When it's time to add a commercial meat slicer to your food preparation processing setup, the choice often comes down to upfront cost versus long-term reliability. These two machines make that trade-off clear: one is a brand-new high-throughput unit, and the other is a used workhorse. You'll find their listed prices and specs in the table below.
Quick Verdict
For a restaurant or catering kitchen that wants to keep the initial outlay down, the Lijin QE-500 is the stronger value. For a deli or butcher shop that slices all day, the Hobart 2812's wide blade may justify the higher list price. The Hobart tends to shine in high-volume settings where operator safety and blade size carry more weight, while the Lijin makes sense when you want a lower cost per purchase and are willing to adapt to its blade specification. Match the unit to your daily volume and the right buy becomes clear.
At a Glance
| Product | Listed Price | Condition | Blade | Max Slice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart 2812 - Commercial Meat Deli Slicer 12" Blade W/ Sharpener Restaurant Unit | USD 2,099.99 | Used | 12 in | Up to 1 inch |
| Meat Cutting Machine 500KG/H Meat Slicer 0.1-0.8 in One Blade Heavy Duty QE-500 | USD 899.00 | New | Various Size | 0.1-0.8 in |
Where Each Product Wins
The Hobart 2812 wins on blade coverage and safety interlocks. Its wide blade is backed by a home-position start, automatic shutoff, and carriage locks. The Lijin QE-500 wins on price alone, with a stainless steel build that suits a busy prep station.
Product Notes
Hobart 2812
The Hobart 2812 is the unit to consider when your operation expects to slice meat and cheese continuously. Its 12-inch blade works with a precision thickness adjustment dial for slices up to 1 inch. The integrated Borazon stone sharpener and Microban antimicrobial protection on key components are welcome additions in a busy kitchen. The safety interlocks-home-position start, automatic shutoff, and gauge plate or carriage locks-give you more control during service. But this comes at a price: USD 2,099.99, and the unit is used. You're paying for a 12-inch blade, integrated sharpening, and a 1/2 hp motor with a US-origin build. If blade width and built-in sharpening are non-negotiable, this is the one to plan around.
Lijin QE-500
The Lijin QE-500 is the lower-priced option that still aims at commercial duty. It carries a heavy-duty rating, a 500 kg/hour throughput, and a slice range of 0.1 to 0.8 inches. It can cut beef, pork, lamb, and other meats efficiently, and the stainless steel construction fits standard kitchen cleaning routines. At USD 899.00 and new condition, this is a much lower entry cost than the Hobart. The main limitation is the blade: the specification is "Various Size," so you don't have a fixed measurement. For a growing restaurant or prep kitchen that wants a new machine without the higher price, the QE-500 is a compelling pick.
Final Choice by Use Case
If you run a high-volume deli or butcher shop where consistent slicing matters more than the initial invoice, the Hobart 2812 is the slicer to plan around. If you need a unit for a restaurant or smaller prep operation and want to keep your cash outlay lower, the Lijin QE-500 is the practical pick.
