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Had it been tough for you to slice soft bread evenly? Do you have to put a lot of pressure while doing so just because the blade was not that sharp for tough or delicate items?
Well, it is time to take the hard work out with an electric carving knife that can cut or carve more evenly, quickly, cleanly, consistently, and precisely with only a button press than a non-electric, manual knife.
An electric carving knife is capable of shortening the process of cutting or slicing delicate or tough items, ranging right from bread to meat, evenly. It is very handy when you need to prepare food during parties, gatherings, and holidays.
Previously, a manual knife performed these tasks but it required more manual pressure and yet never gave even pieces. An electric carver eliminates these drawbacks.
Apart from carving on big occasions, an electric carver is versatile enough to help with other normal kitchen tasks. A quality model easily slices bagels and soft bread freshly prepared in a bread maker for sandwiches, while the best electric carving model is sharp enough to cut crusty items such as baguettes.
You can cut or slice any type of bread, fruit, or vegetable with more ease than before. So, for those who do not eat meat or are vegans, an electric carver is still a valuable tool. This guide reveals how valuable this tool is and how to choose the best model.
Overview
Unlike many other knives that are known to have ancient origins, electric knives are modern devices. Promoted widely almost 50 years ago, electric knives are still in use in kitchens. The latest models are more accurate as well as versatile.
In the outdoors, an electric carver can quickly slice food, which you would otherwise do with the help of a fork and a big knife. As a result, it is an apt tool for use in catering and anywhere else where it is important to finish cooking on time and present well. After all, with this tool, you save both time and effort!
Most electric carvers feature two serrated blades that move reciprocally in a sawing manner. Powered by electricity, electric carving knives are versatile enough to be used for other tasks apart from food preparation.
You can rely upon them for cutting things such as thin wood and foam rubber for making different upholstered furniture items. They can smoothly cut dowels and lightweight wood used chiefly for small craft items or toys. Interestingly, they can even cut acoustic tiles that are used to make rooms sound-proof and floral foam used for making decoration items.
Electric carvers are also powerful enough to cut thin PVC pipes and cardboard boxes. Unlike high-quality, traditional knives for kitchens, these carvers are likely to be more effective as well as economical. They are also safer while cutting slippery and hardy items.
Despite being versatile and useful, electric carvers are not designed for being the only kitchen knives. Instead, they are designed to make difficult cutting tasks easy. Another reason to choose an electric carver is its ability to persuade those with limited hand mobility to cook.
People with hand injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or any such disorders can now feel less taxing in the kitchen by using this knife that eliminates the need to put pressure or effort to make stressful cutting motions.
2024’s 3 Best Electric Carving Knives Reviewed
Cuisinart CEK-40 Electric Knife – Best Electric Carving Knife
This is one of the highly-rated, corded electric carving knives due to its fantastic features. It comes with two knives made up of high-quality stainless steel that cut without triggering ridges. You also get a wooden block in the form of a vertical tray that stores the motor base and blades when they are not in use.
The 120V motor is powerful and the cord is 4-foot long. This mix means you have enough space to cut or carve anything. The handle is also ergonomic, which is ideal for those having hand or wrist related issues. It is also ambidextrous, which means both left- and right-handed people can use it comfortably.
The handle is near an ON/OFF button that you only need to touch to operate the knife. The knife also comes with a safety lock. You can wash the blades in a dishwasher.
Pros
- Modern design
- Compact storage stand
- Powerful
- Ergonomic and ambidextrous
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Safety lock
- Two blades included
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- A bit noisy and pricey
BLACK+DECKER 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife, Black, EK500B – Cheap Electric Carving Knife
Slicing anything, ranging right from veggies to upholstery foams, is a breeze with this carving knife. The 9-inch detachable blades made up of stainless steel are sharp enough to be versatile.
You can grip them through the anti-slippery tabs so that they can be removed or attached safely. Just a single release button press unlocks the two blades for quick removal.
Due to the ergonomic handle, wrist fatigue is minimalized and comfort is maximized. Cleaning is also a breeze, as you just have to remove the blades and place them atop your dishwasher’s top rack.
An intuitive trigger starts or stops the knife, while the safety lock button does not allow accidental turning on of the knife when plugged in. Instead of in the blade, the 120V motor is in the handle. While this is not a limitation, some may feel awkward while holding it in the hand initially.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Ergonomic
- One-handed operation
- Two blades and a stand included
- Safety features
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Affordable
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Very noisy
Proctor Silex Easy Slice Electric Knife for Carving
This is a lightweight carving knife known for slicing foods or foams as a pro. The credit goes to the reciprocating blades made up of stainless steel and the contoured handle offering a comfortable grip along with precision as well as control.
You can use this knife daily and slice large quantities. However, it is not meant for heavy-duty use. The handle is ambidextrous, which means both left- and right-handed users can handle it comfortably. A simple touch button allows you to start the knife safely.
