit analysis to figure out if it is worth the extra $. I would need to order it on-line from Amazon.

From what I can tell, both have nylon gears. Any input and advice is welcome.

[Bentley]

It is truly a "home" slicer and only a 7 inch blade.  But very happy with my Chef Choice 610...Cheese, pork belly, onions & potato's for Scalloped potatoes...and it really shines on large pieces of deli meats for cold cuts...

[Ralphie]

I’m going to buy an electric deli style meat slicer. Brand and model recs are certainly welcome, but I’m also trying understand what type of slicer and features I’m looking for.

I’ll provide some info here in hopes of sparking conversation and guidance.

Needs/Uses/Interests:

- deli meats/cheeses for sandwiches
- slicing homemade corned beef and pastrami
- delicate thin sliced meats like prosciutto and copa
- thin sliced ribeye for cheesesteaks
- Italian beef
- maybe veggies or potatoes on occasion.

Other factors:
- family of 4. But some entertaining is done.
- I’m not a hunter, IE: no bulk meat hauls like venison from a hunt.
- no jerky making done here.

Questions:  what do I need?
- what strength level?
- what size blade?
- built in sharpening stone?
- Serrated blade or not?

Thanks!

[BigDave83]

I would look for a used commercial unit, if you are on FB he market place has them  going through a lot of the times. I have a 7 and a 9" serrated blade units. Just home type, they work but not as good as the 10 or 12" commercial ones.

You will need to figure out how large of a piece you are going to want to slice. if dong bacon 10" minimum I would say,12 would be better, unless you do not mind cutting the piece you are working with in half to work on the smaller slicer. Is it going to be set up and stationary, I have an old 12" globe I have no idea how much it weighs but I do not like moving it. my 10" is a Berkel much more manageable to move but no where near the machine the globe is. How much will you be using it at one time, my smaller ones tend to heat up and have even left some of the smoke out of the one once, then left it set for an hour to cool down. That was when I went looking for a smaller heavier unit.

The non serrated blade is going to give you a nicer slice, the heavier commercial units will give you a nicer slice. My smaller ones are mostly plastic, tolerances are far from tight so unless you are paying attention, the slices become uneven or tapered. The smaller ones I have are a Waring Pro and a Cabelas 8.9" is what they called it when I bought it.

You can also search the interweb for restaurant liquidators, like PCI auctions. If you are patient you can find some good deals  on them at times also.

[Ralphie]

Thanks for the info.

This might address some of your questions.

It will be stored away when not in use. So I guess size and weight will matter some. I know I want it to be smaller than what the grocery store deli counter uses.

I’d say a “large” job would be slicing enough sandwich meat/cheese or ribeye for a dozen or so sandwiches. Or maybe thin slicing a whole packer corned beef brisket. That’s the largest individual job I would anticipate.

I’d also like reliable paper thin prosciutto slices.

Maybe some models have interchangeable blades.

[pmillen]

I have a very inexpensive slicer from one of the discount tool stores.  It slices just fine for my light duty needs.

But...it's such a chore to clean it that I tend to ignore it.

[02ebz06]

I have a very inexpensive slicer from one of the discount tool stores.  It slices just fine for my light duty needs.

But...it's such a chore to clean it that I tend to ignore it.

My Avantco is a bit more money, but I agree they are a PITA to clean.
I have to take three screws out of the blade to remove it to clean it properly.
Mostly just use if when making Jerky.

[Bentley]

My 610 would work for you.  As noted, folks do not like to clean theirs so they dont use them.  My 610 had a black plastic screw in the middle of the blade, you unscrew it with a spoon in 10 seconds.  You spray a anti-bacterial spray all over the machine, you then wash the blade, that takes 30 seconds.  You wipe down the slicer with a damp cloth to remove grime and grease, put blade back in and put on top shelf of pantry!  Voila!


They probably do not even make the 610 any more, but they would make something close.

[Ralphie]

Thanks for the feedback!  Looks like the 610 is the leader in the clubhouse right now.

[Hank D Thoreau]

I have been on the brink of buying a low cost slicer for a few years now. Each time I have been scared away by poor reviews. The issues that keep coming up are:

Plastic gears that break
Plastic parts wear which prevents you from being able to adjust the slicer to make thin slices (which is usually what you want it for).

My wife recently got her 40+ year old sewing machine fixed. The service person told her to keep ahold of it. It has metal gears and parts, and will last forever. New sewing machines have plastic gears and are not as good, even though they have a lot of electronic bells and whistles.

The door handle on the driver side of my car broke a week ago. It is made of polycarbonate and ABS. Plastic is great. It is light weight and easy to form, but it is not as durable as metal for many low cost implementations. You can certainly make very strong parts with synthetic materials if you put the money into them. You don't get that investment in a $100 slicer.

It may work fine for awhile, but I would not trust a low cost slicer long term, even for low usage.

[Bentley]

Heading into year 9 with mine.  I have had none of the issues you list. I guess you would have to define long term?

It may work fine for awhile, but I would not trust a low cost slicer long term, even for low usage.

[Hank D Thoreau]

Heading into year 9 with mine.  I have had none of the issues you list. I guess you would have to define long term?

It may work fine for awhile, but I would not trust a low cost slicer long term, even for low usage.

You are on the good side of the Gaussian curve.

I hear good things, but I also hear a lot of bad. That is why my trust level is low. If I went by only the positive reviews I would have one by now.