Another small consideration is whether or not you want to be able to sharpen the blades. While blades attached to the base cannot be sharpened, and therefore will eventually become dull, you can sharpen blade inserts to keep them as sharp as possible month after month of use. Design We found the handguard difficult to push. Food did not slide smoothly down the runway and it often jammed up in the blade. Plus, the slicing blade has micro-serrations that leave tiny teeth marks on food slices. Currently, The Swissmar Borner V-Power is available in an array of fun and bright colors including orange, green, purple, red, and white. It also allows tougher vegetables to pass through with less force – which greatly improves its safety!

However, you do have to learn which lever controls what blade – it’s best to have a practice round before you start slicing so you know how to raise and lower each portion! Most home cooks will enjoy having the Prepworks by Progressive Adjust-a-Slice Mandoline in their arsenal for the occasional time when they need to slice evenly, perhaps to put out a pretty array of tomato slices for a buffet or slice onions for French onion soup. However, for home cooking, absolute uniformity isn’t necessary. Most of us aren’t surrounding a disc of tuna tartare with cucumber slices or draping overlapping rounds of potato over a fish filet. Even if the model you choose claims to be dishwasher safe, we argue that it is always better to wash the blades by hand. The soaps used in dishwashers dull the blades, while hand washing will keep them in tip-top shape.

The best mandoline slicer for beginners: Kyocera Soft Grip Ceramic Mandoline Slicer

A single straight blade runs perpendicular to the ramp, slicing straight through the ingredients you slide past it.

Keep in mind that this mandoline can only be washed by hand, and we found while testing that it was difficult to reassemble after cleaning. Be prepared to spend a few extra moments with this mandoline slicer during clean up until you get used to it. Espresso, drip, pour-over; we can tell you which coffee maker to get no matter what kind of coffee you drink. However, when I have a craving for homemade potato chips, want to indulge in an au gratin, or am making cucumber salad for a crowd, a mandoline is indispensable. The Tests Safety is paramount when using mandolines, and this one doesn't disappoint. It comes with a safety guard that keeps your fingers out of harm's way while ensuring you can use every last bit of your produce.Finally, the V-shaped blade – the most prevalent style among home-use mandolines – capitalizes on the benefits of the diagonal blade times two. Every Japanese manufactured thing I have is excellent and makes a refreshing change from the cheap shite! I just bought the Kyocera basic mandoline to replace a 1950’s stainless steel simple model with a carbon blade. It has legs but no hand guard. I believe Vermont country store still sells a similar one. After all these years, the blade is still fairly sharp, but I really wanted one with a guard to push the item to be sliced. Especially as you get to the very end, your fingers must aim dangerously close to sharp edges. It’s okay to leave a bit of waste at the end – your fingers are worth it!

However, the majority of users prefer this option to handling the small individual blades of many other multi-use slicer models. They also value the good grip you can get with this style of handlebar. Position the mandoline perpendicular to your body as you’ll get better control by pushing forwards rather than sideways. No matter the quality of the hand guard on your mandoline, it is never a bad idea to wear a cut-resistant glove for added protection. While the White Mandoline may be pricier compared to some alternatives, its durability, precision, and safety features make it a worthwhile investment for serious home cooks and culinary enthusiasts. If you're looking for a mandoline that will stand the test of time and consistently deliver excellent results, I highly recommend the White Mandoline.The straight blade does require the use of some extra force in slicing, and the hand guard can feel bulky and awkward to use at first, compared to the more ergonomic plastic guards we’ve seen. When it came to slicing fries, results were all over the place. Some were too thin, others were ragged, and only two mandolines sliced near-perfect fries. A mandoline is a valuable kitchen gadget that every home cook should own. Hopefully we’ve helped to alleviate some of the stress when faced with the daunting task of choosing which kind. Now you just need to summon the bravery to put it to good use! While the dull beige color of the plastic and simple design really has no aesthetic value, its practical reliability has earned it a spot in this review.