I dry the removable blades on a paper towel, then wrap them in a clean towel and store in a small freezer bag. (The blades are truly sharp. You don't want to risk a bad cut by keeping them in a drawer, for example, even the mandoline box.) Take the blade, all the screws and knobs off the machine, then in a container that will fit the mandolin (long and narrow, combine water and bleach 5 to 1 ratio and put it in the container so it just covers the mandolin. Leave for a couple hours or overnight if it's a really dirty one and the next day, simply rinse off, wash lightly with soap and water, dry and your plastic looks practically new, trust me. As far as the hardware, that rarely gets that dirty and is much easier to clean with soap, water and scrub sponge. Make sure everything is dry before re-assembly and if you choose, lightly apply a little mineral oil to blade with paper towel and if you have a benni with metal knobs apply to those as well. Andy Baraghani remembers the exact moment he was introduced to the Benriner mandoline slicer, a.k.a. the kitchen tool that changed the way he cooked. He was 16, working on the line alongside a seasoned cook named Tamar Adler, who went on to write An Everlasting Meal. “She had just spooned warm brandade onto toast,” he recalls, “and she braced a plastic mint-green mandoline against her cutting board and slid a fennel bulb against the stainless-steel blade.” The bulb gave way immediately into feathery, sheer wisps—the visual and textural topper Andy didn’t even know the dish needed.

Demand for this at-home appliance is continuously growing and safety is a constant priority. In response, most models now come with a hand guard to protect fingers. Some slicers also features non-skid feet so the machine doesn’t move unexpectedly while you are using it. You don’t need to be a professional chef to create elegant vegetable garnishes with the help of the Benriner Super Mandoline. Featuring a high-quality stainless steel sharp blade, this Japanese slicer guarantees a clean, crisp, and smooth cut of fruits and vegetables every time you use it. Slice Lemon Test (Winners-Only): We used each of our favorite mandolines to thinly slice lemons into rounds. OXO SteeL Chef's Mandoline 2.0: This pricey mandoline performed poorly, and it took a lot of effort (and nerves of steel) to push a potato fully through the blade. The same thing happened when we gave a go at making fries with it. They're apparently dishwasher-safe but after a good rinse, I figure there's no need to risk the dishwasher heat warping the plastic. (And for the record, I one of those who puts everything that fits into the dishwasher, knives, cookie sheets, plastic. The blender. The food processor bowls. Well, okay, I don't put the cast iron skillet in there.)Will the Benriner replace knives? No. Sorry, the knives aren't destined for Goodwill and they'll still need regular sharpening. Even so, there's no matching the perfectly thin and perfectly even slices that emerge from a mandoline. And the three interchangeable blades create different widths of vegetables. Considered the number one choice globally in a commercial environment, Benriner uses quality materials and outstanding manufacturing to create exceptional products. This Mandolin uses a BPA free and food safe reinforced resin, that is pretty much unbreakable. Each of the blades is made using high grade Japanese steel, offering maximum sharpness and performance. Three julienne blades (coarse, medium and fine) combine with an adjustable slicing blade to give you the ultimate in versatility. In 2005, it was a technique for aggressively trimming broccoli that was 'life transforming' - at least the vegetable area of my life! In 2007, it's the Benriner that allows two of my four tips for transforming mundane vegetables into something new and exciting. Vegetables seem to have a grain. If sliding one way is a little tough, turn the vegetable another way, again if necessary.

The Benriner Super Mandoline is widely considered to be one of the world’s best mandolin slicers and is equipped with three different blades to create different effects and finishes including:

How we tested

If you want to slice a variety of foods with your mandoline slicer, it’s important to take durability into consideration. Slicers like the Mueller Austria are strong enough to thinly slice hearty items, such as sweet potatoes. Other models require more gentle handling using more delicate veggies. For everyone who thinks or complains about it being HORRIBLE TO CLEAN!!!!! Relax, it's easy. True after a lot of use there will be build up in all the nooks and crannies off the slicer but a remedy is as close as your laundry room. An easy-to-use hand guard: Right out of the box, every mandoline we’ve tested has been extremely sharp—and accidents can happen. Culinary forums and comments sections are full of mandoline horror stories. To avoid turning kitchen prep into a blood sport, get a mandoline that comes with an easy-to-use, ergonomic, and practical hand guard. While mandoline slicer blades are extremely sharp, they do require maintenance. To keep producing quality, razor-thin slices, you’ll need to sharpen and clean the blades on a regular basis. To get blades sharp as new, use a sharpening knife. Just be sure to wear gloves and take safety precautions when handling the blades.

Using a mandoline slicer to cut your vegetables is much easier than individually chopping them with a chef’s knife, especially when feeding a crowd, and it’s just as safe. Many people avoid mandolines due to fear of injuring themselves on the blades. Sharp, durable, and adjustable blade: Some mandolines have straight blades, some have angled blades, and some have V-shaped blades, but two things the best have in common is that they’re sharp and made of a stainless steel that withstands normal wear and tear—including getting jostled in a kitchen drawer. The model is the 'narrow' Benriner and has a 2 1/2 inch (64mm) sliding surface. So far, this width works fine and is so small it's handy to pull out a few times a week. Make sure to use hand guards if included with your mandoline slicer to protect your hands and fingers from nasty cuts. The sharp blades can often be intimidating for users, but using safety equipment will significantly reduce any possibility of injury. Benriner are the original Japanese mandolin slicer manufacturers and have been making their slicers since 1945. Each slicer is made from the highest quality stainless steel to create sharp and long interchangeable blades that cut the perfect slice.So far, what slices beautifully: potatoes, beets, celeriac, zucchini, kohlrabi, radishes, young turnips, carrots (though with carrots, be prepared to leave behind a good inch since you can't use the finger guard) -- and fingers, are you using the finger guard??? The Fine Blade: perfect for creating elegant vegetable garnishes for professional looking meals. Ideal for carrots, radishes, or any other firm vegetable. To my mind, the benriner is very intuitive since there are only two knobs to adjust and one place for one of three blades to be inserted. But after pulling it out of the cupboard once or twice a week for a couple of months now, I'll pass along a few tips. I'll add new ones as more experience is gained but please, feel free to add your own tips in the comments. Finally, I found the one I love! (Thanks to Karen from FamilyStyle Food for the recommendation!) It's a Japanese-style benriner, some times called a Japanese mandoline (or mandolin) or an Asian mandoline (or mandolin), some times called a V-Slicer.

If you're in the habit of pouring a glass of wine while you cook -- do so after using the Benriner! You know the warning, "Do not operate heavy machinery while sleepy or distracted or under the influence"? It applies to the Benriner, too. Durable and ergonomic body: The body of the mandoline should be able to withstand the pressure of repeated use without breaking or warping. Similarly, it should be able to handle getting tossed around in a drawer. It should be comfortable and easy to hold, as well. If you opt for a portable, lightweight option, non-skid feet may not be your priority as they can make the appliance bulky. But safety should always be considered, so make sure whichever model you choose does not wobble or flex while you are using it. This will help ensure you can slice your foods easily without a high risk for accidents.

Many mandolines offer safety features of some kind to keep the food secure while slicing and protect your fingers from the sharp blade. If your mandoline does not come with a handguard, hold your produce with a protective cut-proof glove or clean kitchen towel and exercise caution. The 'fine' blade creates light fluffy bits of vegetables, almost like a microplane does for lemon zest and Parmesan.