Kamil Perry
A cheese cutter is a kitchen tool used for slicing through blocks of cheese. Different types of cheese require different types of knives, primarily depending on their hardness. Cheese cutters are designed to cut soft, sticky cheeses and are made with a fine gauge stainless steel or aluminium wire (a cheesewire) stretched across a supporting frame. The thin wire cuts through a cheese block with hand pressure, producing thin, even slices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A slicing implement whose cutting edge is a wire stretched on a frame furnished with one or two handles |
| Use | Used for cutting soft, sticky, semi-hard, and hard cheeses |
| Types | Cheese wire, cheese slicer, cheese plane, cheese scoop, cheese grater, cheese cutter, cheese knife |
| Cheese wire | Useful for soft cheeses like chèvre and brie |
| Cheese slicer | Used for semi-hard and hard cheeses like Edam cheese and brunost |
| Cheese plane | Used for extra-hard cheeses like Berner Alpkäse |
| Cheese scoop | Used for softer or crumblier cheeses |
| Cheese grater | Used for creating shreds of cheese |
| Cheese cutter | Used for cutting hard cheeses |
| Cheese knife | Used for cutting soft, sticky, semi-hard, and hard cheeses |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese cutters are designed for soft, sticky cheeses
Different types of cheese require different cutting tools, with various non-knife devices used for slicing cheese, especially the harder types. These include the cheese cutter, cheese slicer, cheese plane, cheese scoop, and cheese wire. Cheese knives are also designed for cutting soft cheeses and usually have holes in the blade to keep the cheese from sticking.
The cheese plane, for example, is used for shaving thin slices of semi-soft cheeses like Fontina, Havarti, and Swiss. The cheese scoop is used for softer or crumblier cheeses and has a short curved blade with a long handle. It is used to dig into the cheese and then as a spoon to scoop it out.
The cheese wire, which is wire mounted to a cutting board, is useful for very soft cheeses like chèvre and brie, as well as medium-firm cheeses. It can also be mounted on a handle with a roller and used for semi-soft to medium-firm cheeses, although it is not suitable for hard cheeses. The roller can get clogged up with cheese, however, and it can be a hassle to clean.
A cheese cutter is ideal for soft, sticky cheeses and can help to create thin, even slices without the cheese sticking to the blade.
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Cheese wires are used for semi-hard cheeses
Cheese cutters, also known as cheese wires, are slicing tools used to cut through blocks of cheese. They are designed to cut through different types of cheeses, from soft to hard varieties. The cutting edge of a cheese cutter is typically made of stainless steel or aluminium wire, stretched across a supporting frame with one or two handles. The thin wire cuts through the cheese with hand pressure, producing thin, even slices.
Cheese wires are particularly useful for semi-hard cheeses. Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, require a specific type of knife or wire to achieve the perfect cut. A cheddar knife, also known as a mini cleaver or cheddar cleaver, is designed for cutting semi-hard cheeses. The wide blade and cleaver shape allow for a balance of force and precision when slicing. The angled handle makes it easier to cut through the cheese without hitting the cutting board with your knuckles.
While a cheddar knife is a popular choice for cutting semi-hard cheeses, cheese wires offer an alternative option. Cheese wires are designed to avoid adhesion, making them ideal for semi-hard cheeses that may be slightly sticky. The wire glides through the cheese, creating a clean and aesthetically pleasing cut. This is particularly important for semi-hard cheeses, as they can be more challenging to slice evenly compared to softer or harder varieties.
When selecting a cheese wire for semi-hard cheeses, it is essential to consider the thickness of the wire. Thinner wires, ranging from 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, are more delicate and flexible, making them suitable for detailed work. Medium-thickness wires, ranging from 1 mm to 2 mm, offer a balance between flexibility and strength, making them versatile for various applications. For semi-hard cheeses, a slightly thicker wire may be preferred to handle the resistance of the cheese while still producing a clean slice.
Stainless steel is a popular material for cheese wires due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and versatility. It can cut through harder cheeses while also being flexible enough for softer cheeses. Galvanised steel wires are another option, offering similar strength and functionality to stainless steel at a lower cost. However, for semi-hard cheeses, the thickness of the wire and the tension of the cheese cutter are more critical factors than the type of material used.
