What types of manual vegetable cutters are there?
Although hand grinders seem quite simple, they also fall into several categories. It’s interesting to look at photos of what manual vegetable cutters there are and learn about the principle of their operation.
Metal
The device is a round or square metal mesh that is installed over a plastic container. Vegetables for chopping must be placed on top and pressed firmly on them. A kitchen vegetable cutter can be equipped with different attachments with shaped cells, but in any case it is only suitable for soft products, for example, boiled potatoes, eggs or carrots.
Hard vegetables cannot be chopped using a metal mesh, only boiled ones.
V-knife
The vegetable cutter consists of a flat plastic body and a set of metal blade attachments of different shapes. Using the device, you can cut food into strips, shred cabbage, and give the desired shape to already prepared large pieces.
The V-knife vegetable cutter is very sharp, you need to hold it using the special handle included in the kit
Slicer
The design of the device is similar to a vegetable peeler and is a metal grater with a diagonal hole in the middle. Suitable for cutting vegetables into strips or thin flat slices.
The slicer handles cooked and raw foods equally well.
Spiral
The device of this type of manual vegetable cutter resembles a pencil sharpener. Vegetables are inserted into the funnel located at the top, and then the device is turned along the axis, and a thin long straw falls into the plate.
Spiral devices are designed for cutting into long thin strips
Alligator
The alligator vegetable cutter is similar in design to the open mouth of a crocodile. Vegetables are placed between the “jaws” of the device, and then the top panel is lowered and pressed firmly. The chopped food is transferred to a plastic container.
Using an alligator vegetable cutter, boiled and some raw vegetables can be cut into large and small cubes
Hand harvester
One of the most functional manual varieties is a mechanical harvester. Vegetable cutters are equipped with a large number of attachments; in appearance and capabilities they strongly resemble electrical devices. The difference is that here the grinding is done manually; to cut you need to turn the handle on the body.
The vegetable cutter-harvester allows you to process food in large volumes
How to choose a manual vegetable cutter
When choosing a mechanical device, you need to decide, first of all, on the type. For example, slicers and spirals provide very limited capabilities; for curly slicing, it is better to choose a manual processor.
In addition, you should pay attention:
- Regarding the material of the device, vegetable cutters with a large number of metal elements are considered to be of the highest quality; they are stronger and last longer than plastic ones;
- on the number of attachments, if the vegetable cutter is multifunctional, then the more replaceable elements it has, the more varied the cutting will be;
- for build quality - when purchasing, it is advisable to check both the metal and plastic parts of the device for strength and good fixation.
Important! The metal parts of a manual vegetable cutter must be stainless, otherwise the device will not last long.
Criteria for choosing the best vegetable cutter or multi-cutter
Manufacturer
Traditionally, leading European companies are considered the best. Depending on who, where and from what quality materials the vegetable cutter was made, the efficiency, durability and quality of its work depend.
Configuration and number of nozzles
A common criterion for both electrical and mechanical devices, reflecting their functionality.
Power
Relevant for electrically driven multi-cutters and indicates how effectively the device will handle when the load on the drive increases.
Additional accessories
Many manufacturers additionally produce elements compatible with their models - additional attachments, accessories, spare parts. They can be purchased to expand the basic configuration or as a replacement.
Price
It makes no sense to waste your money on cheap products from little-known brands. The quality of such devices is low, and they are made only superficially similar to the best models. The optimal choice is vegetable cutters from proven brands. In addition, not all of them are sold at exorbitant prices.
How to use a manual vegetable slicer
The algorithm for using the device depends on the variety. The video on how to use a manual vegetable cutter shows that alligator and mesh devices work on the principle of pressure, slicers are handled in the same way as graters, and the spirals must be rotated around an axis.
When using any type of vegetable cutter, you need to follow several rules:
- pre-cut large-sized vegetables into large pieces;
- rinse the blades of the device under cold water before use; in this case, you will have to apply less effort for cutting;
- make sharp, but not too strong movements to get the most even and neat pieces of vegetables.
Open manual vegetable cutters must be handled carefully to avoid cutting yourself.
Before using a specific vegetable cutter, you need to study the instructions and understand what products the device is intended for. Some devices only work with soft vegetables.
Rating of the best manual vegetable cutters 2021
Several models of hand-held shredders have received particularly good reviews from users. Each of the devices is distinguished by its reliability, ease of use and versatility.
