Kitchen Gadgets You Don’t Really Need
Kitchen gadgets can make cooking easier, but not every tool is worth the space or money. Many of them do the same job as something you already own. It's easy to get caught up in clever designs or viral trends, but a simple kitchen stocked with essentials is often the most efficient and enjoyable to cook in.
Here are seven overrated kitchen gadgets that aren't worth your money.
Garlic Press
Garlic presses can be more trouble than they're worth. They’re hard to clean, often waste part of the clove, and don’t necessarily save time.
Chopping garlic with a knife or grating it with a microplane gives better control and flavor. Simpler methods make cleanup easier and leave no parts to scrub.
Pizza Scissors
Pizza scissors are a fun idea, but a pizza wheel or sharp knife works just as well. They're bulky, awkward to store, and not any faster.
Plus, scissors can drag toppings instead of slicing cleanly. A simple blade gets the job done with less fuss and takes up far less space.
Banana Slicer
A banana slicer might sound fun, but it's unnecessary. A regular butter knife can cut bananas just as evenly in seconds.
These kinds of gadgets often end up forgotten on the kitchen drawer. When tools only serve one very specific purpose, they rarely earn their spot in a busy kitchen.
Egg Separator
Egg separators promise convenience but aren't necessary. The easiest way to separate yolks from whites is with your hands or the cracked eggshells.
It takes just as long and creates less to wash. For most home cooks, there’s no need to buy a tool that duplicates what you can already do quickly.
Popcorn Maker
Popcorn makers might seem fun, but they're not essential. A pot with a lid or a brown paper bag in the microwave works just as well.
Popcorn makers are bulky, hard to clean, and usually used only a few times. Homemade stovetop popcorn tastes just as good and requires nothing extra.
Avocado Slicer
Avocado slicers seem handy, but a regular knife and spoon do the same job with less clutter. These single-use tools take up drawer space and are difficult to clean.
A sharp knife can slice, pit, and scoop with ease. If you love avocados, keep your prep simple and skip the extra gadget.
Electric Can Opener
Electric can openers are unnecessary for most people. A manual can opener is smaller, cheaper, and works just as efficiently.
Electric versions take up counter space and often break down sooner. Unless you have limited hand mobility, a sturdy manual opener is the more practical and durable choice.
Simple is best
Gadgets can be tempting, but most kitchens work best with simple, versatile tools. Multipurpose items like sharp knives, sturdy pans, and basic utensils do more with less.
Before buying something new, ask if it replaces a tool you already have. A clutter-free kitchen isn't just makes cooking faster, easier, and far more enjoyable.