Choose a commercial meat slicer by three things: blade size, which sets the largest product you can slice; how many hours a day it will run, which sets the duty level you need; and how easily your staff can clean it safely, because a slicer that is hard to take apart does not get cleaned as often as it should. Most delis and restaurants land on a 10 or 12 in. blade; a 9 in. blade suits light use and a 14 in. blade large roasts and long slicing shifts.
Shop the equipment in this article: Prepline HBS220 9″ blade manual meat slicer, Prepline HBS250 10″ blade manual meat slicer and Prepline HBS300 12″ blade manual meat slicer. Freight is included on every order.
Blade size
| Blade | Typical use | Our models |
|---|---|---|
| 9 in. | Cafes and small kitchens slicing a few times a day | Prepline HBS220 manual slicer; HBS-220JS, belt driven and compact |
| 10 in. | Small delis and sandwich shops | Prepline HBS250 |
| 12 in. | The common all-round size for restaurants and delis | Prepline HBS300, listed at 110 V and 250 W with a removable carriage; Waring WCS300SV, 1 HP, belt driven, tilt-out carriage |
| 14 in. | Large roasts and long slicing shifts | Prepline HBS350, slices from 1/16 to 1/2 in. |
The blade diameter limits how large a product fits on the carriage and how many slices you get per stroke. For a size by size comparison, read meat slicer blade sizes: 9 vs 10 vs 12 vs 14 inch.
Duty level: how long it will run
Slicers are built for different daily run times. A light duty machine run for hours each day, or used all day on hard cheese, wears out its motor and dulls its blade faster. Before you buy, estimate how many minutes a day you slice on your busiest day, and how much of that is cheese. Cheese is harder on a slicer than cooked meat. If the answer is several hours, size up.
Manual or automatic feed
On a manual slicer the operator pushes the carriage. Automatic slicers move the carriage with a motor, which saves labor in very high volume delis. The slicers we carry are manual feed, which suits most restaurants and delis. See manual vs automatic meat slicers for the trade-offs.
Drive and features to compare
- Drive. Belt drive is common, quiet and simple to service; the HBS-220JS and WCS300SV pages list belt drive.
- Sharpener. The HBS220, HBS250 and HBS350 pages list a built-in sharpener, so the blade can be kept sharp at the station. A dull blade tears meat and makes staff push harder, which is less safe.
- Guards. Look for a ring guard around the blade, listed on the HBS220, HBS250 and HBS300, and a product pusher on the carriage.
- Carriage removal. A removable or tilt-out carriage makes cleaning under the carriage much easier.
- Power. These models run on a standard 110 to 120 V outlet.
Where to put it
Place the slicer on a sturdy, level table at a comfortable height, with room for the carriage to travel fully. The operator should be able to stand beside the blade, not in front of it. Keep it away from sinks so water does not reach the motor, and away from the edge of the table.
Safety and who may use it
Slicers cause serious cuts in commercial kitchens. Train every user, and post the rules at the station:
- Always use the product pusher; never hold product near the blade by hand.
- Return the thickness gauge to zero whenever you stop slicing.
- Unplug the slicer before cleaning, and wear cut-resistant gloves to clean it.
- Federal child labor rules do not allow workers under 18 to operate or clean power-driven meat slicers, so schedule accordingly.
Cleaning
A slicer is a food contact surface. The FDA Food Code calls for food contact surfaces in continuous use with foods that need temperature control to be cleaned at least every 4 hours, and whenever you change from raw to ready-to-eat foods (section 4-602.11). Unplug, set the gauge to zero, remove the carriage, guard and other parts the manual allows, then wash, rinse, sanitize and air dry. Our guide on how to clean a meat slicer safely walks through the steps.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What is the largest product we slice?
- How many minutes a day will it run, and how much of that is cheese?
- Who will clean it, and are they trained?
- Is there a level, dedicated spot away from the sink?
Frequently asked questions
What size meat slicer does a deli need?
Most delis choose a 12 in. blade. A small sandwich shop slicing a few products can use a 10 in. blade; a high volume deli with large roasts may want 14 in.
Can I slice cheese on a light duty slicer?
Occasionally, but daily cheese slicing is hard on a small motor. If cheese is a big part of your slicing, size up.
How often should the blade be sharpened?
When slices start to tear or the operator has to push harder. Slicers with a built-in sharpener make this a quick job at the station; follow the manual.
What to buy
Compare blade sizes in meat processing machinery and see all food prep equipment. Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price, and slicers have a 7-day return window from delivery as powered equipment.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Prepline HBS220 9″ Blade Commercial Manual Meat Slicer (model HBS220)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Prepline HBS250 10″ Blade Commercial Manual Meat Slicer (model HBS250)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Prepline HBS300 12″ Blade Commercial Manual Meat Slicer (model HBS300)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Prepline HBS350 14″ Blade Commercial Manual Meat Slicer (model HBS350)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
HBS-220JS Electric Meat Slicer, 9″ Blade, Belt Driven (model HBS-220JS)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
WCS300SV Manual Meat & Cheese Slicer w/ 12″ Blade, Belt Driven
- Brand: Waring
- WCS300SV Aluminum body 1 hp.
- 12″ adjustable slicing blade.
- For meat & cheese commercial use.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.