As a passionate home cook and a self-proclaimed kitchen gadget enthusiast, I have accumulated a plethora of tools and gadgets over the years. Each one promised to make my culinary endeavors easier, faster, and more efficient. However, I’ve come to realize not all these tools live up to their promise. Some have become unnecessary clutter, taking up precious kitchen real estate. Let’s take a look at the 15 kitchen tools that I have stopped collecting, and why you might want to reconsider before you add them to your kitchen arsenal.
1. Avocado Slicer
An avocado slicer, with its promise of perfectly sliced avocados, might seem like a godsend to the avocado toast lover. However, when you consider the fact that a good old-fashioned knife can do the job just as well, it becomes apparent that this tool is a bit unnecessary. Plus, it’s one more thing to wash, and anyone who’s ever tried to clean avocado off a utensil knows it’s no easy task.
A knife gives you more control over the thickness of your slices, and can also be used for a multitude of other tasks. So, to save space and cleanup time, I’ve ditched the avocado slicer.
2. Garlic Press
The garlic press is another tool that seems handy at first, but quickly loses its appeal. While it does make mincing garlic a bit quicker, it’s also a pain to clean. Those tiny holes get clogged easily, and clearing them out can be a tedious task.
Instead, I’ve gone back to using a knife to mince my garlic. It might take a bit more time, but the cleanup is so much easier. Plus, I’ve found that minced garlic from a press can sometimes have a slightly bitter taste, which is not an issue when chopping by hand.
3. Egg Separator
The egg separator is one of those gadgets that seems nifty, but is actually pretty pointless. Yes, it can help you separate the yolk from the white, but so can your hand. In fact, using your hand is often more efficient, because you can feel when all the white has been separated.
Moreover, egg separators are often not dishwasher safe, meaning you’ll have to clean them by hand. This is another instance where a simpler tool (in this case, your own hand) can do the job just as well, if not better.
4. Banana Slicer
I’ll admit, I was charmed by the banana slicer when I first saw it. It seemed like a fun, quirky tool that would make my morning routine a bit easier. However, I quickly realized that a knife can slice a banana just as well, and takes up a lot less space in my drawer.
Plus, banana slicers are often not dishwasher safe, meaning you’ll have to clean them by hand. This is another instance where a simpler tool (in this case, your own hand) can do the job just as well, if not better.
5. Strawberry Huller
The strawberry huller is a tool designed to remove the stem and core from a strawberry. While it does this job fairly well, it’s really not necessary. A small, sharp knife can hull a strawberry just as effectively, and can be used for other tasks as well.
In addition, strawberry hullers are often not dishwasher safe, meaning you’ll have to clean them by hand. This is another instance where a simpler tool (in this case, your own hand) can do the job just as well, if not better.
6. Melon Baller
The melon baller is one of those tools that’s fun to use, but not really necessary. Yes, it can make pretty little balls of melon, but so can a teaspoon. Plus, a teaspoon is much easier to clean, and takes up less space in your drawer.
Moreover, melon ballers are often not dishwasher safe, meaning you’ll have to clean them by hand. This is another instance where a simpler tool (in this case, your own hand) can do the job just as well, if not better.
7. Meat Tenderizer
A meat tenderizer can indeed help to break down the fibers in a piece of meat, making it more tender. However, a rolling pin or even the bottom of a heavy skillet can do the same job, and these are tools most of us already have in our kitchens.
Furthermore, meat tenderizers can be difficult to clean, especially if they have a lot of sharp points. A rolling pin or skillet, on the other hand, is much easier to clean, and can be used for multiple tasks.
8. Electric Can Opener
An electric can opener might seem like a timesaver, but in reality, it’s not much faster than a manual one. Plus, it’s one more appliance to take up counter space, and it can be a pain to clean.
A good quality manual can opener is easy to use, easy to clean, and doesn’t take up much space. So, for me, the electric can opener is out.
9. Knife Sharpener
A knife sharpener might seem like a necessary tool, but unless you’re a professional chef, you probably don’t need one. Most home cooks can get by with just honing their knives regularly, which can be done with a honing steel.
Plus, sharpening knives is a skill that takes practice to master. If done incorrectly, you can actually damage your knives. So, for most home cooks, a honing steel is a better choice.
10. Ice Cream Scoop
An ice cream scoop can indeed make serving ice cream a bit easier, but a regular spoon can do the job just as well. Plus, a spoon is much easier to clean, and takes up less space in your drawer.
Moreover, ice cream scoops are often not dishwasher safe, meaning you’ll have to clean them by hand. This is another instance where a simpler tool (in this case, your own hand) can do the job just as well, if not better.
11. Pasta Measurer
A pasta measurer is a tool designed to help you portion out dry pasta. However, with a little experience, you can easily learn to eyeball the right amount. Plus, a pasta measurer is one more thing to clean, and takes up space in your drawer.
Instead, try using a digital kitchen scale to measure your pasta. It’s more accurate, and can be used for a multitude of other tasks.
12. Pizza Wheel
A pizza wheel might seem like a fun tool, but a large knife or even a pair of kitchen shears can cut a pizza just as effectively. Plus, a knife or shears can be used for other tasks, and are easier to clean.
If you’re a serious pizza lover and make pizza often, a pizza wheel might be worth the investment. But for the occasional pizza night, a knife or shears will do just fine.
13. Egg Cooker
An egg cooker is a tool designed to cook eggs in various ways, including boiling, poaching, and making omelettes. However, all of these tasks can be accomplished with a pot and a stove, tools most of us already have in our kitchens.
In addition, egg cookers can be bulky, taking up precious counter space. And they can be a pain to clean, especially if any egg gets stuck to the inside. So, for me, the egg cooker is out.
14. Popcorn Maker
A popcorn maker might seem like a fun gadget, but it’s really not necessary. You can make popcorn just as easily on the stove, with a pot and some oil. Plus, a pot is much easier to clean, and can be used for other tasks.
Moreover, popcorn makers can be bulky, taking up precious counter space. So, for me, the popcorn maker is out.
15. Bread Maker
A bread maker can indeed make the process of making bread a bit easier. However, it’s also a large appliance that takes up a lot of counter space. And while it does make bread making easier, it also takes a lot of the fun and creativity out of the process.
Instead, try making bread by hand. It’s a fun and rewarding process, and you’ll get a great sense of accomplishment when you pull that fresh, homemade loaf out of the oven.
In conclusion, while all these tools may seem helpful, in many cases they’re just not necessary. By sticking to the basics and learning to use those tools effectively, you can save space, save time on cleanup, and maybe even improve your cooking skills. Happy cooking!