Berkel Online Shop

The history of Berkel began in Rotterdam in 1898, thanks to the insight of Dutch butcher Wilhelmus Adrianus Van Berkel. The inventor developed a machine capable of mechanically reproducing the movement of the hand when cutting with a knife. This led to the creation of the brand’s first meat slicer, based on a concave blade and a continuously moving carriage.

The first factory opened in Rotterdam on 12 October of the same year. By 1899, Van Berkel’s Patent Company had already manufactured and shipped 84 meat slicers. After the patent was obtained, the business expanded to other European countries, the United States, South America and Canada. The range gradually grew to include scales, meat mincers, coffee grinders and bread slicers.

The brand’s Italian history began in Milan in 1924. Over time, Berkel complemented its celebrated flywheel slicers with electric models for domestic and professional settings. Production also expanded to food-processing equipment, vacuum sealers and kitchen utensils.

After the severe damage suffered during the Second World War, the brand returned to growth during the Italian economic boom. Today, Van Berkel International operates across numerous international markets and retains its product design, marketing and development activities in Italy, along with part of its production.

The brand’s distinctive character stems from the combination of cutting precision, meticulous construction and recognisable design. Berkel meat slicers are designed to produce even slices of cured meats, cooked meats and other compatible foods. Its vacuum sealers complete the preparation process by packaging portions after slicing. This continuity between processing and preservation makes the range suitable for domestic kitchens, restaurants and food businesses, depending on the chosen configuration.

The AgriEuro catalogue includes Berkel products designed for precise food slicing and packaging. The selection features solutions for domestic kitchens, brand enthusiasts and professional environments, with the equipment and specifications of each individual model always available for comparison.

The available product types are described in the following sections:

• Berkel meat slicers: these include electric and flywheel models designed to produce even slices of cured meats, cooked meats, compatible cheeses and other foods. The thickness adjustment allows each slice to be adapted to the required preparation and presentation;
• Berkel vacuum sealers: they extract air from compatible bags and complete the cycle by sealing the package. They are suitable for portioning food, organising supplies and preparing packages for refrigerators, freezers or low-temperature cooking, when permitted by the materials and model;

Berkel meat slicers combine mechanical precision and thickness control to prepare even slices. The range includes domestic and professional solutions, available with electric or flywheel operation and suitable for different workloads and available spaces.

At AgriEuro, meat slicers can be selected according to their technical specifications, making it easier to identify the model best suited to individual requirements. Blade diameter, power supply, carriage travel and cutting adjustment affect the types of food that can be processed and operating convenience.

• Thickness precision: the adjustment system allows the slice to be set according to the required result. Correct adjustment promotes consistent serving and reduces uneven portions;
• Electric and flywheel configurations: electric models use a motor to rotate the blade; flywheel models reflect the brand’s historic mechanical movement. The choice depends on slicing frequency, available space and the preferred type of operation;
• Cleaning and maintenance: removable components and accessible spaces facilitate residue removal when following the instructions in the manual. Cleaning, drying and periodically lubricating the guides help preserve smooth movement and precision;

Berkel vacuum sealers package food in compatible bags after extracting the air. They are useful for dividing freshly sliced cured meats, meat, cheese and other preparations into portions, subject to the correct hygiene and storage conditions.

At AgriEuro, vacuum sealers can be selected according to their technical specifications, making it easier to choose the product best suited to individual requirements. Pump flow rate, sealing bar length, programmes and adjustments help assess operating frequency, package size and food delicacy.

• Air extraction and sealing: the cycle removes air from the bag and closes the package with the sealing bar. The result also depends on correct positioning of the opening and material compatibility;
• Programmes for different foods: available configurations may include settings for dry, moist or delicate foods. The model specifications should be consulted to check the available functions, speeds and accessories;
• Bags, rolls and containers: rolls allow packages to be cut to the required length; pre-cut bags reduce preparation steps. Certain models also support dedicated containers through the intended accessories;

Purchasing a Berkel product from AgriEuro provides access to services covering product selection, delivery and the stages following the order. Its logistics organisation and technical support provide clear points of reference for food-processing equipment.

• Fast and free delivery: products that meet the applicable conditions are shipped directly from AgriEuro logistics centres to eligible destinations. This centralised structure enables careful monitoring of order preparation and delivery information;
• Spare parts always available: after purchase, the customer account activates the spare parts diagram associated with the product, where available. The system makes it easier to identify and order the compatible component accurately, reducing selection errors;
• Careful and personalised after-sales support: the AgriEuro service assists customers with technical requests after delivery. When work is required, the product can be collected and sent to the Central Workshop or one of the AgriEuro Service Centres;

Explore the Berkel catalogue available at AgriEuro and compare solutions for slicing and packaging. Purchase the model best suited to the intended activities online and access the dedicated AgriEuro services.

Berkel domestic meat slicers can cut cured meats, chilled cooked meat, fruit, vegetables, bread and compatible fish products. Frozen foods should not be processed, as they could damage the blade. Bread and soft foods should be sliced slowly without compressing the product.

In an electric meat slicer, the blade rotates by means of a motor; in a flywheel model, movement is generated by manually turning the flywheel. Both configurations allow the thickness to be adjusted, but their overall dimensions, operating pace and working method differ. The choice should take account of slicing frequency, available space and the preference for electric or mechanical operation.

The blade diameter should be selected according to the size and type of food being sliced. Carriage capacity, carriage travel and product dimensions also affect compatibility. Before purchasing, it is advisable to compare the model specifications with the cured meats, cheeses or other preparations processed most frequently.

Before cleaning, unplug the machine, move the blade adjustment to the closed position and remove the components specified in the manual. Surfaces should be cleaned with a soft cloth, lukewarm water and a compatible neutral detergent. Removable components must be washed and dried separately; the blade guard, slice deflector and carriage should not be placed in a dishwasher.

Lubrication is required when the carriage encounters unusual resistance while moving. Berkel recommends acid-free synthetic oils, such as petroleum jelly oil, and excludes vegetable oils. The application points differ between Home Line, Red Line and flywheel models, so the specific manual should always be followed.

Uneven slices may be caused by an unstable machine, excessively fast carriage movement or a damaged blade edge. The meat slicer must stand on a level surface, and the carriage should be moved slowly when processing hard or mature foods. If cutting remains inaccurate, the blade should be sharpened according to the procedure in the model manual.

A Berkel vacuum sealer extracts air from compatible bags and closes the package with a seal. It can be used to portion food, organise supplies and prepare packages for refrigerators or freezers. Vacuum packaging does not replace hygiene, correct temperatures or compliance with the storage times specified for each food.

Moist or delicate foods can be packaged when the model includes suitable programmes and settings. A lower speed limits the compression of fragile foods; a setting for moist foods adapts the extraction and sealing cycle. Functions and limitations must be checked in the specifications and manual of the individual machine.

Liquids and very soft foods require specific precautions to prevent them from being drawn towards the pump. Where instructed, they can be chilled or partially frozen before packaging. Alternatively, compatible containers and accessories should be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s filling levels and procedures.

Pre-cut bags are ready for filling; rolls allow the package length to be adapted to the food. Berkel recommends leaving at least 8 cm beyond the food, plus a further 2 cm for each subsequent opening and resealing operation. The size and material must be compatible with the machine and the intended purpose, such as refrigeration, freezing or cooking.