Pros
- Light
- Ergonomic
- Truly versatile
- Two blades included
- Super affordable
Cons
- Not that powerful and sharp
How to Choose the Best Electric Carving Knife for You
A variety of electric carvers are available but each one of them differs in length, weight, working mechanism, price, and so on. Thus, no two carvers are completely equal despite having a similar appearance.
So now, how do you identify the best electric carver for your needs? Well, for that, you need to know and compare the features of swearing models. The model whose maximum features indicate that it can fulfill your requirements is the best one for you.
Working Mechanism
Based on the source of power, electric carvers are categorized into two types namely, corded and cordless. As the name indicates, the corded models come with a cord and are plugged into electric outlets. On the other hand, the cordless models run on batteries and are rechargeable.
So, here, the competition is power versus portability. While the corded models are more powerful than the cordless ones, you cannot take them beyond the areas of their reach. Thus, the area of your work is limited. Apart from compromising the maneuverability, you may compromise some power depending on the model chosen.
When it comes to cordless models, you can carry and use them anywhere. On the flip side, they can run out of battery anytime and end up cutting with less power as well as precision. Thus, you need to recharge frequently.
Cordless models are considered somewhat less powerful than the corded ones. A few models come with non-rechargeable batteries. This is not the problem with corded models, as they ensure consistent power for cutting.
Still, cordless models ensure more flexibility at the time of slicing and maneuvering around. After all, no cord is there to come in your way. Some models come with the best of both worlds. You can easily switch between the corded and cordless modes.
Cord or Battery
If you are choosing a corded carver, check out its cord length. You should choose a model whose cord length is long enough to perform your tasks with ease. It should be suitable for your work setup.
On the other hand, if you choose a cordless model, check out the battery life. Both should be sufficient enough to handle your decided tasks. For example, for heavy-duty tasks, your battery juice should last for more than a few minutes.
You also need to pay attention to the watts or battery power required by the carver. This is likely to differ from blade to blade. However, determining the required number depends on the tasks you will be performing.
For example, any carver would work for slicing bread. However, for cutting hard items, more battery power or higher wattage than what is the standard is required.
Blades
When it comes to buying any knife, the blade is the first feature to consider. Electric carving knives are not an exception. The quality is of utmost importance here. Luckily, electric carving knives feature sturdy blades.
You should also consider the blade length, as the right length is required for comfortable, flexible, and productive use. You should ensure that the blade length is minimum seven to nine inches. This is because a longer knife ensures more flexibility than before while handling delicate to tough items.
If durability is on priority for you, consider an electric carver with stainless steel blades. These blades will not tarnish, rust, corrode, or warp with heavy or consistent usage. They will also hold their edges well with time.
Number of Blades
A few electric carving knife models are shipped with kits of blades. This means that you get interchangeable blades. If you are looking for an efficiently useful model, choose the one with two blades, one for slicing bread and the other for cutting anything else.
Speed
Keeping in mind the foods you will be cutting; you may choose a model with multiple speed control. With this setting, you can increase or decrease the pace at which the precise cuts are made.
Handle
The handle of an electric carving knife should be ergonomic. Such a handle is contoured well to fit your hands comfortably and ensure a safe grip. This is evident while handling hard things through the vibrating handle.
Further, the ergonomic design minimizes the risk of cutting your fingers. Such a handle is close to the switch and operational buttons to ensure easy and safe handling.
Safety Features
An electric carving knife has motorized blades. Thus, it is likely to be somewhat riskier than a manual knife. Thus, it is wise to choose a model with some safety features such as the safety lock or double locking mechanism to keep accidents at bay and prevent curious kids from using it. A safety feature such as a lock prevents the knife from making movements when not in use.
Dishwasher Safety
Very few brands offer electric knives whose handles and blades are safe in a dishwasher. So, do check whether the knife is dishwasher-friendly or not if it is one of your priorities.
Accessories
Some electric carving knives will come with extras such as a wooden block for storage, additional blades, and long cords. All of them add to your convenience.
FAQs
Do I need to sharpen an electric carving knife?
No! These knives do not need regular sharpening, unlike traditional knives. You only have to replace the blades with the new ones. These blades are easily available and ensure that your knife will be working properly at any time.
How to clean an electric carving knife?
It is easy to clean an electric carver. If there is any residue left, keep the blade in soapy water, preferably lukewarm, for some time. Finally, wash it with a warm mix of soap and water. You may even choose your dishwasher if the manufacturer states in the description. However, washing with hands is more recommended for these knives.
Conclusion
An electric carving knife is quicker, more precise, and gives more consistent output than any standard kitchen knife. However, they are meant for handling a few soft to tough items in bulk. The best electric carving knife is the one that can slice foams and foods evenly and quickly, ensure consistent performance, and have two blades.
Hi, I am Jay. I am the creator of Knife Guides, your one-stop site for everything related to knives. I am a computer engineer by profession, knife aficionado by passion. Here I work with a group of people who’ve always had a passion for knives and blades. Over the years we’ve kind of become experts and decided to share our knowledge and ideas. I am also an avid hiker and enjoy offshore gamefishing.