Will you find this a-peeling (Zyliss Electric Multipeeler)

Member Name: sandra101

Product:	Zyliss Electric Multipeeler
Date:	03/12/08 (270 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It works, takes less effort, might work well for those with arthritis

Disadvantages: Do you really need it?

I have always hated peeling potatoes, veg etc. and have bought many different peelers and knives which were thrown out after one use because they didn't make the job any easier. I decided I would just stick with one of the small knives out of my knife block. This makes quite a good job of peeling but peels off a very thick layer of skin and I press so hard that I have an indent in my finger and its quite painful when I have finished.

I was having a look around the Amazon site and probably due to my penchant for buying kitchen gadgets, a zyliss electronic peeler showed up, asking myself "how can they electrify a peeler" I couldn't resist clicking on it. Being me, once I had seen the little video I was sold, the price of £7.00 seemed reasonable and I noticed the same peeler in a local Department Store a few days later for £17.99.

The peeler is about 10 inches long and seems to be ergonomically designed to fit well inside your palm. You simply press down on the button on top to start the electric motor which claims to rotate at 8,000rpm moving the 70 little teeth, I didn't count them just took their word for it.

The first test came with potatoes, not reading the instructions, I pressed the on button and kept my finger firmly pressed on it, I found that I got used to the pressure and angle required to get the most skin of at once easy to adjust to, but found constantly holding down the on button was hurting my hand.

Hubby came in to see what the strange noise was and immediately wanted a go. He pressed the on button once and began peeling only then did I realize that you didn't have to keep the darn thing pressed in. Hubby peeled a couple of potatoes then decided it was easier just to use a knife, I was quite happy to continue using my new gadget.

Example of results

Potatoes - Possibly slower than using a knife\manual peeler
but less painful

Carrots - Due to their consistent shape, a little faster than
using a knife\peeler

Plums - The softness of the fruit didn't seem to cause any
problems, I was able to take off a very fine layer of
skin and almost managed to do it all in one go.

Chocolate - Small shavings were possible but it was awkward

Cheese - It did take off shavings but was quite difficult to
angle correctly

You don't need to apply much pressure although starting at a slight angle definitely leads to a longer strip of peel being removed.

The best bit about this peeler is that my two sons are still fighting over using it. They actually came to an agreement on Sunday that if one peeled the potatoes then the other one should be allowed to peel the carrots. It's worth paying £7.00 for this little gadget just to get a little help in the kitchen.

With everything I tried the electric peeler on I definitely was left with more of the produce than I would have been with a knife and I would imagine it would be easier for anyone with arthritis etc. in their hands to use this as you are more guiding the peeler than using your strength.

My son to prove a point that it wasn't dangerous ran the peeler over his hand and it didn't leave a mark or cut the skin.

After use, simply rinse the water resistant head under running water.

The peeler does not come with batteries so you need to have 4 AA sized batteries on hand as you will be dying to try it out. This peeler is available in grey, red, blue and green.

Worth buying if you have difficulty with peeling due to arthritis etc. or if you want your kids to do a bit in the kitchen

Summary: What can I say its a gadget and I love it