I Really Want to Love the Mandoline...

[urbnk8]

I used it a lot when i first got my kit...haven't used it for a while until tonight. I used it to cut onions to make tobacco onions! It worked great!! So quick to slice them! I do like it a lot. Definitely not for limes!

 

[Shawnna]

I have the UM, but it sits in my hutch unused because I have the US&G. I like the US&G. I use it to slice onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and to grate cheese...I hate the cheese grater for soft cheese. I use the cheese grater for chocolate, nuts, parm. cheese and carrots.

 

[aksusan]

I used it a lot when i first got my kit...haven't used it for a while until tonight. I used it to cut onions to make tobacco onions! It worked great!! So quick to slice them! I do like it a lot. Definitely not for limes!

What are these tobacco onions?

 

[RebelChef]

What are these tobacco onions?

lol I was scared to ask. I was hoping she meant Tabasco.

 

[Kristina21]

I'm a firm believer that the Mandolin takes some gettin' used to. My husband played with mine forever after I signed up because I didn't like it much...He found THE best ways to grate cheese and slice anything!!! He showed off his skills at our cluster meeting! His advice: use it until its comfortable, and try it using with the handle facing you and (especially with cheese) push down instead of the normal sideways way. If that makes any sense at all lol!

 

[pamperedlinda]

lol I was scared to ask. I was hoping she meant Tabasco.

me too

 

[wadesgirl]

I LOVE my UM!! I use it all the time for different things. But my sister hates her's. I keep trying to tell her that we should get together and have a class about it!

 

[elizabethfox]

I had the hardest time getting the UM to work for me the first time I tried it. I ended up getting my husband in the kitchen and it worked for him the first time he tried it! ROFL.....I told him maybe HE should be selling PC!

Anywhoo....I practiced and practiced with limes and tomatoes and I thought I had it until my first show. I was doing the cran raspberry fizz, and was going to show them how to slice the limes with the UM. I could not get those limes to slice correctly! I don't want to blame the UM entirely, because it probably didn't help that I was nervous seeing as how it was my first show, but I have realized that it is a little touchy sometimes. Then as soon as I got home I got out a lime to try it again, and it worked prefectly!! ARGH!

I have never used the US&G, but I have had at least 2 customers who have the UM and the US&G and they like the US&G best. They say the US&G slices thicker than the UM does, and it isn't so difficult to use. I showed one hostess how to adjust the slicing width on her UM, but she still said it wasn't as thick of slices as her US&G.

 

[pamperedmomto3]

When you grate cheese at a show what do you use if people aren't using the mandoline?

 

[wadesgirl]

I don't use the mandoline to grate cheese, I use the deluxe cheese grater.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

When you grate cheese at a show what do you use if people aren't using the mandoline?

Personally, I never grate soft cheeses at a show. I either grate them when I am prepping for the show - or I just tell my host to get pre-grated cheese. I do use the mandoline if I need to grate cheese though - so much easier than the deluxe cheese grater....now that is one thing from PC I can do without...in fact, after my third one broke, I never replaced it - don't even have one anymore, and never miss it!

I use my Microplane grater to grate hard cheeses. I LOVE :love: the Microplane Grater!

 

[whiteyteresa]

I use my Microplane grater to grate hard cheeses. I LOVE :love: the Microplane Grater!

I second that !!!

:chef:

 

[susanr613]

Loved reading this thread...the Mandoline is why I booked my first PC party and now I'm a consultant. So ironic!

Here's my .02: the mandoline makes quick work of very firm veggies and fruits, even plum tomatoes. I love it for potatoes - slice up some white and sweet, toss with olive oil, a little salt and whatever spices, and bake at 425 until you have almost guilt-free potato chips!

I have to admit, though, that I use the cheese grater, tomato knife, and forged cutlery more often.....

To each her own!

 

[redsoxgirl]

I've tried using it a couple times and have trouble with it. I don't like that I can't put a whole cuke or carrot on it and slice away. I find the guard to be very hard to use.

I'll have to practice more!

 

[RaggedyAunt]

I'm in the not-a-big-fan of the UM club, too. I stopped taking it to shows, too, because I never had much luck (especially with cheese, even if I froze it before I tried to grate it). If a hosts asks me about it, I'll bring it. I have even let a couple of hosts keep it for a day or two to play with it. One host, an older lady, absolutely loved it and ordered it as one of her half-price items. The younger gal was too intimidated by it. Maybe it's an "experience" thing. More experienced cooks are more comfortable with it. My host who ordered it said she makes homemade scalloped potatoes frequently and she was very excited about it. I included the care & use guide and the tip sheet that's available on CC. She had no problems. One of these days when I have some free time (anyone have any?! lol) I'll buy some cheap fruit and practice. Good luck with it!

