The Presto SaladShooter has been a kitchen gadget staple for years, boasting a reputation for making slicing and shredding quick and effortless. With over 9,500 reviews and a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, it’s clear that many people swear by it. However, as a first-time user, I wanted to see if it lives up to the hype. Here’s my experience using this gadget, from unboxing to slicing and shredding a variety of foods.
Where to Purchase
You can find the Presto SaladShooter online from around $44-$50.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The SaladShooter comes with two interchangeable cones (slicing and shredding), a locking ring, a food guide (for pushing ingredients), a food chamber, and a motorized base. Assembly is straightforward, and the instructions are clear. The unit is compact, lightweight, and dishwasher-safe (excluding the motorized base), making it easy to store and maintain.
One thing to note is that the device isn’t suitable for everything. Tomatoes, cranberries, coffee beans, and meat are explicitly mentioned as no-gos in the manual. The product is said to shred fruits, vegetables, and cheese or grate nuts and chocolate with ease. With those expectations in mind, I put it to the test.
Testing the Slicer: Zucchini, Carrots, and Potatoes
Zucchini
The slicing cone works quickly but has its limitations. Whole zucchinis won’t fit in the food chamber, so I had to cut them in half. Despite the prep, the result was impressive, with uniform slices in seconds. The device is much louder than I anticipated, however, which may be a drawback in quieter households.
Carrots
Carrots required significantly more force, which aligns with the manual’s note that harder vegetables might strain the unit. Even so, the slices turned out well, albeit with a bit more effort than I would have liked.
Potatoes
Potatoes posed a challenge due to their size. I had to quarter them to fit, but the machine did slice them efficiently. The slices were thin and uniform, ideal for dishes like scalloped potatoes, however there’s no way to adjust thickness, which might limit its versatility for some users.
Shredding and Grating: Carrots, Cheese, and Nuts
Carrots
Shredding carrots took more force than slicing but produced consistent results. To achieve finely grated carrots, I ran them through the unit a second time, which worked as promised. Here is where the need to clean the device between foods became apparent as it’s not ideal for switching between ingredients quickly without washing.
Cheese
Shredding cheese went smoothly, with both mozzarella and cheddar producing fluffy, even shreds. Slicing was less successful. The cheddar block got stuck, requiring me to pry it out, which disrupted the process. While the mozzarella slices were thin and satisfactory, the cheddar experience was a letdown.
Nuts
Shredding nuts yielded mixed results. Almonds turned into a fine powder, while walnuts shredded into a more recognizable texture. Slicing nuts was inconsistent and messy, with many pieces stuck in the blade. If you’re using this for nuts, stick with the shredding option.
Final Test: Slicing Apples
The Salad Shooter handled apples brilliantly. Both red and green apples sliced quickly and uniformly, making them a highlight of the testing. The thin, even slices would be perfect for pies or snacks.
Cleanup and Durability
Cleaning the Salad Shooter is relatively easy. Most parts rinse off well, and any stubborn stains (like from carrots) came out in the dishwasher. While not completely stain-proof, the device held up nicely after multiple uses.
Conclusion: Is the Presto Salad Shooter Worth It?
The Presto Salad Shooter delivers on its promise of speed and convenience, but it’s not without flaws. It excels at slicing and shredding softer ingredients, like zucchini, apples, and shredded cheese, but struggles with harder or more complex items like carrots, cheddar cheese, and nuts. Cleanup between ingredients can also interrupt your workflow.
For its price (I paid $46.67), the Salad Shooter is a solid investment if you frequently need quick slicing and shredding. However, if versatility and precision are top priorities, you might want to consider higher-end models or alternative gadgets.
Have you tried the Presto Salad Shooter or a similar device? Tell me what you think in the comments below!
Video Review
Watch my full review of this product below.