Mandolines Buying Guide
Love cooking, but pressed for time? Mandolines can get your veggies and fruits chopped up in seconds. These manual food processors 
slice foods with greater precision than their electric counterparts, and they're especially efficient when it comes to larger, more firm foods like potatoes, yams, carrots and squash. They can help you prepare everything from shoe string steak fries to cucumber garnish and potatoes au gratin, but design is the key to success. Mandolines come in three main varieties--flat board, platform insert and adjustable platform--each with varying capabilities and prices. Check out some of the details on each model below and remember, always clean your mandoline immediately after use! This promotes a bacteria-free environment and prevents foods drying on any of the machine's pieces. If your mandoline is dishwasher safe, make sure you position it where the sharp blades won't cut or damage any of your other utensils and dishes. And after drying but before storage, lightly oil your mandoline to keep the blades sharp, prevent rust and maintain easy movement of all parts.
Madoline Models
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The Flat Board:
This model comes with a holder that you use to grip your fruits or vegetables while sliding them along the grating/slicing surface. - It is the most inexpensive of the three varieties.
- It is often made of a hard plastic, stainless steel or a combination of both.
- The cutting surface is large to accommodate foods of all shapes and sizes.
- Some flat board mandolines have hand-held designs.
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The Platform Insert:
This model comes with different blade inserts that vary the thickness of the cut. - It is often made from high carbon stainless steel.
- It comes with safety guards to protect your hands and fingers while pushing fruits and vegetables across the blades.
- It is more sturdy and expensive than flat board mandolines.
- It may not offer as many cutting options as adjustable insert mandolines.
- It works especially well for slicing and grating cheese products.
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The Adjustable Platform:
This model has a set of interchangeable internal blades and is typically used by professionals only. - It can vary cutting thickness as well as change the style of the cut, creating julienne or waffle patterns.
- It usually combines commercial-grade plastics and stainless steel.
- This is the most expensive model on the market.
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