The Perfect Slice: All you need to know about cheese slicers and helpful tips & tricks

Which cheese slicer is best for your favorite cheese? Why is there such a taste difference between fresh cheese slices and prepackaged sliced cheese? How do you make the best cheese slices and are there cheese slicers for left-handed people? We answer these and other common questions in the blog below.

What is a cheese slicer used for?

A cheese slicer lets you easily make delicious slices of your favorite cheese. Cheese slices taste great on bread (find some tasty recipes here), in salad or simply as a snack. A cheese slicer is very easy to use: Simply place the cheese block on a flat surface, pull the cheese slicer over the cheese and... voilà! A delicious slice of cheese. Placing the cheese on its side and slicing it is a no-go. Unless, of course, you're a cheese merchant and want to let a customer sample the cheese. 😉

Why should I slice my own cheese when I can buy prepackaged cheese slices?

Cheese that is sliced with a cheese slicer has a much richer taste than prepackaged sliced cheese. Pre-sliced cheese is almost always made from rectangular blocks of cheese that are typically not ripened and are of much lower quality. A piece of cheese with a rounded side – from a cheese merchant and often the supermarket – guarantees better quality. And when cheese is sliced, it is exposed to oxygen, which lets it reach its ultimate taste potential.

What kinds of cheeses can be sliced with a cheese slicer?

A cheese slicer can be used with most Dutch, Scandinavian, Belgian and German cheeses, primarily the semi-hard and hard varieties. Semi-hard cheeses are Gouda, Emmental, Edam, Havarti and hard goat's cheese, while hard cheeses include Cheddar, Parmesan, Manchego, Comté and Gruyère. Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert are not suitable for a cheese slicer, but are best cut using a cheese knife or wire cutter.

What is the best type of cheese slicer for mild, mature or aged cheese?

Most Dutch cheeses fall into three categories: mild, mature and aged.

Cheese slicer for mild cheese: Mild cheese is softer and contains more moisture than mature cheese. Using a cheese slicer with a short blade prevents the cheese from sticking or tearing. A cheese slicer with a cutting wire has the same effect. Prefer to use a cheese slicer that is also suitable for mature and aged cheeses? Thanks to their waffle pattern and non-stick BSF™ treatment, the Cheese Slicer Monaco+ and Cheese Slicer Milano+ can also be used for mild cheese.
Cheese slicer for mature and aged cheese: To slice mature and aged cheeses, use the most common cheese slicer, namely the slicer with a long blade. Depending on your other preferences – such as a cheese slicer that is dishwasher safe or has a specific style – you can choose among the numerous cheese slicers offered by BOSKA.
Cheese slicer for extra aged cheese: Extra aged cheese like Parmesan can easily crumble when cut. But the Parmesan Cheese Slicer Monaco+ lets you make perfect slices. The slicer is adjustable, so you can decide how thick you want your slices. It can also be used for truffles, mushrooms and other vegetables.

Discover the different types of cheeseslicers

Extra tips for making perfect slices of cheese:

Not happy with the slice thickness? Bend the blade slightly! BOSKA cheese slicers are designed to slice cheese to the perfect thickness. Prefer a thicker slice? Carefully blend the blade slightly forward. Prefer thinner slices? Carefully bend the blade a little backward. This will result in a slightly thinner or thicker slice of cheese.
Let the cheese reach room temperature before eating. Mild and mature cheese is easier to slice right out of the refrigerator when still cold. But the cheese will be much more flavorful if eaten at room temperature. BOSKA took this into account when designing its cheese slicer, so it can still easily cut cheese that is no longer cold.
Do not remove the cheese rind with a cheese slicer. This is a common mistake and has resulted in lots of adhesive bandages. It's quite a bit safer to use a Dutch Cheese Knife or Comté Knife to remove the rind. This way, the blade won't accidentally slip and you can use your intact fingers to make delicious slices of cheese with the cheese slicer.
Try increasing or decreasing the pressure when cutting. This can change the thickness of the slice and make it easier to cut through the cheese. It also can have a surprising effect with extra aged cheese in particular.
Ask the cheese merchant for a flatter piece of cheese. Since quality cheese comes from a cheese wheel, each piece usually has a very pointy end. This means that you first need to cut off the top part before you can slice the cheese properly. A flatter piece of cheese means that you can start slicing immediately.

What else can a cheese slicer be used for?

The cheese slicer is a true all-rounder. That's because you can slice lots more with it than only cheese. Want to know what else you can use this superhero for? Then click on the button below to read our other blog about the multi-functionality of the cheese slicer.

7 awesome ways to use your cheese slicer

Is a cheese slicer dishwasher safe?

Most cheese slicers can be washed in a dishwasher. But if the slicer has a wooden or ceramic handle or you're using a cheese slicer with a cutting wire, it will need to be washed by hand. In fact, the best way to wash all cheese slicers, even those that are dishwasher safe, is by hand. The high temperature, water pressure and aggressive substances in many dishwasher tablets can dull the blade over time or lead to rust stains. BOSKA cheese slicers are designed to last a lifetime, so this is less likely, but prevention is always better than cure.

Are there special cheese slicers for left-handed people?

Yes! All BOSKA cheese slicers can be used by both right and left-handed people. And that can make a difference in a mixed household!

Some BOSKA cheese slicers have non-stick BSF™ treatment. Is this food safe?

Absolutely! This is because it is not a non-stick coating. BSF™, also known as BOSKA Surface Finish™, is a surface treatment rather than an added material. You can compare it to sanding a board. The board becomes rough instead of smooth. Sanding is also a type of “surface finish.” Cheese slicers with BSF™ have received a surface treatment on the steel, giving it a texture that helps prevent cheese from creating as strong a vacuum as it would without this treatment.

Can I store my cheese slicer with the cheese in the refrigerator?

You can do this with cheese slicers that are refrigerator-safe. At BOSKA, many models made entirely from stainless steel or with a plastic handle are suitable for this. Always check the product specifications. It is better not to store cheese slicers with a wooden handle in the refrigerator, as prolonged exposure to moisture and cold can affect the wood.

Storing it in the refrigerator can be convenient if you regularly use the same cheese slicer. At around 4 °C / 39.2 °F, bacteria barely grow and food residue spoils more slowly. This does not mean the cheese slicer will stay clean indefinitely, so regular cleaning is still important.