Okay, so you know I’m a sucker for kitchen gadgets, right? Anything that promises to make life easier (and tastier!) in the kitchen, I’m all over it. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of a meat slicer. I mean, imagine perfectly uniform slices for charcuterie boards that look like they came straight out of a magazine, or building sky-high deli sandwiches that would make your local shop jealous. So, when the TOOGOOD 7.5″ Electric Meat Slicer showed up, I was practically buzzing with excitement to put it through its paces.
Right off the bat, I noticed how compact it is. Seriously, counter space is gold in my kitchen, so the fact that this thing doesn’t hog a ton of it is a major win. It feels reasonably solid, but being so lightweight (around 10 pounds) did make me wonder if it could really stand the test of time. Only time will tell, I guess!
But let’s get down to brass tacks: how well does it slice? I started with a block of good old cheddar, and honestly, it did a pretty decent job. The thickness adjuster is super easy to figure out, and I managed to crank out some nice, even slices for my cheese board. Next up, I decided to tackle some roasted turkey breast. This is where things got a little… interesting. While it did slice, it wasn’t quite the effortless glide I was hoping for. I had to put a little muscle into it, and the slices weren’t always perfectly uniform, especially when I tried for those super-thin cuts. Then I got ambitious and went for prosciutto, dreaming of that melt-in-your-mouth, paper-thin perfection. Let’s just say the result was more “shaved” than sliced. Still edible, but not exactly Instagram-worthy.
That 7.5″ blade, while it’s stainless steel and serrated, seems better suited for softer stuff. I’m betting it would kill it with ham or pre-cooked chicken. I even gave it a whirl with some cucumbers for pickling, and it actually did a fantastic job! However, I have a feeling that if you tried to slice something really tough, like a hard salami, you might be in for a bit of a workout.
Now, nobody likes a messy cleanup, right? One of the big selling points of this slicer is that it’s supposed to be “easy to clean.” And yeah, the fact that the parts come off is a definite plus. Plus, the way it’s designed, there aren’t a ton of nooks and crannies for food to get stuck in, which is always a bonus. But I did find myself wishing that the blade was just a tad easier to remove. It’s not rocket science, but it does take a bit of finagling.
So, what’s the bottom line? The TOOGOOD 7.5″ Electric Meat Slicer is a pretty good starter slicer for folks who want to play around with slicing their own meats and cheeses at home. It’s compact, fairly simple to use, and won’t break the bank. But let’s be real, it’s no industrial-strength deli slicer. If you’re dreaming of opening your own deli or plan on slicing tough cuts of meat on the regular, you’re probably going to want to invest in something a little more heavy-duty (and, let’s face it, more expensive).
The Good Stuff:
- Takes up hardly any counter space – huge win!
- Adjusting the thickness is a breeze.
- Cleaning isn’t a total nightmare.
- Won’t empty your wallet.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
- Tough meats might give it a run for its money.
- Getting the blade off could be easier.
- The lightweight build makes me wonder about long-term durability.
My Final Take:
If you’re a casual charcuterie board lover or a sandwich fanatic, the TOOGOOD slicer is definitely worth considering. Just don’t expect it to perform miracles. It’s a great way to dip your toes into the world of home slicing, but just be aware of what it can (and can’t) do.