20 ‘Useful’ Kitchen Devices That Are Just A Waste Of Cash

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We’ve all been there — whether or not it was an impulse purchase close to the register, an advert promising the last word reply to your meal prep woe, or an influencer raving over the brand new kitchen instrument that has single-handedly modified their life, novel kitchen devices could be a temptation too robust to withstand. In reality, in line with Business Research Insights, the kitchen instruments market was valued at greater than $31 billion globally in 2024.

Instead of multi-use merchandise that attempt to be the one kitchen instrument you may ever want, the business appears to take the alternative strategy, advertising a novel instrument as the best possible option to do one single kitchen activity. Not solely that, however there’s a drive to infuse instruments with technological advances which can be typically pointless, making many devices needlessly difficult. Before you already know it, you wind up with drawers crammed to the brim with devices you do not even use, and many who principally do the identical factor. While we’re all for progressive merchandise that actually make life simpler, a separate instrument for each activity is not price a cluttered kitchen. Save your cash and skip these 20 kitchen devices.

Read extra: 12 Vintage Kitchen Dishware Items You Should Always Look For At Thrift Stores

Microwave egg poacher

Microwave egg poachers are useful in principle, however unappetizing in follow. What is meant to supply scrumptious outcomes every time winds up yielding onerous, rubbery eggs far too typically, because of the difficult-to-predict microwave cooking time. Making poached eggs the old style manner (in a pot of boiling water) does take follow, however when you get the dangle of it, it is a fast and straightforward option to prepare dinner scrumptious, rubbery-free eggs with out having to dig out (and clear) an additional gadget.

Avocado slicer

This one belongs squarely within the single-use gadget class. You do not want a separate instrument only for avocados. Cutting, pitting, and slicing one is simply as straightforward with a knife and spoon: Cut the avocado in half across the pit, then rigorously use the knife to grip the pit simply sufficient to softly twist it out of the fruit. Then, scoop out the flesh from the outer pores and skin with a spoon and slice the fruit from there, if desired. Avocados are expensive to start with, so do not waste your cash (and drawer area) on a slicer.

Taco holder

Listen, for those who love your taco stand, we aren’t right here to speak you out of it. They merely aren’t essential in your month-to-month (or, let’s be sincere, weekly) taco evening. They could assist construct the right taco, however that minor comfort would not warrant the quantity of area they take up within the cupboard. If you wish to unlock some wasted cupboard area, use your taco stands to maintain your craft necessities organized as a substitute.

Onion holder

This instrument has a easy design — a deal with with a number of lengthy, metallic prongs hooked up to the opposite finish that maintain an onion in place whilst you lower it. While it will possibly assist guarantee even slices, somewhat follow will yield the identical consequence. Often, the onion holder winds up deserted at the back of the drawer. Plus, this instrument is not well worth the effort to scrub for a way little it helps with meal prep.

Onion goggles

While we’re on the subject of onions, here is one other onion-specific instrument to skip. In order for goggles to be efficient towards the sulfenic acid and onion enzymes launched by the onion when it is lower (which is what brings on the water works), they should have a really tight seal across the eye. Onion goggles obtain combined opinions at finest, and swimming goggles or security goggles may go simply as properly, if not higher. Alternatively, utilizing a small fan to waft the eye-watering fuel away from you may assist curb tears.

Pasta machine

If you’re a low-maintenance prepare dinner dreaming of a pasta machine, we applaud your optimism. But sadly, this shiny gadget simply winds up at the back of the cupboard as a rule. Making selfmade pasta is labor-intensive and solely warrants a gadget for those who make your personal all or more often than not. For most of us, pasta making is a one-off enterprise at finest, and you do not want a whole machine simply to flatten and lower the dough.

Hard floor slicing boards

Not all slicing boards are created equal, and sure surfaces will be further powerful on knives. Metal, stone, marble, or glass slicing boards would possibly look good, however they are going to uninteresting your blade very quickly. Instead, keep on with wooden and plastic chopping boards. They’ll defend your knives and so they’re typically cheaper than their knife-dulling counterparts. You additionally do not want an entire cupboard stuffed with slicing boards. Two is lots — one for uncooked meat and one for all the things else.

Bluetooth meat thermometer

For die-hard grill masters and cooks, a Bluetooth meat thermometer could also be well worth the value level (averaging between $40 and $100). But for many of us, a superb, old style (digital) thermometer will do the trick for below $15. Bluetooth thermometers can ship notifications to your cellphone when your brisket reaches simply the best temperature for barbecue perfection, which is useful — when it really works, that’s. Common complaints about connectivity points and longevity issues make us hesitant on whether or not one is well worth the funding, so we’re sticking with our old fashioned strategies for now.

