If you’re ever asked to use a meat slicer in a commercial kitchen it can be quite daunting. It looks quite large and features a sharp blade that spins around very fast. It’s no wonder it makes novice kitchen assistants quake in their boots. 

Once you know how to use one correctly, you’ll wonder what you were afraid of. In this post, you’ll find all the information you need. Before you know it, you’ll be creating sliced meat and cold cuts like a pro and using a meat slicer with the utmost confidence. 

Similarly, if you’re trying to decide whether a meat slicer is a smart investment, by the time you reach the end of this post, you won’t need much convincing. 

What is a Meat Slicer?

Quite simply, a meat slicer, also called a deli slicer, is a slicing machine you can use to make sliced meat. However, that’s not all you can do with a meat slicer. 

What is a Meat Slicer Used For?

Primarily, a meat slicer is used for creating perfectly sliced meats. Well, there’s a surprise. But that’s not the only string a meat slicer has to its bow. Meat slicers are versatile machines to have in your commercial kitchen. Let’s introduce some more ways you can use a meat slicer. 

Slicing Lunch and Deli Meats

Buying deli and lunch meat ready sliced can be an expensive undertaking. Slice it yourself and you’re going to make some massive savings. 

Slicing Cheese

Ready-sliced cheese is similarly expensive. It’s much cheaper and more cost-effective to buy large blocks of cheese and slice them yourself.

Firmer cheeses are better for slicing. You’ll struggle to get thin even slices out of a fresh ball of mozzarella, brie, or camembert cheese.  

Slicing Vegetables and Fruit

It might be called a meat slicer, but this versatile kitchen machine is capable of so much more. A meat slicer can also work magic on fruits and vegetables. Buy your fruit and veg whole and fresh at a fraction of processed versions. 

Use your slicer to slice cabbage and other veg for making coleslaw. Slice fruits such as apples to make a variety of dried healthy snacks. Use your slicer to prepare vegetables for sandwiches and party trays. 

Slicing Bread

Use a meat slicer with a serrated blade to cut bread and you’ll achieve nice even slices every time.  

Slicing Meat for Hot Pots

Hot pots are popular dishes across the United States. Whatever kind of hot pot your clients prefer, being able to thinly cut the meat will raise your hot posts to the number one spot on the menu. 

One advantage of buying unsliced cuts of meat is that you’ll be using fresh meat in your hot pots. Pre-packaged meat is usually frozen and often spends days on the counter before you come along and buy it. You can also decide on the thickness of the meat and what the cut will be. 

How Wide Can You Slice Meat Using a Slicer?

Most meat slicers have a thickness knob. You can choose the desired thickness of the sliced meat, usually with micrometric precision. 

However, it is advisable to cut the meat to size before you use the slicer. If the item you want to cut is larger than the slicer, cut it down to a more manageable size first. 

If you fail to follow this rule, you run the risk of damaging your equipment and not getting the cut you’re looking for. 

Can You Slice Frozen Meat with a Meat Slicer?

Generally, a meat slicer is unsuitable for slicing frozen items. Frozen meat is too hard and could damage the slicer. 

Can You Use a Meat Slicer on Raw Meat?

Meat slicers are not specifically designed for slicing raw meat,  but it is still possible to use them for this purpose.

How to Slice Roast Beef with a Commercial Meat Slicer?

One of the most popular uses for a commercial meat slicer is to slice roast beef. Perfect slices of roast beef are just what you need if you’re serving sandwiches or need slices of beef for a buffet. 

People tend to have a preference for how they like their roast beef sliced and with a meat slicer you can cater to their tastes.

Here are a few quick roast beef slicing tips:

• Don’t try to slice hot roast beef that’s just out of the oven

• Always let the beef rest first

• Chill the meat after its rested

• Leaner cuts of beef are better for the slicing process

• How thick you slice the beef depends on user preference

What Foods Can't be Cut With a Meat Slicer?

Meat slicers are very versatile but you can’t use one to cut non-food items, bones, or frozen foods.

Never use your meat slicer to slice through bone. Any food you slice should have the bone removed. Bones can damage the slicer itself and the blade. Always prepare any meat before you put it in the slicer. 

You should never use a meat slicer to cut through anything frozen. Always let frozen meat thaw before trying to slice it. 

