Kitchen Gadgets You Should Never Buy

Garlic Peeler. A garlic peeler is literally a hollow tube meant to peel the skin off garlic cloves so that you don’t end up with garlic-scented hands. Which we totally get – it’s tough to get rid of that earthy aroma.

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But really, all you need are two bowls. Press down on the head of the garlic to open it up, then put it in a bowl. Place the second bowl on top of the first bowl and shake. You’ll have clean, peeled bulbs in about two minutes, all without garlic-covered hands! 

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Egg Slicer. How often does someone really need uniformly sliced eggs? Unless you work at a restaurant that specializes in Cobb salads, the answer is probably “rarely-to-never.”

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That means that an old-fashioned knife works just as well. If you’re a little OCD about your eggs, try devoting some serious time to your knife-precision skills. You’ll be dicing perfect egg slices in no time.

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Electric Can Opener. What’s the most bacteria-ridden object in your kitchen? Well, it’s probably your sponge, but your electric can opener is a close second. Those tiny crevices are really difficult to clean, and bacteria love to hang out there.

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That means that every time you’re opening a new can, you’re covering the rim with a fresh layer of bacteria. Instead of springing for this expensive gadget, use a handheld can opener that can be easily tossed into the dishwasher!

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Pasta Measurer. A pasta measurer is a $12 metal tube that looks like a napkin ring and is supposed to tell you how much to use per serving. We take issue with this. First, who are these pasta-measurer makers to tell you what a decent portion is?

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Maybe you really love spaghetti. Second, it’s a complete waste of money. To measure your pasta servings, all you need to do is eyeball a handful of pasta and throw it in boiling water. Boom. Done. The worst thing that could happen is you have some leftovers. 

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Wine Aerator. A wine aerator warms up your wine, which “opens up” the wine’s aromas and improves the overall taste. Sounds good, right? You know what does the exact same thing? Air. The very same air that’s currently floating around your dining room and wafting through your kitchen.

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So instead of forking over cash for an aerator, uncork your bottle and let it sit for a few minutes, have patience and let it “breathe.” The oxygen will do its magic and your Pinot will taste just as delicious as if you’d utilized a fancy-schmancy aerator.

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Avocado Slicer. If you like your avocados rock-hard, then by all means, spend ten dollars on a plastic avocado slicer. It’s pretty much the only thing that will cut through that unappetizing, not-yet-ripe fruit.

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But if you’re crazy enough to want a soft, delicious and ripe avocado, open your cutlery drawer and use your old friends “knife” and “spoon.” They’ll do just fine and are a lot easier to clean. Trust us, those nooks and crannies in the avocado slicer do a great job trapping dirt, grime and week-old avocado. 

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Spoon Rest. Spoons get dirty while you cook – that’s a fact of life. But do you really need something special to set them on? Sure, you want to protect your countertops from food remnants, but there are a lot of items you probably already own that can handle that job.

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A plate works really well. Or a paper towel. Or even a coffee cup! In fact, the qualified replacements for a spoon rest are nearly endless.

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Margarita Machine. Who doesn’t love margaritas? Some ice, tequila, a little store-bought mix, and you’ve got yourself a party. But instead of paying upwards of $100 for a machine that specializes in “margarita-time,” use your blender. 

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It works wonders on tequila, we promise. If your blender hasn’t seen the light of day since your juice cleanse of ’09, give it a good cleaning before blending your adult beverage.

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Herb Scissors. An at-home herb garden is a great way to ensure that your garnishes are always fresh while also saving you some money at the same time. 

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But when you’re ready to enjoy your basil or mint, you don’t need specialty herb scissors to cut it off of the plant. Just grab your standard scissors and trim away. Unless you’re somehow growing hulk-like chives, you should be fine.

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Salad Spinner. It’s a good idea to wash your lettuce prior to preparation (unless you like your salad dressing mixed with a little bit of bacteria and a dash of dirt). But, do you need to put your salad in a spinner where it will be cleaned and dried at mach-like speeds? Sure don’t. 

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Clean your lettuce the old fashioned way by rinsing it in your kitchen sink with plain ole water and patting it dry with a cloth or paper towel. As long as your sink is clean, your lettuce will be, too.

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