I got an OXO mandoline today

I've always wanted one, and today, I don't know, I just bought it - 20% off with a coupon at BloodBath and Beyond.

It's this: http://www.oxo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=484

I've read great things about it, but I don't know anyone who actually owns one. Anyone here have any experience with this thing?

Thanks.

which is something all mandoline owners do ONCE, you'll find that you wonder what you did before you got it. Mine is a little different, from the Pampered Chef: http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=146&categoryCode=GSC
My first one was a $5.00 single fixed blade slicer from a Chinese grocery, and when it conked out, I bought the mandoline.

Wait until you do that first batch of angel hair coleslaw.
Or that first apple tart with perfect apple slices.

Now, here I am, two days later, sitting here with the thing still in its box, because I'm afraid of it.

I'm afraid of sharp things, anyway, but it's easily overcome where knives are concerned. This thing falls under the heading of "machine," though.

I know it's going to be wonderful.

I have an English cucumber and a five-pound bag of organic carrots. Today is practice day.

Pray for me, please.

Slicing on that is so fast, that your first carrot will be down to a nubbin before you know it, and that's where most folks run into trouble. You'll get the hang of using the holder in time.

...but can never quite convince myself that my knives aren't just as good.

but it was an irresistible impulse buy.

I got this feeling, Mike, that it's going to make our knives look sort of puny.

We'll see.

I got lots of onions, too, and garlic, and I think I'll just slow-cook a batch of thinly sliced onions, throw the garlic in later, all in olive oil, and then toss it with macaroni. Some Locatelli (aren't we all locked in to the grated cheese with which we grew up, or is that just Italian kids?), and that's one divine dinner.

Will report back later, SUH!

.... on pretty much the same deal about a year ago. Like you, mine was an impulse buy. There was an old one around here, a **real** cheap-o left over from the dark ages before my ex 'left town'. I'd never used it and still haven't. But its still there. But that's another story.

I'd only ever used the big pro models. Dangerous, to be sure, but very effective and efficient. The OXO is not quite up to that standard, but it ain't bad at all.

I tend to use it only when preparing for a party or holiday or some such, and there's lots to do. Generally, I'm faster with a knife than the aggregate time to get it out, do the deed(s), clean it and get on to the next step. But when mass quantities of multiple items are involved, the OXO's pretty much the better way to go.

Sorta like my mini and full sized Cuisinarts. The right tools when the job is big and needs to get done as if under the same pressure as Mario Batali on Iron Chef.

Yu dun gud, OLL.

Oh, good. It's funny - I have NO problem spending money, but I do love a good deal. Since this wasn't on sale, the coupon sort of helped (I love BB&B - a totally blue and great place), but I still feel just the tiniest bit guilty. We don't cook for large bunches, so this is really a completely self-indulgent purchase.

Amazing how forty bucks can cause a whole self-evaluation in terms of one's place on this earth.

Or is that just me?

I know I'm not as good with knives as you guys, so I suspect this item will be a daily event in the kitchen. Once I overcome my fear.

But, thanks for backing me up, H2S. That helps. So will your prayers.

Just in case .... on your test drive ..... you ..... uh ....... you know ...... aw ..... never mind ....... can't ahppen ...... you're too careful ...... right? ........... you are ...... aren't you ...... ?

I cut my finger while opening a package of Omaha Steaks burgers to mash up for chili.

I was using a Sabatier.

Lord, blood flips me out.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU???

Awwwwwww.

You big sweetie, you.

When I open the OXO, maybe I should have something like this on hand?

I suggested it as a possible gift for me for the upcoming holiday.:)

I got coupons for you.

Good gift hint. Very good.

Now if she will just decide to use it.:)

I just learned that Bloodbath and Beyond, who's always honored Linens & Things coupons also honored EXPIRED coupons.

I love those stores.

She'll use it. You watch.......... :)

I read about them accepting expired coupons on DU, in the economic activism group I think. I've used expired ones several times now. I always take along a current coupon, just in case they change their policy.

Paid 2 dollars for it and it is well used.I love it.Good time saver for me.And yes, I did have an oowee after using it the first time.

Please forgive me for hating you.

So, it makes sense as a daily-use item? That's good to know.

I am going to be wearing heavy leather gloves. I hate the sight of my own blood.

OK, I'm scared again.

TWO DOLLARS???

<thud>

close to shutting their doors and most of the merchandise was gone. But , wonder of wonders, there was my mandoline. My daughter bought one fron Williams Sonoma and paid 149.00 fpr it. I would never use it as it looks too hungry and is razor sharp! I need my digits.

& the OXO was recommended so I was going to get one. Then I changed my mind & decided to save my pennies for a professional model. Then I went to Tuesday Morning & they had a Cuisinart there for 30 bucks. So I grabbed it. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet, but will probably be using it this Christmas & Super Bowl.

Good deal.

It was 50 bucks advertised at Bloodbath, and I had the 20% off coupon.

But, when I compared them side by side, for the extra ten bucks, the OXO was really different.

Let me know how you like your Cuisinart.

while I was in grad school and not ever eating out. It immediately doubled the amount of vegetables in my diet. I used it every day for a good while. Now that I'm out of school and working, I eat out for lunch most days and get lazy in the evenings so I don't use it nearly as much.

Definitely superior to using knives, as far as speed and consistent slicing. Even to slice up one carrot, it's faster than a knife. (YMMV if you're a skilled knife user.) Mine can go in the dishwasher so cleanup isn't a big deal.

Regarding blood: Even if you don't slice a finger initially, don't get overconfident. ALWAYS use the protective holder device when the item you're chopping/slicing/whatever gets small enough that your fingers are anywhere near the blade. And always pay attention to only that while you're using it. That's the scar on the tip of my right ring finger speaking.

I sliced the very tip of my left ring finger off during Thanksgiving preparations last month when I was trying to julienne some parsnips.

Be VERY careful with this thing. My finger hit it at an oblique angle when I got going too fast.

If I were you, I'd trade it in and get a kickass Kitchen Aid food processor. One of the big ones. Mine's going in our next garage sale bin!

fsc

very often because of arthritis in hands. Now I whiz along with potatoes,onions, apples, carrots and many other things.And the slices are so uniform. Love it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=236&topic_id=10125

Good info there.

Thank you SO much for this. Interesting.

I'm still afraid of mine, so it's still in the box. But, I can see that using it is like writing a book - you concentrate on doing what you're doing and nothing else. Distractions seem to end up in bloodshed, and I just ...... oh, god .......... even the idea of a paper cut scares the hell out of me.

Thank you - that was awfully nice of you to post, H2S.............