How to Sharpen a Meat Slicer Blade: Tips & Tricks

If you have a meat slicer, you may quickly and easily slice meat without any problem. However, the slicer does not always continue to operate with the same precision as before. Not to worry? If you only sharpen its blade, it should function normally once more. So let’s examine the process of sharpening a meat slicer blade. There are two simple methods for sharpening the blades. However, you must follow some safety precautions and use some safety equipment before sharpening the blade.

We’ll also throw light on how to sharpen your meat slicer blades while using the proper safety equipment, safety precautions, guidelines, cleaning and sanitizing procedures and frequently asked questions. Let’s have a look of the main contents!

How to Sharpen a Meat Slicer Blade by Hand

If you want to save money, get a simple meat slicer without an integrated sharpener. You can still get the benefits of a simple meat slicer with a sharp blade because you can hand sharpen it. The following equipment is needed to manually sharpen a meat slicer blade:

Tools Required to Sharpen the Meat Slicer Blade:

But before beginning the sharpening procedure, you should have a few necessary instruments to make it easier.

Safety Glasses
Cut-Proof Gloves
Soft Washcloths
Lubricant
Blade Sanitizer
Non-abrasive soap/detergent
Sharpening Stone

Isopropyl alcohol or detergent diluted in water
Water
Sharpening oil (cooking oil)

What to Know before Sharpening the Meat Slicer Blade

Before sharpening the meat slicer blades, you should be aware of following crucial tips to prevent any issues:

Safety Glasses: You must wear safety glasses whenever working with sharp objects to protect your eyes in case something flies off and hurts them.
Protective Gloves: You need to use cut-resistant gloves to protect your fingertips because the blade will become very sharp. You can always wear thick work gloves if you don’t have any specific gloves.
Sharpening Stone: You’ll need the sharpening stone, also known as a whetstone, to sharp your slicer blade. Some meat slicers already have sharpening stones installed.
Blade Sanitizer: Since your slicer is used to chop meat and other foods, you must use some sort of sanitizer that guarantee to kill the bacteria.
Lubricant

Beneficial for sharpening stones.

Soft Washcloth: Use soft washcloth to clean your meat slicer after you’ve finished sharpening it. When cleaning, stay away from harsh objects because they will simply scrape the surface and make it rust.

Methods of Sharpening the Meat Slicer Blade

There are two methods of sharpening the meat slicer blade.

1.Sharpen Meat Slicer Blade Using Built-in Sharpener

You can use this method to sharpen the blades if your meat slicer doesn’t contain a sharpening stone. Typically, this is the more practical method of sharpening a meat slicer blade.

Step 1: Blade Cleaning

Remove the device from the electrical outlet. Clean the blade well with water and detergent to remove any dirt that may be on it.

Step 2: Sharpening Kit

Once the blade has dried completely, it’s time to prepare the sharpening kit. Start by releasing the locking knob to reveal the attached sharpener. Swivel the sharpeners attachment at 180° by lifting it up. On the sharpener attachment, make sure the blade is centered between the two sharpening stones. To secure the sharpening attachment, tighten the locking knob well.

Step 3: Blade Sharpening

The sharpening of the blade is often controlled by additional buttons on slicers with an integrated sharpener attachment. Start sharpening by pressing the stone button to rotate the blade in opposition to the grinding mole, which is motionless. After 30 seconds, stop the blade to create a burred cutting edge. For roughly 4 seconds, simultaneously press and hold the sharpening and deburring buttons, and then let go. This sharpens the blade’s edge by reshuffling the burrs on the blade.

Step 4: Blade and Stone Cleaning

Clean the device and sterilize the blade as you would while sharpening without the built-in sharpener.

Step 5: Sharpener Attachment’s Resetting

As long as the sharpener is blocking the blade, you cannot operate the machine. Reset the sharpener kit to its initial position after sharpening and cleaning, then lock it in place using the locking knob.

2.Sharpen Meat Slicer Blade Using Sharpening Stones

The blades may be sharpened more easily by using sharpening stones.

Step 1: Sharpening Stone

Some manufacturers provide sharpening stone in product’s packaging even without an integrated blade sharpener. You can also purchase a suitable stone from your neighbourhood hardware store.

Step 2: Blade Cleaning

You should thoroughly clean the blade before sharpening it by simply applying small amount of detergent and water on the blade surface. After giving the blade a thorough rinse, scrub the area until all stains are gone and blade cleaned well.

Step 3: Sharpening Stone Positioning

If the device is still operating, shut it down and unplug the power supply. To finish this step successfully, use user manual. You’ll be able to set the stone down on the device and secure it.

Step 4: Blade Oiling/Lubrication

Make sure the blade is moistened with cooking or sharpening oil before sharpening. The oil used for sharpening removes the burrs. Additionally, the oil helps the meat slicer blade develop a sharp edge for cleaner cuts of meat.

