Meat Slicer (review)

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tropics

Epic Pitmaster
Original poster
OTBS Member
★ Lifetime Premier ★
Jun 25, 2014
14,735
6,480
Attleboro,Ma
Chefs Choice 615  *****


I give this a 5 star rating,

Large carriage for a small slicer 9 1/2"s



Carriage comes off for easy cleaning


Back slicing adjuster comes off


Well lubricated out of the box.


Thumb guard locks in place to cover the blade 


Self contained cord storage.


Oh almost forgot it slices beautiful Did a few slices of cheese for my burger later

Richie

 
 
That's the exact same model I have had since I bought it back in July 2014 (just checked Amazon and that's what it says). I use it 1-2 times per week, mostly for slicing meat. However, it does a great job on cheese. I often make paninis from leftover smoked ham, chicken, and tri-tip, and I slice the cheese first, then the meat. I assemble the sandwich and put it on my Lodge cast iron panini griddle.

I've used it a few times on vegetables, and it does a spectacular job on those, but I would never use it just for that, because the cleanup is an issue. However, when vegetables are part of a meal that requires me to slice some meat, I always slice the vegetables using the slicer. I have a mandolin, but it is a relatively cheap model that only has two slicing thicknesses, so I appreciate the infinitely variable thickness you get with this slicer.

Cleaning is a little tough, but I expect that is probably true of any slicer. I still haven't figured out a really good way to clean the blade, although I find that the brush I use for cleaning potatoes (it's a big, stiff, vegetable brush) works really well because it lets me put lots of pressure on the blade, so I can quickly remove the grease and gunk, but keeps my hand a long way from the blade's edge. I use a toothbrush to get the gunk out of the plastic screw that holds the blade.

I re-lubricate the blade's gears once in awhile, but since I try not to get that side wet, and simply dab it with a paper towel to remove any splashes (it seldom gets any dirt on it), I only need to add lubrication once every 5-6 uses. My tube of Petro-Gel lubricant is still 98% full.

The only thing that has worn is that screw which holds the blade. Most of the wear is in the slot because I don't always use a quarter as my tool. I should probably just sterilize a quarter and keep it with the slicer because it really is designed for using that "tool."

My only complaint -- and you'll find this mentioned in various Amazon reviews -- is that the thickness control has a tendency to wander: after a minute of slicing, it usually has worked its way up to a slightly larger slicing size. I keep meaning to manufacture a shim to insert into the gap between the knob and the holder, but haven't got around to it. I'm sure that would solve the problem. Up until now, I've just been keeping a finger on it.

I did buy the non-serrated blade because many reviews said that you can get thinner slices with that. I've used it quite a bit, but I'll be darned if I can tell much difference. I think the serrated blade that comes with the unit is perfectly adequate.

If you have any questions about this, just ask and I'll try to remember to re-visit this thread so I can answer them. I really like this slicer and can't believe how many "cheap thrills" one can have from this gadget: it is not, by any means, a "pro" slicer, but for my modest use, it comes pretty close, and for a price -- $150 on Amazon -- that is impossible to beat.
 
John I ordered the smooth blade also,just came in with a pair of cut resistance gloves.

Richie

 
 
Nice looking slicer Richie!

I bet it will get a workout at your house!

Al
It will for sure no more Bacon that looks like scraps LOL
Yay!

My wife told me I couldn't get a slicer!
No More gadgets...

So I bought another black powder rifle instead!
Tell her how much the slicer would be used and how little the gun would be
 
You are going to love the slicer Richie. So many uses for it.

Thanks for the review.
John I gave an honest review this is as close to Deli slicer as I can get.

Thanks for the point I appreciate it

Richie

Happy New Year
 
Nice slicer Richie... am interested on your point of view on the different blades ... I have a Cabelas slicer that looks like it would use the same blade as this one... One of the things I don't like about mine ... Is the open blade .. not so much for safety reasons (although that is critical) ... because when you slide the meat/cheese across the face of the blade... the blade wants to lift up the item at the exit side (right of center) of the blade... then you have to stop.. reposition the item and go again... kinda gets aggravating after awhile ...


Johnmeyer.. have you noticed this with yours ??
 
Nice slicer Richie... am interested on your point of view on the different blades ... I have a Cabelas slicer that looks like it would use the same blade as this one... One of the things I don't like about mine ... Is the open blade .. not so much for safety reasons (although that is critical) ... because when you slide the meat/cheese across the face of the blade... the blade wants to lift up the item at the exit side (right of center) of the blade... then you have to stop.. reposition the item and go again... kinda gets aggravating after awhile ...


Johnmeyer.. have you noticed this with yours ??
Keith I Have not used it yet,I will try to slice something when I get back next week.

