Necessity is the mother of invention, and the kitchen is one of the easiest targets for most of these bizarre inventions. Kitchen gadgets are becoming more and more creative—and sometimes downright outlandish. While some tools can simplify your cooking experience, others seem to serve no practical purpose and only end up adding clutter to your kitchen.
Have you ever seen an odd kitchen gadget that claims to make your life easier but leaves you scratching your head instead? While you might find some of these gadgets helpful, most of them are better left on the store shelves and out of your kitchen.
There’s no point in having fun or trendy contraptions that end up collecting dust in the back of a pantry. Read on to discover our list of the weirdest kitchen gadgets and trends that no one actually needs.
1. Yolk Separator
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Ever struggled with separating egg yolks from whites? Enter the yolk separator, a gadget designed solely to handle this task. While it might save you a few seconds, most people manage just fine using the shell method or even their hands.
Additionally, this gadget can be a hassle to store and maintain. With limited functionality and a single-use design, it’s more practical to rely on traditional methods of separating and cooking eggs that accomplish the same result without the added fuss.
2. Hot Dog Maker
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A hot dog maker might sound like a fun addition to your kitchen, but its utility is questionable. This gadget is designed to cook hot dogs and toast buns simultaneously. However, most people already have a grill or a stovetop, both of which can perform this task effortlessly.
Not only does the hot dog maker add unnecessary clutter, but it also limits your options for use because it’s so specialized. Why invest in an appliance that only cooks one type of food when you can use versatile equipment already in your kitchen?
3. Breakfast Sandwich Maker
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The idea of a breakfast sandwich maker might seem appealing to those who love a quick morning meal. This gadget promises to cook all the components of a breakfast sandwich simultaneously. However, it’s a bulky device that takes up counter space.
In reality, you can easily make a breakfast sandwich using a skillet and a toaster. The breakfast sandwich maker’s specialized function makes it redundant for most kitchens, where space and practicality are key.
4. Herb Scissors
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Herb scissors are designed with multiple blades to cut herbs quickly and efficiently. While they might seem like a time-saver, they often create more problems than they solve. The scissors can be difficult to clean, and bits of herbs can get stuck between the blades.
A sharp knife and a cutting board are much more practical for chopping herbs. Not only do they offer more precision, but they also avoid the hassle of cleaning a multi-bladed tool. Save your fingers and invest in a quality knife instead.
5. Spiralizer
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How deep does your love for spiral food go? A spiralizer turns vegetables into noodle-like spirals, which can be a fun way to prepare meals. However, its use is limited to those who frequently make vegetable noodles. For most people, a knife or a vegetable peeler can achieve similar results without the need for a specialized gadget.
The spiralizer may be impractical for kitchens with limited space. Unless you’re committed to a diet that heavily features vegetable noodles, this tool is probably not worth the investment.
6. Strawberry Huller
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The strawberry huller is designed to remove the stems from strawberries quickly and efficiently. While it does its job well, a small paring knife can achieve the same result with minimal effort.
Considering the limited time saved and the extra space taken up, a strawberry huller may be an unnecessary addition to most kitchens.
7. Bacon Press
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If you only eat completely flat bacon, you may have considered getting a bacon press. This heavy, flat tool is used to keep bacon flat while cooking. While it might help achieve perfectly flat bacon, it’s not a necessity. Most people can manage without one by simply flipping the bacon regularly.
The bacon press is pretty heavy and can cause storage problems. It’s another example of a specialized tool that solves a problem most people don’t have.
8. Popcorn Maker
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Popcorn makers promise to deliver fresh popcorn quickly and easily. However, you can make popcorn using a pot on the stovetop or even a microwave bag. This is just another appliance to clean.
Considering how easy it is to make popcorn without a dedicated apparatus, a popcorn maker is an unnecessary gadget for most kitchens.
9. Carrot Sharpener
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The carrot sharpener is designed to peel and shape carrots into decorative spirals. While it may be fun for special occasions, it’s not a practical tool for everyday use. A regular vegetable peeler can handle the job of peeling carrots with less effort.
The carrot sharpener is a novelty item that’s unlikely to see frequent use. It’s really more about aesthetics than practicality.
10. Melon Baller
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You probably have seen an online video encouraging you to scoop perfectly rounded balls of fruit. While it can be useful for creating decorative fruit salads, the melon baller is probably not worth the few dollars you’ll spend on it. A regular spoon or ice cream scoop can achieve similar results without the need for a specialized gadget.
For a utensil intended for occasional use rather than daily cooking, it may not be a prudent investment.
11. Banana Slicer
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The banana slicer is designed to slice bananas quickly and uniformly. While it might seem like a time-saving gadget (and can save the day when your toddler will only eat perfectly rounded bananas), do you really need it?
Moreover, the banana slicer adds to your kitchen clutter and requires cleaning after each use. Considering the ease and speed with which a knife can accomplish the same task, investing in a banana slicer is generally unnecessary.
12. Electric Kitchen Knife
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An electric kitchen knife is designed to make slicing through foods easier and more efficient. While it can be helpful for cutting through tough items like large roasts or dense bread, it’s not essential for everyday kitchen tasks. Most home cooks can manage these tasks just fine with a traditional, well-sharpened kitchen knife.
The electric kitchen knife requires a power source to operate. Its infrequent use doesn’t justify the investment for those who rarely carve large meats or cut dense bread.
13. Herb Keepers
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Herb keepers are designed to prolong the freshness of herbs by providing an optimal storage environment. While they can be effective, they are often superfluous for the average kitchen. Freezing or drying herbs is a simple way of lengthening their lifespan.
Consider using items in the kitchen you already have to store your herbs, such as wrapping them in damp paper towels. This will avoid the need for yet another specialized container in your already overcrowded cupboard.
14. Yogurt Maker
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A yogurt maker is designed to ferment and maintain the ideal temperature for making homemade yogurt. While it can simplify the yogurt-making process, it is not an essential kitchen appliance for most people.
Homemade yogurt can be made using simple kitchen items such as a pot, a thermometer, and a warm environment like an oven or a blanket-wrapped container. Just boil milk, allow it to cook, and add your yogurt culture. Cool it overnight, and enjoy your homemade yogurt.
