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Troublesome meat slicers
There are few things that can trip you up in your kitchen, or business, as much as an appliance that doesn’t do what it supposed to Troublesome meat slicers.
Not only do you use valuable time, but you don’t need the stress and frustration that comes with struggling to fix something. When you have a meat slicer that is giving you problems we can help.
We have a few troubleshooting tips and tricks that we have gained through hard experience. Hopefully these tips will help you easily solve the problem when your meat slicer decides to go on strike.
How it should work
Before we get to sorting out the problems with a meat slicer, we should first look at how a well-functioning meat slicer does its work. A food slicer is basically just a rotating blade that slices food as you push it past the blade.
The blade runs on a motor and the slider that pushes the food is usually a manual component. You can get models with additional knobs and buttons and so on, but the key components will be the same across the board.
Main problems (and how to fix them)
Blades of glory
One of the first things that will start to limit the quality of the slicing is the blade. The moment your blade becomes dull you won’t get any good slicing done. The fix for this is relatively easy, depending on the model you have.
If you start to see that the food is not sliding through the blade as easily as when you first started using it, the first thing to check is your blade.
Some models will come with built in whetstones that will help you to easily sharpen the blade. If your meat slicer has whetstones included, check your user manual or the manufacturer’s website for tips on how to sharpen it.
Some slicers will have removable blades that you can have sharpened, but some models will have stainless steel blades that can’t be sharpened. In that case you will need to buy a replacement blade. Always make sure that the blade is secured well with the central screw and that it doesn’t wobble.
Food buildup
Another thing that can cause problems is food where it is not supposed to be. If you start having problems with your slicer, give it a thorough clean.
Remove the blade and make sure that all the components are free of any residue. Look for greasy build-up or other debris that can halt a smooth working component.
Power up
If you own an electric slicer, as with most electronic devices, the power connection is the key thing to keep it working. It is also something that can easily give you problems.
When you have a loss of power check the outlet, the cords, and connections. You can do this systematically. First, check that the wall socket is not the problem. Then go through the cord and check for damage.
If you know your way around an electrical circuit and have the safety record to prove it, you can open up the motor and switch and check for problems. If you are not completely sure, please stay safe and have a professional check the electrical components. “
Slippery when wet
If the slicer tends to slip and move while you use it, check its base. Make sure that it has no-slip rubber feet. Clean the feet thoroughly to remove any oil or grease. Also, make sure that the countertop is not greasy or oily.
Noisy
If your slicer sounds like it recently joined a heavy metal band, you need to check on its insides. Although most household slicers are belt-driven, many models have a gear-driven system, which although more durable, do have more pieces to break down. Usually, an overly noisy slicer has problematic gears or an overworked motor.
You can open your machine and check the gears and see if there are any teeth that may be damaged. You may be able to replace damaged gears.
Sometimes there might just be some dirt or residue interfering with the gears. The motor will require a little more skill to fix, but a good cleaning will do it just as good. Sometimes your slicer may be producing noise because it is unsteady.
So again, check its feet and make sure it has clean rubber footings. Make sure that it is level and that the table or counter is not skew or adding to the vibrations.
Halting food trays
If the sliding food tray has started to develop a stutter or simply refuses to slide well, the best fix is a deep clean. Take it apart if you can. (Always check your user manual), then wash it thoroughly in warm soapy water.
Check all the grooves, nooks, and corners and make sure it is sparkling. This should make things run much more smoothly. If it is still stubborn, you can use a little vegetable oil as a lubricant.
Before you attempt repairs
If you are a DIY expert you can do some of these repairs on your own. Of course, always work safely and remember the blade is accustomed to slicing through meat and it won’t think of your hands as anything different, so always use cut-resistant metal gloves. Unplug your slicer before you start any work. Use the correct tools such as suitable screwdrivers. You can solve many of these issues just by cleaning components with some glass cleaner or cleaning alcohol.
The first thing you can remove is the blade. You can then make sure that it is sharp, clean and that the fasteners that keep it in place are in good shape (or you can replace any trouble makers). A good rule to remember is that it should not be necessary to force anything to access it.
If you loosen the correct fasteners or screws you should be able to easily disassemble your slicer and get a look at the problem components.
Final words
When your slicer is not performing as well as it should, the most basic repair is a good cleaning. After you are sure that your slicer is clean and well-oiled and that the blade is nice and sharp, you can move on to other issues.
When in doubt call in an expert, but usually these few tips should solve the most common problems with a meat slicer. Hopefully, our tips will help your slicer to maintain it’s “good as new” performance and keep you happy.
