Heavy, rugged, and powerful, this commercial-quality food slicer has a large carriage and tilted design to handle big hams, roasts, and blocks of cheese with speed and ease, as well as small vegetables, luncheon meats, and crusty bread. The 180-watt induction motor operates quietly, and the carriage travels smoothly on industrial ball bearings. Users can clean the slicer's 10-inch surgical stainless-steel blade while it's in place, or, when more thorough cleaning is necessary, can remove it safely with a Plexiglas tool that features big thumb screws that attach to the blade and then serve as handles to lift the blade free. Attached to the slicer is a built-in blade sharpener. (Detailed sharpening instructions are included.) A thickness adjustment knob calibrated in millimeters permits slicing from paper thin to about .6 inch.

Safety features include a double switch system, where one switch turns the unit and the other switch, spring-loaded for additional safety, operates the blade; an indicator light that serves as a reminder when the blade is rotating; thick Plexiglas guards on the carriage and the food pusher; and a switch that prevents the slicer from operating if the blade guard is not properly in place. Made of die-cast metal, the slicer weighs 29 pounds and measures 19.3 inches wide, 14.6 inches high, and 14 inches deep. It comes with a plastic serving tray. --Fred Brack