In short: the Westmark Rollschnitt is for people who want even slices of semi-hard cheese without getting out an electric slicer. What we take away: a roller and a stainless steel wire, a thickness that depends on the angle, German manufacturing and a 5-year warranty, but not dishwasher-safe.
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Quick facts on the Westmark Rollschnitt
| Feature | Westmark Rollschnitt 71002270 |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual roller cheese slicer with a cutting wire |
| Use | Soft and semi-hard cheeses, such as gouda or Emmental, according to Westmark |
| Material | Aluminum handle, stainless steel cutting wire |
| Cutting thickness | Varies with the tilt angle, no figure given by the manufacturer |
| Dimensions | 139 x 109 x 10 mm (Westmark) |
| Spare wire | No replacement wire offered on the Westmark website |
| Cleaning | Hand wash; not dishwasher-safe (Westmark) |
| Warranty | 5 years (Westmark) |
| Made in | Germany (Westmark) |
What we make of it
On paper, the Rollschnitt is the simplest tool in the world, and that is its strength. You set the roller on the block of cheese, pull toward you, and the stainless steel wire stretched just behind detaches a slice. The more you tilt the tool, the thicker the slice: no dial, no screw, just your wrist. Westmark announces manufacturing in Germany and a 5-year warranty, which is not that common for a small utensil. The wire doesn’t stick the way a blade does, which makes it an ally for slightly fatty cheeses that cling to the knife.
For raclette, though, let’s keep our feet on the ground. One review quoted by the retailer finds the cut too thin to fill a raclette pan, and that makes sense: the tool is designed for the slice of gouda at breakfast, not the thick slice of raw-milk raclette. You will have to play with the angle, or go over it twice. And the aluminum isn’t dishwasher-safe, according to Westmark: a rinse in hot water right after use, before the cheese dries on the wire, will save you from playing dentist with a toothbrush.
On video
Westmark shows its Rollschnitt in action in two official videos, one from the German parent company, the other from its British subsidiary.
Video: westmark® on YouTube. Official video from the brand, shown on the product page.
Video: Westmark UK on YouTube. Official demonstration from the British subsidiary.
Strengths
- Made in Germany, 5-year warranty announced
- Thickness adjustable with a simple flick of the wrist
- Stainless steel wire that sticks less than a blade
- Compact: 14 cm long, it fits in a drawer
Things to consider
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Rather thin slices for a raclette pan, according to one review
- Not suited to very hard cheeses like Parmesan
- Spare wire not mentioned by the manufacturer
Who is it for?
For those who buy their raclette cheese in a block and prefer to slice it themselves, as long as they like thin slices, and for families who eat gouda or Emmental every day. Who it isn’t for: those who want thick raclette slices in bulk for ten people will save time with a good knife or a slicer, and those who refuse to wash anything by hand will pass.
Alternatives
- BOSKA Monaco+ No. 2 : a 26.5 cm stainless steel cheese harp, designed for soft cheeses.
- Louis Tellier N3503 : a 17 cm harp from the French kitchen utensil maker.
- Lacor cheese harp 210 mm : a classic metal harp, for cheeses to be cut into portions.
To compare harps, wires and other cutting tools, read our selection of raclette accessories.
Our recipes to make with it
- Traditional raclette, to slice block cheese just before sitting down to eat.
- Morbier raclette cones, where thin, even slices roll up more easily.
- The raclette crêpe, which calls for exactly a thin slice that melts quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Westmark Rollschnitt dishwasher-safe?
No. Westmark states that the Rollschnitt is not dishwasher-safe and recommends hand washing, which is easy according to the manufacturer.
Can you cut raclette cheese with the Rollschnitt?
Yes for semi-hard cheeses, but the slices are rather thin: one customer review finds them too thin for raclette. Tilt the tool more to thicken the slice.
Where is the Westmark Rollschnitt made and what is its warranty?
According to the manufacturer’s sheet, it is made in Germany and has a 5-year warranty.