Borner Classic
A good mechanical vegetable cutter has been on the market for many years and has high ratings. Equipped with a holder and 3 attachments, it allows you to cut vegetables into straight slices or small and large pieces. The blades are made of stainless steel and do not corrode; the main body is plastic, resistant to dirt and deformation.
The Borner Classic multifunctional shredder costs about 2,800 rubles
Winner WR-7417
Inexpensive but functional manual vegetable cutter comes complete with 5 knives for thick and thin straws, slices or cubes. A plastic container holds up to 1 kg of food, which is quite enough for a household kitchen appliance. The steel knives of the chopper remain sharp for a long time and do not rust from frequent washing, and the vegetable cutter is cleaned quickly and easily.
You can buy Winner WR-7417 for 1000 rubles
Gipfel 9750 Sana
This universal German vegetable chopper has excellent functionality. Consists of a capacious plastic container and several replaceable stainless steel blade attachments. Allows you to cut food into large and small cubes, slices, strips or process them on a fine grater. Suitable for both cooked and raw vegetables, as well as sausages and meat. Using this device you can quickly and easily peel carrots or potatoes.
The Gipfel manual vegetable cutter offers a wide range of possibilities, but is expensive, starting from 4,000 rubles
The best electric vegetable cutters
Electric vegetable choppers are functional devices that can easily cope with even the most difficult tasks. They quickly and effortlessly chop, grate, chop and allow for shaped cutting.
Zigmund & Shtain SM-20 – a true all-rounder
5
★★★★★
editorial assessment
90%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
The new product from Zigmund & Shtain comes with 6 attachments for cutting various products. This includes a fine and coarse shredder, 2 graters, an attachment for chopping into strips and a disk cutter that allows you to cut vegetables into cubes, which is especially important for lovers of French fries.
The cover of the multi-cutter has a hole with a pusher that has teeth and allows you to safely cut the entire fruit without leaving any residue. The body has its own storage compartment for the cord, which allows the device to take up less space in the kitchen. Also included is a disk for holding attachments.
Advantages:
- Six nozzles;
- Disc for cutting French fries;
- Cord compartment;
- Pusher with teeth;
- Disc holder for attachments.
Flaws:
- Unless there is a juicer function.
The SM-20 multi-cutter from Zigmund & Shtain allows you to easily grate, chop and slice vegetables for any dish.
WMF Kult X 0416480711 – stylish vegetable cutter-spiralizer
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
88%
buyers recommend this product
The elegant appearance of the device is complemented by high build quality. Its body is made of metal with a matte surface, which is resistant to mechanical damage and corrosion. The kit includes a spacious 1.25 liter bowl for chopped products and a plastic pusher.
Thanks to the device, you can not only chop vegetables for salads and Korean dishes, but also prepare different types of homemade pasta (tagliatelle, linguine, pappardelle, spaghetti), vegetable noodles from zucchini or pumpkin. You can also cut tornado potatoes or cucumbers into spirals to decorate dishes.
Advantages:
- Metal body;
- Spiralizer attachment;
- Capacious bowl;
- Pusher;
- Slice width adjustment;
- Cleaning brush.
Flaws:
- High price.
The WMF Kult X 0416480711 vegetable cutter will allow you to diversify your everyday diet and add healthy homemade dishes from vegetables, fruits and dough to your menu.
Kitfort KT-1318-1 – for chopping and slicing
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
87%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
The device is equipped with five nozzles. Three are designed for grating vegetables and fruits with different degrees of grinding (coarse, medium and puree). Two are used for slicing hard and plastic products, including cheese. They are installed in the chopper nozzle, eliminating contact with fingers. At the top there is a receiver. The set also includes a glass for convenient storage of accessories.
The chopping attachments are easy to install and remove from the vegetable cutter and can be washed either by hand or in the dishwasher. The power of the device is enough to grind even such hard products as raw carrots, beets or potatoes.
Advantages:
- Five nozzles;
- Low price;
- Glass for storing accessories;
- Quick replacement of knives;
- Easy care.
Flaws:
- No spiralizer.
The KT-1318-1 multi-cutter from Kitfort is useful in any kitchen and will greatly facilitate the housewife’s work.
