Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: zueth on January 22, 2018, 01:07:35 PM
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I want to make some bacon, so of course, I need to purchase a meat slicer.
I have read through the posts and it looks like some folks have either the Chefs Choice 615 or 632 and like it, where have you found the best price on the 632?
Also, sounds like a lot of folks have picked up old commercial slicers on ebay or craigslist, which isn't really an option for me because I need it sooner than later.
Is anybody familiar with the Avantco SL310?
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/avantco-sl310-10-manual-gravity-feed-meat-slicer-1-4-hp/177SL310.html
Is 10 inches the minimum I should get?
Any other brands you recommend?
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I have this one and other than cleaning it (a pain) I love it!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012941LM0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Zueth, I'm in the exact same boat as you. I have made bacon a few times and slicing it is the most difficult part. I am also looking at getting a meat slicer and I was looking at the exact same one on Webstaurant. I have no information to give you other than the reviews I've read and the YouTube videos I've watched.
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I have this one (got it on sale @ Christmas)
http://www.cabelas.com/product/home-cabin/food-processing/slicers/pc/104798880/c/104723280/sc/104577480/cabelas-commercial-meat-slicer/2450201.uts?slotId=4
and love it. But Ive only used it 7 or 8 times in the two months that I have had it..so Im no expert!. I found several Hobarts on craigslist, but they were still much to expensive or needed parts replaced.
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While they all look adequate....I will say this. Of the 3 - buy the Cabela's. Why? Because if you are not happy with it..ever...for any reason...you can return it for a refund or an exchange/upgrade, etc.
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I have this one and other than cleaning it (a pain) I love it!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012941LM0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have this one too. Basically a LEM knockoff. Works great. But cleaning is a pain. Get a pair of metal gloves for cleaning.
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... cleaning it (a pain)
... cleaning is a pain.
I think all deli-style slicers are a pain to clean (including my 12-year old Chef's Choice). I like medium- to thick-sliced bacon so I've pretty much gone to the manual solution - sharpen up the old 10-inch slicer and keep the sharpening steel handy. It takes a while to get through a belly's worth of bacon but I really do hate cleaning the machine and I can usually keep most of the slices fairly uniform. The ones that come out too thin or thick find their way to the scrap bag for bacon bits, beans, etc.
Just sayin'...
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I did a little research prior to buying the Cabela's one - and most of what I read recommends getting a slicer that is belt driven , and not plastic gears
Here is some more info that may be useful:
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/521/meat-slicers-buying-guide.html
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I have this one (got it on sale @ Christmas)
http://www.cabelas.com/product/home-cabin/food-processing/slicers/pc/104798880/c/104723280/sc/104577480/cabelas-commercial-meat-slicer/2450201.uts?slotId=4
and love it. But Ive only used it 7 or 8 times in the two months that I have had it..so Im no expert!. I found several Hobarts on craigslist, but they were still much to expensive or needed parts replaced.
The reviews online aren't the best, do you find that it makes a mess and throws shavings out the back like some complain about?
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Zueth, I'm in the exact same boat as you. I have made bacon a few times and slicing it is the most difficult part. I am also looking at getting a meat slicer and I was looking at the exact same one on Webstaurant. I have no information to give you other than the reviews I've read and the YouTube videos I've watched.
I am seriously considering this one, reviews are pretty good and lots of sites recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002SMC1ZU/ezvid02-20
A lot of sites also recommend the Chefs Choice 615, but I just don't think the 7 inch blade is enough.
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I am seriously considering this one, reviews are pretty good and lots of sites recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002SMC1ZU/ezvid02-20
A lot of sites also recommend the Chefs Choice 615, but I just don't think the 7 inch blade is enough.
I hate to be a Daisy Downer, but I've been down this road. If you TRULY want to slice full slabs/strips of bacon, then you will be disappointed with a 10" slicer! Most 10" slicers are not much, if any, better than most 9" slicers.
Full strips of bacon are roughly 9" in length. That slicer will only do 7 1/2" slices.
It's not just the blade size you need to look at, but also the angle of the carriage and how far the back of the carriage travels from the blade. So, Be sure to pay attention to the maximum product slicing width!
