Cheese slicers are so central to enjoying life with Wisconsin cheese that one might think they have been around since the dawn of time. In reality, the simple cheese slicer we know and love today was invented in 1925 by a Norwegian cabinetmaker named Thor Bjørklund. Frustrated by how difficult it was to cut a uniformly even slice of cheese, Thor took inspiration from the carpenter plane that he used when working with wood and created the first cheese slicer.
A century later, there are multiple types of cheese slicers, but Thor’s simple invention remains largely unchanged and still stands the test of time. Which is a good thing for anyone who loves a slice of Wisconsin cheese on sandwiches, burgers, casseroles, quesadillas, bagels, toast, and cheese platters. Along with cheese knives, cheese graters, and cheese wires, the cheese slicer is a must-have for anyone living the Wisconsin cheese life.
Cheese slicers come in various designs, each suited to different uses and preferences.
Though the cheese slicer is a go-to tool whenever you want an even cut, you can also use other tools depending on the type of cheese.
While using a cheese slicer is a simple process, mastering it to get perfectly even slices can take a little bit of practice. Be sure to choose the right slicer for each cheese and bring the cheese to a cool temperature to keep the slices from buckling or breaking. To slice, simply grasp the handle firmly and place the cutting edge or wire at the top of the cheese, then draw the slicer across the surface of the cheese while maintaining steady pressure.
While cheese slicers are indispensable for cutting your favorite Wisconsin cheddar, swiss, or colby jack cheese, different types of cheeses require a different slicer, and some cheeses are better left to other tools.
Here are suggestions for what to cut with each type of slicer.
Some cheeses are not meant to be sliced – their texture or moisture content make it difficult to hold form when sliced.
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Most cheese slicers can easily be cleaned with warm, soapy water. If the slicer has a wire, make sure no cheese gets trapped between the wire and the frame. While some slicers are dishwasher-safe, handwashing them will extend their lifespan.
Many slicers allow you to adjust the thickness of the slice. While the original plane slicer offers the least amount of adjustment, it’s possible to angle the tool to create thicker or thinner slices.
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