12 Popular Kitchen Tools You Don’t Really Need (According to Experts)
Kitchen gadgets promise to save time, simplify cooking, and make life easier—but according to chefs and culinary experts, many of them simply take up space. Before buying another trendy tool, see what the pros say you can skip.
Garlic Press
Why You Don’t Need It: Many chefs argue that a garlic press turns fresh garlic into a mushy paste and makes cleaning unnecessarily difficult.
Expert Insight: Chef Andrew Zimmern says smashing garlic with a knife gives better flavor and more control.
Avocado Slicer
Why You Don’t Need It: A knife and spoon do the same job—faster and with fewer parts to clean.
Expert Insight: Chef Jet Tila notes that single-use gadgets clutter your drawers without improving efficiency.
Banana Slicer
Why You Don’t Need It: This novelty tool takes longer to use than simply cutting a banana with a knife.
Expert Insight: Food writer J. Kenji López-Alt calls it “the definition of a unitasker.”
Electric Can Opener
Why You Don’t Need It: It takes up counter space and doesn’t perform significantly better than a small manual version.
Expert Insight: Chef Carla Hall recommends a quality handheld opener for reliability and space-saving.
Egg Separator
Why You Don’t Need It: Cracking eggs and separating whites using the shell works just as well—and takes seconds.
Expert Insight: Pastry chef Dominique Ansel says your hands are often the best tools for baking.
Herb Stripper
Why You Don’t Need It: Pulling herbs through holes looks convenient, but it often tears delicate leaves and wastes time.
Expert Insight: Chef Ina Garten prefers simply stripping herbs by hand for better results.
Pizza Scissors
Why You Don’t Need It: A sharp pizza wheel or chef’s knife cuts more cleanly and is easier to maneuver.
Expert Insight: Chef Marc Vetri says pizza scissors look cool but add little value in a real kitchen.
Quesadilla Maker
Why You Don’t Need It: A skillet does the exact same job—faster, crispier, and with better control.
Expert Insight: Chef Rick Bayless, known for Mexican cuisine, says stovetop cooking yields a far better quesadilla.
Egg Cooker Machine
Why You Don’t Need It: Boiling eggs on the stove is easy and doesn’t require another appliance.
Expert Insight: Test kitchen expert America’s Test Kitchen recommends stovetop methods for consistent results.
Single-Use Mandoline Attachments
Why You Don’t Need It: Specialty slicers (like for waffle fries or tomato-only cutters) take up space without adding versatility.
Expert Insight: Chef Thomas Keller recommends investing in a quality mandoline rather than multiple attachments.
Milk Frother Wands
Why You Don’t Need It: They often produce weak foam and break easily.
Expert Insight: Barista expert James Hoffmann suggests using a French press or jar-shaking method for better froth.
Popcorn Machine
Why You Don’t Need It: Stovetop popcorn is cheaper, faster, and tastes better than machine-made batches.
Expert Insight: Chef Alton Brown famously recommends using a simple pot with oil for perfect popcorn every time.
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