Berkel Volano B2 Flywheel Manual Slicer

The Volano B2 is the smallest flywheel slicer in Berkel's current range. Its 265mm 100Cr6 blade and gauge-plate mechanism are shared with the rest of the Volano family, and the machine is compact enough to sit on a worktop, with the flywheel clearing just 33mm below the surface so the drawers below stay fully accessible. The B3 and Tribute step up to 300mm blades and more presence on the counter; the B2 is the way into the Volano range for anyone slicing on a worktop. A matching floor stand is available separately.

Blade and slicing performance

The 265mm blade is made from 100Cr6 chrome steel, the same bearing-grade alloy used in professional slicers, with a concave profile that reduces resistance through the cut. It produces clean, consistent slices from 0.15mm up to 1.35mm, with eight indexed positions on the gauge plate knob so you can return to a favourite thickness every time. A built-in two-stage sharpener is included.

• 265mm 100Cr6 chromed steel blade with professional concave profile
• Slice thickness: 0.15mm to 1.35mm across 8 positions
• Circular cutting capacity: 176mm diameter
• Rectangular cutting capacity: 190 x 165mm
• Minimal residual product, so very little is wasted on the final slice
• Built-in sharpener with two independent sharpening movements

Compact dimensions, full-size blade

The B2 is the most compact slicer in Berkel's modern Volano range. Its flywheel protrudes only 33mm below the work surface, which Berkel states is the lowest clearance of any flywheel slicer on the market, so it can sit on a worktop and still leave the drawers beneath it fully usable. The cast aluminium alloy body keeps it rigid while staying light enough to lift into place.

• Machine dimensions: 460mm wide x 530mm deep x 675mm tall
• Net weight: 37.4kg
• Flywheel clearance below worktop: 33mm
• Aluminium alloy cast body with ABS Inox rubber feet
• Available in red or black

Food plate and product handling

The stainless steel food plate detaches fully for cleaning, with a rubber underside insert that holds it steady during slicing. An assisted product press holder with steel spikes keeps the food locked against the plate throughout the cut. The plate uses a quick-advance and return mechanism combined with a millimetric adjustment knob for fine product positioning.

• Detachable stainless steel food plate with rubber base insert
• Assisted aluminium product press holder with steel spikes
• Quick-advance and return plate mechanism
• Manual millimetric positioning knob

Construction and finish

The B2 carries the same design language as Berkel's larger Volano machines: the classic tower body, chromed steel mechanical detailing, and gold decorative paintwork on the varnished panels. The flywheel uses a squared internal profile and is internally balanced so it stays put when the machine is at rest. It drives the blade through a chain transmission, the same robust system used across the larger Volano range.

• Chain-driven transmission, as used across the Volano range
• Internally balanced flywheel with squared profile
• Gold decorative detailing on varnished parts
• Chromed steel mechanical details throughout
• Classic Berkel tower body design

Slice deflector and receiving plate

The steel deflector attaches via magnetic coupling and lifts off without tools for cleaning behind the blade. The stainless steel receiving plate is removable and easily washed. A rear collection area gathers waste trimmings so they stay off the worktop.

• Steel deflector with magnetic attachment coupling
• Removable stainless steel receiving plate
• Rear waste collection area
• Quick-release deflector block for blade-area cleaning

Safety

A full stainless steel blade ring guard covers the front of the blade, opening manually when in use. A fixed food-grade aluminium ring guard sits at the rear. The operating controls are black anodised aluminium, positioned to keep the operator's hand clear of the cutting edge during normal use.

• Full stainless steel front blade ring guard with manual open/close
• Fixed food-grade aluminium rear blade ring guard
• Black anodised aluminium ergonomic controls

Stand sold separately

The B2 slices happily on any flat surface, and Berkel's matching Volano floor stand is available separately when you want it at standing height, a cylindrical cast column finished with matching gold decorations, 45 x 45 x 82cm, 41kg.

What's in the box

Every Volano B2 ships with a Berkel #berkelcare cleaning kit, which includes a spray sanitiser and cloth designed for use on Berkel's chromed and varnished surfaces. A QR code links to Berkel's cleaning tutorial.

Browse Berkel slicers

See the full Berkel flywheel slicer range or the Berkel electric slicers collection. Berkel slicer accessories, including cutting boards, are available separately.

Why choose a flywheel slicer over an electric one?

Hand-powered slicing gives you direct control over speed and pressure, which matters when you're cutting bresaola or coppa at 0.2mm. The flywheel mechanism is beautifully simple, with fewer parts than a motor, easy to maintain and built to last decades. Vintage Berkel flywheels from the early 1900s are still slicing today, and the B2 brings that same engineering to your kitchen with current safety standards and a live parts supply.

Can I use the B2 on a worktop with drawers underneath?

Yes. The flywheel sits just 33mm below the worktop surface, which Berkel states is the lowest clearance of any flywheel slicer on the market, so it clears the drawers below and settles neatly into a fitted kitchen.

What can the B2 slice, and what does the 100Cr6 blade spec mean?

The B2 handles products up to 176mm in diameter or 190 x 165mm rectangular, which covers most whole cured meats, joints and large hard cheeses. The blade is 100Cr6 chrome steel, a high-carbon alloy used in precision cutting tools that takes a fine edge, holds it through repeated use, and resists corrosion from food contact.

Does the B2 come with a stand?

The B2 is ready to slice on any flat worktop straight out of the box. When you want to raise it to standing height and give it a permanent home, a matching Berkel Volano B2 floor stand is available separately.

How does the B2 compare with the larger Volano models?

The B2 shares the same 100Cr6 blade steel, gauge-plate precision and chain drive as the rest of the range, so you get full Berkel slicing quality in the most compact form. Choose it when you want a flywheel slicer that lives on the worktop, with the lowest flywheel clearance in the range. The larger B3, Tribute and B114 step up to bigger blades and cutting capacity when counter space is not a concern.

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