A meat slicer

A meat slicer

A meat slicer is a common tool found in the homes of food enthusiasts, as well as in pro kitchens. And, as with any tool, a meat-slicer, too, requires proper maintenance and may have problems. One of these issues is when the slicer stops spinning. Let us walk you through a guideline to fix this problem.

Know your meat slicer.

For you to be able to troubleshoot all your meat slicer problems on your own, you first need to know your device. And since we are talking about spinning problems today, here’s something you must know. This electronic machine has an electric motor, ranging between 0.25 horsepower and 0.5 horsepower, which aides the spinning of the slicing blades.

How to identify the cause of the problem

There can be many reasons why your meat slicer has stopped spinning. It is time to try and understand the reason

1. a) The power might be off.

If your meat slicer doesn’t spin, check for the simplest of all problems – whether the device is getting power or not. Have you plugged the cord at all? Is it loosely connected? Have you turned on the switch? Make sure that the power at the outlet is on, and the power cord is plugged in properly.

1. b) The power cord or the switch might be defective.

It is possible that the power cord or the switch is not working properly, so the device is not receiving electricity. It is even possible that the power switch of your device is not working correctly. In this case, you’ll have to either repair the cord or switch or have it replaced.

1. c) The motor could be damaged.

If you are sure that the device is receiving power properly, then it is time to look at the motor, which is responsible for making the blades spin. If your meat slicer has been noisy lately, it is proof that the motor is overworked. It is also possible that the teeth of the gears in the motor are damaged. In such a case, the motor needs to be repaired or replaced, depending on the wear-and-tear.

1. d) The device might need cleaning.

Prolonged use without cleaning can lead to food residue clogging the meat slicer. If your slicer refuses to work properly, then it might need some thorough cleaning. Make sure that the auto-speed position sensor vane is clean. If you follow the manual that came with your slicer, it should not be difficult to remove the blade and remove any residual food buildup or debris, using glass cleaner or cleaning alcohol.

How to repair meat slicer at home

If you know your way around electric devices, repairing or cleaning a meat slicer that is refusing to spin will not be a challenge for you. All you will need are a screwdriver, a glass cleaner or cleaning alcohol, and some lubricant.

1. Dismantle the slicer carefully – This will help you to disassemble the blades, motor, product tray, etc. so that you can take a thorough look and examine if the product needs repairing, cleaning, or replacement.
2. Be careful and safe – Make sure to unplug the power cord before you start with the process, to ensure your safety. Be cautious about the screws and the different parts of the device. If you misplace any of them or fail to recognize where each of them goes, you won’t be able to put the machine back together.
3. Call an expert – If you used to repairing electric devices and are confident enough, you can try to fix the problem of your meat slicer all by yourself. However, recognizing the exact problem or fixing it can get tricky sometimes. In that case, do not hesitate to consult a professional who is licensed to do this kind of job. This is particularly true if the problem is in the motor, or there is a need to replace any part of the slicer.

Conclusion

As it is true with any electronic device, a meat slicer, too, needs thorough and regular care, especially if you use it regularly. Ideally, a heavy-duty meat slicer should be cleaned every four hours. Even if you are using a slicer at home, make sure to clean and lubricate the product regularly to prevent issues. In case of any trouble, like when the slicer stops spinning, make sure to check for the simplest of problems first before you pull apart your device. If you feel that you are unable to recognize or fix the issue, remember that there’s no shame in calling an expert to help you, rather than experimenting with the meat slicer.