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Need advice on a mandoline slicer

AustinInDallas

Golden Member
Jun 5, 2012
1,127
0
76
www.amitelerad.com
Bought a shitty one from walmart once, that kinda worked, but was super cheaply made and fell apart fast.

Im looking at these...

Swissmar Borner V-1001 V-Slicer Plus Mandoline 6 Piece Set
http://www.amazon.com/Swissmar-Borne...zg_bs_289783_2

OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer
http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-V-Bl...zg_bs_289783_4

Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer
http://www.amazon.com/Benriner-BN1-J...zg_bs_289783_8

Also considering this one, but its low price makes me question it
Norpro Mandoline Slicer Grater with Guard
http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Mandoli...zg_bs_289783_7

or if anyone has other ones to recommend in the <$50 price range
 

MontyAC

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2004
4,112
1
81
We have this one, does a great job:

http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-Easy-Sl.../dp/B000HVDZU4

318efT0R24L.jpg
 

notposting

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2005
3,498
33
91
The OXO is the one Cook's Illustrated/ATK recommends. There is a cheaper one that gets their best buy recommendation, a Kyocera "Adjustable Ceramic Mandoline Slicer", no julienne or waffle cut options, but otherwise good.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
I have two different styles - both are listed above. I don't like either one of them. Too much bother for things like tomatoes - I can slice quite well with a knife. What I'd prefer them for are cutting french fries. But, due to the flimsy nature & force required to push potatoes through, the plastic that it slides along on one of those brands (the 6 piece set) bends downward, and on the other, the potato spins the vertical blades. With the amount of effort required to get a good cut with it, it's just an accident waiting to happen.

For french fries, I'd prefer this http://www.amazon.com/Weston-Restaur...nch+fry+cutter I'd order it right now, but would prefer one that comes with 1/4" cuts instead of 3/8" cuts. Then, follow the recipe someone posted here a year ago for french fries: boil them first for about 10 minutes in water made slightly acidic with vinegar. Deep fry at (325 degrees F?) for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Freeze. Then recook in hot oil for 2 minutes - tastes very similar (but better) than McD's.
 

AustinInDallas

Golden Member
Jun 5, 2012
1,127
0
76
www.amitelerad.com
I have two different styles - both are listed above. I don't like either one of them. Too much bother for things like tomatoes - I can slice quite well with a knife. What I'd prefer them for are cutting french fries. But, due to the flimsy nature & force required to push potatoes through, the plastic that it slides along on one of those brands (the 6 piece set) bends downward, and on the other, the potato spins the vertical blades. With the amount of effort required to get a good cut with it, it's just an accident waiting to happen.

For french fries, I'd prefer this http://www.amazon.com/Weston-Restaur...nch+fry+cutter I'd order it right now, but would prefer one that comes with 1/4" cuts instead of 3/8" cuts. Then, follow the recipe someone posted here a year ago for french fries: boil them first for about 10 minutes in water made slightly acidic with vinegar. Deep fry at (325 degrees F?) for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Freeze. Then recook in hot oil for 2 minutes - tastes very similar (but better) than McD's.

I do want to have a sturdy one(hence asking for advice), but potatoes are not really a priority. If i do potatoes it would most likely do thin slices and baked them with herbs and oil.

Mostly want to get one to put more (nonstarch) veg in my diet
 

alien42

Lifer
Nov 28, 2004
12,867
3,297
136
i bought my mom the OXO mandolin a couple years ago, not that she actually uses it enough for a solid review.
 

homercles337

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2004
6,340
3
71
America's Test Kitchen liked the Kyocera Adjustable Ceramic Mandoline Slicer, also the OXO V-Blade.
 

Jeraden

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,518
1
76
I have that Oxo one you linked, I really like it. Have owned 3 such devices in my lifetime and that one is by faaaar the best of the 3. Has lots of little cool features like how you store the blades in it, and settings for lower/raising the blade.
 

effowe

Diamond Member
Nov 1, 2004
6,012
18
81
oxo it is

Late to the party here, but I also have that one and it's worked great, enjoy. I've really only had issues with trying to get things very small (1/16" setting) so if you are going for matchstick cut carrots for example it's better to just cut by hand. I assume it would work fine for a potato at that size.

Lastly, ALWAYS use the guard if you value your fingertips.
 

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
7,987
93
91
Wife has a Swissmar Borner which she has been using every day for almost a year. I'm guessing it works very well and is durable.
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,998
126
My advice...watch your fingers.

My advice, take that advice.

Whichever one you buy, don't ever take it for granted. They can hurt you a whole lot very quickly if you ever get blasé about using one. Always use the safety.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
http://www.amazon.com/MIU-France-Stainless-Professional-Mandoline/dp/B006OBAI56/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1389142174&sr=1-5&keywords=mandoline+slicer+stainless+steel
it's only a little more and will last longer.

I have this one or very similar and it's doing fine after 20 years.
http://www.amazon.com/Bron-Professional-Stainless-Mandoline-Slicer/dp/B001AMGQ78/ref=sr_1_23?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1389142174&sr=1-23&keywords=mandoline+slicer+stainless+steel
The biggest problem is storage. Mandolines aren't used all the time but you want them handy. Many times they get shoved in a kitchen drawer. The plastic ones just don't hold up. Also, the plastic ones tend to have interchangeable blades which either get misplaced, bent or, the plastic bits get damaged being in a drawer.
 
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