Meat Slicer Review: Is This Kitchen Gadget Worth the Investment?
In an era of kitchen appliance overload, from air fryers to pizza ovens, many home cooks are experiencing what might be termed appliance fatigue. Yet, the latest trend sweeping through domestic kitchens is the electric meat slicer, a device once reserved for professional butchers and delis. This review delves into whether such a gadget is a worthwhile addition or merely another space-hogging novelty destined for the cupboard.
The Rise of the Home Meat Slicer
Electric meat slicers are being marketed as the must-have tool for culinary enthusiasts, promising to elevate home cooking to restaurant standards. Prices range from around £40 for basic models to premium versions costing up to £1,400 from brands like Berkel, often compared to KitchenAid in terms of prestige. These devices claim to effortlessly slice a variety of foods, including bread, cheese, cured meats, and vegetables, offering a professional finish that knives struggle to match.
Proponents, including top chefs, highlight three key advantages: the ability to create uniform, deli-thin slices in under a minute; cost savings by reducing waste and allowing users to cut larger pieces of meat into steaks; and enhanced freshness and taste. However, critics argue that slicers are bulky, difficult to clean, and too niche for everyday use, raising questions about their practicality in average households.
Testing the Magimix Le Trancheur T190
For this review, the focus is on the Magimix Le Trancheur T190, a mid-range model retailing at approximately £160 from retailers like John Lewis, Argos, and Amazon. Specs include a stainless steel blade, dimensions of 40cm x 28cm (slightly smaller than a microwave), a weight of 5.7kg, and an adjustable slice thickness from 1mm to 28mm. It boasts ease of use, safety features like childproof buttons, and simple cleaning, though it may struggle with certain meats like chorizo.
In testing, the T190 performed impressively with items such as carrots, cucumbers, strawberries, and a crusty cob loaf, producing fresh slices quickly. It also handled a Dutch Gouda cheese efficiently, yielding around 30 slices in seconds. A cost-saving test involved slicing a whole pork loin from Lidl, which produced nine chops compared to six pre-cut ones, demonstrating potential long-term savings.
Pros and Cons in Practice
What we love:
- Versatility: Capable of slicing fruits, vegetables, bread, cheeses, and meats.
- Easy to use: No app required; ready straight out of the box.
- Safety: Features childproof buttons to prevent accidents.
- Speed: Produces dozens of slices in seconds.
- Simple cleaning: Parts are easily removable for washing.
What could be better:
- Not suitable for all meats: Struggled with slicing chorizo.
- Size: Takes up significant counter space in kitchens.
Despite the chorizo issue, the overall performance was positive, with the slicer delivering neat, precise cuts for most foods. Cleaning proved straightforward, with a coin twist allowing blade removal, contrary to concerns about difficult maintenance.
Expert Insights and Final Verdict
Professional chef Homam Ayaso, Director of Content for Tasty UK, notes that social media has driven demand for such appliances, as home cooks seek restaurant-quality results. He emphasizes the financial benefits, such as buying larger cuts of meat to slice at home, and the improved taste from freshly sliced ingredients. In testing, a sandwich made with freshly sliced cheese and cucumber on the machine-cut loaf tasted deli-fresh, and the slicer even enabled homemade healthier crisps by slicing potatoes for air frying.
The verdict? While the T190 has limitations, like its bulk and difficulty with chorizo, its versatility, cost-saving potential, and ability to enhance food freshness make it a valuable addition for serious home cooks. Overlooking minor flaws, this meat slicer earns a permanent spot on the kitchen counter, proving it's more than just another gadget.
