Indispensable!
Written: Apr 17 '04 (Updated Apr 21 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fast, easy, compact. If you eat salads, this unit will be your best friend.
Cons: Doesn't cut soft items like cheese, hard eggs, and soft tomatoes well.
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend. I have used this item almost every day for ten years. It is easy to set-up, use, and clean. It is compact (for storage) and pretty inexpensive.
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| laumas's Full Review: Borner V-Slicer Plus Mandoline (14") |
I use this item daily. I am on my third unit since 1990. The last two (the one I currently purchased and it's predecessor) are the Born model. I am not sure if the original one I purchased was the same maker, but the parts look the same. It is the idea that is innovative.
There has been slicers and dicers on the market as long as I can remember. I am not a TV infomercial sap, but I did get taken by a similar item at a county fair 10 years ago. I brought it home thinking I could use it occasionally when I had a lot of slicing to do. Since then I have worn out that first unit and another Born unit that I purchased at Target, and I am now on my third which I got on the internet.
The problem with any slicer/dicer is that when you come up against a slicer/dicer task, what goes through your mind if you own one is the work saved versus the work required to pull the item out, set it up, use it and the clean-up and put away afterword. In other words, would a simple knife, although it may take me a few moments longer to do the cutting, save me time in the long run? The other issue is space. How much space do I have for another kitchen gadget?
The answer to the questions for this product is no yes. Whether I am cutting a large salad with many different items, cutting up a single potato for fries or hash browns for myself, or slicing a few onions to put on hamburgers, I pull this tool out to do the job. And the space required for storage is about as much as is required for a cookbook.
Is is really very simple and very compact. I sits on a shelf between my microwave and the wall, and when I need it, I reach up, pull out the body of the item, slide in the cutting accessory (three choices) and begin cutting. When I am done, I slip it under the faucet (or pop it and the accessory pieces used in the dishwasher) and put it back in it's place. Most times, the dishwasher is not needed (as much as you would use it for a knife). As opposed to most slicer/dicers which call for disassembly time and vigorous cleaning in all the crevasse.
The unit consists of the flat basic unit with the cutting blade, into which slides three different devices which set the cutting level and shape. Accessory 1 cuts strips about 1/2" square, Accessory 2 cuts very fine strips about 1/16", which is, for all intensive purposes, mincing, and the third device is for slicing, inserted one way, the slices are about 3/16" thick, while putting it in the other way will cut about 1/16" slices. It comes with a "holder" in which you place the item being sliced to prevent accidental inclusion of your fingertips in the food. Needless to say, this device is not for your children to use.
It cuts very fast and fancy also. I mince 10 onions in less than 3 minutes. Carrots, peppers, mushrooms, apples, tomatoes, olives, lettuce and many other items have passed through my slicer.
The things it doesn't do: cheese, meat, fish and any other soft, mushy or sticky items. Fruits and veggies are probably the limit.
The other downside is the potential for injury. I sliced off the tip of my finger (just a sliver which healed nicely). But it underlines the need to not take shortcuts and use the holding device that is supplied.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
laumas
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Location: Buffalo, NY
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I like woodworking and home remodeling for hobbies
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