I use this for spiraling zucchini and summer squash and it works extremely well for this - have not attempted carrots yet. I find it a challenge to change the blade setting - it feels like I'm going to snap the small knob off. The setting I have it on is fine for what I use it for so I'm ok with this. I like that the leg folds in for more compact storage. For the money spent this product is worth it. Easy to use.

Best thing I bought for the kitchen in a long time

This spiralizer is so easy to work with... much easier than the less costly variety that I purchased a couple of years ago. Even easier to clean and store. Absolutely LOVE IT!

Doesnt work very well

I purchased this based on other reviews and the fact that it had the hand grip. My current spiralizer does not stay suction cupped to my countertop. The first thing I tried was a carrot, something that others apparently have not done. I could not get anything but mush and that was from the end with the plastic prongs which could not be secured in the carrot. It just spun around on the prongs and did not spiralize on the blade end at all. It is going back.

Ease of handling, safe to use, it works!

I bought this recently. I washed in soapy water, dried it and used it right away. I was blown away by the ease of using this device. I just looked at the pics for directions and within minutes I had spiralized 2 zucchini, 2 vidalia onions, 3 yellow squash and 2 yellow gold potatoes. I put them in zip lock bags to freeze to use at another time. It was magic!!!

Everything you need

I'm sick of skinning my knuckles, wrecking my wrists and wasting perfectly good ends of carrots and zucchini with hand-held spiralisers. Besides, I also like to spiralise large things like beetroot, rutabaga and sweet potatoes. This is a great piece of kitchen gear that can even handle large pieces of pumpkin: easy to use, produces a consistently professional result, a snap to clean and it even stores away easily. At %59 it's an absolute bargain.

My first spiralizer -- pretty good choice

So far I've only used this on zucchini. It took me a couple of tries to figure out how to get it to work, but I was able to successfully make zoodles.I loved the fact that it is one piece, easy to set up, and easy to clean. No worrying about where to store blades. I like the fact that I use my hand to stabilize as well -- the suction cups sounded like a pain to deal with on other models. When I was thinking about getting a sprializer, I didn't want it to be too clunky or complicated, because that means I would not use it as often. This is so easy to whip out and use, I can see myself spiralizing everything.One major thing to note is that if your food will not stick on the plastic prong end, there's no way spiralizing will work. I'm wondering what that means when ... MoreSo far I've only used this on zucchini. It took me a couple of tries to figure out how to get it to work, but I was able to successfully make zoodles.I loved the fact that it is one piece, easy to set up, and easy to clean. No worrying about where to store blades. I like the fact that I use my hand to stabilize as well -- the suction cups sounded like a pain to deal with on other models. When I was thinking about getting a sprializer, I didn't want it to be too clunky or complicated, because that means I would not use it as often. This is so easy to whip out and use, I can see myself spiralizing everything.One major thing to note is that if your food will not stick on the plastic prong end, there's no way spiralizing will work. I'm wondering what that means when you try to do a harder veggie like sweet potato, where the prongs may not dig in as well. I can see how the person with the carrot had trouble.Another issue is waste. The middle of the veggie isn't the problem -- all that's left of that is a long noodle that blends in -- it's the end near the plastic prong/crank. I was left with a one inch disk from every piece of zucchini I spiralized. The prongs are designed not to go too close to the blade so they don't get cut, but that means that the last piece of zucchini embedded in it doesn't get cut as well. I julienned those disks and threw them in with the zoodles, but still -- I wish it would have cut closer to the ends.If they ever decide to update their design, they definitely need metal/sharper prongs on the crank end that really grip on. I am also a little worried about what will happen if the blades ever dull, since it is all one piece. Those are my only complaints.

