Hating the Ultimate Mandoline - Not Recommended!

[smarteez2]

HATE and I mean HATE the Ultimate Mandonline? I just really can not stand it!! I will grab my USG in a heartbeat over that stupid UM!! I just can not get the hang of it!! The sad thing is, the last time I did a show I just demoed the tools and I ended up selling 2 or 3 of the UM!! (Got lucky that night i guess) But that is so my least favorite product!! I do not nor have not reccomended it!! YUCK.!! LOL Is that wrong?

 

[DebbieSAChef]

It does take some getting used toIt is different from the USG. But safer and once you get the hang of it, it is a pretty handy tool. I am not a creature who loves change but I will try new things and with the Ultimate Mandolin, I was happy I tried it.
I tried it for the first time at a cluster meeting and thought it was pretty tough to handle. I also noticed it took more work than just slicing things with my hands until you got to the end and needed the prong tool to finish the job.
Give it some time but you know some products we will never love. That's what makes us all different. I have had so many people tell me they hate the cookie press. I love it!
I also do not like the cheese grater. I think it's too much trouble when I can buy the cheese shredded. It's great for parmesan, my husband loves it, and chocolate sprinkles. But large chunks of cheese, it's too much trouble. You have to cut out a little square and stick it in the hole, then turn and turn and turn until your arm falls off. And there's always some cheese stuck to the blades that doesn't get grated. Ok had to vent!

Debbie

 

[DebbieJ]

I love the UM and hate to use my USG. That thing is SO dangerous. I have never cut myself on it, but I have run into MANY customers who have. I have cut myself with a knife, so I know how painful it is to slice a finger. Over two months later, I STILL have problems with my thumb (could barely get my DS out of his carseat this morning).

Buy some cheap veggies and spend some time with it and you'll get the hang of it.

 

[lisacb77]

I still can't seem to make the cheese grater work. Maybe I need to freeze it first like the new DVD says? It just makes a huge mess.

I also seem to have problems with the last piece of a veggie getting caught in the blade. Anyone else?

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Frozen cheeseFrozen cheese actually seemed to make it harder to turn the wheel for me. I felt like I was grating a piece of wood!! LOL

But it still got caught in the blades. Maybe it's just me. I never demo that product anymore. I buy shredded cheese and show off other things I am more comfortable handling.

Debbie

 

[dannyzmom]

I love my UM and my Cheese Grater.
With the UM...watch the video on CC a few times...remember there are guide tracks...two of them - make sure to be on the right track when you are using it - once you get the hang of it - it ROCKS!!!
The cheese grater - I dunno...I just adore it. I use it mostly for parmesan cheese in recipes and I find it grates beautifully! For soft cheeses, I nuke them for like 10-15 seconds before grating to release the oils and they grate nicely as well.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

The cheese grater - I dunno...I just adore it. I use it mostly for parmesan cheese in recipes and I find it grates beautifully! For soft cheeses, I nuke them for like 10-15 seconds before grating to release the oils and they grate nicely as well.

When I first started they recommended that softer cheeses be very cold and freeze the drums. Then about a year ago I was told to zap the cheese like Carolyn suggests. It works beautifully!! Just don't zap too long...you get a puddle

 

[whiteyteresa]

HATE and I mean HATE the Ultimate Mandonline?

I DO

I DO

I can use the US&G without a problem - I LOVE the US&G
~

 

[PampMomof3]

I love the new UM as well and also nuke the softer cheeses for 5-8 seconds depending on the microwave. I've sold A LOT of graters this way!
I also just used the grater for carrots today for the potstickers!

 

[smarteez2]

Whewwww

I DO

I DO

I can use the US&G without a problem - I LOVE the US&G
~

For a second there I thought I was the only one!! I can use the USG without a problem as well and I can use the UM But I simply abhore it!! LOL !!

 

[letscook04]

What I hate about the UM is that you have to cut the onions in half to fit in the holder. I like to slice onion rings!!

 

[amy07]

I still can't seem to make the cheese grater work. Maybe I need to freeze it first like the new DVD says? It just makes a huge mess.

I also seem to have problems with the last piece of a veggie getting caught in the blade. Anyone else?

I'm with you on the cheese thing. I refuse to grate the cheese in front of guests. It's too hard for me (even after putting in the freezer), I feel very clumsy. I will demo veggies with the crinkle cutter, and slicing other things (no tomatoes though).

I've been practicing and practicing..... but it is not my favorite

 

[etteluap70PC]

I am still getting used to my UM. I finally put my USG away so I would not be tempted to use it. Although it is safer I do not feel the new UM is as versatile. I can no longer do Peppers, I have to cut apples and onions in half. Tomatoes are a joke..... I have never been able to do cheese on either the USG or UM. Love my Cheese grater! definetly soften your cheese, works much better than freezing (in my oppinion)

 

[Jules711]

I don't really like the cheese grater (but the micro advice works). I use a non-PC simple cheese plane. It's easy and tastes much beter than pre-shredded (which has cellulose in it to prevent caking). Shred too must? Add a little flour to prevent sticking together. I like the UM b/c I cut my thumb on the USG when I first started. However, b/c it catches as it pushes down the levers, tomatoes are harder to do. I liked how it worked, but didn't feel safe bringing it to shows (I had REALLY cut my thumb). Now I can bring it with confidence and no cringing. I'm glad it's safer.

 

[lacychef]

I'm still getting used to the UM too; I"m going to practice with it this week, since it's the host special for March. I want to feel confident & able to say it's a good product when they ask.

For the cheese.....YES! microwave your chunk for 9 seconds; you will then love your grater When I first started; the thing was to freeze it....but you still had to squeeze the handle too hard. Nuking it is the key; makes it sooo easy to grate, and it doesn't stick to the grater either! I LOVE my grater!

 

[smarteez2]

Thanks for the input allI will keep using it and trying......but I still dont have to like it!! LOL