There are many things to consider when selecting a slicer. Performance, consistency, construction and reliability all weigh heavily in the selection process of this important piece of kitchen equipment. 

When considering performance, one true test of a slicer is its ability to slice tough products.  Cheese is actually considered to be a tough product.  The knife motor needs to be powerful enough so that it will not slow or get bogged down when the blade makes contact with the cheese.  There are two types of drive systems on the market today, gear drive and belt drive.  With a gear driven knife motor the gears lock into one another resulting in a direct transference of power.  The gears provide more torque when slicing the product and will not slip, stretch, break or stall under heavy loads. Belt driven slicers are known for easy maintenance and hassle-free cleaning.  

Another aspect of performance is the consistency and precision of the cut. All slicers can create thick slices but only a high quality slicer can create slices so thin they are nearly transparent.  Why is that important to your food preparation process?  Thin slices enhance the taste and tenderness of the meat. Also, for sandwich operations, thin slices fold more, which create an appearance of a much larger amount of meat. 

You should also consider the construction of a slicer.  It will affect the ease of sanitation of the slicer. Aluminum is a popular material in economy and compact slicers. Stainless steel is the premium choice for its resistance to the corrosion and pitting caused by many acidic foods.

There are many questions you should ask yourself when making a decision on which slicer to purchase.  What types of product you will be slicing? How many hours will the slicer be used per day? What safety features are important to you? How much do you have budgeted for the slicer? You should also look at the out of warranty costs to maintain and use the unit. Taking everything into consideration will help you make an informed choice that will result in your complete satisfaction. Call a Serv-U sales representative for more information.