Don’t Waste Money On These Needless Kitchen Appliances
In the age of trendy gadgets and convenience-first innovations, the kitchen has become a battleground for new appliances vying for counter space. While some tools revolutionize the cooking experience, others turn out to be unnecessary purchases that collect dust after the initial excitement wears off. Here’s a list of kitchen appliances you can skip, saving money and counter space in the process.
Egg Cookers
Sure, egg cookers promise perfect hard-boiled eggs every time, but isn’t that what a pot and some water are for? A simple saucepan does the job just as well, without taking up extra storage space. Plus, mastering the art of boiling eggs is a life skill worth having.
Single-Use Mini Waffle Makers
These tiny waffle makers in quirky shapes might seem fun, but their novelty quickly fades. Standard waffle irons or griddles are far more versatile, allowing you to make waffles of any size—and even experiment with hash browns or paninis.
Banana Slicers
Do you really need a gadget dedicated to slicing bananas? A knife is faster, easier to clean, and more versatile. Banana slicers are a classic example of a single-purpose tool that’s more gimmick than game-changer.
Avocado Slicers
While avocados are trendy, specialized slicers for them are not. A good chef’s knife handles the task of slicing, pitting, and dicing an avocado effortlessly. Why clutter your kitchen with a tool that’s redundant?
Electric Can Openers
Unless you have mobility issues that make manual can openers difficult to use, electric can openers are overkill. They’re bulky, require constant cleaning, and are prone to breaking down.
Juicers
While fresh juice is great, juicers are notoriously hard to clean and often end up unused. If you’re not committed to juicing regularly, this expensive and bulky appliance is a waste of space. Opt for a blender instead; it’s more versatile and easier to maintain.
Meat-Shredding Claws, $8 - $15
Meat-shredding claws look cool. There's no denying that looking like Wolverine will make anyone feel awesome. Since they usually cost between $7 and $15 at Target and Walmart, people may think that they're a good deal. They would be if they weren't useless.
Most meat-shredders are made of nylon, and their "claws" bend after a single-use, according to Amazon reviews. Even if you get metal, they're still harder to use than shredding meat with two forks. Chef Alton Brown tested meat-shedders and said that they weren't sturdy or necessary.
Electric Can Opener, $20 - $30
The electric can opener is a prime example of a tool that occupies too much precious counter space. Handheld can openers cost $5 on Amazon. Unless you struggle to move your hands, you likely don't need an electric can opener.
This gadget wouldn't be so atrocious if it didn't cost between $15 and $30. If it breaks, you have to pay more for repair costs or purchase another one. If you physically struggle to open cans, this tool may help you. Otherwise, stick to the manual technique.
Pie Bird, $4 - $24
Unless you've used a pie bird, you probably don't know what this funky contraption is. Also called a pie vent, pie birds are ceramic tools that ventilate a pie. It keeps the filling inside the crust and prevents it from bubbling over. Although they've been around since Victorian times, most pie pros don't use them at all.
Have you seen those wavy pie crusts? That's a method called pie fluting, in which bakers shape the crusts to ventilate steam. It looks far classier than a pie bird and doesn't cost you $24.
Popcorn Machine, $50 - $400
Popcorn machines usually cost between $50 and $400. Unless you're running a movie theater, why do you need a popcorn machine? If you want to save money on raw kernels, here's a method to pop them without using a machine. You can cook popcorn in a regular pot by pouring oil into a pan, adding raw kernels, and waiting for them to pop.
If you want movie-style popcorn, raid your pantry. You can spice up your snack with garlic powder, Italian seasonings, curry powder, or lemon pepper. You can also buy a $12 cheesy popcorn seasoning and save $388 on a machine.
Pizza Scissors, $19 - $30
Some inventors realized that college students often cut their pizza with scissors. It's surprisingly efficient because you don't need to buy a rolling cutter. This convenience immediately disappears with Scizzas, or pizza scissors, that cost $30 on average.
The reason people use scissors for pizza is to not pay for a rolling cutter. If you make more expensive scissors, that steals the appeal. Scizzas have a ledge that helps you dish the slice after cutting it. But most people already own spatulas or--dare we say it--their hands. You don't need to spend $20 to $30 on fancy scissors.
