Bambüsi Folding Natural Bamboo Bread Slicer

Few things taste as yummy as a loaf of fresh-baked bread. But if you’ve ever made homemade loaves or purchased unsliced bread from the bakery, you know there can be one major snag. Slicing through soft dough is not easy, even if you have the right knife.

In addition to the challenge of making clean cuts through fresh bread, there’s the issue of making sure your slices are consistent. It can be tough to get an even thickness to your slices, which can interfere with the texture and taste of a sandwich.

Enter the bread slicer. Available in a variety of styles, these gadgets make it easy to create evenly thick slices of bread that look like they came through a precision bakery. You’ll still need a good knife, of course, as the slicer just serves as a guide. But there are different types of bread slicers, and it’s important to consider the variables before you buy.

First, there’s the issue of cleanup. If you want a bread slicer you can drop into the dishwasher between uses, a plastic option might be best for you. However, bamboo bread slicers can easily be wiped clean with a damp cloth for cleanup. It’s important to look at a slicer with a crumb tray to keep the mess at a minimum to start.

Another thing to keep in mind is storage. Unless you’ll be using your bread slicer every day, you’ll probably want to store it away when you’re finished with it. Some fold up to make it easy to tuck into a drawer or cabinet. You’ll even find slicers that come with a storage bag to keep dirt and debris at bay until you’re ready to use it again. Pay close attention to the dimensions if you choose a slicer that doesn’t offer these storage features and make sure you’ll have somewhere to keep it.

• If you have any experience with slicing bread, you likely know you need a special knife for the job. A serrated knife is a must, but you need one that has deep serrations. The blade will inevitably dull over time, so you’ll need a knife sharpener or whetstone to keep the steel effective.
• Once you’ve slid your bread into the slicer, pay close attention to your technique. With meats and vegetables, sharp downward thrusts are encouraged, but when you’re cutting into bread, you’ll want to use a sawing motion. This will keep you from crushing the bread, allowing it to maintain its rise.
• As delicious as fresh-baked bread can be, if you’re trying to slice it for sandwich bread, it’s best to wait until it cools. You can cut off a chunk for eating straight out of the oven, but cooling is best for slices.
• Slicers merely help you measure where to cut next. Clean cuts start with the kneading process, so if the gluten hasn’t been developed properly during the preparation process, you might find your bread doesn’t quite make the size of slices you prefer.
• Slicers can slide around on the counter while you’re working. For that reason, you’ll see many slicers come with nonskid rubber bottoms to hold them in place. This will further ensure you’re getting even slices.
• Thickness preferences can differ, even within the same household. Some slicers give you a choice between multiple sizes so that you can customize those cuts.
• Loaves of bread aren’t the only things you may want to slice. Some slicers will help you with loaf cakes, bagels and similar sliceable items.
• Bamboo wood can be a bit more high-maintenance than plastic since you’ll have to wash it by hand, but it’s also environmentally friendly and easier on your knives.
• Handy features like a knife rest can make a big difference. This will give you somewhere to keep your knife between uses.