. Thin slicer thinly slices vegetables for cole slaw, potato chips, sauerkraut, etc. Thick slicer thickly slices firm foods such as vegetables to be steamed, fried, scalloped. Fine shredder finely shreds hard/crisp vegetables and/or cheese, dry bread. Coarse shredder coarsely shreds carrots, celery, onions, nuts, chocolate. Slicer/shredder is powered by the mixer, leaving your hands free to work with food.