Egg separator

Another one-trick pony losing area in your kitchen drawer is an egg separator. Instead, guarantee an ideal, yolk-free meringue by merely cracking an egg and transferring the yolk forwards and backwards between the shell halves till the white totally separates from the yolk (have a bowl or measuring cup able to catch the whites as you do that). If you are not afraid of getting somewhat messy, your fingers additionally make egg-celent egg separators. Just crack an egg on prime of your hand and let your fingers catch the yolk because the white drips down.

Pizza scissors

No, you do not want a particular set of scissors to chop your pizza. The oddly-shaped scissors are tougher and extra awkward to make use of than a pizza cutter wheel — which, by the way in which, is one single-use gadget that’s well worth the drawer area since it’s so straightforward to make use of. Between a pizza wheel and a superb pair of kitchen shears, you merely do not want pizza scissors cluttering your kitchen.

Electric can opener

This one deserves just a few caveats. First, electrical can openers are much more compact than they was once, so the clunky countertop devices of yesteryear are not essential, except they serve an accessibility want, after all. Electric can openers will be important when dexterity is an element. But in case you are trying to declutter your counter tops, shedding the large, upright electrical can opener is a simple alternative. Plus, you handbook can opener can pull double-duty by opening difficult plastic packaging with a fast flip of the deal with.

Pasta measurer

To be truthful, we have all tried (and failed) to eyeball the quantity of pasta we want for ourselves or the household, solely to make sufficient for the entire neighborhood. Still, you do not want one more instrument simply to measure your spaghetti. With follow, you’ll see and really feel the quantity that’s best for you. Save your cash and guesstimate pasta by hand, and when unsure, go along with rather less than you assume you may want.

Panini press

Just since you love a sizzling sandwich does not imply you want a separate gadget to make one. Take a be aware from dad and mom of generations previous who cooked up scrumptious grilled cheeses utilizing nothing greater than a humble frying pan. That’s all you want in your sizzling, melted-to-perfection sandwich. Plus, you will not should rigorously clear out all of the nooks and crannies of an electrical equipment.

Chicken shredder

This one falls into the pointless dish class for us. However properly a hen shredder may go, it is not price shopping for to do what two forks will do in the identical period of time with out all of the cleanup. Plus, it is advisable that you just lower the hen first earlier than inserting within the shredder  — why not simply shred the meat in a single step? Save the cupboard area for a extra multi-functional instrument.

Butter dispenser

Plastic butter dispensers primarily duplicate what butter wrappers already do — comprise butter. And positive, you would possibly save a knife, however it will likely be far tougher to scrub out the butter dispenser between sticks. Unwrapping one finish of a butter stick and smearing it in your corn on the cob, toast, or pancakes works simply in addition to a dispenser, and you do not have to scrub and retailer an additional gadget.

Electric knife

Electric knives could come in useful frequently for these with impaired hand mobility or people who work with massive portions of meals, however most family cooks will solely lug theirs out a few times a 12 months for household gatherings or vacation dinners. They take up appreciable drawer area, have an iffy lifespan, and do not are inclined to yield exact cuts. At the top of the day, an electrical knife is certainly one of numerous kitchen devices simply attempting to imitate what a well-sharpened knife does effortlessly.

Electric knife sharpener

Just as a result of well-sharpened knives can deal with nearly any job within the kitchen does not imply they warrant a flowery, electrical gadget to sharpen them. Opt as a substitute for a easy and efficient handbook sharpener or sharpen your knives like a chef utilizing a honing rod, which each work simply in addition to an electrical sharpener for lots much less and with out the fuss.

Herb stripper

We agree — stripping herbs from woody stems is a ache. But digging out an herb stripper from the drawer is hardly well worth the assist it supplies. It’s nonetheless a sluggish technique of feeding every stem by way of the stripper, and it will likely be yet one more factor to scrub. Plus, a cheese grater, colander, or perhaps a fork can do the identical job. Your fingers make nice alternate options as properly; simply pinch the top of the herb and slide down the stem to drag off the herbs.

Bread machine

Bread machines are an upscale kitchen gadget (starting from $80 to $150 or extra) that merely aren’t well worth the value or the counter area for most individuals. If you might be simply entering into breadmaking and are tempted to spend money on a standalone machine, it is price attempting your hand at easy bread recipes you may bake within the oven first to verify it is a interest you need to stick to. Especially for those who’re on a finances, a bread machine is a simple gadget to skip for breadmaking fans.

Electric potato peeler

Unless you might be peeling a ton of potatoes or dexterity is a part of the equation, an electrical potato peeler merely is not well worth the trouble. In the time it takes to set it up and peel a potato, to not point out ensuring the peel would not jam the gadget, you may simply peel it by hand. Unless you might have some particular use for lengthy, high-quality peels (which, to be truthful, an electrical peeler can do properly), do not hassle with this gadget.

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