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Lighthearted: Can you peel around a carrot in less than 8 strokes using one of these?

67 replies

Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 14:14

In my constant quest for ergonomics in the house (more like doing the minimum), I've come up against a problem. No matter what size, it takes me between 9 and 13 strokes of this knife

Lighthearted: Can you peel around a carrot in less than 8 strokes using one of these?
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Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 14:15

Just to add, I use the "swipe away from you" method.

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Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 14:16

And no sexual innuendoes expected or implied!

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wowfudge · 23/09/2015 15:46

I'm amazed anyone has counted tbh. Why not get an electric peeler?

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SoupDragon · 23/09/2015 15:47

I use a Y shaped peeler which seems very efficient although I've never counted how many strokes it takes.

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Spidertracker · 23/09/2015 15:50

I also have a Y shaped peeler and having just peeled for dinner I can confirm it takes 5 -9 stroke s depending on carrot diameter

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MinesAPintOfTea · 23/09/2015 15:58

I'm pretty sure my Y shaped peeler takes about 8-11 strokes (although I like big carrots when choosing them in the shop). But more than that it works will with a single pull for the whole length of the carrot and is less tiring to use that the style of peeler in your pic.

Lighthearted: Can you peel around a carrot in less than 8 strokes using one of these?
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HoneyDragon · 23/09/2015 16:02

What size carrot?

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NotCitrus · 23/09/2015 16:11

Does yours have a swivel blade or fixed? Swivel is much better I find. I probably use about 8 strokes per average carrot.

Except when I'm lazy and just wash the carrots and chuck straight in!

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Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 17:52

Mine's a swivel blade with a normal knife that swaps out from the handle.

My point is that ANY size carrot takes 9 strokes. It must be 360 degrees divided by 9 = 40 degrees per stroke! Try it. I'm curious to see if it's one of those "great universal truths" discovered by MN, like the envelope vest thing which was news to me.

I'm obsessed with it because we eat so many of the darn things! I even worked in a pub where we bought them by the sackful. Guess what the newest recruit's job was...

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RedMapleLeaf · 23/09/2015 20:53

FEWER!

I am unconvinced that this is a universal truth. If the blade of the peeler is at least the length of the radius of the carrot (at its widest point) multiplied by root two then it is possible to peel in four strokes (picture the square cross-section).

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Lancelottie · 23/09/2015 20:58

My survey says:
8 strokes for your kind of peeler
7 strokes for the Y-peeler

This is now my guinea pigs' favourite thread.

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Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 21:39

Please take these comments lightheartedly Smile

maple I suppose that's okay if you're making crudités. Bwahahah!
lancelottie is the first on my spreadsheet. Keep'em coming!

I'll be here till 11pm taking notes.

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Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 21:43

I can see a few "square root" jokes bubbling to the surface!

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jonicomelately · 23/09/2015 21:45

I've been using this type of peeler (correct name is a Lancashire peeler) since I was young and I can definitely peel a carrot in fewer than eight strokes! Smile

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RedMapleLeaf · 23/09/2015 21:49

I realise that it's light-hearted Confused

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Sgtmajormummy · 23/09/2015 21:53

Or were you correcting my grammar? Confused

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Sgtmajormummy · 25/09/2015 19:40

Ahemmm, well...

I have to admit that I don't appreciate being SHOUTED AT in real life or online and if somebody is going to correct my grammar, I much prefer jonicomelately's style.
So, I apologise for my lapse in graciousness and humbly offer you the following results of my (and DD's) research this afternoon.

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Sgtmajormummy · 25/09/2015 19:54

"Can you peel around a carrot in fewer than 8 strokes using a swivel peeler?"

We took three carrots, one thick, one medium and one thin. Using the same knife I peeled each one using downward strokes, from the top then from the bottom.

Lighthearted: Can you peel around a carrot in less than 8 strokes using one of these?
Lighthearted: Can you peel around a carrot in less than 8 strokes using one of these?
Lighthearted: Can you peel around a carrot in less than 8 strokes using one of these?
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quietbatperson · 25/09/2015 19:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sgtmajormummy · 25/09/2015 20:01

In each case the number of strokes was similar (17 or 18).

Grin
Aren't you intrigued?
Does it make you doubt your ideas of "bigger carrot=more peeling"?
Are we on to something here?

Or are we blundering in the dark of flawed logic?

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quietbatperson · 25/09/2015 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PeaceOfWildThings · 25/09/2015 20:02

I top and tail and leave the (washed) peel on.

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Sgtmajormummy · 25/09/2015 20:03

I lift between strokes (time is not a factor here) but even watching Youtube videos of up/down peeling methods they're doing 9 or 10 strokes!

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StrapOnDodo · 25/09/2015 20:05

I just chop carrots, their skin tastes fine to me. I use a y peeler for potatoes but I only peel for mash as it looks nicer.

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StrapOnDodo · 25/09/2015 20:06

Ok, so I broke the rules by saying I don't peel carrots.

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