There are several criteria to wonsider when choosing a meat slicer:
- The products to be sliced
- Frequency of use
- Cut diameter
- The blade
- Rotation speed
- Cut thickness
- Power
- Manual vs. automatic
It’s important to take into account the products to be sliced. You need to ask yourself what type of meat you intend to slice (pieces of fresh meat, deli meats, etc.) as well as what size pieces and quantities you will need. Meat slicing machines can also be used to cut bread or cheese, or even frozen foods. To switch from one product to another, all you have to do is change the blade.
Another factor to consider is the frequency of use. For recurring use, you should choose a meat slicer made of durable and sturdy materials.
It’s also important to be vigilant about the cutting height. The larger the meat you want to slice, the bigger the blade you will need.
You should also choose a blade diameter that matches the maximum size of product you need to slice. The most common blade sizes range from 250 to 370 mm: these cover most of the slicing needs of small and large businesses. If you use your meat slicing machine for anything other than meat, you will need to change the blade (i.e. a serrated blade for bread, a non-stick blade for cheese and cold cuts, etc.).
The rotation speed affects the cleanness of the cut. The higher the speed, the cleaner the cut. A large blade induces a lower rotation speed, but modern electric slicing machines are equipped with high-performance motors for precise cutting quality.
The cutting thickness is also part of the selection criteria for a meat slicer: most slicers offer several.
The power of the meat slicing machine must also be taken into account. Powerful slicers are faster and more efficient.
The choice between a manual and an automatic machine will depend on the frequency of use and the volume of products to be sliced. For infrequent use with low volumes, a manual meat slicing machine will be sufficient. Automatic meat slicing machines are recommended for frequent use and large volumes.