Watermelons have a tough, hard shell, which protects their inner, juicy pulp from getting smashed when they’re transported. However, this hard shell — similar to other large fruits with thick rinds like cantaloupe and honeydew — can be frustrating to cut through with a knife. You might end up injuring your hand or wrist trying to cut the melon into even slices for your party guests. Investing in a watermelon slicer will save you time and energy. Plus, once you’ve got a slicer in your hand, you’ll be cutting even the hardest watermelon with ease. But how do you choose a watermelon slicer and which features are right for your kitchen? Our detailed buyer’s guide has all the answers to your questions.
Benefits of a Watermelon Slicer
Owning a watermelon slicer will let you cut watermelon and other fruits easily. With a slicer, you’ll be able to cut large fruits and melons into different shapes, such as cubes or scoops. Plus, because watermelon slicers keep the rind intact, you can store the watermelon in the refrigerator as-is until its next use. These lightweight slicers are also highly portable, making them easy to bring along on picnics, to the beach, or even to a friend’s party. Using a knife to cut a melon can be difficult, time-consuming, and dangerous. With a knife, your hand is often exposed and if your hand slips, you could cut yourself or injure yourself by accident. However, many fruit slicers feature rounded plastic blades that cannot harm you. Knives have a tendency to rust, but watermelon slicers are made from high-quality stainless steel and are rustproof. Lastly, many enjoy the fact that melon slicers don’t damage the rind or shell. Because of this, you can use the leftover fruit core for fun DIY projects or crafts with kids.
Different Types of Slicers
Watermelon tongs
Watermelon tongs give you perfect slices of melon without tiring your hands. Featuring a stainless steel blade-like structure on one end and tongs on the other, this is a two-in-one tool that lets you safely cut melon cubes horizontally and vertically. Then, when you’re ready to grab the fruit, just flip the tool around and use the tongs to extract the fruit from the rind.
Watermelon cube wheels
Watermelon cube wheels feature a measuring scale on the side, allowing you to easily cut equal and uniform watermelon cubes every time. It is very easy to use; simply slide the tool into the fruit and let the plastic blades do all the work. These slicers are also extremely safe and kid-friendly.
Watermelon scoops
When preparing summer cakes or fruit salads, you may need ball-shaped pieces of fruit. A watermelon scoop is an amazing tool, allowing you to effortlessly scoop out the fruit from the rind. Plus, having this tool on hand will make all your dishes look creative!
How to Choose a Watermelon Slicer
Efficiency
If time is important to you, be sure to check whether your product is efficient. The most efficient watermelon slicers often feature an automatic system to cut the slices of fruit without requiring a lot of pressure. If you want to slice several different types of fruit, we recommend choosing a slicer with sharp stainless steel blades. Plastic blades are great for smaller amounts of slicing. Keep in mind that the more efficient your slicer is, the more melon you’ll be able to slice in the least amount of time.
Material
Always double-check the safety of your slicer’s materials. For instance, if you choose a slicer with plastic blades, make sure the blades are made out of BPA-free plastic, which will keep your food free of toxins. Also, always opt for food-grade PP plastic materials, which have no odor and will last longer without staining. If choosing a stainless steel slicer, 18/8 grade steel is a high-quality, rust-proof option. Iron blades tend to rust quickly.
Safety
Always choose a safe product to avoid unnecessary accidents or cuts. If you have a home with pets or children, we recommend choosing a plastic blade design that will not cut through the skin. Also, the handle should be long enough to keep the cutting edge away from your hands.
Ease of use
Choose a slicer that has rounded, comfortable handles, allowing you to grip them for a longer time without hurting your hands. Rubber handles are ergonomic and easy to hold. Also, choosing a dishwasher-friendly slicer will make clean-up easy and efficient.
Cost of Watermelon Slicers
Watermelon slicers are highly affordable; many of them cost as much as a knife. You can purchase a basic melon slicing tool for around $6, while a more versatile tool may cost as much as $16. What’s more, if you want to purchase a big slicer to cut large fruits, it may cost almost $40. Keep in mind that the more multifunctional and heavy-duty the slicer is, the more pricey it will be. However, if you do go with a more expensive option, it will likely be a higher-quality product and won’t require replacing any time soon.