Magic Tap, $6 - $13
If you haven't seen a Magic Tap commercial, consider yourself blessed. Magic Tap is a tool that you can screw onto any milk or juice carton, and it'll dispense it. The device frees people from lifting containers, unscrewing the lid, and pouring it. But that's not hard to do unless you're buying enormous Costco mega-jugs.
Reviews of the $13 Magic Tap describe the object as "too tall, too touchy" and unable to fit on standard-sized containers. The product will often continue to shoot juice until you manage to reset it at just the right angle. Save yourself the hassle.
Pancake Printer, $240 - $2,000
This is what one may call a "drunk purchase." Pancake printers, also called Pancakebots, bake pancakes into 3D shapes. They also cost hundreds of dollars on the cheap end. That's enough to deter someone from buying a tool that doesn't even help you cook easier.
If you want to make your pancake look like the Eiffel Tower, all the power to you. But go for the cheaper option; don't pay $2,000 for one. Shaping custom pancakes without a fancy appliance provides more laughs and takes less time. Pancake printers don't need to exist.
Salad Spinner, $20 - $70
Salad spinners save a little bit of time may partially drying freshly-washed greens. They would be worth $20 to $75 if they worked as well as they marketed. After you spin your greens, they still feel a bit damp. You'll have to pat them down anyway.
If you eat salads every day, you might benefit from a salad spinner. But be aware that they consume quite a bit of cabinet space. Unless you're making giant salads, spinners often take the same amount of time as patting your lettuce dry or shaking it a bit.
Electric Salt And Pepper Grinders, $30 - $70
On average, one pair of electric salt and pepper shakers costs $70. Cheaper pairs sell for $30. Again, people who struggle to use their hands might benefit from these tools. Even so, they're costly. Also, many electric grinders come with LED lights. Why? In case you ever decide to cook in the dark for some reason.
If you want a grinder, you'll save a lot of money buying manual grinders (which cost $15 to $30). Better yet, avoid the hassle altogether by buying regular salt and pepper shakers.
Warming Ice Cream Scoop, $20
Ice cream lovers understand the struggle of scooping frozen solid desserts. Most of us leave the carton out for a couple of minutes, or better yet, stuff it in the microwave for twenty seconds. But some people are more impatient than that. These are the inventors of the heat-conducting ice cream scoop.
With thermodynamic technology, this scoop slightly melts ice cream to dig into it. Sounds great--except that we can pay nothing to nuke your ice cream in the microwave. Most warming ice cream scoops cost between $14 and $20. Save your money and be a little patient.
Cookie Dipper, $2
Cookie dippers aren't exactly the most expensive tool on the market, but that doesn't mean people need to purchase them and have them collecting dust in their kitchen drawers.
This tool has a single purpose. So, unless a family eats cookies numerous times a day, it isn't worth the $2.
Avocado Masher, $7 - $15
Yes, the avocado craze has encouraged people to mash this fruit every day. But do you know what most people use? A fork. Avocado mashers are made to make the process "easier," although we can't fathom how the process could be any easier.
If you buy an avocado tool, buy a 3-in-1 slicer. This $7 to $10 tool slices, mashes, and removes the pit of an avocado all at once. That's far cheaper than a $10 to $20 masher and far more useful. Otherwise, cook like the rest of us and use a fork.
Corn Kernel Stripper, $8 - $22
Although many of these gadgets seem convenient, they quickly lose their charm once you realize that they're useless. A corn kernel stripper is a prime example. These tools cost anywhere from $4 to $22 depending on quality. Just use a knife instead.
Corn kernel strippers may cut all the kernels, but they create a mess. To not dirty your kitchen (and save money), hold the cob vertically over a bowl. Then slide your knife down the sides. You can use a fork to separate all the kernels. This trick takes the same amount of time and saves you $20.
Electric Wine Opener, $18 - $70
Those who struggle to fumble with a corkscrew may appreciate an electric wine opener. Otherwise, the contraption has more downsides than benefits. They cost anywhere from $18 to $70 and still require enough dexterity to hold them steadily over a slim bottleneck.
Electric wine openers are single-use and require an outlet in your kitchen. Meanwhile, a corkscrew only costs a couple of bucks and usually comes with a bottle opener.
Conclusion
Before buying your next kitchen gadget, ask yourself: Do I already have a tool that can perform this function? How often will I use it? Streamlining your kitchen tools not only saves money but also keeps your space organized and functional. Remember, sometimes less really is more!