Meat slicers come in different shapes, with unique features that ensure you safely and efficiently cut your meats. If you have one at your place and are planning to try it out for the first time, some questions must ring in your mind. When cutting meat, can a meat slicer cut bone?
The quick answer here is no! This tool is sharp, sturdy, and high quality, handling cutting even the most substantial meats. However, it’s just not meant to cut bones, and it will damage it if you try using it.
Typically, a meat slicer comes with one or two blades used to slice food items – That’s why it’s called a meat slicer, not a bone slicer! To know more about why you can’t meat slicers cut bone, the slicers you can use instead, and the safety tips when cutting a bone, read through this article!
Why Can’t Meat Slicers Cut Bone
A meat slicer is versatile, meaning you can use it for various purposes in the kitchen. However, you should never try using it to cut bone.
Firstly, these slicers are not designed so that they can cut bones—only meat and maybe other softer food items. Using a meat slicer to cut bone can damage the blades because, ideally, this tool is not meant for such work.
Also, you might need more effort when using a meat slicer to cut bone. Remember that bones are pretty firm and require equally sturdy and sharper machines to cut them.
A meat slicer may not be firm enough to cut through the bone. You might end up hurting yourself when using it.
Which Slicer Can Cut Bone
Meat slicers can slightly cut through the bones. However, be ready to struggle a bit through the process, and do not forget to be careful otherwise, you might slice your hand.
With most meat slicers not being ideal tools for cutting bone, what can you use? Bone saws are a perfect alternative to cutting bones. They have sharp serrated blades that can handle bones’ sturdiness and seamlessly cut them.
Safety Tips When Cutting Bones
You do not have to be reminded again that bones are hard. So, if you have no other option apart from using a meat slicer to cut it, here are some tips to ensure that your slice the bones safely:
Ensure the Blade is Right
If you use a meat slicer to cut bones, ensure the blade is sharp and strong enough. This ensures you do not spend much energy pushing the slicer through the bone.
Place the Bones Uprightly
You can get a meat slicer that has hooks on it, so this is where you place the bone. When cutting, ensure the bone is upright. It will be much easier to cut.
Break the Bones Into Small Pieces
It’s easier to cut a bone with a meat slicer when it’s in smaller pieces, unlike one huge chunk.
Bottom Line
To some extent, a meat slicer can cut bone, but in most cases, it would be safe if you don’t use it. Meat slicers are not as strong, and their blades are meant for softer items.
However, if you have no other option, ensure you cut the bones into small pieces first, then place them upright for cutting. Also, ensure you incorporate a meat slicer with sharp blades for this job. The safest option, however, for cutting bones would be using a bone saw!
