A knife for shredding cabbage can be in the form of a hatchet with two blades, a multifunctional Roma knife type, or a vegetable peeler. These devices significantly speed up the process of cutting vegetables, but it would be more practical to use specific shredders - a box grater, mechanical and manual; you can also use attachments for a food processor.
The tools are characterized by a long service life, ease of maintenance, and simple rules of use. Their cost ranges from 130 to 1,500 rubles, which depends on the specific model chosen (who produces it, whether it is a knife or a shredder, what material the blade is made of, and other factors).
What kind of cabbage shredding knife is there, its characteristics
A shredding knife must meet three requirements:
- be as sharp as possible;
- have a wide blade;
- There must be a protrusion/limiter under the handle.
In principle, if you have a regular knife in the kitchen that meets the listed requirements, then it can be used for cutting cabbage. But there are also special tools for this process, which make the work of a cook and housewife much easier.
We recommend reading the article about the best switchblades. From it you will learn about the main characteristics of switchblades, their types, and handmade switchblades. And here is more information about throwing knives.
With two blades
Knives with two blades resemble a hatchet in appearance, but their blade has two elongated holes. The steel is sharply ground, which makes shredding cabbage convenient - the “output” is thin strips of the vegetable of approximately the same size.
Most often, such a tool has a plastic handle, but sometimes the manufacturer makes the knife entirely from steel. The second option is not very practical to use because the metal handle quickly becomes slippery.
The most important feature of a double-bladed cabbage shredding knife is its safety. If you use the tool correctly, then getting any injuries (scratches, cuts, chopped/puncture wounds) is practically impossible.
Vegetable peeler
A peeler is a special knife that is used for peeling vegetables (potatoes, carrots, zucchini, etc.), but it can also act as a vegetable cutter. It is a structure made of a plastic handle and a thin blade about 9 cm long, which is inserted into a spear extending from the handle of the tool.
This vegetable cutter significantly reduces the time of shredding even a large head of cabbage and is suitable for working with different types of vegetables - regular white cabbage, red cabbage, Peking cabbage. The blades are made of stainless steel, so the peeler can be washed in hot water and using detergents/cleaners.
Cabbage and lettuce peeler
The vegetable peeler is easy to use, does not require any specific skills to operate, and allows you to chop cabbage for borscht, salads, and filling for baked goods or dumplings.
Rus 70504
The cabbage shredding model Rus 70504 is a classic knife with two blades, but with individual characteristics:
- produced in Germany by the famous manufacturer ROSENBERG;
- length and height of the tool – 280 and 15 mm, respectively;
- Blade width – 80 mm.
Cabbage shredding knife Rus 70504
The knife handle is made of plastic, the blade is made of stainless steel. Interestingly, the handle is located at an angle in relation to the wide blade - it is slightly raised. This makes the job much easier, because the cook will put much less effort into shredding the cabbage and will be able to process a large volume of the vegetable.
Knife Roma
A tool that is a universal device due to the presence of a sharp blade, a hole with a shredder edge, and a serrated blade is called a Roma knife. It is especially popular among housewives because it has the following properties:
- an ordinary knife - sharp, but it is convenient to cut off only narrow pieces of food;
- shredding device - a hole in the blade allows you to quickly process a large head of cabbage;
- fish cleaning tool - a serrator can easily remove even the smallest scales.
Knife “Roma”
In addition, next to the handle there is a bottle opener, and the blade with a smooth sharpening is equipped with a sharp tip protruding forward (it will be convenient for cutting, for example, a clove of garlic).
These knives are made of stainless steel, the handle is hollow, and there is a small loop at the end - you can store the tool in a suspended state. The disadvantage of the Roma knife is that it is impossible to carry out long-term work shredding cabbage - its weight is very light, you have to make an effort, so your hand gets tired very quickly.
Which knife is best to use for shredding?
