Kitchen kit doesn’t come cheap, and the initial price tag of a product like a meat slicer is only part of the story; to run a successful business, you also have to take into account downtime, maintenance and sourcing spare parts. These hidden costs are affected by both performance and quality: words commonly used to describe premium brand, Berkel.
Wilhelmus Van Berkel invented the flywheel slicer back in 1898, and his company has remained at the forefront of the industry ever since. But, in a market now flooded with budget alternatives, why is a Berkel slicer still a stalwart of professional kitchens the world over?
Here we break down the five-year ownership costs of different meat slicers, and look at why Berkel options offer better value for money than their cheaper competitors over the long-term.
How Much Do Slicers Cost Over a Five-Year Period?
Upfront Costs
The retail prices for meat slicers vary substantially, depending on their capabilities. Here’s what you can expect to pay for three different types of slicers from budget brands and their comparable models from Berkel.
Budget Slicers:
- 250mm electric slicer: £550
- 350mm mass-market slicer: £2,600
- Standard flywheel slicer: £4,500
Berkel Slicers:
- Pro Line XS25 : £1,099
- Domina 350 : £2,869
- B2 Flywheel : £5,504
In all categories, Berkel slicers represent a higher price point. But is it worth splashing out on a more premium product, or are you simply paying markup for the brand name?
Five-Year Cost Breakdown
To understand the true cost of each product, we’ve assessed their durability over a five-year period. We’ve taken into account wear and tear, downtime associated with repairs and eventual resale value. This is how they fare.
| Slicer/ Year | Budget Electric Slicer (250mm & 350mm) | Budget Flywheel Slicer | Berkel Electric Slicer (XS25 & Domina SLG350) | Berkel Flywheel Slicer (B2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1: Blade Wear | Blade replacement: £100–£200 | Wear on flywheel parts: £100 | High-grade steel blades last longer; no additional costs | Hand-sharpened flywheel blade lasts longer; no additional costs |
| New total: 250mm: £600; 350mm: £2,750 | New total: £4,600 | New total: XS25: £1,100; Domina: £2,869 | New total: £5,499 | |
| Year 2: Downtime & Repairs | Belt repair: £150 Lost revenue from downtime: £500 |
Extra maintenance: £300 | Reliable performance; no unexpected costs | No breakdowns or repair costs |
| New total: 250mm: £1,300; 350mm: £3,400 | New total: £4,900 | New total: XS25: £1,100; Domina: £2,869 | New total: £5,499 | |
| Year 3: Motor & Gears | Motor issues: £300–£500 | Flywheel gear repairs: £300 | Durable motor & gears require no repairs | No mechanical issues |
| New total: 250mm: £1,700; 350mm: £3,800 | New total: £5,200 | New total: XS25: £1,100; Domina: £2,869 | New total: £5,499 | |
| Year 4: Frame Wear | Frame repairs: £200 | Maintenance on frame & finish: £400 | Well-maintained structure; no additional costs | No extra costs |
| New total: 250mm: £1,900; 350mm: £4,000 | New total: £5,600 | New total: XS25: £1,100; Domina: £2,869 | New total: £5,499 | |
| Year 5: Final Costs & Resale | 250mm slicer fails, requiring full replacement: £500 | Flywheel still operational, resale value: £1,000 | Berkel retains resale value: £600–£1,500 | Resale value: £4,000 |
| Final net cost: 250mm: £2,400; 350mm: £4,500 | Final net cost: £5,600 | Final net cost: XS25: £500; Domina: £1,369 | Final net cost: £1,499 |
In all areas, we found that Berkel’s price tag is offset by lower maintenance and better longevity.
Case Study: A London Deli’s Transition
A well-known London deli initially purchased a £2,600 meat slicer. However, they faced two breakdowns in just 12 months, which cost the business £600 in repairs and £1,000 in lost sales.
Frustrated, they switched to a Berkel Domina 350 from SMS Food Equipment. Three years on from making the change, they have experienced:
- Zero breakdowns
- £2,000+ saved in repairs and downtime
- Readily available spare parts
Why Berkel Slicers Stand Out
In 2023, Berkel celebrated their 125 year anniversary. The company’s commitment to performance, safety and reliability all play an important role in keeping them as the go-to brand for professional chefs, supermarkets and delis around the world.
Italian Engineering
Built in Italy and combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, Berkel slicers are renowned for their quality. The company precision engineers parts such as blades and gears to help you to produce perfectly uniform slices of meat. This level of consistency not only enhances the food’s presentation, but also reduces waste and enables businesses to accurately cost products.
Safety
While cheaper models may cut corners, Berkel’s blade guards, non-slip handles and automatic shut-off functions meet the highest professional health and safety standards. Each model is ergonomically designed to minimise stresses and strains on the operator—meaning fewer workplace injuries and more productive staff.
In food-related environments, cross-contamination is a constant threat. Berkel has thought about every detail to allow for easy cleaning, from single-mould casting, which eliminates unnecessary gaps, to the position of different parts, to make every area accessible for wiping down.
SMS Food Equipment Support
However well-built they are, blades, gears and other moving parts will eventually show signs of wear. In order to maintain the integrity and quality of the product, these need to be properly serviced or replaced with genuine Berkel parts.
You don’t want to be waiting long to get the machine back up and running at full capacity, so, as the brand’s exclusive UK distributor, SMS Food Equipment is best placed to provide ongoing support and service options. We also offer direct access to authentic parts, so you know you’re not compromising when something goes wrong.
Resale Value and Longevity
Berkel’s longevity as a brand is matched by that of its products; some slicers are still in use 100 years on. Because they’re so durable, their resale value remains high, even after years in a commercial setting, making them a low-risk investment for buyers.
Budget Slicers: Too Good to be True?
In contrast to Berkel slicers, mass-produced alternatives tend to be less well suited to the rigours of professional kitchen use.
Performance Trade-Offs
Budget slicers rarely match the precision or consistency of a Berkel. The consequences—uneven slices, more food waste, and a less professional presentation—can negatively affect your product quality and customer perception. Over time, that’s lost revenue and brand damage you can’t afford.
Initial Cost vs. Long-Term Expense
Low sticker prices are tempting but can also be misleading. Budget slicers are typically built with lower quality materials that can wear down quickly, especially in commercial environments. Within a year or two, you're likely looking at replacements, either for individual components or the whole machine.
Maintenance and Downtime
Lower-end slicers often require more frequent maintenance than Berkels. Blades dull faster, motors overheat, and gears can slip under heavy use. And because many of these machines aren’t designed with serviceability in mind, cleaning and disassembling them can be a frustrating, time-consuming task. That adds up to more labour hours and a greater risk of contamination from food buildup.
Worse still, when something breaks, sourcing replacement parts for a no-name or imported model can be nearly impossible. You could be left with a paperweight for days or even weeks while waiting for a part—or end up having to buy an entirely new unit.
The Bottom Line
A new slicer is more than simply a functional purchase: it has a direct impact on the quality and safety of the food you sell, which, in turn, affects your profits. In that context, it’s critical to consider the lifetime costs of the machine to your business, rather than assuming you’re only spending out on a one-time fee.
Budget slicers, unfortunately, aren’t the bargain they first appear. In reality, they can lead to a succession of hidden costs, hassle and time wasted in repairs. On the other hand, you may not be able to pick up a Berkel slicer quite so cheaply, but you can be sure you’re getting a product that will stand the test of time. When compared side by side, there’s surely only one sensible choice.
Ready for a slicer that delivers? Explore our Berkel range. Questions or support? We're your UK experts—get in touch today.