What is an electrical food slicer and how does it work?
Electrical food slicers are kitchen appliances with a motor that drives a rotating circular blade in order to cut foods into even slices. To slice foods, they are fed into the rotating blade with the help of a slicing carriage, resulting in consistently thick or thin slices. The electrical food slicer operates on electricality. Therefore, an electrical food slicer is best positioned in the immediate vicinity of an outlet.
Most ritter food slicers have been converted to an Eco motor in the meantime. Only a few models still use a DC motor. With us, “Eco” stands for high performance with low consumption. After converting to the new, ball-bearing Eco motors, the electrical food slicers are 50% more powerful but use 20% less electricality compared to the previous model.
Naturally, an electrical food slicer does not have to be operated using your own muscle strength. You simply switch it on. Pushing or sliding the switch to the desired position starts the motor and the circular blade begins rotating. Various switches are available:
Slide switch for continuous and intermittent operation
Two operating modes are available. For intermittent operation, press the switch and slide it until resistance is felt. The circular blade rotates as long as the switch is pressed in this position. For continuous operation, press the switch and slide it beyond the resistance until it locks in place. In this operating mode, the circular blade runs without holding the switch, until the switch is returned to the “0” position.
Rocker switch for continuous and intermittent operation
Two operating modes are available. For intermittent operation, press the switch to position “II”. The circular blade rotates as long as the switch is pressed in this position. For continuous operation, press the switch to position “I”. In this operating mode, the circular blade runs without holding the switch, until the switch is returned to the “0” position.
Two-finger switch-on safety system for continuous and intermittent operation
To turn the appliance on, press and hold the lock-out with the index or middle finger. Then press the ON switch with the thumb.
Two operating modes are available. For intermittent operation, press and hold both switches of the switch system. The circular blade runs until the ON switch is released. For continuous operation, release the lock-out and then the ON switch. The circular blade runs until the lock-out is pressed again.
Various foods can be cut into even slices with an electrical food slicer. A motor causes the circular blade of the electrical food slicer to rotate for slicing.
The electrical food slicer is started by operating the switch and the circular blade begins to rotate. Now the food on the slicing carriage is pressed lightly against the circular blade while the appliance is running, producing even slices with little effort.
You should clean the electrical food slicer regularly so food residues cannot accumulate. The machine should also be wiped with a damp cloth after every use. Occasionally, the removable parts and the circular blade should be cleaned under warm running water.
The average rotational speed of our electrical food slicers without speed control is about 70-90 RPM. You can individually adjust the rotational speed on appliances with speed control.
The blade of the electrical food slicer cannot be sharpened. Grinding or sharpening damages the hardened surface, causing the blade to dull more quickly.
Yes, you can remove and replace the blades of our electrical food slicers yourself. The blade lock varies depending on the model.
Bayonet quick-acting lock: Fold the blade lock up, turn it clockwise and remove it. Take hold of the circular blade at its rotational centre and remove it.
Bayonet lock: Open the blade lock by turning it clockwise. Remove the blade lock.
Screw lock: The screw lock is opened using the key behind the blade cover.
Coin-operated lock: Apply a suitable coin (2, 1 or 0.50 euro coin) to the blade lock and turn it clockwise.
When buying a (new) blade, it is important to select the right plastic gear wheel colour so you do not inadvertently choose a blade that does not fit your food slicer.
Our electrical food slicers are made of steel, stainless steel, aluminium, high-grade plastic and moulded rubber parts in varying proportions. Detailed information for your model is found in the product description.
We do not recommend cleaning any parts of the electrical food slicer in the dishwasher. See the question “How often should I clean the electrical food slicer?” for information on cleaning the electrical food slicer.
Just about any foods from bread to meats to vegetables can be sliced with the electrical food slicer. However, you should not slice frozen foods.
The standard stainless steel blade is available as a serrated blade or a smooth ham/sausage blade. Both blades are also offered in an electrolyte polished version.
Read more about our various blades here.
With us, “Eco” stands for high performance with low consumption.
After converting our food slicers to the new, ball-bearing Eco motors, the appliances are 50% more powerful but use 20% less electricity compared to the previous model.