Often, specially designed tools are used to shred cabbage - a hatchet with two blades, a food processor with an attachment, or a special grater. If you are a supporter of kitchen minimalism and do not want your set of kitchen tools to grow exponentially, you can skip purchasing specialized shredders and learn how to do it with a regular knife.
However, keep in mind that not any knife is suitable for cutting cabbage into thin strips. The most suitable “tool” for this should:
- be as sharp as possible;
- have a wide and long blade;
- have a limiting projection under the handle.
Never sharpen knives unless you know how to do it correctly. It is better to take the tool to a professional sharpener or someone whose skills you are confident in.
The preferred blade width is 80-90 mm. It is advisable that the handle be made of plastic or wood, then it will not slip in the hand during operation. The protrusion between the handle and the blade will give the knife additional convenience. In this case, the chances of cutting yourself are reduced.
How to choose a knife for cutting cabbage, their advantages and disadvantages
When choosing a knife for cutting cabbage, you need to take into account the following nuances:
- blade width is the best option 90 mm, but 80 will be convenient to use;
- sharpness of the blades – if we are talking about a knife with two blades, then sharpening them yourself will be quite difficult;
- what material is the handle made of? It’s better if it’s plastic, which will prevent it from slipping in the palm of your hand while working;
- is there a protrusion with a pointed tip at the end of the blade - this adds convenience to work;
- whether there is a limiter between the handle of the knife and its blade - this ensures the safety of the process.
The advantages of using a special knife for shredding cabbage are:
- speed of cutting vegetables;
- simple care, can be washed in hot water with detergent and in the dishwasher;
- absolute safety during operation;
- can be used for cutting any other food products;
- compactness, unlike a food processor.
The only drawback of such a tool that consumers highlight is its cost. No, it is not prohibitively high, but it is larger than that of an ordinary/standard kitchen knife.
A manual cabbage shredder is a worthy alternative to a knife
A manual cabbage shredder is a design whose operating principle is reminiscent of a conventional meat grinder from the times of the USSR. It is equipped with a gutter made of food-grade plastic. A cutting board completes the package.
A manual shredder has several blades and a special mechanism that allows you to adjust their height. This makes it possible to shred cabbage into strips of different sizes, both in width and length.
Watch the video about manual shredding for cabbage:
Harvester attachment
The food processor comes with a special attachment for shredding cabbage. It is a circle with sides, inside of which there are two sharp blades. It is possible to independently adjust the distance between the blades and thereby obtain shredded vegetables of different thicknesses at the output.
This attachment not only makes the housewife’s work easier, but also makes the shredding process safe. It is made of stainless steel, so for cleaning you can simply rinse the nozzle with warm water and dry it. The device can be useful for shredding other vegetables - carrots, beets, as well as fruits such as apples - you will get slices (thin slices).
Attachment from a combine for shredding cabbage
Vegetable cutter for cabbage with box
It is a wooden body with blades on the surface. They can be adjusted, and already shredded cabbage comes out into the box and does not scatter all over the table. The vegetable cutter with a box is practical and easy to use - it does not slip on the work surface and does not require much effort.
The device is made of hard wood, coated with a special solution - its service life is long, the surface does not crack. Caring for the vegetable cutter is standard: it can be washed with warm water and detergent. Be sure to thoroughly dry the instrument before storing it.
Mechanical shredder
For ordinary manual meat grinders, there are special attachments on sale in the form of a partial cone with blades on the surface. They are made of stainless steel and can be presented in a large assortment - the size and shape of the holes varies.
To use, the attachment is placed on the meat grinder; while twisting the handle, you need to turn the cone around its axis with your free hand. Consumers note that such a device is inconvenient to use, and therefore is only suitable for processing small volumes of vegetables.
Vegetable cutters from branded manufacturers
Moulinex
The most popular vegetable cutters among buyers are Moulinex . The appliances from this manufacturer have an original design and will look great on the kitchen table. The composition includes 5 nozzles, which differ from each other in color. Each attachment performs its own function: shredding, fine grater, coarse grater, cutting into cubes and strips. All parts are easy to remove and put on. Thanks to the long groove, the cuttings do not fly apart in different directions. During use, you can chop vegetables or fruits directly into a plate. All attachments are easily stored inside the vegetable cutter. Can be easily washed in the dishwasher after use.
