Slicers and electric knives for cutting bread, cold meats, cheese and vegetables at home or in a small food business. Our range of over 50 models includes flywheel and gravity-feed slicers, all-purpose household slicers and electric carving knives from brands such as BERKEL, KitchenAid, Graef and Adler.
How to choose a slicer or electric knife
Slicer or electric knife. A slicer pushes food on a carriage against a circular blade and gives even slices of a set thickness, which suits ham, salami, cheese and loaves. An electric knife has two serrated blades that move against each other. It carves roasts and cuts bread well, and it takes up far less space in a cupboard.
Blade size and thickness setting. A larger blade diameter copes with bigger joints, whole sausages and wide loaves, while a smaller blade is enough for a family kitchen. Look for a thickness dial that goes from very thin slices for cured meats to thick slices for bread, and a blade that can be removed for cleaning.
Motor and how often you use it. Household slicers are built for short, occasional runs. If you slice meat and cheese every day, a professional-style slicer with a stronger motor and a heavier body will cope better with long sessions. Our range covers both domestic and commercial machines.
Safety and cleaning. Check for a blade guard, a hand guard or food pusher, and non-slip feet. A removable carriage and an easily accessible blade make cleaning quicker and safer. For electric knives, look for detachable blades and read the manual before putting any part in a dishwasher.
Space and storage. Slicers are bulky and heavy, so measure the worktop space for use and the shelf or cupboard where you will store it. Electric knives are easier to put away.
Brands we carry
- BERKEL: an Italian maker of traditional flywheel slicers, with a history going back to 1898 and a strong presence in delis and butchers' shops. It is the largest brand in this category in our range.
- KitchenAid: best known for stand mixers and their attachments, so it is a natural choice if you already own one of its kitchen machines.
- Graef: a German brand known for electric all-purpose slicers for bread, cold cuts and cheese in home kitchens.
- Emsa: a German kitchenware brand better known for food storage and drinkware than for large machines.
- Zelmer: a Polish small appliance brand with a long history in everyday kitchen equipment.
Also in our range: Esperanza, Adler, Maestro, Tristar, Metaltex, Taurus and Camry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a slicer and an electric knife?
A slicer uses a rotating circular blade and a moving carriage to produce slices of an even, adjustable thickness. An electric knife uses two serrated blades and is held in the hand, so it is better for carving roasts and cutting bread. Choose a slicer for regular, uniform slicing and an electric knife for occasional carving.
Can a home slicer cut bread, cheese and cold meats?
Most all-purpose household slicers cut bread, cold meats, cheese and some vegetables. Very hard cheese, frozen meat and bones can damage the blade or strain the motor, so check the manufacturer's guidance first. Cured meats are usually easier to slice when well chilled.
What blade size do I need?
For a family kitchen, a smaller blade is usually enough for loaves, cheese blocks and standard meat joints. A larger blade is more useful when you slice big pieces such as whole hams, wide sausages or large cheese wheels. Larger blades also mean a bigger and heavier machine, so check your space.
How do I clean a meat slicer safely?
Unplug the slicer, set the thickness dial to zero and remove the blade or carriage if the model allows it. Wipe the blade with a cloth and warm soapy water, moving away from the cutting edge, then dry all parts before reassembly. Follow the instructions for your model, as not every part is dishwasher safe.