One final thing you should avoid doing is slicing cooked meats or food of any kind immediately after using the slicer for cutting raw meat. The only time you should do this is when you’ve thoroughly cleaned and de-sanitized everything. The reason you have to be so careful is to remove the risk of serious contamination and severe food borne illnesses such as E.coli.   

Why Do You Need a Meat Slicer? 

If you’re not sure whether a meat slicer is a wise investment, consider some of the following benefits. 

Perfect Slices

Meat slicers can create a perfect cut every time and can do it all day long. Use one for making perfect slices of turkey, cold meat, cheese, deli products, bread, vegetables, and fruit. For perfect slices of bread, you’ll need a serrated blade in your meat slicer.  

Prepare Fruit and Vegetables For Any Recipe

Cutting large amounts of fruit and vegetables can be very laborious if you’re doing it by hand. It’s also more likely that the slices will be inconsistent. 

Use a meat slicer to prepare fruit and vegetables exactly the same, every slice, and in a fraction of the time. 

Enjoy Additive-Free Cold Cuts

A major ingredient in cold-cut meat is sodium nitrate, a preservative. Processed store-bought meat can be done away with because you can buy slabs of meat and prepare it yourself.  

Save on Your Grocery Bills

Buying pieces of cheese and larger cuts of meat and slicing them yourself is going to cost less than buying meat and cheese that’s pre-cut. 

Cuts Cooking Time

When you can slice the meat before you cook it you’re cutting the cooking time, often quite significantly. You can also remove the rough skin cells that often prevent the meat from browning. 

How to Use a Meat Slicer?

Now you appreciate the plus side of having a meat slicer in your commercial kitchen, it’s time for a quick lesson on how to use a meat slicer safely. 

• Read the operating manual: This probably seems like an obvious first step but it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Meat slicers can differ depending on who the manufacturer is. They will know the ins and outs of the machine, and share tips on how to use the machine and reduce the risk of injury. 

• Take appropriate training: It may be necessary for you to receive some training in the correct use of the commercial meat slicer. Your employer will be able to provide this if necessary. The right kind of training will include operating instruction, prevention of health and safety issues, and minimizing contamination. 

• Check the guards: Meat slicers have a safety guard and you should always use it. If the guards are loose, damaged, or missing, you shouldn’t use the machine.

• Check the parts and power cord: If any of the parts aren’t working or the power cord is damaged or frayed, don’t use the meat slicer.  

• Set the slice thickness regulator to zero: When the machine is not in use, the thickness dial should be set to zero. This reduces the possibility of accidentally swiping the blade and causing injury to yourself or those around you. 

• Make sure your bench is free from clutter and other food contaminants: You’ll be able to use the meat slicer more efficiently and safely if your work area is free of clutter and contaminants. Use fresh gloves, a clean bench, a clean machine, and fresh produce. 

• Make sure your bench is solid and at the right height: You should be comfortable when using the machine and your workbench should be stable and solid. The right height of the workbench is also important so you can operate the slicer efficiently. 

• Wear hygienic gloves: When handling food of any kind, always wear food-grade gloves. This type of glove has the right layer of protection and will prevent cross-contamination and exposure to any foreign material. 

• Pull the meat carriage towards you and position the Last Slice Device (LSD): This step will ensure the product you want to slice in sat on the carriage tray correctly and there is no obstruction. 

• Load product on the carriage tray: Place the meat, cheese, bread, fruit, or vegetable on the carriage tray. You hold it in place using the Last Slice Device. You want the product to be locked in place and unable to move around. 

• Adjust the slice thickness: Use the slice thickness knob to get the desired setting. You can be very precise when slicing with a meat slicer. 

• Power up the machine and commence slicing: With everything in place, you can power up the machine and start slicing. If you want to slice bread, you may need to change the blade to a serrated blade.  

• Make swift slicing motions: You move the carriage tray away from you and then toward you to make a slice. Repeat these actions, depending on how many slices you want to make. Never force the slicing action and don’t rush. Only use the handles when operating the machine and ensure other people and objects are at a safe distance. 

• Turn off the meat slicer: When you’ve finished slicing, pull the carriage tray toward you, set the thickness knob to zero, and power off the meat slicer. Finally, remove the power cord from the power outlet. 

