13 Overrated Kitchen Gadgets That Don’t Live Up to the Hype
This post may contain affiliate links.
Kitchen gadgets have become quite popular these days, and they all claim to be innovative and convenient. But don’t be fooled by flashy ads and waste your hard-earned money on something you don’t need. Here is a list of 13 kitchen gadgets that may not be as useful as they appear. However, what doesn’t work for one person may still benefit others.
Pasta Measurer
Why bother with a pasta measurer when you can ‘measure with your heart’? Plus, who doesn’t love leftover pasta?
Banana Slicer
Using a banana slicer may seem like a fun idea, but in reality, it is not practical. It is easier and less messy to use a knife instead.
Electric Can Opener
Electric can openers can be clumsy compared to manual ones, and manual openers typically last longer.
Garlic Press
Cleaning a garlic press can be a hassle, but you can achieve the same results with less cleanup by using a knife or grater.
Salad Spinner
While helpful in drying greens, many find that a clean kitchen towel or paper towel achieves similar results without needing an extra gadget.
Avocado Slicer
Although an avocado slicer promises to make slicing avocados easier, many users find it cumbersome and prefer using a simple knife. Additionally, the slicer can be more difficult to clean than a knife.
Pineapple Corer
Using a knife to core and slice a pineapple is a simple and effective method that doesn’t require an extra gadget, making the core seem unnecessary. Furthermore, Pineapple corers may only work well with pineapples of varying sizes or if the pineapple is perfectly ripe.
Egg Separator
Separating egg whites and yolks by hand is generally easier than using gadgets that require extra cleaning.
Cherry Pitter
Removing cherry pits manually with a knife or paperclip can be quick and easy, making a cherry pitter unnecessary unless you’re working with loads of cherries.
Herb Scissors
Herb scissors are specialized tools with a single purpose, so they may not justify the kitchen storage space for those who infrequently use fresh herbs. Cleaning the small, sharp blades of herb scissors can be more challenging than cleaning a knife, as herbs tend to stick to the blades.
Popcorn Machine
Some popcorn machines can take up significant space. They typically require extra maintenance and cleaning. Stovetop popping can be more convenient and produce better-tasting popcorn.
Egg Cooker
These gadgets claim to make perfect eggs every time, but traditional methods can yield the same results and are more versatile. If you have limited counter or storage space in your kitchen, adding another appliance might not be practical.
Electric Knife Sharpener
Electric sharpeners can remove more material from the blade than manual methods, which may reduce the knife’s lifespan if used excessively. On the other hand, manual sharpening offers greater precision and control over the process.
Kitchen Appliances Worth the Counter Space
Kitchen Appliances Worth The Splurge
Smart Kitchen Improvements
13 Smart Kitchen Upgrades That Won’t Break The Bank
Kitchen Hacks
13 Kitchen Hacks Professional Chefs Swear By
Expensive Looking Decor on a Budget
19 Budget-Friendly HomeGoods Finds We Adore
ALDI Kitchen
ALDI Cookware & Gadgets: 12 Fantastic Finds
Author: Natasha Newton (Natasha's Southern Flavor)
Natasha is the founder of Natasha’s Southern Flavor. She has a passion for sharing delicious family friendly low-carb recipes that are easy to make and use readily accessible ingredients. Natasha has published three bestselling cookbooks. Her books and recipes have been featured by CNET, Delish, Mindbodygreen, Parade and Women’s Health. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, two adult children, and three furbabies.
Read more about Natasha here.
Personally, I depend on my salad spinner quite a bit. You never know when a listeria contamination or other pollutant could mar your enjoyment before authorities discover it. I double-soak all my lettuces: A few Tbls of cider vinegar in a standard sink of water for 5 minutes kills a lot of micro-organisms, then another 5 minutes in cold clear water… you can add lemon juice to your rinse if you’re a member of that camp. But my spinner is indispensable in my kitchen. Everything else on the list of over-hyped gadgets is right on the money – ESPECIALLY a garlic press and egg separator!