Richie
 
Myself and a friend are looking at this slicer. I have a big 12 inch Hobart but it is too big to move around for small slicing jobs. We have a few questions?

1. Where did you get your slicer?

2, If it comes with the serrated blade how much did the smooth blade cost?

3.Does this unit have the power to cut partially frozen bacon or jerky meat?

4. Did you buy the Petro Lube with your purchase as well to lubricate the blade and mechanism?

Thanks

mds51
 
I have a Cabelas slicer that looks like it would use the same blade as this one... One of the things I don't like about mine ... Is the open blade .. not so much for safety reasons (although that is critical) ... because when you slide the meat/cheese across the face of the blade... the blade wants to lift up the item at the exit side (right of center) of the blade... then you have to stop.. reposition the item and go again... kinda gets aggravating after awhile ...


Johnmeyer.. have you noticed this with yours ??
No, I've never had the blade "grab" the food or move it up, down, back, or sideways.

For really big pieces of meat, I hold the meat with my hand, until it gets to within about two inches of the blade. Then I switch over to the pusher. Because my hand is on the meat, I can feel any resistance or torque, but in the several years I've been using it, I've never felt any tug of any kind.

Hope that helps!
Myself and a friend are looking at this slicer. I have a big 12 inch Hobart but it is too big to move around for small slicing jobs. We have a few questions?

1. Where did you get your slicer?

2, If it comes with the serrated blade how much did the smooth blade cost?

3.Does this unit have the power to cut partially frozen bacon or jerky meat?

4. Did you buy the Petro Lube with your purchase as well to lubricate the blade and mechanism?

Thanks

mds51
I got the slicer on Amazon:

Chef's Choice 615 Premium Electric Food Slicer

I got the smooth blade there as well:

Chef`s Choice Non-serrated Blade for Model 609,610, 615 Food Slicer

It is $30.

As for cutting partially frozen meat, I almost always cut my meat before it has fully thawed. If it is fresh, I put it in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to firm it up. It cuts it with no problem, especially with the serrated blade.

I don't understand your question about the lubricant but I did buy this:

McGlaughlin Oil PETROL-GEL 4 Oz. Lubricant Tube - 1 / TB

at the same time as the slicer and blade. You really need to have this on hand. Now that I have it, I have found many other uses for it. One of the best was an amazing fix for my fancy pants wine opener, one of those Lever Pull knockoffs (the original Lever Pull was $200, but I got a cheap off-shore knockoff for about $30). Long story short, it kept hanging up and felt like the gears were out of alignment. However, there was no adjustment, and nothing looked out of whack. So, I simply put some Petro-Gel onto the gears, and the thing starting working like new!
 
Last edited:
Thank You for the reply and good information. I just want something to do the small jobs when I do not want to have to deal with the big Hobart and this unit sounds like it will do the job.

Happy New Year!!!

mds51
 
 
Thank You for the reply and good information. I just want something to do the small jobs when I do not want to have to deal with the big Hobart and this unit sounds like it will do the job.

Happy New Year!!!

mds51
This should do for slicing,the serated blade I think would be able to cut some frozen meat,I only used mine to slice cheese once so far.Amazon Prime I have seen this sold with both blades at a better price,then buying individually Hope this helps

Richie
 
I have the exact same slicer and got it from Amazon with the serrated blade and lube.... yadda yadda...

It is an excellent slicer so far! I agree with 99% of what everyone says above. I do experience the "lift up" issue on the trailing end of things from time to time, but a lot depends on the inward force I am using.

Also there are pretty wide gaps when the carriage is at the full retract to support the meat: 1. you show clearly in picture #3 between the 7 and 10" marks of your tape measure. The second is due to the length (shortness) of the adjustable fence guide vertically between the 0 and 3-1/2" mark of your tape in your second photo. Its nice to have that much stroke of the carriage but I wish stuff wouldn't fall out on the full retract. Having stiff or semi-frozen meat helps, but that's not always practical.
 
I'm a little late,  Was looking for my slicer, clicked on here and found it. You have my slicer.

I've had mine about 2 years I does everything I need. Just used it the other day slicing my Bologna and Salami  
icon14.gif


Gary
 
i  have never used a small consumer size slicer before , i just wasn't sure the cutting area would be large enough

and always wondered if they had enough power
 
That's a great looking toy Richie!  I got that last year and for what it costs, it's great!  Makes my bacon look pretty and makes it easy to turn roast beef, chicken, pork loins etc. into thin sliced cold cuts! Great on cheese too like you said! My only issue is that it leaves a little tail on the meat sometimes.  I find that having the meat semi-frozen eliminates that a bit and helps to make really thin slices.
 
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