Omg I loooveee it

This is my best gadget find in my entire kitchen collection. Literally my favourite of my many many appliances/gadgets. The thinnest noodle setting is amazing for zucchini and when you cook it El Dante, it is amazing. Even my husband likes it which is impressive. There is no waste because I save all the zucchini ends and put them in a Ziploc in the freezer and then make soup with it. If you don't want to make soup then you should know that there is less waste then if using some other zucchini pasta makers but you should try making zucchini soup with caramelized onions it is delicious. It works fine with carrots and cucumber. It is not hard at all to clean (I did commandeer a toothbrush for cleaning it which made the part that holds the vegetable on easier to clean). ... MoreThis is my best gadget find in my entire kitchen collection. Literally my favourite of my many many appliances/gadgets. The thinnest noodle setting is amazing for zucchini and when you cook it El Dante, it is amazing. Even my husband likes it which is impressive. There is no waste because I save all the zucchini ends and put them in a Ziploc in the freezer and then make soup with it. If you don't want to make soup then you should know that there is less waste then if using some other zucchini pasta makers but you should try making zucchini soup with caramelized onions it is delicious. It works fine with carrots and cucumber. It is not hard at all to clean (I did commandeer a toothbrush for cleaning it which made the part that holds the vegetable on easier to clean). if you're on a high vegetable low-carb diet like me zucchini is a key ingredient. I use it as my noodle substitute while everybody else eats pasta but now everybody else wants my zucchini noodles instead too. It is much faster to use this. I used to have one of the $10 handheld ones which was great when it was just me eating it and before I was totally obsessed with cooking with zucchini. It didn't make the noodles as fine and took longer to make them.

Robust

When I decided I wanted to buy a spiralizer I read reviews and watched videos of the various machines in use. Looking at videos I was surprised by how wobbly most of the spiralizers were, all except this one. Some spiralizers have a suction base but my experience with other kitchen equipment has shown that even the best suction only works well on very smooth surfaces, limiting where the machine can be used. The PL8 uses a hand grip to steady the base while the machine is in use. I have limited strength in my hands but do not find it difficult to steady this spiralizer or turn the handle. The machine has no difficulty smoothly and quickly cutting the hardest vegetables, such as beetroot/beets. I wish it also included a blade to create a flat noodle shape, but that is ... MoreWhen I decided I wanted to buy a spiralizer I read reviews and watched videos of the various machines in use. Looking at videos I was surprised by how wobbly most of the spiralizers were, all except this one. Some spiralizers have a suction base but my experience with other kitchen equipment has shown that even the best suction only works well on very smooth surfaces, limiting where the machine can be used. The PL8 uses a hand grip to steady the base while the machine is in use. I have limited strength in my hands but do not find it difficult to steady this spiralizer or turn the handle. The machine has no difficulty smoothly and quickly cutting the hardest vegetables, such as beetroot/beets. I wish it also included a blade to create a flat noodle shape, but that is my only reservation. Good design and very well built. Great little workhorse.

So far, I love it!

I bought this today after doing some online research as well as comparing different spiralizers in the store. I chose this one because it seemed sturdier than the others - they were all plastic except for the blades, while this one had some metal to it. I used it tonight, and it worked like a charm. It was so easy that I wished I had more zucchini to turn into noodles! Cleaning it afterward was a snap, and with the folding leg folded under, it's small enough to store pretty much anywhere. Last summer, I saw a friend's spiralizer, and it was a large item that was much more complicated to assemble, disassemble, and clean. This is barely more complicated than a knife. Looking forward to seeing how it works with other veggies!

best ever

I highly recommend this product over all of the multi piece units; It far surpasses them. 5 stars for sure I would give it more, . The PL8 is all one unit no need to take things apart. It is strong and durable. The middle core waste is really nil since it is the size of the spaghetti and can easily just be thrown right in with it. The handle has a rubber grip so it has a nice feel and ease to it. The whole thing is well made and thought out. The blades are attached just turn a knob and you are changed (there is a you tube video it you want to see it in action.) Super easy clean up too. I just used a dish brush and soap wellha done air dry. The tilt on the unit makes it all that much better the pasta just spits right out on the plate.