Black & Decker Lean Green Prep Machine

A compact slicer-shredder that earns its keep

On a busy weeknight, I reach for the SL1050 to crank through prep faster than a knife and cutting board ever could. It’s a compact, corded countertop helper that slices, shreds, and turns frozen fruit into soft‑serve‑style desserts, all while dropping the results straight into whatever bowl or pan you’re using. It’s not a full food processor—there’s no chopping bowl or S‑blade—but as a dedicated slicer/shredder with a frozen dessert trick up its sleeve, it’s surprisingly capable for its size.

Setup and build

Out of the box, the SL1050 is simple: a base with a 550 W motor, a wide‑mouth feed chute with a food pusher, four stainless steel disks (coarse shred, fine shred, thick slice, thin slice), and a frozen‑dessert auger. The removable parts are top‑rack dishwasher‑safe, and swapping attachments is straightforward. The folding handle makes it easier to lift and store on a shelf, and at 4.5 lb with a slim footprint, it doesn’t hog counter space.

Build quality feels better than I expected at this price tier. The disks lock in without wobble, the chute tolerances are tight enough to prevent stray shavings from escaping, and the auger seats positively. The exterior is mostly plastic; the blades are stainless. I wouldn’t call it premium, but it’s not flimsy either. After a few weeks of steady use, there’s no creaking or obvious wear.

Slicing performance

The two slicing disks are the reason I keep the SL1050 within reach. The thin slice handled cucumbers, onions, and mushrooms with uniformity good enough for salads and gratins. The thick slice is a nice match for potatoes and zucchini where you want body without bulk. With firm produce like carrots and apples, the slices stayed consistent as long as I fed with steady pressure.

A few observations:
- Feed shape matters. The wide chute accepts larger pieces, but orienting produce flat against the disk gives the most uniform results.
- End pieces don’t fully process. Like most disk slicers, the last nub tends to ride along with the pusher. Plan on a small leftover piece to dice by hand.
- Sweet potatoes and beets are doable. The 550 W motor kept pace, though I used slower, even pressure and avoided forcing dense items.

If you need paper‑thin tomatoes for a carpaccio, this isn’t a deli slicer, but for home cooking it hits the thickness sweet spots.

Shredding performance

Between the coarse and fine shred disks, the SL1050 covers most daily tasks. Coarse is great for slaws, hash browns, and pizza cheese; fine shines with carrots for baking and toppings.

• Cheese: For semi‑hard cheeses (cheddar, Monterey Jack), results were fluffy and even. Softer mozzarella benefitted from a 20–30 minute chill in the freezer to avoid smearing. I didn’t encounter motor strain when shredding a standard 8‑ounce block.
• Vegetables: Cabbage, carrots, and Brussels sprouts shred quickly and consistently. With watery items (zucchini), the output isn’t watery per se, but it’s wise to salt and drain if you’re making fritters.
• Chocolate and nuts: Not what I’d use it for. Without a dedicated grinding/chopping attachment, a food processor or box grater is better for those.

Overall, the disks track well and don’t chatter. For the size and power, throughput is excellent.

Frozen dessert attachment

This auger is the fun part. Feed in frozen fruit—or frozen fruit mixed with a little yogurt—and you get a soft‑serve texture that scratches the ice cream itch without the added sugar or dairy (unless you add the yogurt).

My best results:
- Base: Frozen bananas as a foundation give you body and sweetness.
- Add‑ins: Frozen strawberries, mango, or blueberries work well. Alternating banana and other fruit helps the auger grab and blend.
- Texture control: Let fruit sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before processing. Rock‑hard fruit strains the motor and yields a crumbly texture; slightly tempered fruit turns into a smooth ribbon.
- Dairy: A spoonful of Greek yogurt adds tang and silk; avoid thin liquids, which can drip where they don’t belong since there’s no integrated bowl.

The output is more “soft serve” than “sorbet scoop,” and that’s exactly what this attachment is meant to do. Cleanup takes a bit longer than the slicing disks because fruit fibers can cling to the auger threads, but a rinse right after use keeps it easy.

Ease of use and cleaning

The SL1050 is deliberately simple. There aren’t multiple speeds to fuss over—just assemble, choose the disk, and go. The wide feed chute cuts down on pre‑prep; I often halve onions or quarter apples and feed them as is. The included food pusher keeps fingers safe and maintains downward pressure, which improves consistency.

Processing directly into a bowl is a thoughtful touch. I set a large mixing bowl or skillet under the chute and go straight from prep to cook. One caveat: use a bowl wide enough to catch enthusiastic shreds. With tall, narrow bowls, light items can overshoot. A shallow, wide bowl has been foolproof.

Cleaning is painless. Disks and the auger/lid assembly go on the top rack of the dishwasher, and the base wipes clean with a damp cloth. For handwashing, a quick rinse immediately after use prevents dried‑on bits, especially after starchy veggies or fruit. The stainless disks haven’t stained, though carrots can tint the plastic; a baking‑soda paste removes the tint if it bothers you.

Noise, stability, and ergonomics

Noise is noticeable but not obnoxious—typical for a mid‑power prep machine. The base stayed planted on my laminate counter without walking during heavier pushes. The folding handle is handy for moving it on and off a shelf. Controls are obvious, and the attachments have clear orientation markings, so you’re not guessing mid‑assembly.

What it is—and isn’t

It’s important to set expectations. The SL1050 is a slicer/shredder with a frozen dessert attachment. It does not replace a full food processor:
- There’s no chopping bowl or S‑blade for mincing herbs, making pesto, or pureeing soups.
- There’s no integrated storage for the disks in the box I tested, so you’ll want a safe spot for the blades.

If your primary need is chopping and dough mixing, look elsewhere. If you mostly slice, shred, and want an easy fruit‑soft‑serve maker, this is squarely in its lane.

Tips for best results

• Chill soft cheeses 20–30 minutes before shredding to avoid smearing.
• For uniform slices, keep produce flat against the disk and apply steady, gentle pressure.
• Temper frozen fruit briefly before using the auger; alternate bananas with other fruits.
• Use a wide bowl or pan under the chute to catch output neatly.
• Rinse parts immediately after starchy or sugary foods to simplify cleaning.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Compact footprint with a folding handle; easy to store
- Four useful stainless disks cover everyday slicing and shredding
- Frozen dessert attachment produces smooth, soft‑serve‑style treats
- Processes directly into your own bowl or pan
- Removable parts are top‑rack dishwasher‑safe
- Adequate power for firm produce without bogging down

Cons
- Not a full food processor; no chopping/puree capability
- Small end pieces remain unprocessed, as with most disk systems
- No included storage case for disks
- Light items can overshoot narrow bowls; use a wider catcher
- Auger requires a touch more cleaning attention than flat disks

Who it’s for

Home cooks who batch‑prep vegetables, shred cheese weekly, and like the idea of quick fruit soft‑serve will get the most from the SL1050. Small kitchens benefit from its compact size, and anyone who prefers processing directly into a working vessel will appreciate the no‑bowl design. If you already own a heavy, full‑size processor but hate hauling it out just to shred a block of cheese, this is a practical, grab‑and‑go alternative.

Recommendation

I recommend the SL1050 for cooks who prioritize slicing and shredding efficiency in a compact package and would use the frozen dessert attachment at least occasionally. It’s easy to live with, cleans up without drama, and punches above its size on the tasks it’s designed to do. If you’re shopping for a do‑everything food processor with chopping and puree functions, this isn’t it. But as a focused prep machine that streamlines everyday cooking—and gives you a credible banana “nice cream” for dessert—it’s a solid, reliable pick.