The Cheese Chopper is an innovative kitchen gadget that promises to slice, shred, and store cheese all in one device. Featured on Shark Tank, the product retails for $34.99, down from its original $40 price tag, and claims to reduce the need for plastic wrap, containers, or cheesecloth. Intrigued by its bold promises, I decided to put it to the test, with help from a national cheese expert, Diana Brier. Here’s how it all went.
Where to Purchase
You can pick up the Cheese Chopper on Amazon. The Commander Wire Slicer mentioned in this review can be found here.
First Impressions
Upon unboxing, the Cheese Chopper boasts attractive packaging and includes multiple blades for slicing, shredding, and grating. The device feels substantial, and there’s a dial for adjusting the thickness of slices. However, some of the Shark Tank investors expressed concerns about its size and complexity, which is feedback I kept in mind as I began testing.
Testing the Cheese Chopper
Initial Trials
I started with a standard two-pound block of cheddar cheese. The device requires inserting the cheese horizontally and turning the knob while pressing down. My first cuts were uneven, and I had to adjust the wire tension using the provided miniature screwdriver, an added step that felt tedious.
Switching to the blade, I achieved better results. While the slices were cleaner, it required significant downward force. The shredder attachment produced long, uneven shreds, but the process was functional. Overall, the initial experience was mixed, with some promising results but noticeable shortcomings.
Calling in a Cheese Expert
To gain deeper insight, I enlisted Diana Brier, a renowned cheese expert and owner of Valley Cheese and Wine. Diana shared her professional perspective and tested the device with various cheeses, including block cheddar, aged goat cheese, and a creamy triple crème brie.
- Cheddar: Diana noted the Cheese Chopper’s bulky design and difficulty cutting straight slices. Using her professional cheese cutter, she achieved cleaner, more consistent results with less effort.
- Goat Cheese: The device struggled with harder, aged cheeses, creating uneven cuts and leaving behind unusable portions. The wire attachment was ineffective for cheeses with thick rinds.
- Triple Crème Brie: This soft cheese proved disastrous for the Cheese Chopper. Instead of clean slices, the brie was crushed into an unappealing mess. Diana demonstrated how a simple wire cutter produced smooth, intact cuts with far less hassle.
Storage Capabilities
One of the Cheese Chopper’s selling points is its ability to store cheese in the same container. However, Diana pointed out a key flaw: excess oxygen inside the container can accelerate spoilage. She recommended using cheese paper, which protects cheese while allowing it to breathe, an affordable and widely available alternative.
Final Thoughts
The Cheese Chopper does delivers on its core promises: slicing, shredding, and storing cheese. However, it complicates a simple task and struggles with anything beyond standard block cheese. For cheese enthusiasts or professionals, it falls short of expectations.
For casual consumers committed to using block cheese, the device might offer some convenience. Still, a basic wire cutter is more versatile, effective, and space-saving. At $34.99, the Cheese Chopper feels like a solution in search of a problem.
If you’ve tried the Cheese Chopper, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below and let me know your experience. Would you try the Cheese Chopper, or does it seem like more trouble than it’s worth?
Video Review
Check out my full review below.