• Clean the meat slicer thoroughly: The final step is to clean the meat slicer and we’ll explain how to do this properly a little further down the page. 

How Not to Use a Meat Slicer

Knowing how not to use one is also an important thing to learn. Take note of the following:

• Never use it for cutting meat that contains bones or frozen meat

• Never use it to slice cheese that’s soft

• Don’t try to slice oversized cuts of meat

• Never slice raw and then cooked meat

• Never operate a meat slicer with bare hands

• Always check that the machine has the right blade

• Don’t forget to wear the right protective equipment

Safety Tips When Using a Meat Slicer

Knowing how to use a meat slicer safely is just as important as knowing what to use it for. Here are some top safety tips:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: It’s always important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. It helps reduce the risk of injury.

• Adults only: Children should not be allowed to operate these machines. 

• Blade safety: Before you start using the machine, make sure the blades are held securely in place with the safety locks.  

• Power off and unplug when not in use: After using your meat slicer and before you clean it, make sure it’s unplugged and turned off. 

• Use a safety guard at all times: Safety guards are there to provide protection. There will also be a handle you must use.   

• Keep the dial control on zero when the machine is not in use: this will prevent you from injuring yourself. 

• Don’t clean the slicer in the dishwasher: Hard detergents you use in a dishwasher are not suitable for a meat slicer.

Is Using a Meat Slicer Right For You?

If you’re still sitting on the fence and unsure whether a meat slicer is what you need, here are some things to consider. There is also a wide selection of meat slicers available, and the following points will help you pick the right one.

• How frequently do you plan to use the slicer? If you’re only going to be using a meat slicer a few times every year, look for a home meat slicer as it will be smaller. For frequent use, a professional-grade meat slicer could be better. A heavy-duty motor will also be better suited for frequent and regular slicing.  

• Storage space: If space is limited, look for a lighter model that you can move around. If you’re looking to buy a countertop slicer, make sure it fits. 

• Consider the material: Stainless steel is more expensive than aluminum and plastic, but it will last longer, be more durable, and be easier to keep clean. 

• How big is your budget? Commercial meat slicers vary in price. Choose one that not only meets your needs and fits on your counter. It also has to be within your budget. Don’t pick the lowest price possible because it will be made with cheaper parts and have a warranty that’s not worth the paper it's written on. 

How to Clean Your Meat Slicer?

Cleaning your commercial meat slicer is an important part of ownership. For food slicer model-specific instructions, consult the owner's manual.

Generally, you’ll need to do the following:

• Turn off and unplug the machine

• Wear tear-resistant gloves

• Take the meat slicer apart

• Remove any food particles

• Wash all areas that come into contact with food

• Wipe down the remaining parts

• Sanitize the meat slicer

• Let it air dry

• Reassemble when dry 

How to Keep a Meat Slicer Sharp?

For a meat slicer to perform at its best, the blade must be sharp. If the machine is not cutting evenly or is shredding the meat rather than slicing it, you might need to sharpen the blade. You can sharpen a meat slicer blade by hand, but it’s much better to use the built-in sharpener. Here’s how to do it:

• Disconnect the machine for the mains.

• Set the graduated knob to zero.

• Clean the blades of any leftover food or cooking oil using a damp cloth with detergent and warm water.

• Unscrew the sharpener locking knob and it will release the built-in sharpener.

• Lift the sharpener and rotate it 180°.

• Reposition it downwards with the blade between the two sharpener wheels.

• Screw back the knob to secure the sharpeners.

• Start sharpening by letting the blade spin against the sharpening stone for 30 seconds. Let it rest for 4 seconds and then let it run for another 30 seconds. 

• Clean up using warm water and dish soap to clean the blade. Rinse everything off and add lubricating oil to prevent rust.

Where to Find the Best Meat Slicers?

There are plenty of places you can purchase the best meat slicers, whether you’re looking online or in a local store. However, a great option is to look at what Kitchenall has available. Kitchenall is a leader in the commercial kitchen equipment industry and has a wide selection of commercial meat slicers for sale available.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed reading this article and feel ready to decide on a meat slicer for your business. A high-quality food slicer slicer can be an essential piece of equipment and if you find the right one, it will save you time and money when slicing all kinds of things including meat, cheese, bread, fruit, and vegetables.