For beginners, the prospect of a food holder that could slip or fall off the mandoline mid-slice can be a little daunting, particularly with a sharp exposed blade. Push the food guard down the mandoline so that it glides across the blade, capturing the slices that are produced on the board below.

OXO Softworks Hand Held Mandoline | Dunelm OXO Softworks Hand Held Mandoline | Dunelm

It has a robust support leg and rubberised feet that won't slip and make sure it stays put on your countertop. We love the attractive and sleek design too, which won’t look out of place in even the most modern of kitchens. A high-quality Japanese mandoline and a great all-round option which is ideal for beginners, the OXO Good Grips Chef Mandoline 2.0 is a versatile tool for creating professional-looking, consistently sized cuts at home. From a safety perspective, the soft non-slip handle ensures a safe and comfortable grip, whilst the spring-loaded food holder acts as a guard to protect your fingers, keeping them safely away from the razor-sharp V-shaped blades as you slice. It’s worth remembering that these slicers are potentially very dangerous if not used correctly. The blades are extremely sharp and have the potential to slice your finger just as efficiently as a potato – so use them with caution. You should make use of hand guards and food holders and store your mandolines wisely, keeping them safely out of reach from kids. If you’ve ever tried to prepare thinly sliced potatoes or vegetables by hand, you’ll know that it’s quite a fine art – achieving the precision and accuracy of wafer-thin slices with a knife and chopping board is a skill mostly reserved for chefs and culinary experts.

What to look for when buying a mandoline slicer

Cut the vegetable or potato in half to create a flat surface and then using the food holder, push into the rounded end of the vegetable until it holds it securely. Whilst it can be used without, it is recommended to make use of the food holder with a finger guard as you’ll certainly know about it if you get too close to the blade!

Best mandolines | BBC Good Food Best mandolines | BBC Good Food

With a small and compact design, this Joseph Joseph Mandoline is easy to store, even in kitchens that are limited in space.With one fixed blade, it may not offer the versatility or longevity of some other designs. However, its super sharp blade cuts consistently, with a food holder included to protect your fingers. Set up your mandoline on a chopping board or tray and ensure that any support leg is pulled out and held securely in place.