An egg slicer is a kitchen gadget which is designed to facilitate the slicing of hardboiled eggs. The device can also be used to slice other soft foods, such as strawberries. Generally, only perfectionist cooks or those who handle a large volume of food have need for an egg slicer, and the device is otherwise considered a bit esoteric. Some kitchen supply stores stock egg slicers, and variants can also be ordered through culinary supply companies.
The basic design of an egg slicer is comprised of two parts, joined with a hinge. The bottom section is a slotted, scooped container which is designed to hold an egg. The other section is a series of thin wires stretched on a framework. When the wire egg slicer is brought down, it neatly slices the cradled egg into a set of evenly cut slivers. When soft fruits and vegetables are used, the same effect can be obtained, although egg slicers which are designed for this purpose as well tend to be slightly more sturdy.
The bottom component of an egg slicer is usually made from plastic, although all metal egg slicers are available. Usually, the device is designed to be used on a counter top. In other cases, the egg slicer is meant to be a hand held device, with the cook squeezing down on the handles to extrude slices of egg. This type of egg slicer can be useful for quickly dropping egg or vegetable slices onto salads and other dishes.
Since slicing a hardboiled egg can be a messy process, cooks who handle a large number of hardboiled eggs often appreciate an egg slicer. The uniform slices look neater, which is important for professional presentations at restaurants and catered events. In addition, using an egg slicer means that the egg does not need to be handled beyond the peeling stage, which is more sanitary. As the white flesh of eggs tends to accumulate dirt, the hands-off approach also keeps the egg cleaner.
When seeking out an egg slicer, look for a well made version which will not fall apart with use. In many cases, an egg slicer is designed to be dishwasher safe, although you may prefer to wash an egg slicer by hand to make sure that all of the crannies of the device are cleaned. Wiping the gadget down after washing is a good idea as well, since it will inhibit rust formation on the wires of the slicer.