Bread slicers, whether they are automatic or manual, can make life much easier in your food operation. They allow you to quickly cut uniform bread slices from a wide variety of different loaves, from soft sandwich bread to coarse artisan loafs. Many come with attachments that help you bag the sliced bread, too. Most machines require some training to operate them effectively and safely, so bread slicers education and training is the key to operating these slicers.

Be sure to train your staff on the proper operation of your commercial bread slicer so they know how to operate the equipment safely and efficiently. Look for:

1. Videos that offer training and how-to tips for novice operators of bread slicer machines.

2. How-to books and manuals for your adjustable bread slicer.

3. On-site training when you find a bread slicer for sale.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

View videos about commercial bread slicers to learn how to operate them

Many bread slicer manufacturers offer training and demonstration videos on how to operate their particular slicers. Viewers can get an idea of what it takes to operate the various machines, including how to load bread, manually bag bread, and how automatic bread slicers move multiple loaves through the slicing and bagging process.

I recommend: Doyon Equipment offers videos demonstrating their bread slicers and baggers. KLR Systems offers videos on their automatic slicing equipment showing large operations, including slicing, bagging, and unloading the finished product.

Check out how-to books and manuals on how to use and operate your manual bread slicer

Bread slicers may seem easy to operate, but operators have to know how to use them quickly to keep the line moving; safely, to ensure their own safety and the safety of your customers; and effectively to make the best use of your commercial roll slicer. Look for manufacturers that offer training and operation manuals online, so you can check out how the machine works before you buy a bread slicer or bread slicer parts.

I recommend: The Berkel Company manufactures a commercial electric bread slicer, and they offer safety and operation training manuals online. Baking Management offers an article on the technology of slicers, including how-to information on how to maintain your slicer blades effectively.

Find companies that offer on-site training or training videos when you buy bread slicer equipment

Many large companies that manufacture bread slicing equipment offer on-site set up and training for the equipment, while others offer online videos for safety and maintenance training. Look for thin bread slicers that are easy to maintain and clean, so your operation always runs smoothly.

I recommend: Oliver Bakery Equipment offers videos on blade maintenance and safety for a variety of machines. Unisource Food Equipment offers a variety of bread slicer machines and on-site training for your equipment operators, too.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether you're buying a commercial or home bread slicer, remember, you need to maintain the blades for your bread slicer to work at its best. Learn to do this yourself to save money.

Bread slicers are either something your business can entirely do without or something your business truly needs in order to stay productive and efficient. Whether you run a bakery, restaurant or catering business, you're probably going to need a commercial bread slicer (sometimes also called a commercial roll slicer). But where do you find the right one?

Fortunately, most food business equipment suppliers carry at least some bread slicer machines. When examining their wares, consider the following:

1. Will a less expensive manual bread slicer work for your business?

2. Would it be more cost-effective to purchase an automatic bread slicer?

3. Should you buy new or used?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select a manual bread slicer for occasional use

If you'll use a bread slicer only a few times a year, a home bread slicer will do. If you'll only use a bread slicer occasionally, or if you simply don't have the capital for a more expensive automatic model, choose a commercial bread slicer that's manual. Most manual slicers are of the tabletop variety, but you can find models that can handle soft to hard bread quite well.

I recommend: ChefsFirst offers a good selection industrial, medium-duty manual bread slicers. Instawares carries a fine line of manual bread slicers, including medium- and heavy-duty commercial machines. Your Delight Appliances offers manual bread slicers for both hard and soft breads.

Choose automatic bread slicers for heavier duty

If you use a bread slicer every day, you will need an automatic electric bread slicer for industrial use. Choose a model that's compact and noted for safety. It should also be easy to clean. You may purchase either a tabletop or floor model.

I recommend: TMB Baking offers a quality collection of industrial bread slicer appliances, including compact models considered some of the safest on the market, and adjustable models that work as thick or thin bread slicers. Unisource Food Equipment Systems Inc. also carries a good line of industrial bread slicers that are either automatic or semi-automatic.

Buy used bread slicers to save money

Both manual and automatic bread slicers are available secondhand. Look for suppliers who specialize in refurbishing food equipment and who are willing to back up their products. Many companies that sell refurbished slicers will also repair your existing equipment.

I recommend: For used bread slicers, including manual and automatic slicers in tabletop or floor models, check out Independent Bakery Equipment Company. Horizon Equipment LLC also carries used, refurbished commercial bread slicers, including gravity fed, tabletop and automatic models.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For maximum efficiency, change your bread slicer's blades frequently. If you slice up to 50 loaves a day, change your blade every year; for every 50 to 100 additional loaves per day, switch the blade an additional time. For example, if you slice 500 or more loaves a day, you should change your bread slider's blade at least six times a year.

Bread slicers are handy items, no two ways around it. Not everyone can cut a perfect slice free-hand. And sometimes, especially in a restaurant situation, taking the time to cut bread by hand is too time consuming. But what is the best bread slicer for your situation? The best way to determine that is to become familiar with some bread slicers key terms. They are manual bread slicers, mechanical bread slicers, and commercial bread slicers.

Below you will find information about bread slicers key terms that will help you learn more about bread slicers and how to research information about them. This information will help you find the best bread slicer for your company's needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Crumb catcher

Simple bread slicers often include a crumb catcher, which is a tray that sits beneath the loaf of bread and collects the crumbs created by slicing the bread.

I recommend: Bread Maker has the Norpro bread slicer. This bread slicer has a crumb catcher. The information that accompanies it is interesting, in that only one thickness slice is achievable, though the crumb catcher feature works well.

Slicing guide

A slicing guide is something that is available with manual bread slicers. They are essentially a guide which allows you to slice bread into even slices. The slicing guide can either be fixed or free-standing.

I recommend: Recipe Tips has a helpful explanation of a slicing guide. Such a tool also would do well in an environment where not a lot of slices are required.

Bread slicer/cutting tray

A bread slicer/cutting tray is something you can make yourself. It's modeled on a carpenter's miter box and has the advantage of allowing you to decide the thickness of the slices you'd like. This bread slicer/cutting tray is also best for environments where few slices are needed.

I recommend: Mother Earth News features a bread slicer/cutting tray that is easy to make.

Slice thickness

Automatic bread slicers work well in delis or any restaurant environment. Because they are automatic, all the operator has to do is place the entire loaf in the top of the machine, request the slice thickness and let the machine do the work.

I recommend: Katom has some good information about its bread slicer which has the much needed slice thickness option. Having the slice thickness option in an automatic bread slicer is a boon to any environment requiring many slices.

Bagel slicer

A bagel slicer is a bread slicer specifically designed to cut bagels.

I recommend: Restaurant Equipment has information about a commercial bagel slicer.

Artisan bread slicer

Bread slicers can be used for artisan bread - bread made from pure ingredients by a bread baker - as well. These artisan bread slicers are able to slice the unusually shaped loaves as well as offer slice thickness options.

I recommend: Instawares offers information about an Artisan bread slicer.