Andrew Zimmern Says We Need to Replace Our Mandoline Slicers

I tend to hang on to things too long, even in my kitchen. Whether it’s a scratched nonstick skillet or a dull vegetable peeler, some cooking tools don’t last forever. We recently chatted with Andrew Zimmern at the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, and the host of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern recommended replacing Japanese plastic slicers or mandoline slicers every couple of years. “If you use them a lot, they’re not meant to last that long,” the chef said.

A dull or unsteady mandoline slicer can send you on a trip to the ER. If you’re trying to do the mental math on how old your mandoline is, that means it’s probably due for a replacement. We love the OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer because it’s a great value at $19, a good price since you’ll be replacing it every two years if you follow Zimmern’s advice. 

OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

Let’s back up a second: What is a mandoline slicer? This tool tends to look like a grater or zester, except it is often made with plastic and has one long blade to thinly slice fruits and vegetables more efficiently than you would with a knife. Because this is done in quick back-and-forth motions against the sharp blade, it’s extremely easy to cut your hand on a mandoline. (Unfortunately, I have firsthand experience with this.) To avoid hand injury, a lot of people use cut-resistant gloves. Helpfully, OXO’s mandoline slicer comes with a food holder that keeps your fingers farther away from the blade.

Calling this OXO tool a fan-favorite is an understatement, considering it has more than 14,000 five-star reviews at Amazon and has been purchased more than 9,000 times in the past month. “It’s very versatile, easy to clean, extremely sharp, and can be used for an endless possibility of things to make a variety of delicious meals or desserts,” said one reviewer.

You can adjust the blade to three thicknesses or put it on the lock setting. The top half of the slicer is transparent for monitoring your progress, so you have a better idea of when dinner will be on the table. Reviewers praise the mandoline’s compact sizing, with one shopper commenting that it “fits easily in a drawer.”

Because it’s a handheld mandoline — not a vegetable chopper or rotary grater with a mandoline attachment — you need to take extra care to ensure it doesn’t slide around on your counter. Luckily, this model has a non-slip base and sturdy handle, so you won’t lose control. However, daily use causes wear and tear on any mandoline slicer, which is why you’ll want to replace it every couple of years to ensure your own safety and the best slicing.

Whether you like making homemade potato chips or crisp cucumber salad, this safe OXO mandoline slicer is the perfect replacement for your old, dull one. Just take a tip from Zimmern, and be sure to repurchase it in a couple of years to keep your fingers safe.

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At the time of publishing, the price was $19.