Vegetable Cutter

With the advancement in kitchen gadgets, different types of vegetable cutters have arrived in the market. Today, a huge variety of vegetable cutters are available in the market to suit the diverse kitchen needs of the people across the world.

Depending on their mode of functioning, the vegetable cutters can be divided into two broad types. These are:

• Manual Vegetable Cutter: Manual vegetable cutter or hand-held vegetable cutters are commonly used across the world. These are powered by mechanical energy generated by hands and can easily cut down the vegetables. They do not need any electricity to work but do require extra time, energy, and efforts. These manual cutters are easy to wash and store.

• Electric Vegetable Cutter: These vegetable cutters are powered by electricity. Just by putting the vegetables inside the container and switching on the power plug, the vegetables can be instantly cut into smaller pieces. These cutters require less time and efforts and offer precise cuts for the vegetables. 

Depending upon the capacity, the vegetable cutters can be divided into two broad types. These are:

• Commercial Vegetable Cutter: Commercial vegetable cutters are the big-sized vegetable cutters that are used in commercial stores, hotel, restaurants, and small eateries to cut vegetables. They are mostly electric cutters that can cut a large number of vegetables into small pieces in seconds.

• Domestic Vegetable Cutter: These are the small-size vegetable cutters that are seen in kitchens in homes. They can be either electrical or manual. Being small in size, these vegetable cutters cannot cut many vegetables together like commercial ones but can certainly cut the vegetables required for a family meal easily. 

Depending upon the blade-functions and features, the vegetable cutters can be divided into five broad types. These are:

• Twin Vegetable Cutter: Twin vegetable cutters come with two containers having two separate blades. They are great for cutting two different vegetables at once without getting them mixed together. They mostly have a pull string operation and are great for saving time while chopping.

• Mandoline Set Vegetable Cutter: The mandolin set vegetable cutters are one of the most popular types of cutters that come with a number of blade types and sets for performing different cuts. It can be used for chopping, grating, slicing, spinning, and dicing.

• Pronged Vegetable Cutter: The pronged vegetable cutters are hand-held vegetable cutters that are ideal for cutting hard vegetables like onions. They have long and sharp stainless steel blades that put force on the vegetable and can easily cut them into equal-sized slices.

• French Fry Vegetable Cutter: The French Fry vegetable cutter is one of the most popular vegetable cutters used in fast food joints. They have sharp blades that slice through hard vegetables like potatoes and cut them uniformly into fry shape.

• Scissor Like Vegetable Cutter: This is another type of vegetable cutter that easily cuts through different leafy vegetable and herbs like spinach, coriander, parsley etc. It is a board and knife combination that can be easily locked for safety purposes.

• Capacity: The capacity of the vegetable cutter is one of the most important things that should be considered while purchasing a vegetable cutter. For those who need to cut vegetables for a large family every day, cutters with high capacity are ideal, whereas nuclear and small families can go for smaller ones. Those buying cutters for commercial use should opt for high-capacity commercial cutters. 

• Mode Of Functioning: The mode of functioning is another thing to consider while buying a vegetable cutter. The vegetable cutters are available in electric mode and manual mode. Manual cutters require more time and efforts for cutting vegetables while electrical vegetable cutters are automatic and can cut any amount of vegetables easily without any efforts. If you have to use the vegetable cutter regularly for cutting a large number of vegetables, electric cutters should be your choice and for those cutting small batches of vegetables like salads can go for the manual one. 

• Functions: There are various vegetable cutters performing different and specific functions. After understanding the main use for which you need to buy the vegetable cutter, you can choose the one that caters to your needs perfectly. Check the main function you have to perform like slicing, dicing, grating etc., and choose the cutter that is specialized for that particular function. 

• Blades (number & material): Blades are the most important part of the vegetable cutter. Different vegetable cutters come with different number of blades, performing different functions. While buying a vegetable cutter, it should be ensured that the blade is made of stainless steel. Also, check the number of blades in the cutter as per your requirement. The blades should also be easily detachable so that they can be cleaned with ease. 

• Ease Of Cleaning: Ease of cleaning is an important factor that you should consider while buying a vegetable cutter. If you are using a dishwasher, check for the size of the cutter to ensure it can easily be loaded inside. See if the blades are detachable or not. Also, check the shape of the cutter to make sure that every area is within the reach of the hand for cleaning. 

• Material: The material of the vegetable cutter should be considered while making a purchase. They should be made from the BPA-free material. Moreover, the cutter should also be made from high-grade material so that it does not break when force is applied to cut vegetables. You can also choose between plastic cutters and metallic cutters as well. 

• Safety Features: Safety comes first while working in the kitchen. Make sure that your vegetable cutter has safety gadget to prevent your hand from getting cut. The lid should be made from high-grade material to avoid any breaking.

• Clean the vegetable cutter after each use.
• Remove the blades while cleaning to avoid cuts on hands. 
• Make sure that the blades are perfectly dry before closing the lid for storage to prevent the blades from rusting. 
• Clean the blades thoroughly with a dishwasher to remove any juices or other small remains from the vegetables
• To avoid odor setting inside the cutter, dry it properly after every wash.
• Do not use a harsh metallic scrubber to clean the inside or plastic part of the cutter. 
• Check the blades for any rusting or dulling. 
• Replace the blades as soon as you notice any rust or dulling of the blade.