The 10 Best Cheese Slicers
Editor's Notes
May 06, 2021:
Zero changes to our recommendations this round. Just remember to select one that will work well with your favorite types of cheese. The The Cheese Knife OKP2 and Prodyne CK-300 are two of the few that work well with soft cheeses like Brie, and the Picnic Time Legacy Circo set has a versatile selection that accommodates spreadable foods like hummus well.
For medium-firm cheese, the classic Bellemain Adjustable and the similar but more ergonomic Oxo Good Grips are great choices, although the Benriner Super Mandoline is considerably more versatile and can make just about the thinnest slices of anything. For hard varieties, the Attican Barmix is a simple and dependable option, and the Mundial 5628 is ideal for breaking down large blocks.
February 27, 2020:
There's a surprisingly large selection of ways to cut your favorite cheese, and which option you choose depends heavily on what kind of cheese you'll be cutting. The Bellemain Adjustable has been wildly popular throughout the last 50 years in America, and the Oxo Good Grips is much like it, but with a slightly more modern design. They're both great for cheddar, but if you're cutting anything aside from medium varieties, you'll need a larger collection of tools.
For example, if you like medium-hard to hard cheese such as pecorino, manchego, and to an extent, parmesan, the Attican Barmix is worth a look. It's not easy to maintain, but it's perfect for the thin shavings that go so well with salads. On the other side of the spectrum, the Prodyne CK-300 is a common cheese knife that's for lovers of brie and neufchatel, because it can help you load a cheese board with consistently sized pieces of creamy goodness. Similarly, The Cheese Knife OKP2 can help provide clean slices of the stickiest cheese; believe it or not, it was invented over 50 years ago to combat the clingy nature of America's own Velveeta cheese.
There are some that work especially well for more industrial use. The Benriner Super Mandoline is one of the top mandoline slicers you can buy, and you will certainly see it or one just like it if you ever set foot in the back of fancy restaurant. Similarly, the Mundial 5628 can chop through the biggest and thickest wheels and blocks thanks to two opposing handles that offer incredible amounts of leverage when used together. And while the Westmark Multipurpose isn't quite cut out for professional use, it's very well made and can help out with a lot of tasks.
Finally, there are two that are particularly service oriented. The Prodyne 126-B is a standard wire-style cutter built into a high-quality wooden board, while the Picnic Time Legacy Circo is an elegant set of 4 tools that will help you serve almost any type of cheese to yourself or your guests with class. And if you still can't get enough, check out our list of rotary and box graters for yet another easy and tasty way to eat cheese.
What's The Point Of Using A Cheese Slicer?
As with cheese itself, there are many different kinds of slicers on the market, all crafted to get the job done right.
Cheese is one of the most commonly consumed dairy products in the world. Available in countless varieties, it's one of the most versatile and delicious snacks out there. Load your sandwich up with slices of it, grate it over pasta, or enjoy it by itself — there's no wrong way to eat cheese.
It's a sad state of affairs when you spend a pretty penny on a delicious block of cheese only to hack away at it later with a dull butter knife. There's truly no need to resort to using awkward utensils when you can opt for a product made specifically for the purpose of carving cheese. As with cheese itself, there are many different kinds of slicers on the market, all crafted to get the job done right. Stop serving strangely-shaped pieces of Havarti to your guests and take a more sophisticated approach to food prep with a handy cheese slicer.
One of the best things about cheese slicers is that they're easy to use and often just as easy to store. Most models are operated manually, so you can control how thick or thin your slices come out. If you're making a traditional deli-style sub, perhaps narrow sheets of cheese would complement the dish best. For a hearty grilled cheese, go for a thicker cut. A cheese slicer allows users to create dishes tailored to their exact preferences.
The fact of the matter is, if you're not buying pre-sliced, packaged cheese, you're going to have to find a way to carve it on your own at home. There's no doubt you have other utensils in your kitchen drawers that were designed for absurdly specific uses, so why not finally invest in a quality slicer? The right tool will make carving any wedge, block, or wheel of cheese a simple and much more pleasant task.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Slicer
You'll notice, as you begin your search for a cheese slicer, that there's an incredible number of options available. The first aspect to review is how the tool actually cuts into the cheese. The firmness of the cheese you normally buy should inform your decision.
Do you typically chow down on soft cheeses, or do you prefer those that fall on the firmer end of the spectrum?
Do you typically chow down on soft cheeses, or do you prefer those that fall on the firmer end of the spectrum? Hard cheeses can be carved most efficiently with a sharp blade. Soft varieties, on the other hand, are best cut using a wire. Wire slicers have an extremely thin, usually stainless steel blade that effortlessly glides right through without compressing or warping the cheese, which makes for perfect pieces every time. Some models have a rolling mechanism built in for an even smoother motion.
Another important feature you'll want to pay attention to is the handle of the slicer. Look for an ergonomically-shaped handle that will allow for a comfortable grip as you work. If you're throwing a big party and aim to assemble an impressive charcuterie board, you won't have time to deal with wrist fatigue. Also, a thoughtfully designed handle will help you keep a strong grasp on the tool, which is especially important given the blade's sharp edge.
If convenience is a priority for you and your family, plane slicers make a smart choice. All you have to do to operate this handy tool is simply drag it across a block or wedge of cheese lengthwise while applying slight pressure. This kind of item offers a quick way to shave off delectably thin slices every time.
Some slicing devices come with attached cutting boards. While these may take up a little bit more space than other choices, they can also be used to prep other foods like vegetables and bread. Anyone with a large kitchen, and those who appreciate luxury, will find themselves drawn to this all-in-one solution.
A Brief History Of Cheese
Believe it or not, cheese has been around for at least as long as we've been taking down history. No one knows exactly who discovered the cheesemaking process, but it can be safely said that humans have been creating and consuming cheese for quite a while now.
Anthropologists have uncovered evidence that our ancestors were enjoying cheese as early as 5500 B.C.E. And by the time the Roman Empire was up and running, cheese was already a widely consumed treat across a sizable portion of the world, ranging from western Europe all the way to central Asia.
The popularity of cheese had spread throughout Europe by the 1500s — a century that saw the invention of some of the most celebrated varieties, such as parmesan and cheddar.
The popularity of cheese had spread throughout Europe by the 1500s — a century that saw the invention of some of the most celebrated varieties, such as parmesan and cheddar. At that point, dozens of nations had thrown their hats into the cheese ring, including England, France, and Finland.
It wasn't until modern times that the cheese craze hit the Far East and the southern reaches of Africa. Its consumption became increasingly common worldwide as global trade flourished.
Today, most cheese is manufactured on a much larger scale, often in factories, making the dairy delight more accessible to the masses than ever before. Artisanal cheesemakers still exist, however, and in addition to adhering to ancient recipes, they're also coming up with new, exciting blends and techniques all the time.
In terms of output, the nation that produces the most cheese from whole cow milk is the United States. Trailing the U.S. are Germany and France. Other varieties of milk used to make cheese are goat, sheep, and buffalo.
Currently, the International Dairy Federation — one of the top authorities on the subject of cheese — recognizes approximately 500 types as unique. Some names you might recognize are Gouda, feta, mozzarella, Swiss, and provolone, to mention only a few. What distinguishes one kind of cheese from the next are characteristics like texture, color, and age.