Do You Have a Mandoline?

Do You Own a Mandoline?

May 25, 2010

I'm a huge fan of dishes that call for very thinly sliced potatoes. Gratins, French fries, and potato chips are a few that come instantly to mind. Thus, a couple of years ago, I invested in a mandoline. While it's a little difficult to clean, I love to use it and try to experiment with it often. How about you?

19 Comments

danakscully64 3 years

I don't, but my Mom does and when I lived with her, I used it. I only sliced my finger once (surprising for me :P). Now I use my food processor for slicing, but there are some cuts I can't get with it, so I plan on registering for one when I get married.

insanitypepper 3 years

I use mine only for slicing in large quantities, like when I make French onion soup.

jluster 3 years

In my house and kitchen at work the rule is simple - if you can do the cuts with a knife, consistently accurate and reasonably fast, you get to use a mandoline. Same with whipping cream, mixing dough, grinding spices in a mortar, or any other job that can be done with a handheld, non-electric, implement. Why? Because all those tools cause us to lose touch with our food. How is someone to appreciate the delicate nature of potatoes if all they ever did is use a mandoline to slice them? How's one to understand the nature of gluten and how dough resists and gives in, if all they ever do is mix it in a kitchenaid? Get a knife, learn to sharpen and hone it, learn to do thin, accurate, slices, and you might never ever reach for a mandoline again :)

mallorycurtis 3 years

i have one but i don't use it a lot. i forget about it, and it's kind of hard to slice larger things with it.

Rancher'sGirl 3 years

Own one and my husband uses it. I let him be the prep chef when it comes to using sharp kitchen gadgets and slicing things thinly. I am not the least bit graceful when it comes to sharp objects. ;)

fuzzles 3 years

I have one, but as another poster said, it's kind of clunky. As a result, I almost always opt for my chef's knives instead.

Kristensaurus 3 years

I don't have one, but I really need to get one! My mom makes this delicious eggplant dish that requires you to slice the eggplant as thin as possible. I nearly lost a fingertip last time I attempted to make the dish using a sharp knife! I saw one at Bed Bath and Beyond this past weekend, but it was expensive and looked kind of poorly made. Can anyone suggest the name of a good one?

Spectra 3 years

I have a little one that I love. I use it to slice potatoes really, really thin for scalloped potatoes and ham. I also use it to slice cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots. You do have to be pretty careful with it, or you could easily slice off your finger.

Yesi Jukebox 3 years

no, but I want one..

msame 3 years

Kind of off topic but...I have a food processor too. I only use it when I need to puree. I think there's a slicing blade attachment but I'm too afraid to use it. Does it not do the same thing as a mandoline only faster? Or are the results just not the same (thicker...unsightly?!)

msame 3 years

LOVE IT!!! I was going to throw down $50 bucks to get a nice one, but my dad bequeathed unto me the brand new unused one got for his wedding present back from the 70's!! The vintage beauty which lacks all bells and whistles is just awesome...have yet to slice a finger... slow and methodical is the way I go.

bluesarahlou 3 years

I have one and I love it. Makes slicing things thinly super easy.

snarkypants 3 years

after watching my bff slice off a chunk of her finger, i'm afraid to get one!

3 years

i use it all the time. shred carrots for salads and korean glass noodles, potatoes for hash, or long squash for korean pancakes. Mine isn't as bulky and got it from an asian kitchenware store (like home&home or from h-mart). it's used so frequent that i rest it on top of my knife stand.

ShaynaLeah 3 years

Own and love! I use mine to slice strawberries - fast, easy, and really not very hard to clean --- and I'm not sure why, but sliced strawberries just taste better (especially when on top of pound cake and under whipped cream!)

kimmberli 3 years

i agree, not as easy to use as i had hoped! maybe only the REALLY expensive ones work like you see on tv...?

Zulkey 3 years

I have one but I'm a little afraid of it. So far it's best used for making zucchini ribbons.

crystalemily 3 years

I have one, but I hate it. Clunky, difficult to use with the protector, difficult to use without the protector. Too bad because I thought it was going to be an awesome tool!

RoaringSilence 3 years

I do. Many a finger has been shredded on it, as well. Mine even goes in the dishwasher.

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19 Comments