As a rough guide:
10" slicers: will slice about 7 1/2" - 8" length (not much better than a 9" slicer).
12" slicers: will slice 9" or so length. <-- This is realistically what you need for slicing full strips of bacon!
Also try to get a slicer with the sharpening stones built in. What a huge difference this makes in keeping the blade razor sharp!
I watched ebay and picked up a used 12" light-duty commercial slicer and it does everything I want and need with ease, INCLUDING slicing full strips of bacon!
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Thank you, this is very good information to have.
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Does anybody have any experience with either of these?
Avantco SL312 12" Manual Gravity Feed Meat Slicer - 1/3 hp
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/avantco-sl312-12-manual-gravity-feed-meat-slicer-1-3-hp/177SL312.html
KWS Premium Commercial 420w Electric Meat Slicer 12" Stainless Steel Blade, Frozen Meat/ Cheese/ Food Slicer
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B012BG08XE/ezvid02-20
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After having a cheap ass Rival slicer and an off brand 10" slicer, this is my stock advice to those asking for information on slicers.
If you are serious about having the proper equipment for slicing, take you time, don't get in a hurry, and watch craigslist for commercial slicers like Hobart, Berkel. There are others but these usually are the main brands. Look for at least a 12" blade and cast aluminum or stainless steel construction. In my case, when I had the 10" off brand, I almost threw the thing out the back door, getting frustrated with the ragged slicing and unable to slice a full with piece of bacon. It took me about 2 months to locate one, but I did, a Hobart 1612 in very good shape with the factory sharpening attachment for $150 bucks drive out. Couple of days of cleanup and readjustments, I had the slicer I wanted and it still works like a champ.
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Does anybody have any experience with either of these?
Avantco SL312 12" Manual Gravity Feed Meat Slicer - 1/3 hp
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/avantco-sl312-12-manual-gravity-feed-meat-slicer-1-3-hp/177SL312.html
KWS Premium Commercial 420w Electric Meat Slicer 12" Stainless Steel Blade, Frozen Meat/ Cheese/ Food Slicer
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B012BG08XE/ezvid02-20
Take a close look. That slicer is produced in some assembly line somewhere. And whatever the badge dejour is slapped on it. I don't know this as fact, but I really believe it as they are all the exact same design
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After having a cheap ass Rival slicer and an off brand 10" slicer, this is my stock advice to those asking for information on slicers.
If you are serious about having the proper equipment for slicing, take you time, don't get in a hurry, and watch craigslist for commercial slicers like Hobart, Berkel. There are others but these usually are the main brands. Look for at least a 12" blade and cast aluminum or stainless steel construction. In my case, when I had the 10" off brand, I almost threw the thing out the back door, getting frustrated with the ragged slicing and unable to slice a full with piece of bacon. It took me about 2 months to locate one, but I did, a Hobart 1612 in very good shape with the factory sharpening attachment for $150 bucks drive out. Couple of days of cleanup and readjustments, I had the slicer I wanted and it still works like a champ.
Watch local auction companies. Lot of restaurants and grocery stores go out of business.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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After having a cheap ass Rival slicer and an off brand 10" slicer, this is my stock advice to those asking for information on slicers.
If you are serious about having the proper equipment for slicing, take you time, don't get in a hurry, and watch craigslist for commercial slicers like Hobart, Berkel. There are others but these usually are the main brands. Look for at least a 12" blade and cast aluminum or stainless steel construction. In my case, when I had the 10" off brand, I almost threw the thing out the back door, getting frustrated with the ragged slicing and unable to slice a full with piece of bacon. It took me about 2 months to locate one, but I did, a Hobart 1612 in very good shape with the factory sharpening attachment for $150 bucks drive out. Couple of days of cleanup and readjustments, I had the slicer I wanted and it still works like a champ.
YES....Rex and Tenthunter are exactly right. If you can be a little patient...you will be MUCH happier. I too bought an old Hobart 12" off Craigslist and spent some time cleaning it up - but I doubt I will ever need another sliver. It is a monster..... ;)