Buying guide for Best avocado slicers
Meal preparation can sometimes be messy, tedious, and inefficient, which is why it’s important to have the right tools. While a quality set of knives can tackle most needs when cutting food, there are some fruits and vegetables that call for more specialized tools to save time, energy, and cleanup. The avocado slicer is just such a tool.
Ripe avocados are tasty and full of nutrients, but cutting one with the wrong utensil can make a mess. What’s more, if not done with care, attempts to remove the pit can be dangerous. Avocado slicers offer a precise, simple way to cut the popular fruit and safely remove the pit. While you might want to limit your collection of kitchen utensils, an avocado slicer could be the exception if you enjoy avocados often. Avocado slicers are effective, and they aren’t particularly expensive or complex to use.
Key considerations
Functions
There are three steps to preparing an avocado for eating, and the ideal avocado slicer should be able to perform all three. Many avocado slicers are advertised as three-in-one tools. Those that are advertised as two-in-one typically skip the first step.
Cutting in half: One way to open an avocado is to slice it in half around the pit. This results in two equal pieces with the whole pit stuck to one half or the other. If you don’t have a slicer, a sharp knife will suffice.
Removing the pit: Perhaps the most important function of an avocado slicer is to cleanly remove the pit. The tool extracts the pit either by digging underneath it or grabbing it. Some leverage is usually required to pull out the pit. These tools range greatly in quality, but stainless steel is the most durable and effective. If you don’t have a slicer, it’s possible to gently stab the pit with a knife and pull it out, but this method requires some care in order to avoid injuring yourself.
Slicing: The last step is to remove the avocado from the skin. Depending on the recipe, you can scoop out the avocado flesh with a spoon or certain slicers. If you want cubed avocado, you can cut it with a knife, but the slicing function of the avocado tool can safely and quickly cut each half into uniform pieces and remove them from the skin.
Design
The design of avocado slicers varies a bit. In most cases, one end has a serrated, knife-like edge for cutting the skin. The middle has the stainless steel portion that removes the pit. The other end has the slicer, which cuts and removes the flesh. The layout, however, may change, and personal preference could be a deciding factor in choosing a slicer. Some higher-end slicers have all three functions at one end with an ergonomic handle at the other.
Material
Most avocado slicers are primarily made of plastic. It’s strong enough to cut through the skin and safer to use than a sharp knife. Most handles are plastic, but some may be nylon, offering a more comfortable grip. The portion that removes the pit is typically stainless steel guarded by a plastic cover and exterior.
Drawbacks
It’s important to note that not all avocados are the same size, so some slicers may struggle with fruit that is very big or very small. What’s more, the slicers work best when the avocado is ripe. If the avocado is overripe, it can lead to a mess, and the slicer may not be able to remove the pit at all from an unripe avocado. Also, if you don’t eat avocado often, a slicer may just become another tool that takes up room in a drawer.
Did You Know?
To speed up ripening, you can place avocados in a brown paper bag with a banana. To slow ripening, place avocados in the refrigerator.
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Features
Extras
Some slicers come with handy extras and accessories. You can find avocado slicers that come with an avocado saver, a small container designed to keep a cut avocado fresh in the fridge a little longer. Others may come with a masher to pulverize the avocado, which will work on other foods as well, such as potatoes.
Other uses
You can also use an avocado slicer to slice other fruits that have textured skin and a pulpy or creamy interior, such as kiwi, dragon fruit, star fruit, and jackfruit.
Accessories
Mortar and pestle: HiCoup Kitchenware Mortar and Pestle
Ideal for making guacamole, a mortar and pestle is a beautiful and effective countertop tool for any kitchen. We love this durable and deep granite option from HiCoup, which can also be used to grind peppercorns, spices, and many other foods.
Food storage containers: PopIt! Plastic Food Container Set
To keep leftovers fresh, you need a set of quality food storage containers. This collection of eight different sizes by PopIt! is inexpensive and useful for storing cut avocados, dips, and snacks.
Caution
Compost or discard the avocado skin. Be careful to keep it away from pets because it's toxic to dogs and cats.
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Avocado slicer prices
Inexpensive
For under $7, you can find simple plastic avocado slicers, though they may not stand up to tough skin or pits.
Mid-range
Most avocado slicers cost $8 to $12. You’ll find different designs that easily tackle most avocados.
Expensive
For over $12, you can expect a higher-quality avocado slicer that likely comes with some extras.
Did You Know?
September 16 is national guacamole day, a great time to celebrate this delicious dip.
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Tips
- Don’t remove the pit with a knife. It’s a popular and simple method, but piercing a pit with the tip of a knife can be dangerous. “Avocado hand,” as it’s come to be known, is a common injury in which the knife misses the pit or slices right through it, cutting the hand holding the avocado.
- Test the avocado for ripeness. Looks can be deceiving. Dark, green skin on an avocado doesn’t necessarily mean it's ripe. Gently squeeze the avocado and check for a bit of give in the skin to determine if it is ripe.
- Find a good guacamole recipe. Guacamole is a versatile, easy-to-make dip and a great way to use up several ripe avocados.
- Rub lemon juice on cut avocado halves. If you don’t use the whole avocado, rub the cut side with lemon juice before sealing it in a container and putting it in the fridge. The acid will help keep the avocado fresher longer.
FAQ
Q. What are some popular recipes for avocados?
A. While guacamole is the go-to dish, avocados can be used in a variety of other recipes. Avocado chunks can complement a green or bean salad. Creamy avocado can be used as a spread on toast or in potato salad. Some people enjoy grilling avocados as well. They’re delicious on burgers and, of course, traditional Mexican fare like burritos or tacos. If you have a perfectly ripe avocado, you can simply sprinkle a little salt, pepper, and olive oil on some slices for a delicious snack.
Q. How necessary is an avocado slicer?
A. For people who eat avocados frequently, a slicer can be a handy tool, especially for families where younger children are interested in cooking. The slicer provides a much safer and less messy alternative to using a knife and spoon. However, experienced chefs may find a slicer inconvenient, adding an extra step and another item to clean. For those on the fence, avocado slicers are relatively cheap, which means one might be worth trying.
Q. How do I clean my avocado slicer?
A. Because bits of avocado can get into between and around the slicer, washing it by hand can be tedious. Most avocado slicers are dishwasher safe on the top rack, which is the easiest way to clean the tool. Note that frequent use and cleaning in the dishwasher will eventually dull the blade.
