Not all cooks have a food slicer in their kitchen, but those who do wouldn't be without it. It does only one job, but it does it well--unless it needs to be fixed. Here's how to fix it.
How Does It Work?
Exploded view of a typical food slicer appliance; it's basically a motorized blade.
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A food slicer is a small appliance for quick, accurate cutting of meat, cheese, bread, vegetables, and other foods. It uses a motor to spin a serrated circular blade. Food held in a sliding tray is cut as it is pushed past the spinning blade. The stainless-steel blade is removable for cleaning, but it cannot be sharpened. You'll need to replace it if it becomes dull or is damaged.
What Can Go Wrong?
Because a food slicer is just a blade and a motor, few things can go wrong with it. A dull blade or a buildup of food residue is usually the culprit behind most slicer problems. Blades and gears can be damaged. The power cord, switch, or motor can be faulty. The thickness guide and tray guides can be dirty. The slicer can become jammed. The blade can be clogged with food, or be loose or dull. The thickness guide may need adjustment.
Fix-It Tip
To reduce stress on gears, let the motor warm up for a few seconds before slicing, especially denser foods.