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Reviews are mostly positive. The price of Moulinex shredders starts from two thousand rubles and above, depending on the model. Now you can buy an electric vegetable cutter in any Moscow online store.
Smile
Electric shredders from the Chinese manufacturer Smile are no less popular due to their low price and availability. The body is made of white plastic. Replaceable graters are inserted into a special frame. The set includes 3 pushers for different products, a container, a tray, and a puree attachment.
Buyers find more advantages in this vegetable cutter than disadvantages. You can easily order such a shredder in any online store in Moscow and start using it the very next day.
Bosch
German manufacturers have long been successful with consumers. The Bosch shredder is no exception. A standard Bosch household vegetable cutter includes 1 food container, 3 graters for slicing different foods, and a blender attachment. With its help you can knead dough, beat egg whites and much more. In more expensive models of Bosch electric shredder, the nozzles for slicing vegetables are made of stainless steel, which increases the service life of the device.
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How to cut cabbage with a special knife
When cutting cabbage with a special knife, you need to comply with the following rules:
- Take the knife in your hand so that the index finger is on the handle, the thumb is on the side, and all the rest are on the bottom.
- The blade, during the shredding process, should move back and forth without leaving the surface of the cabbage.
- You need to chop the vegetable strictly across the grain to prevent too much oozing.
- For convenience, before starting the process, cabbage forks should be cut into two parts. If it's too big, then by four.
- Each time after finishing slicing the cabbage along a plane, you need to tear the knife off the surface of the head of cabbage, bring it in again and repeat the movements back and forth, “sliding” down.
Watch the video on how to use a special cabbage knife:
Following these recommendations, it is impossible to cut the vegetable into large pieces.
How to properly chop cabbage with a knife?
Proper grip of the knife handle is paramount. When grasping with your palm, you need to place your index finger on the upper edge of the handle, tilt your thumb to the side, and clasp the rest of your fingers from below. When cutting, the sharp end should move forward and backward in the same plane with the board.
If you use a hatchet, you need to know how to move it correctly. When using it, movements are performed forward and downward, and the knife itself is raised above the fork.
Before shredding, cabbage should be cut in half, and if the vegetable is large, it is better to divide it into four parts. Grind the cabbage leaves across, so you get equal thin strips. By the way, cross-cutting the fibers allows you to retain the necessary juice in the pieces so that the vegetable can be fermented.
Video: How to shred cabbage
How to use a cabbage shredder
A manual cabbage shredder (wooden grater with a box or plastic) should be used as follows:
- Cut the cabbage into 2-4 pieces depending on its size. First, the top layer of leaves is removed from it.
- Wipe the shredder with a cloth soaked in a strong saline solution - this will disinfect the surface.
- Take the grater in your left hand and rest it comfortably on the work surface. You can use a large basin, but in this case the shredder rests on the bottom-side transition.
- Take a fragment of a head of cabbage in your right hand and make smooth movements from top to bottom. There is no need to exert much effort; sudden jerks are unacceptable.
How to sharpen a cabbage knife
You can sharpen a knife for chopping cabbage with a diamond-coated file or sandpaper with minimal abrasiveness (“zero”). First, the blade is sharpened from the outside - the one that faces directly to the cabbage. In this case, the file is located parallel to the main blade of the knife. And to remove metal dust and burrs, you need to treat the blade from the inside with fine abrasive sandpaper.
If you need to sharpen a knife with two blades, then they can be rotated on the blade into a convenient position (as a rule, they are attached with rivets). First you will need to unscrew/disassemble the handle of the tool, then unfold the blades and sharpen them. The knife is assembled in reverse order.
