ISO: ISO suggestions for an inexpensive mandoline

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cindy-k-mi

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I'm thinking of buying a mandoline. I know the best ones are probably the most expensive, but I don't want to spend more than $50. I like to cook and see it more as a toy to make cooking even more fun, rather than something I should spend a lot of money on because I don't do that much cooking. Does anyone have a suggestion for an inexpensive mandoline? Or should I just save my money? Is a cheap mandoline worth the money, or is it only worth buying if I were going to spend more money for a better one?

Cindy

 
I have a MIU France Mach 4 Professional and hated it. The Oxo mandoline

has garnered good press reviews, but I see the user reviews on Amazon vary. Gretchen's suggestion to read user reviews is a good one. Personally, I don't think you can beat a Feemster slicer for just basic slicing. I've used it for everything from slicing cabbage wafer thin to cutting french fries and it works great. I've even used it to slice eggplant slices lengthwise. It is cheap, about $13 so can be replaced when the blade gets dull. The blade is adjustable for everything from about 1/16 of an inch up to 3/4 or so.

Here's the link at amazon, but it's unavailable right now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=nb_ss_k/104-3043593-3790361?url=search-alias%3Dhome-garden-aps&field-keywords=feemster&Go.x=14&Go.y=10

 
Hi Cindy, I have both...

and I think there's a place for both in my kitchen (well, and the spiral slicer too!). I have a $6 version I got in a restaurant supply store in Chinatown, great for basic slicing and shredding (it has 2 blades), and a Matfer model (list on this version is over $200) that's absolutely the right thing for fancy cuts. Yes, the fancy version takes time to setup, and to clean, but which one works best for you depends on what you want to accomplish.

I've noticed a lot of mandolines on eBay, many going for a song, and a friend snagged one for $40 (including shipping, for a lower priced version of my Matfer... hers usually retails at $100). Many people get them as gifts and are afraid of them... so if you're patient that might be a way to get one with all the bells and whistles without paying the high price tag?

Also there's a bit of a learning curve for some folks with these so, if you're at all nervous, buy one of the protective gloves (roughly $10 at major cookware stores).

R.

 
I bought my Oxo Good Grips based on press reviews at Kitchen Kapers and

elsewhere (not sure if it was Cook's Illustrated, but somewhere). I did consider buying individual ceramic ones (flat and julienne) from W-S for $25.00 each but thought I may as well spend a little more for the multi-purpose Oxo.

The Oxo food grip with the teeth needs quite a heavy hand to press down to secure the food and sometimes it "misses" its mark and skids abruptly down... - but better the grip than your fingers!

You need to get used to it and need some patience. I will say it's safe and easy to clean.

 
borner v-slicer

cook's illustrated recommends the borner v-slicer. i have one and have been pleased with the results so far. the reviews on amazon are favorable. the price is about $30 but you can get it off e-bay for cheaper.

 
I bought a Zyliss combo grater and 'mandloline' in France & loved it so much, I bought

another. It has a drum that offers a slicer, or 2 sizes of grate, when you turn it. I cannot find it here but am very concerned that it is going to get dull and I will be unable to replace them.

They were probably $25.

What I love is that it has a toothed gripper that grabs the food so that your fingers stay out of the way. There is a ledge on the mandoline into which the gripper fits and guides it so that every slice is perfectly the same. I just love it but cannot find it here. And I have looked on the Zyliss US site.

I have an expensive mandoline but don't use it because of fearful fingers. With the Zyliss, I don't have any worries and can get right down to the last bit of food to slice it.

So, if you can find one that has this grip and a guide for the gripper, I sure do recommend that.

 
Actually, when I look more closely, this is a version of the same thing but it

looks as though it does not grate.

You can see the guides along the side that keep the gripper in line.

This one has more blades but I sure would go for the extra money to get this one. Saving fingers is critical. Unfortunately (for you) my version was much less expensive but offered only 2 slicers and 2 graters on one wheel.

http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?PRRFNBR=15624

 
I've had one a V-Slicer for years now and they are just fab! I wanted to...

"up-grade" last year and ordered the chef's catalog composite mandoline and it wouldn't have cut butter with ease. I sent it back and was grateful I hadn't given the V-Slicer away.

they may be plastic but they really hold up well and cut everything with ease. and.... you can't beat the price!

 
I have this one and love it.

All Categories : Home & Garden : Kitchen : MIU France Have One to Sell? MIU France Stainless Steel Professional Mandoline
Utensil Type: Mandolines / Slicers - Stainless Steel, SteelOur design makes it easy to switch blades -- just slide them in the side opening to lock in place. Made of heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel with rubber base grips for stability. Safety shield has a large, easy-grip stainless more...Part #: B0006ABVJS / 90767
Sellers found: 2Available Since: Oct 18, 2005Lowest Price: $79.95 Set Price Alert (1 user rating)No Reviews | Write a Review
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Specifications for MIU France Stainless Steel ProfessionalOur design makes it easy to switch blades -- just slide them in the side opening to lock in place. Made of heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel with rubber base grips for stability. Safety shield has a large, easy-grip stainless steel knob. Cutlery-grade blades include 3mm, 5mm, and 10mm for cutting plus adjustable slicing and waffle blades. Comes with a case for safe, convenient storage. Dishwasher safe. 14.38"L x 4.5"W. Utensil TypeMandolines / Slicers

 
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