Let's face it: one of the biggest reasons people don't eat more fruits and vegetables is because preparing them is time-consuming. By the time you've chopped up all the vegetables for a big dinner salad or prepped fruits for a refreshing, healthy snack, you may have lost the desire to eat what you’ve made (and may reach for chips instead).
You need a kitchen tool that makes healthy food preparation fast and easy. A salad shooter fits the bill. If you are looking for a reliable gadget that makes meal prep easier, the Presto Salad Shooter is a good choice.
After you wash your veggies off with your salad spinner and are ready to make quick work of mealtime prep, you'll want to use a salad shooter that's made from quality materials. Although most are constructed from plastic, the blades should be sharp and made of durable stainless steel. The blades should connect securely to a disc or cone.
If mealtime coincides with quiet time, noise matters. Some motors operate more loudly than others. If this is something you need to take into account, make sure you find a quiet machine for your kitchen.
Because salad shooters spit out slices and shreds into a preparation bowl, your main concern should be how big the feed chute is.
Smaller chutes mean you'll have to chop up larger fruits and vegetables before shredding, slicing or grinding. If you choose a salad shooter with a larger chute, you'll be able to process larger veggies without having to chop them into smaller pieces.
Assembling your salad shooter should be as easy as taking it out of the box and selecting the disc or cone you need for the task at hand. If there is some assembly required, check reviews and descriptions for detailed directions.
If you are new to cooking and could use some guidance, you're not alone. Inexperienced cooks could use some helpful advice, especially when they are working with a new kitchen tool. A recipe book gives you a solid foundation to explore new culinary possibilities.
The more interchangeable discs or cones your shooter has, the more jobs it can accomplish. Look for at least two interchangeable pieces for slicing and shredding. Other functions can include:
The original salad shooter had an elegant design and was simple to use. Thankfully, not much has changed since then. An on and off switch is really all you need to use a salad shooter.
Salad shooters with razor-sharp, stainless steel blades produce uniform slices that are hard to achieve when cutting and chopping by hand. This lets you create beautiful plates for both everyday and special occasions.
Your salad shooter should come from a company that stands behind its products. Look for a kitchen tool with at least a 1-year warranty against defects and poor performance.
You can expect to spend between $25-$80 for a good quality salad shooter. The size, construction and number of accessories included may impact the price.
A. Salad shooters are perfect at making short work of preparing their namesake, but they have other functions, too.
You can also:
A. Each manufacturer has specific guidelines for care and cleaning, but there are some general suggestions that apply.
What you need to know: This is a basic salad shooter workhorse that's great for fast slicing and shredding.
What you’ll love: It has two interchangeable blades. It operates with a simple switch and is easy to clean. All parts are dishwasher-safe. The included instructions are clear and detailed.
What you should consider: It is a little smaller than previous models. This is best for kitchens with compact storage.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Wayfair
Presto Professional Salad Shooter
What you need to know: This professional tool opens up culinary possibilities with plenty of interchangeable discs.
What you’ll love: The funnel guide makes it easy to cut, slice and shred your food. It is larger and accommodates even whole potatoes. There are even tools for ripple cuts and thick slices. It's covered by a one-year limited warranty.
What you should consider: The cones are not as durable as some users expected.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Wayfair
Homdox Nictemaw 5-in-1 Professional Salad Shooter
What you need to know: The powerful 250-watt motor of this salad shooter can handle the toughest fruits and vegetables.
What you’ll love: It comes with five interchangeable stainless steel cones: grating cone, fine grating cone, thick slicing cone, thin slicing cone and a grinding cone. The food port is nearly 3 inches wide to accommodate large fruits and vegetables. All plastic parts are BPA-free, and operation is simple — just flip a switch and feed the food into the port.
What you should consider: People with hand pain found this tool difficult to use.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Suzannah Kolbeck writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