 

[chesse]

I'm on anti-coagulants and am so happy they redesigned the mandoline! (I'm not allowed to bleed.) It is so safe now. I show it at almost every show.

 

[KellyTheChef]

https://www.pamperedchef.com/repsonly/product_information/product_demo_video.jsp

About midway down the page...watch the demo videos about the UM. One thing I have changed since watching these...how I hold onto the food plunger. Watch how they are NOT pushing down on the plunger...their fingers are UNDER the plunger till it gets down closer to the end of the food. I don't push down on it at all till then. I let gravity pull the food down with each pass. Then, even when I move my hand to be on TOP of the plunger, I still do not apply too much pressure. If you push too hard, the food gets stuck in the blade terribly.

It certainly takes some practice, and I still only like doing potatoes and onions...or using the grater blade for cheese. I am another consultant who REALLY dislikes the deluxe cheese grater. I LOVE our microplane grater though!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'm in the not-a-big-fan of the UM club, too. I stopped taking it to shows, too, because I never had much luck (especially with cheese, even if I froze it before I tried to grate it). If a hosts asks me about it, I'll bring it. I have even let a couple of hosts keep it for a day or two to play with it. One host, an older lady, absolutely loved it and ordered it as one of her half-price items. The younger gal was too intimidated by it. Maybe it's an "experience" thing. More experienced cooks are more comfortable with it. My host who ordered it said she makes homemade scalloped potatoes frequently and she was very excited about it. I included the care & use guide and the tip sheet that's available on CC. She had no problems. One of these days when I have some free time (anyone have any?! lol) I'll buy some cheap fruit and practice. Good luck with it!

Meijers has lemons and limes $2 a bag right now!

 

[acdugger]

I have always used a mandoline--use to use another brand and ended up cutting the tip of my finger off. Had to go to the husband hours before I was hosting a party--though still had it with a slithly smaller finger. My husband is glad for PC's because of it doesn't work without the guard. The only thing I wish PC had on theirs is the julienne blade.
Andrea

I tell my finger story everytime I use the mandoline to try to sell it!

 

[kaseydee]

I'm in the not-a-big-fan of the UM club, too. I stopped taking it to shows, too, because I never had much luck (especially with cheese, even if I froze it before I tried to grate it). If a hosts asks me about it, I'll bring it. I have even let a couple of hosts keep it for a day or two to play with it. One host, an older lady, absolutely loved it and ordered it as one of her half-price items. The younger gal was too intimidated by it. Maybe it's an "experience" thing. More experienced cooks are more comfortable with it. My host who ordered it said she makes homemade scalloped potatoes frequently and she was very excited about it. I included the care & use guide and the tip sheet that's available on CC. She had no problems. One of these days when I have some free time (anyone have any?! lol) I'll buy some cheap fruit and practice. Good luck with it!

My boyfriend is a chef & when I was having no luck what so ever he got it from me & started slicing like it was no big deal. So I agree with the "experience" might help.

 

[Tanoi]

Every time I try it, my slices of veggies are paper thin. I have adjusted the blade back and forth, and there's not much difference. Is there a way to make them thicker? I can practically see through my slices. If they were thicker I'd use it a lot more.

 

[Addie4TLC]

I made the BIG mistake of trying to cut lemons with it AT A SHOW w/o practicing at home and just got embarassed. Thank you for all who posted that practice makes perfect. I will do that and give it another chance and not throw it against the wall anymore...

 

[chefann]

Every time I try it, my slices of veggies are paper thin. I have adjusted the blade back and forth, and there's not much difference. Is there a way to make them thicker? I can practically see through my slices. If they were thicker I'd use it a lot more.

The V-shaped blade cuts thicker than the adjustable blade.

 

[wadesgirl]

I don't think it's an experience thing, I never cooked much before PC and owned both the USG and UM. I like the UM better because it's safer but it's always in my car so I will pull out the USG once in a while, just use it very carefully. It can take some time to get used to it. Watch the video and try it again yourself.

 

[kspry]

Then as soon as I got home I got out a lime to try it again, and it worked prefectly!! ARGH!

This has happened to me at 3 shows. Limes & tomatoes slice perfectly for me at home, every time. So, I know how to use the UM. It just betrays me at shows.

Now, I don't use the UM at a show unless it's a potato or apple.