Mandolines - are they worth it?

liz545

I've been toying with the idea of getting a mandoline for a while; while most of the time I can manage fine with my kitchen knives, I'd really like to be able to make super-fine coleslaw and gratin potatoes. Is it worth buying a mandoline, and how much should I expect to spend? I try and avoid adding more gadgets to my kitchen and I'd rather not lose a finger - some of them look pretty scary :eek: Are the cheap ones worth it or best avoided?

angelavdavis

I bought one years ago - had been toying about buying one then was suckered in by an instore demo.

I have to say, after the initial few uses, the novelty wore off and its on the freecycle list!

I don't cook on a corden bleu level so perfect slices aren't my thing! I also found using it produced more waste as you end up with the bits left at the end of the slicing action.

Gingernutmeg

Personally I hate the things, I used to use them when I worked in kitchens and it's so very easy to loose concentration and hurt yourself ... hence why I have a slightly stumpy fingertip on my right hand (I never did find the bit I chopped off lol). I really wouldn't want one in my own kitchen, they're far too dangerous, too hard to clean and really a bit of a novelty. Give me a good, sharp knife any day.

r.mac_2

have you already got a food processor? many ahve blades which will slice like a mandolin???

liz545

I don't have a processor yet (although I've got my eye on FIL's Magimix that he never uses ) but I think I'll probably stick with my knives for the time being. The thought of losing a fingertip is too much for me!

ubamother

personally, I love mine - much easier to use for small amounts of coleslaw etc than the food processor. I have one that you can add a toothed length underneath the slicing blade so it grates - wide or fine. Whereas grating sort of shaves bits of the length of the carrot or whatever, the mandoline cuts julienne style, but much much finer, so you have firmer 'stalks' rather than shavings - hard to explain, but I suppose a bit like matchsticks but half as thin. great for finely sliced onions for salads, and I use it for slicing potatoes for dauphinoise type dishes. I find a mandolin fits a bigger potato than a food processor tube. Mine comes with a bit you hold onto so your fingers can't get near the blade

hex2

I bought a cheap one from Aldi a few years ago that was great - it fell to pieces from over use! I replaced it with one from Woolworths (JML V Slicer or something?) which was really rubbish and hard to use safely. DH bought me a lovely expensive stainless steel one as a present which I love - easier to clean than the plastic aldi one.

nell2

I like mine - really useful for slicing carrots which my LO adores. You do have to be careful though!

franklally

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

Personally I hate the things, I used to use them when I worked in kitchens and it's so very easy to loose concentration and hurt yourself ... hence why I have a slightly stumpy fingertip on my right hand (I never did find the bit I chopped off lol). I really wouldn't want one in my own kitchen, they're far too dangerous, too hard to clean and really a bit of a novelty. Give me a good, sharp knife any day.

Same here - I woulden't touch one now with a barge pole - food processor is fine for grating for me!

frogga

Oh........................I thought it was a little orange and they're yuck by the way

dolly_day_dream

I bought a german make from Lakeland years ago and it is still going strong. I use it on a regular basis for boulangere(sp?) potatoes and I cannot imagine preparing a stir fry without it. Use the guard and all is well.