# Slicer blade: sharpen it or call a technician?

> When sharpening the slicer blade is enough, when the blade must be replaced, and what to do if the machine stops. A guide for delis and restaurants.

In a deli or a kitchen the slicer almost never stops. And when it stops, it is usually at the worst moment. Here is when sharpening is enough, when you need a technician, and what to do at once.

## When sharpening is enough

If the slice tears, comes out uneven, or the machine works harder than usual, the blade has often lost its edge. Many slicers have a built-in sharpener: follow the manual of your machine. The sharpener stones wear too. Chefline manuals say to replace them when they lose their grip, so that they do not damage the blade.

## When the blade must be replaced

At every sharpening the blade loses a little of its diameter. When it is too worn, it cannot be sharpened again: it must be replaced.

- Chefline manuals say to check that the diameter does not drop by more than 10 mm from the original, and to call the service centre for the replacement.
- The Berkel Home Line manual says not to use the machine when the gap between the blade edge and the blade guard ring is more than 5 mm.

The right value is in the manual of your slicer. If you cannot find it, ask the technician.

## If the machine stops

1. **Switch it off and unplug it.** Do not touch the blade and do not take it apart.
2. **Take a photo or a video** of the problem and of the plate with make and model.
3. **Call the technician.** With photos and the model, the technician arrives knowing what is needed.

## Clean it every day

End-of-day cleaning is not a detail: EU Regulation 852/2004 asks that tools in contact with food are cleaned well and, where necessary, disinfected. Always clean with the machine switched off and unplugged.

## A Sunday at 6 a.m.

A restaurant owner broke his slicer on Saturday night, while cleaning. On Sunday morning he had a banquet. At 6:00 we brought him a replacement slicer. Sunday is our day off, but his work could not stop.

We service slicers and machines for food businesses, from Giugliano in Campania. Read the [Technical service](/en/technical-service) page or call us at [+39 081 048 7619](tel:+390810487619).