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Cheese slicers are used for semi-hard and hard cheeses
Cheese slicers are designed to cut thin, even slices of semi-hard and hard cheeses. The original Prodyne Gourmet Cheese Slicer, for instance, features a stainless steel wire that cuts through the cheese block with hand pressure. Similarly, wire-mounted cheese cutters are useful for cutting semi-soft to medium-firm cheeses, as they provide less drag than a knife and allow for consistent thickness in slices.
A cheese cleaver, on the other hand, is ideal for semi-hard cheeses. The wide blade and cleaver shape allow for force and balance when pushing down and cutting slices. A rind cutter is another tool used for hard cheeses, as it features a pointed tip that scores the rind, making it easier to open.
Flat cheese knives, or chisel knives, are also used for aged hard cheeses. By holding the blade vertically over the cheese, you can cut slices and then use the sharp end for further cutting. A narrow plane cheese knife, or trapezium knife, is used for cutting and chipping away at the block. It is rectangular in shape and has two sharp sides.
Different styles of cheese slicers are designed for cheeses of varying hardness, and they are a useful tool for cutting semi-hard and hard cheeses efficiently and effectively.
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Cheese planes are used for extra-hard cheeses
Cheese cutters, also known as cheese slicers, are used to cut a variety of cheeses, with different types of cheese cutters designed for cheeses of varying hardness. The cheese plane, a type of cheese cutter, is particularly useful for cutting extra-hard cheeses.
The cheese plane was invented by Thor Bjørklund in 1925 in Norway and was modelled after the carpenter's plane. It is designed to cut thin slices of extra-hard cheeses, such as Berner Alpkäse that has been aged for at least two years, also known as Hobelkäse or "plane cheese". The cheese plane is similar to a kitchen mandolin slicer and is commonly used in Nordic countries, as well as in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Brazil.
To use a cheese plane, hold it vertically over the cheese and push downward to slice off thin pieces. The cheese slices will settle on top of the plane's spatula-like structure, making it easy to plate or serve. This type of cheese cutter is ideal for hard cheeses that require a tough blade to cut through without damaging the blade.
In addition to the cheese plane, other types of cheese cutters include the wire cutter, cheese knife, cheese scoop, and cheese grater. Wire cutters are effective for soft cheeses as they prevent sticking and allow for consistent slice thickness. Cheese knives come in various designs, such as flat cheese knives or cheese cleavers, which are suitable for shaving or chipping aged hard cheeses. Cheese scoops, on the other hand, are designed for softer or crumblier cheeses, resembling a small garden trowel. Finally, cheese graters are useful for creating shreds of cheese, with multiple razors to produce different-sized shreds.
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Cheese scoops are used for softer or crumbly cheeses
Cheese cutters are slicing tools used for cutting different types of cheeses. The cutting edge of a cheese cutter is typically made of stainless steel or aluminium wire stretched across a supporting frame. The wire cuts through the cheese with hand pressure.
Cheese scoops, also known as soft cheese knives, are a type of cheese cutter. They are used for softer or crumbly cheeses. They have a short curved blade with a long handle, resembling a tiny garden trowel. They are used to dig into the cheese, similar to a spade, and then to scoop the cheese. Soft cheese knives are designed to deal with the stickiness of soft cheese. The blades usually have holes in them to prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade and to allow for more attractive presentation.
Different types of cheese require different types of knives. For example, hard cheeses require a tough blade that will not be damaged by the hardness of the cheese. A Parmesan cheese knife, for instance, is short, thick, and stubby, like an oyster knife. Another type of knife used for hard cheeses is the flat cheese knife, also known as a cheese chisel, which is used to shave or chip aged hard cheeses like aged gouda or cheddar.
There are also various non-knife devices used for cutting cheese, such as a cheese wire, which is useful for soft and semi-soft cheeses.
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Frequently asked questions
A cheese cutter is used to slice through blocks of cheese.
Cheese cutters are ideal for soft, sticky, and semi-soft cheeses.
Very hard cheeses like Parmesan are not suitable for a cheese cutter.
The cutting edge of a cheese cutter is typically a fine gauge stainless steel or aluminium wire stretched across a supporting frame.
Cheese cutters offer less resistance than a knife as the wire prevents the cheese from sticking to the blade, resulting in cleaner slices.