Step 5: Blade Sharpening

After following above steps start sharpening by reconnect the power cord by turning the outlet on. To allow the blade to grind against the sharpening stone, turn the machine on. After 30 seconds, turn off the machine. Turn the machine on after 4 seconds for another 30 seconds repeat this process thrice. To make sure the blade is has sharpen place a tomato on the cutting edge and gently press the tomato against the blade.

Step 6: Blade and Stone Cleaning

Clean and sterilize the blade and stone after sharpening process.

Step 7: Unmounting Sharpening Stone

It’s time to clear the machine’s working area once the blade has been adequately sharpened. Although varied instructions are provided in the user manuals, generally speaking, unmounting the stone entails unscrewing the knob and sliding the stone off the blade. Put the knob back in its original position and store the sharpening stone securely.

Cleaning and Sanitizing of Meat Slicer Blade

The hygiene of the blades is maintained by regularly cleaning and disinfecting your meat slicer. As food scraps and residues may become stuck inside the slicer if you don’t clean and sterilize it, which could lead to the growth of germs and other microbes. The items that you slice with the slicer blades will become contaminated by these microbes. They’ll result in foodborne ailments including food poisoning and others.

Additionally, your slicer may transfer flavour or food particles to the foods you slice later, changing the meal’s flavour and texture from its original state. Your meat slicer needs to be cleaned and sanitized as often as feasible. So clean your newly sharpened slicer blade to avoid spreading germs by applying isopropyl alcohol to blade surface.

Precautions For Sharpening and Cleaning the Meat Slicer Blade

Always use caution when handling sharp objects, such as meat slicers, to avoid serious damage. These precautions are as follow:

Before you begin cleaning, make sure the appliance is off and unplugged from the power source.
Before using the slicer once more, make sure the blade guard is reinstalled on the device. This lessens the possibility of user damage and might catch some errant meat chops flying around.
Before beginning the process, the device needs to be unplugged and cooled.
When cleaning the blade, never immerse the slicer in water. Some of the machine’s electrical parts might experience short circuits if this happened.
Never use food or vegetable oils on your sharpening stone.
Read the user guide/manual to determine whether the sharpening stone requires oil or water.
Check the directions because diamond stones don’t need any lubricant.
You must properly clean it and get rid of any grease or debris.
When the blades get blunt, they must be sharpened.
Don’t let the procedure last longer than a few seconds.

Summing Up!

Once you know how, sharpening your own meat slicer blade at home is simple and convenient method! You can sharpen a blade with just a few basic tools and a few easy actions. Additionally, sharpening the blade of your meat slicer is a crucial operation that needs to be carried out on a regular basis to ensure that your food is cut uniformly and effectively.

Your meat slicer will remain intact for many years if you take good care of it. When adjusting and cleaning the various parts and assemblies used in the sharpening process, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

FAQs – About Sharpening Meat Slicer Blade

When your blade need sharpening?

You should grab a food item with a smooth surface, such a tomato or an apple, to see if your meat slicer blade needs to be sharpened. Use your meat cutter to thinly cut the apple. Your blade has to be sharpened if you have to apply a lot of force to the apple in order for it to be sliced through.

How To Maintain Meat Slicer Blades?

By sharpening the blades, you can extend the time that they are used. You can think of it as a component of maintenance. The blades will last a very long time and produce far better meat slices if you take good care of them.

Is it necessary to clean and sanitize a Meat Slicer blade?

Yes, cleaning and sanitizing meat slicer is necessary to maintains the hygiene of the blades. If the slicer isn’t thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, food particles and residues could become trapped there, grow bacteria and other microbes, and contaminate the meal. Consequently, food poisoning and other foodborne illnesses will result.

Can you sharpen meat grinder blades

Yes, grinder blades can be sharpen. You can try sandpaper or file, but those methods will produce flakes of metal and plastic. The blades can be properly sharpened with a metal file or fine sandpaper, but it can be dangerous. You can sharpen the blades once they are removed. It doesn’t have to be a difficult procedure. To prevent unintentionally cutting oneself, put on a pair of gloves before you begin. Sharpening the blades with the 120 grit sandpaper is the first step.

How often should you sharpen a meat slicer?

Keep in mind that you must sharpen your meat cutter every two weeks. Crisp slices of meat are considered to improve the flavour of meat. Regular sharpening of the blade, whether electric or manual, is necessary to maintain the meat’s quality.

How do you sharpen a meat slicer at home?

Set the graded knob to zero after disconnecting the unit from the mains. Lift the sharpener, turn it 180ᵒ, and unscrew the locking knob. Place the blade between the two sharpener wheels and move it downward once more. At the very end, tighten the knob to secure the sharpener.

Is it better to sharpen a blade wet or dry?

You can use natural sharpening stones dry or wet, but moist is preferred. Water, water-based sharpening oil, or petroleum-based sharpening oil ensures a smooth sharpening action while removing heat generated by friction in the stone’s pores.

Rita Williams

Hey, it’s me Rita! My love for BBQ began at an early age, learning the art of smoking meats from my dad in their small town in Texas. Weekends were filled with smoky aroma of brisket or ribs as family and friends gathered for backyard cookouts.