Varieties of tools for shredding cabbage
There are many special devices for thinly slicing cabbage and other vegetables. The procedure can be performed with almost any knife. But it will be long and require a lot of nerves. A cabbage shredder can save precious cells.
It should be understood that the appearance of a special product has undergone evolutionary development over time. From the simplest devices to a full-fledged cutter capable of shredding cabbage.
Devices of various types still exist today. They can really be called the predecessors of the modern shredding knife. Let's take a closer look at them.
Universal tool Frico Fru-044
One of the varieties of universal tools for shredding cabbage has a unique appearance. The knife manufacturer positions it as a multifunctional product capable of coping with the following tasks:
- cutting fish;
- quick peeling;
- cutting and peeling pineapple;
- there is an opener for bottles and cans;
- used for cleaning almost all fruits and vegetables.
The knife consists of a basic standard blade, which can be used to cut many foods. And the sawing blade is applicable for: cleaning fish, cutting meat and working with small bones. The key for opening bottles is also located on it.
Great capabilities of the frico fru-044 knife.
And the highlight of the knife is the inner blade. Its purpose: shredding cabbage into even strips or slicing fruits and vegetables. It is located between the main blade and the sawing blade. The tool is truly wide-ranging and requires special attention.
Grater
Everyone has known the kitchen appliance since childhood. It is made from: wood, plastic or metal. A special grater for shredding cabbage has a specific appearance. On the base there are blades in two or three tiers. This helps make multiple cuts with one movement of the head of cabbage.
Hand grater.
Some models are made with a built-in niche into which shredded cabbage is collected. Having cut a piece from the fork, it is quickly rubbed into small straws.
It is permissible to use a grater on other vegetables. Chopping fruits is also not prohibited. The disadvantage is the monotony of movements. And the use of considerable physical force for large volumes of processing.
Professional chefs recommend using it for cutting salads or appetizers. But for fermenting a barrel of cabbage, it is not suitable.
Multifunctional food processor
A productive option compared to manual devices. It is necessary to take into account the cost of the product and its service life. To cut a small portion of salad, the food processor will have to be assembled and put into operation. Then rinse everything thoroughly and dry.
Is a small portion of salad worth so much effort? And secondly, it is also not intended for long-term work; the engine will overheat and burn out. You definitely won’t be able to chop a barrel on it, but you won’t be able to chop a pan.
Electric food processor.
Metal cabbage hatchet
The instrument has ancient roots and is popularly called a chop. They chopped cabbage in wooden troughs. A specific shape resembling a hammer with a chopping blade at the end. The product has considerable weight and is of little use for modern housewives. They need to be able to use it.
Kitchen hatchet - chop.
Cabbage shredder
A cabbage shredding knife consists of a plastic handle with a wide, sharp blade. It has a visual similarity to a piller. But the blades do not have serrations, but are sharp and concave. The vegetable cutter is suitable for chopping various products. The blade is about 8-9 cm long. The safety of the device allows you to teach even children how to shred.
Shredder for chopping vegetables.
Double blade knives
A modern device that allows you to carry out work quickly and accurately - a knife with two blades. It has a visual resemblance to a kitchen hatchet. And they work with chopping movements. Two blades are attached to the plate, which shred the cabbage.
The knife requires a certain skill in working with it. But once you get used to using it, things will go pretty quickly. The clear advantage of a cabbage shredding knife is safety and speed of operation.
A modern tool for chopping cabbage and vegetables.
How to chop a vegetable with a regular knife, how to hold it
Even if there is no special knife in your kitchen arsenal, you can use a regular one and chop the vegetable as follows:
- Take the tool in your hands so that only your index finger is on top of the handle, and all the rest are below.
- Cut the head of cabbage into 2 parts, remove the stalk.
- Cut the cabbage lengthwise into strips 3-4 cm wide each.
- Chop each of the resulting strips into thin “noodles”.
This method is not safe; you need to carefully monitor the position of your free hand - it holds the cabbage fork, but the fingers are slightly bent to prevent injury to the fingers.
