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.

Taking on a meal as important as Thanksgiving dinner requires major planning and preparation. More important than stuffing, yams or even pumpkin pie is the centerpiece of your table – the turkey. If it’s your first time trying to perfect the holiday poultry, compiling an arsenal of turkey cooking supplies may seem overwhelming. However, a simple roasted bird requires only a few basic kitchen supplies.

Roasting Pan The roasting pan you purchase to cook your turkey may not be a piece of kitchen equipment that you use on a daily basis, but the proper pan is a valuable addition to your stock of cooking supplies for holidays. Selecting the right roasting pan ensures a moist and golden bird. When buying a roasting pan, look for a shallow depth, heavyweight pan with handles. The pan should have good heat conducting qualities so the bird cooks evenly. Stay away from dark roasting pans; those will burn the roasting juices at the start of the roasting period, resulting in a subpar gravy. Fit is also important—the pan should just hold the turkey. If a leg extends over the pan, drippings will fall on your oven, but if the pan is too large you risk burning the juices.

What’s a turkey without basting? Throughout the roasting process, you will need to paint the turkey with a basting sauce using a basting brush. Both white nylon and bleached boar bristle brushes will work well to coat your poultry with a buttery sauce and are able to withstand oven temperatures of up to 500 degrees. While the turkey roasts, a basting spoon can be used to scoop up the juices and redistribute them on the skin. Serv-U offers stainless steel basting spoons in a variety of lengths. All spoons have easy-grip contoured handles with a thumb notch. Slotted and perforated varieties are useful for straining out solids to be discarded when the roasting process is complete.

A burnt or undercooked turkey can be the downfall of an otherwise outstanding Thanksgiving meal, so be sure to check the temperature of your bird, with an accurate meat thermometer. The Taylor brand is known for its precision temperature technology to alert you when the meat reaches 180 degrees.

Finally, when the roasting process is over, it’s time to sharpen up that knife and dig in. Carving the turkey is a much-anticipated process that should be approached with care in order to preserve the flavor and the texture of the meat. You are best to choose a sharp, thin bladed carving knife. Stain-free steel blades provide a clean and durable option for slicing your turkey.

By using top-quality equipment the fruits of your holiday roast should be plentiful. The centerpiece of your Thanksgiving meal will be a cornucopia of thighs, wings, and breast meat, well worth the investment in quality kitchen supplies.