# Recommendations for a Good Mandolin Slicer for Slicing Sweet Potatoes
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [July 17, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372 "2014-07-17T16:50:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DoperChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoperChic)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/1 "2014-07-17T16:50:28Z")
I found an amazing recipe for sweet potato fries. The only problem is that cutting sweet potatoes is a pain. I wound up just cutting round slices instead of fries, but even that was difficult.
So I’m thinking of getting a mandolin slicer. Based on reviews I’ve seen online, not all slicers seem to be up to the task.
Without spending a fortune (under $50 if possible), what’s a decent mandolin slicer to get that would be up to the job?
For those wondering, the recipe is below. It’s not really spicy at all in the traditional sense. More like spiced. Soooo good!! My apologies for not putting the link in properly, but I can’t get it to work on my hubby’s laptop.
> **[Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe](https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=121)**
>
> A healthy alternative to an American favorite.
---
### Author:  [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/2 "2014-07-17T16:54:40Z")
that sounds so yummy.
---
### Author:  [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/3 "2014-07-17T17:03:13Z")
The Progessive International [HGT-11](http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-International-HGT-11-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B001F5RSEK), and its replacement, the [HGT-110](http://www.amazon.com/Prepworks-Progressive-International-HGT-110-Mandoline/dp/B00EZQR3GO) are highly recommended units.
---
### Author:  [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/4 "2014-07-17T17:16:24Z")
Then again, America’s Test Kitchen/Cook’s Illustrated recommends the Swissmar Borner [V-1001](http://www.amazon.com/Swissmar-Borner-V-1001-V-Slicer-Mandoline/dp/B0000632QE). It is made in Germany–you know the Germans always make good stuff. 😃
---
### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/5 "2014-07-17T17:45:01Z")
I don’t know about mandoline brands, but I do know that if you don’t already have one, go get [a cut-resistant glove](http://www.amazon.com/Microplane-34007-Kitchen-Cut-Protection-Glove/dp/B001QXZORE) for your potato-hand. Cheap insurance for sure.
---
### Author:  [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)
#### Post date: [July 17, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/6 "2014-07-17T17:46:10Z")
If all you want are fries, I wouldn’t get a mandolin. I’d get one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/Culina-French-Potato-Slicing-Stainless/dp/B00FX0LBGE/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1405619023&sr=1-2&keywords=fries+slicer) types of doohickeys.
Mandolins are great, but they wouldn’t be my first choice for making fries. If you _do_ get a mandolin, make sure it goes thick enough for fries; mine, for example, even at the top setting is far too thin for fries.
---
### Author:  [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/7 "2014-07-21T00:45:41Z")
I purchased a mandolin for almost the same reason. It worked well but was not worth the cleanup it took after use nor the space it took on my (limited) shelf. After sitting unused for ten months it went to the local animal shelter thrift store. So consider space consumed and frequency of use.
And this was excellent advice from Bump: “…go get a cut-resistant glove for your potato-hand.”
---
### Author:  [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/8 "2014-07-24T11:24:20Z")
I’m pretty happy with the Mandolin I purchased through Pampered Chef…but yes, invest in the glove or …
---
### Author:  [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/9 "2014-07-24T11:28:53Z")
What both **Athena** and **bump** said, IMO. I use the glove on my (Oxo Good Grips) mandoline, and it’s saved me from nasty cuts - but for fries, I would use that fry-cutter gadget if I were you.
---
### Author:  [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/10 "2014-07-24T12:10:15Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#):
>
> What both **Athena** and **bump** said, IMO. I use the glove on my (Oxo Good Grips) mandoline, and it’s saved me from nasty cuts - but for fries, I would use that fry-cutter gadget if I were you.
Or, this, even sturdier [fry-cutter-gadget-thingy](http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-french-fry-cutter-66473.html). One of the reviews for the other device mentioned that Harbor Freight sold a more substantial version, and–what do you know–they do.
I am curious about the one on Amazon, because while theoretically it seems to be a great device, I get the impression from looking at it that it will break the second time it is used.
---
### Author:  [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/11 "2014-07-24T12:51:13Z")
That Harbor Freight one looks impressive!
---
### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/12 "2014-07-24T18:23:08Z")
Fourthing the Harbor Freight cutter. No mandolin - Zathras knows what he’s talking about.
---
### Author:  [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/13 "2014-07-24T18:30:18Z")
Yeah, the Harbor Freight one looks great, if you’re eating fries every single day. Wall-mounted? Good God, man, how many fries do you eat?
For the record, my parents have a much more modest version, sort of like the one I linked, and they’ve had it for 40 years or so. It does the trick. Then again, at their fry heyday, they had fries about twice a month.
Personally, I’d use a knife and cutting board. First off, it makes it so that homemade fries are a labor of love, and secondly, because the more I work to make fries, the less I’ll end up eating fries, which is good for my health and well-being.
I’ve often wanted to get better at fry-making and deep-frying in general, but man, I don’t need THAT temptation in my life all the time! It’s bad enough I know how to bake!
---
### Author:  [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/14 "2014-07-24T20:58:22Z")
My parents do a weekly mandolin sliced [white] potato, veggies, and cheese wrapped in tin foil and cooked on the grill with steaks thing.
So, you can do more than fries. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-a-good-mandolin-slicer-for-slicing-sweet-potatoes/693372/15 "2014-07-24T21:39:43Z")
> [@Athena](#):
>
> Yeah, the Harbor Freight one looks great, if you’re eating fries every single day. Wall-mounted? Good God, man, how many fries do you eat?
Doesn’t really matter. They are the same price, so go for the industrial equipment. Mount it on a stud in the garage out of the way and you don’t have to worry about where to put the silly thing in the kitchen when you aren’t making fries.