Pick a tomato that is firm with just a little give; very soft ones squash whichever tool is used. Wash it, then dry it with a clean towel, since a wet skin slips on the base. Check that it fits within the slicer with room to spare, and if it overhangs, cut it in half with a knife first and slice each half on its own.
Beginner
How to Use a Tomato Slicer
How to use a tomato slicer: prepping the tomato, a seven-step method, the mistakes that squash slices, other foods it cuts and cleaning.
Squashed, uneven slices usually come from technique, not from the tool. A tomato slicer cuts a whole tomato in one push, but the result depends on how firm the fruit is, how it sits and how evenly the push goes through. Here is the routine that gives clean rounds.
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How should the tomato be prepared?
Seven steps to even slices
The sequence suits push-through slicers with a base or built-in board; check the maker's instructions for the model in hand.
- Dry the washed tomato and check it is firm with a slight give.
- Halve it with a knife if it is wider than the slicer's cutting area.
- Set the slicer on a flat, stable surface, such as a cutting board.
- Place the tomato centered under the blades, trimming a thin slice off the bottom if it wobbles.
- Hold the tomato steady and keep fingers clear of the blades at all times.
- Press straight down in one smooth motion with slow, even pressure.
- Lift the slicer away and move the slices to the plate.
Which mistakes squash the slices?
Nearly every ruined tomato traces back to a short list of habits. Once a blade set is worn, the blade comparison guide explains how to match a replacement.
- Pressing hard: force squashes the tomato and spoils its shape.
- A dull blade: it tears the flesh rather than cutting it cleanly.
- Twisting or rocking: any rotation with the blades in the fruit can bend thin steel.
- Starting off-center: a tomato that is not centered or flat gives uneven slices.
What else can a tomato slicer cut?
Many slicers handle other soft produce. Strawberries and kiwis suit models whose makers list them, soft fruits such as peaches cut well, and mozzarella for sandwiches or pizza works too. A commercial model that lists onions, cucumbers and mushrooms has been built for them; otherwise treat anything firm-soft and roughly round that fits the base as fair game.
For models rated for several foods, see our recommendations on which tomato slicer to buy.
How should it be cleaned?
Rinse the slicer straight after use, because tomato juice dries onto the steel and becomes harder to shift. A soft brush clears the blades and slots, and the model's own cleaning brush does the job if one is included. Dry it well afterward to avoid rust.
Frequently asked
Is a tomato slicer dishwasher safe?
It depends on the model. Some slicers are dishwasher safe, and others call for hand washing, so check the label or the maker's instructions before putting one in the dishwasher. Hand washing with a soft brush is the safe choice whenever the instructions are unclear.
Which knife works if the tomato does not fit the slicer?
A sharp serrated knife cuts a tomato cleanly without crushing it, so it is the right backup for oversized or very soft fruit. It can also halve a large tomato so each half fits the slicer.