Travola VM9001-GS - a simple and convenient vegetable cutter
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
85%
buyers recommend this product
Thin spirals of potatoes, cucumbers or zucchini are no problem for the VM9001-GS vegetable cutter from Travola. It is equipped with nozzles with sharp cutting elements that will instantly crush the required product. Thanks to the device, you can easily cut vegetable noodles for Korean or Chinese dishes or original salad.
The kit includes two attachments for creating an even and wavy spiral, as well as cutting into slices of the required length. The crushed product falls into a plastic bowl. The device has simple operation with just one button. Travola operates with average noise and consumes no more than 80 W.
Advantages:
- Smooth and wavy cutting;
- Capacious bowl;
- Pusher;
- Economical electricity consumption;
- Fast work.
Flaws:
- No grater attachment.
The VM9001-GS vegetable slicer from Travola will be an excellent addition to your kitchen and will allow you to significantly diversify your diet.
Clatronic ME 3604 – functional home model
4.6
★★★★★
editorial assessment
84%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
The presence of 5 interchangeable attachments makes this device a real multi-cutter. The set includes: a large and a fine grater with oval holes, another small one with round knives and two slicers of different sizes. For convenience, they are painted in different colors.
The attachments are easily removed and washed under running water. Using the pusher you can safely crush the fruit without leaving any residue. Alas, the set does not include a container for chopped products, but the device’s 150 W power is enough to cope even with hard vegetables like carrots.
Advantages:
- Five nozzles;
- Powerful engine;
- Pusher;
- Compact dimensions;
- Easy cleaning.
Flaws:
- No bowl;
- There is no compartment for storing attachments.
The device is suitable for chopping food for various dishes, but you will have to use your own utensils.
Top 5 best budget manual vegetable cutters
Inexpensive shredders are of greatest interest to buyers. There are several budget models in stores, the functionality and quality of which remain high despite the low price.
Bruder Nicer Dicer Plus
A compact and lightweight manual vegetable cutter is equipped with various attachments for cutting food into cubes, circles, strips or wedges. Due to the sharp steel blades, it copes equally well with boiled and raw vegetables and fruits, cheeses and meat products.
The plastic body of the manual vegetable cutter is highly durable; the knives do not rust or become dull. The device is very easy to clean; a special brush is included.
The Bruder Nicer Dicer vegetable cutter costs only about 900 rubles
Kitchen Master
A budget vegetable cutter consists of a plastic container and 3 attachments for julienne, fine crumbs and shredding. The device is suitable for processing vegetables, cheeses, potatoes, crackers and even chocolate. Sharp steel blades do not become dull for a long time and cut products evenly, regardless of their hardness.
You can buy a Kitchen Master manual chopper for 800 rubles
Salad All in One
A vegetable cutter consists of a large container, a basket, several grater attachments and a lid for drying vegetables. Using the device, you can not only chop, but also grate, rinse and dry food. The walls of the container are transparent, allowing you to observe the grinding process, the knives are very sharp and have an anti-corrosion coating.
The Salad All in One vegetable cutter can be bought for an average of 1000 rubles
Status 115510
A simple vegetable cutter is equipped with only 1 V-shaped attachment for chopping vegetables and soft boiled products. Supports cutting thickness adjustment and comes with a food holder for increased safety of use.
The average price of Status 115510 is 600 rubles
Sinbo STO 6511
A budget-friendly but functional manual vegetable cutter allows you to chop fruits, vegetables and other products into small, even slices. It is compact in size and easy to use; to cut food, you need to turn the mechanical handle. During food processing, food particles do not scatter across the table.
The manual mini-harvester Sinbo STO 6511 costs only about 700 rubles
The best mechanical vegetable cutters
These devices are manually driven and are designed for grinding various products. As a rule, they are equipped with a container where the workpieces are placed. Mechanical vegetable cutters make work in the kitchen easier, are inexpensive and take up little space.
Tefal 5 Seconds Chopper K09812 – ultra-fast cutting
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
88%
buyers recommend this product
The patented chopping system has made this vegetable cutter a quick favorite among home cooks.
It is equipped with a chopper with two knives mounted at different heights. This means that in one turn you can cut ingredients faster and more evenly. The method of using the vegetable cutter is also original. To start the operation of the knives, pull the handle with the cord. During this time, the chopper will have time to make up to 7 revolutions.
The device has a bowl with an average capacity of 900 ml. The kit includes an attachment for kneading dough and preparing cream. The cord is made of durable synthetic material and winds into its original position automatically.
