Kalorik Silver Food Slicer

Okay nothing is perfect, but compared to the "bargain" slicer I tried before this one, I couldn't be happier unless it was made of pure gold. Like other people, I bought this model despite some of the poor reviews because of the 200 watt motor. There is no stronger motor in this price range, and that counts for a lot for my purposes. This Kalorik model thinly sliced raw partially-frozen ribeye for Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches perfectly, and with very little mess, and that's a tall order for most home kitchen models. (I recommend wiping the surface of the blade with a little grapeseed or olive oil for smoother movement of the food against it.) For those who described this model as tough to clean, I'm wondering what they were expecting. Maybe there are easier models out there, but this one took about 5 minutes to clean. Compare that to the 30 plus minutes it took for the bargain model, which frankly I'm still not entirely sure was really clean when I gave up, and I was thrilled. This model is designed so you can get to the surfaces that need cleaning with ease, and there aren't lots of cracks and crevices for food to get into. As others mentioned, it was not easy to get the blade off the first time, but I followed their advice and didn't tighten it to extremes when replacing it - it cannot loosen during operation because the blade spins the other way - so I'm anticipating that part will be easier next time around. The suction cups that others complained of actually worked perfectly on my counter top, though I'm sure they vary greatly on different surfaces. I am fully satisfied with this product and would recommend it, especially if raw steak is what you intend to use it for. And thanks to the other reviewers for their helpful tips!