The machine's 7-1/2 inch diameter stainless steel blade handles the lighter jobs well. Easily sliced foods like apples, lettuce, and other cooperative items are well within its range. Meat slicing also should be an appropriate task for the Deni -- raw meat works better if partly frozen so it cuts easily without deforming. Cutting slices of raw beef could be a different story if the roast is thawed and sags under the blade.

Hard deli sausages like pepperoni and salami usually work up well even on lightly powered slicers. These foods hold their shape and contain natural grease that lubes the cutting blade. The nemesis of a machine like the Deni Pro II is cheese. Cheese smears onto the blade and increases the friction. Pressing the feed tray forward harder exaggerates the problem, so work within the limits of the Pro II if you expect good results.

Cleaning the Pro II should be simple enough, but read and understand the manual and be very careful when removing the blade. Many removable parts could be washed in the dishwashing machine, but the body of the Deni Pro II must be cleaned thoroughly by hand.

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Deni 14250 Electric Food Slicer Meat Cheese NEW US $78.97   Auction Ends: 22d 20h 22m

Deni 14150 Electric Food Deli Meat Cheese Slicer Pro II US $74.99   Auction Ends: 28d 15h 21m

The blade won't handle the largest roasts and hams, but this is a mid-sized machine intended for lighter work. The motor's power is a good match for the diameter of the blade, and if users don't over-stress the slicer by impatiently pushing foods into the blade faster than the machine cuts, the Continental will do a good job. Some of the perks you'd find on more expensive machines are missing on this one -- the food tray slides on bushings, not bearings, and that mechanism will need to be clean and oiled for the tray to work smoothly. Safety shields are minimal, but the very important interlock power switch is a standard feature and will prevent curious hands from turning the slicer on in your absence.

Table and blade also tilt for a gravity feed option that helps keep hands away from the slicing zone. When tipped, foods shift automatically against the blade. Towards the end of the cutting process, the weight of the block probably won't be enough to hold the food in place, so there'll be a heel left over that works up easier by hand.

As with any slicer, overloading the machine with foodstuffs difficult to slice, like large cheese blocks, is bound to cause trouble. Divide difficult items into portions small enough for the machine to handle.

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Commercial 10 Blade Electric Meat Slicer 240w 530RPM Deli Food Cheese Veggies US $274.90   Auction Ends: 18d 5h 18m

10 Blade Commercial Electric Slicer Deli Food 240w 530 RPM Cheese Meat Gift US $302.45   Auction Ends: 25m

The large carriage tilts towards the blade for better control of the cutting process, tipping heavier items into the slicer automatically. Ball bearing table slides keep the slicing table working smoothly even with a full load. Plexiglass shields keep fingers out of the danger zones without blocking view of the work, and interlocking safety switches prevent accidental starts.

The Chef's Choice 667 includes professional level features like a built-in sharpening system that hones the blade while still on the machine, and a lifting system that lets users remove the heavy cutting blade for cleaning without risking fingers on the cutting edge. A tool included with the slicer screws to the face of the blade for secure and safe handling of what can be an awkward and dangerous piece of equipment. It's not something you want to drop, and with the lifter tool, you won't.

Plan where you'll install this hefty chunk of good equipment before you buy it. At 20 by 14 by 14 inches, and requiring working room around that, the Chef's Choice 667 needs space. Since it weighs nearly 30 pounds, many chefs will want the slicer in a permanent location.

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NEW CHEFS CHOICE EDGECRAFT ELECTRIC FOOD SLICER 667 PROFESSIONAL 6670000 US $465.00   Auction Ends: 29d 16h 28m

ChefsChoice Electric Food Slicer M667 Professional US $426.32   Auction Ends: 28d 18h 9m

The 632 disassembles quickly and easily for cleaning. Many parts can be removed and run through the dishwasher, and the machine's exterior cleans up easily with a damp cloth. Chef's Choice includes several helpful features with this model, including several operating switches (one hidden) which prevent accidental turn-on and help make the machine child safe. The continuous run setting is the most convenient, but the thumb switch on the thickness control knob is a safer option -- as soon as your hand leaves the control, the machine stops.

Since the 632 tilts 30 degrees, many foods can be sliced with a gravity feed system. All the operator does is work the controls and move the cutting table, while the weight of the food presses the work against the blade. The compact machine measures only 14 x 12.5 inches with a 10.5-inch height, taking up very little counter space for operation or storage.

Though the motor does have plenty of torque, don't overload the 632 to ensure the best cutting results. Use as much feed pressure as the machine can handle without stalling. Heavy and sticky foods like blocks of cheese can be the toughest to cut. Divide the blocks into smaller pieces before running them through the slicer.

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Chefs Choice 6450000 Professional VariTilt Electric Food Slicer No645 US $399.99   Auction Ends: 25d 9h 39m

Chef's Choice makes excellent products - we've reviewed Chef's Choice electric knife sharpeners favorably in the past -- and this one is no exception.

It's mostly-metal, made of stainless steel and aluminum. The motor allows for continuous slicing. Many slicers in this price range need to be turned off and cooled down after a few minutes, so that's a really nice feature.

The thickness of the cuts can be adjusted, of course, from quite thin up to one inch thick.

So what differentiates this slicer from a professional model? A professional model will have a more powerful motor, will be able to slice meats paper thin, and will hande very large cuts of meat.

If you don't need the features of a pro model, you really can't go wrong with this one.

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EdgeCraft 610 Chefs Choice Premium Electric Food Slicer US $90.00   Auction Ends: 4d 17h 2m

Chefs Choice 610 Premium Electric Food Slicer by EdgeCraft NEW US $124.95   Auction Ends: 7d 3h 27m