Advantages:
- Two knives;
- Dough attachment;
- Drive by cord;
- Automatic winding;
- 7 revolutions of the knife per movement.
Flaws:
- There are no attachments for shape cutting.
An easy-to-use chopper will allow you to chop ingredients for everyday dishes and preparations for the winter in a matter of minutes.
Bradex “Multi Master New” – mechanical harvester
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
87%
buyers recommend this product
Grinding or drying food, as well as whipping dough is now easy - with the Multi Master manual processor. It has a 1.2 liter bowl into which one of three elements is inserted: a triple blade, a dough hook or a drying sieve. By rotating the handle on the lid of the device, you can easily chop vegetables and even grind meat, beat dough or cream, and quickly dry washed berries or herbs.
Additionally, the kit includes a device for separating the yolks from the whites. The principle of operation of the food processor is similar to that of a blender. The only difference is the mechanical drive and a more affordable price.
Advantages:
- 3 nozzles included;
- Yolk separator;
- Easy to clean;
- Comfortable handle;
- Transparent bowl.
Flaws:
- There are no attachments for shape cutting.
The “Multi Master New” vegetable cutter from Bradex can replace a meat grinder, blender and dryer.
Maestro MR-1735 – shredder and dryer 2 in 1
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
85%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
This device has a spacious plastic bowl, as well as a lid with a handle for rotating the dryer and a place for installing cutting attachments. Thanks to the sieve, you can quickly dry washed greens or fruits. And with the help of 5 cutting elements included in the kit, you can easily cut salad or vegetables for first and second courses.
The vegetable cutter is capable of chopping, grating, cutting into cubes, as well as into strips and slices. Using a special brush, you can easily remove the remains of crushed products from the press lid or cutting attachments.
Advantages:
- 5 nozzles;
- Drying sieve;
- Cleaning brush;
- Capacious bowl;
- Fruit holder.
Flaws:
- There is no additional lid to store food in the bowl.
The compact and functional device will allow you to make preparations for any dishes.
Markethot fruit and vegetable cutter - a multifunctional home model
4.6
★★★★★
editorial assessment
83%
buyers recommend this product
Markethot is a plastic rectangular body with a bowl and a lid under which the cutting element is placed. Knives are used as attachments (for cutting into rings, cubes, strips and slices of different sizes), as well as a shredder. The set includes fruit holders, a vegetable peeler and a second lid for a container in which you can store chopped products.
To cut a vegetable or fruit, just place it on the cutting element and press the lid on top. All the pieces will fall directly into the container without scattering across the table.
Advantages:
- Housing made of food-grade plastic;
- Stainless steel knives;
- Container lid included;
- Peeler;
- 5 nozzles.
Flaws:
- There is no juicer attachment.
The Markethot vegetable cutter will allow you to chop a large number of different ingredients for preparing dishes and preparations for the winter.
Tescoma Handy 643555 – compact chopper
4.6
★★★★★
editorial assessment
80%
buyers recommend this product
See review▶
You can quickly chop vegetables for borscht or nuts for dessert using this vegetable cutter. It has a small inverted bowl that can hold 1-2 onions and a stainless steel knife.
The operation of the chopper is ensured by a rotating mechanism with a spring. By pressing the handle several times, you can obtain the required degree of grinding. The device does not take up much space in the kitchen and can be cleaned under running water or in the dishwasher.
Advantages:
- Compact dimensions;
- Low price;
- Easy cleaning;
- Stainless steel knife.
Flaws:
- Small capacity;
- Inhomogeneous grinding.
The Handy 643555 vegetable cutter from Tescoma is not designed for cutting a large number of salads, but it will be an excellent assistant for daily food preparation and will allow you to chop onions and garlic without tears.
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Recommendations for use and care
When using a manual vegetable cutter, you need to follow several rules:
- Many devices have difficulty processing hard, raw vegetables; strong resistance is felt during the cutting process. To reduce the load on the device, you can pre-cut large vegetables into several parts.
- When chopping a large number of products, it is worth pausing from time to time and allowing the tool to “rest.” This will reduce the risk of the vegetable cutter breaking or defects in the cutting parts.
- The shredder should be washed immediately after use. If food residues have time to dry to the walls and knives, it will be much more difficult to clean them.
Advice! After washing, the knives of the manual vegetable cutter should be carefully blotted dry. Even if they are made of stainless steel, it is best to avoid too much contact with water.
