Cleaning a Mandoline Slicer

By Mandolines.com Staff

Regular cleaning of a mandoline slicer is important in order to maintain proper functioning of the utensil. Proper cleaning also ensures that your mandoline slicer is not a source of potential food related contamination and also adds to the safety of using the utensil. If food is not cleaned off of the mandoline slicer directly following use, it is more difficult to clean at a later time and if scrubbing is required, scrubbing the utensil near the blade can potentially be dangerous.

The best way to clean a mandoline slicer is to gently wipe it with mild soap and warm or hot water. If this is done after each use, it should avoid food being stuck onto the mandoline slicer and therefore more in-depth cleaning should not be required. Great care should be used when cleaning near the blade or blades, since they are extremely sharp. The blades should be wiped against the direction of the sharp edge to avoid cuts. After the mandoline slicer is cleaned with soap and water, it should be thoroughly rinsed under warm water to remove any soap residue. The mandoline slicer should then be left out to air dry or can be dried with a clean towel.

Some models of mandoline slicers can be put into the dishwasher. If putting your mandoline slicer in the dishwasher, care should be taken not to have the blade come in contact with other dishes or glassware in the dishwasher. This avoids inadvertent breakage of any items during the wash cycle. Most models of plastic mandoline slicers are dishwasher safe and some stainless steel models can be put in the dishwasher as well, but it is best to check the informational manual that comes with your mandoline slicer before putting the slicer in the dishwasher.

Even those models that are dishwasher safe should be washed by hand whenever possible. Gently washing your mandoline slicer by hand prolongs the life of the utensil and does not dull the blades as much as running it through the dishwasher can do.

Whether the mandoline slicer is washed by hand or in the dishwasher, it is important to make sure that it is completely dry prior to storage. Storing a slicer that is still wet can lead to corrosion around the edges of the blades. Some steel models of slicers suggest that a small bit of oil be rubbed on the utensil prior to use and cleaning. Plastic models do not require the use of oil. Again, as with dishwashing, it is best to check with the manual that accompanies your mandoline slicer to see if you should lubricate the blades with oil. If using oil on the mandoline slicer, be sure to use an oil that is safe for human consumption, since it will potentially come in contact with food that will be consumed.

Not only should a mandoline slicer be thoroughly cleaned after each use, but it is recommended that you clean the gadget prior to the first use to ensure that it is sanitary and ready for contact with food. This can easily be done with a quick rub of soap and warm water, followed by a thorough rinse.

If proper cleaning techniques are followed, you should get many years out of your mandoline slicer. A clean blade will slice food more effectively than a dirty one (and is much more sanitary), but after time the blades may need to be sharpened. The amount of time between sharpening will depend on your level of use. Cleaning a mandoline slicer is easy and the most important aspect to keep in mind during the cleaning process is mandoline safety.

Published: October 10, 2009

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