Benriner Turner Slicer

Just got done with my first try with the BN5. It couldn't have been easier. I don't know how anyone is having trouble keeping the slicer from moving around: Just use both hands. One hand to turn the crank and the other to hold the blade mast and push the crank carriage, with an easy pinch movement. Perhaps if you had very small hands, or were trying to slice an extremely dense and woody vegetable it would be a problem. However, I put a zucchini through with a feather touch, no problems. The noodles turned out better than expected and actually tasted almost like pasta once sauced up right. I cooked for two minutes this time, but may try a bit less to see if I can get the zucchini to stay a little more firm, if that's possible.Construction of the device is substantial. It's "plastic", which I'm thinking is ABS by the looks of it, and does not feel cheap at all. In any case, it seems like it would be near impossible to break this slicer. Changing or cleaning blades is a snap and replacement would be just as easy. Just turn the thumb screw and slide the blade out.Highly recommended for Paleo eating!

I have two other "spiralizers" that I paid top dollar for. They are nothing compared to this brand of slicer!!!! As usual, things made in Japan are of exceptional quality. The other two plastic pieces of junk are going into the trash!!! This unit is simply designed and easy to use, easy to clean, doesn't slip on the counter like the others. It has two little "feet" that sit over the edge of the sink or counter, which keeps the slicer from sliding. The blades are wonderfully made, sharp and perfect. To bad I spent over $100. on the other two slicers. I will never buy anything but this brand again.I use the slicer at least once a day, so clean up must be easy, fast and able to get completely clean. There are no little cracks or pockets for food an water to get stuck in with this brand. This slicer makes all the others look like pieces of junk!!

It's a nifty gadget, and the output from it is as advertised. It has three sizes of the removable segmented blade which allow for different thicknesses, and is easy to clean. Turning zucchini into spaghetti strands for a cold summer salad is pretty awesome. But it's not without it's flaws. To make it work, you have to apply a fair amount of sideways pressure as you use it. Trying to turn the handle and apply sideways pressure with the same hand is pretty awkward, and is made worse by the fact that it's lightweight plastic with only 4 small plastic peg feet, so it requires even more pressure and concentration to keep it steady.If you're looking for a low cost solution, save yourself some money and get the Benriner Cook Helper Slicer, which is the same device, only vertical so you can press downwards with your other hand. Alternatively, splurge for the extra 30 bucks and get one that has a gear&track in the base that moves the handle as you turn it, like the Kaiten turning slicer (may not be available on Amazon)

Amazing kitchen tool for quickly slicing ("spiral-izing") vegetables. As others have noted, the only drawback for this model (as opposed to the vertically oriented version of this slicer) is that a small center core, approx. diameter of a pencil, will be bored out in the process of slicing.Keep in mind, the vegetable or fruit to be sliced on this machine must be firm--no tomatoes or soft centered foods can be sliced on this machine. Onions, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, radishes, raw potatoes, apples, etc. are best on this machine. A food processor cannot reproduce the wafer-thin, continuous, 'spiral' slices this little device can make.Of the 2 models (this one, and the less expensive push-down vertical motion model), I'd recommend this horizontal version simply because applying pressure downwards on the food, while turning, without the 'guide' of the center core can be a bit wobbly.I was never a believer in spending $60.00 on a slicer, but this is worth it.