Although a decent chef can work wonders with any set of culinary tools, having the right ones can definitely help. A set of cookware, cutting boards, and knives are just some of the practical items you’ll see in every kitchen. In this roundup of the top 10 kitchen gizmos that probably shouldn’t exist, we’ll explore why you’re better off skipping the impulse buy and sticking with what already works.
Top 10 Kitchen Gadgets Overview
10 Pickle Fork
Everyone wants to dodge that lingering pickle brine, right? Or perhaps you dread sharing a communal jar at a company picnic and prefer not to plunge your fingers into a crowd‑filled container. While a regular fork will do the job, many opt to spend $5‑$10 on a specialty pickle fork.
Although some find it amusing, others claim it’s practical. In reality, a standard fork does the trick just as well, and you’ll avoid the fate of a “must‑have” pickle fork languishing in a junk drawer, gathering dust.
9 PB&J Spreader
PB&J sandwiches are a lunchtime staple for many, yet the assembly can be a hassle. That’s why the PB&J Spreader was invented, boasting sturdy handles, long blades, and a design meant to scrape every last drop of peanut butter from the jar.
Instead of buying this gadget, grab a trusty kitchen knife for spreading and a spatula to scrape the bottom of the jar. Using two tools may seem extra, but you’ll save money and free up drawer space by skipping the dedicated spreader.
8 Banana Slicer
The banana slicer is another puzzling invention. Who needs to spend money on a tool when a butter knife is already at hand? Its only perk is delivering uniformly sized slices, which might be handy for a particular dessert or presentation.
Unfortunately, most banana slicers only cut small sections at a time. By the time you peel, slice, and reposition the fruit, you could have simply used a knife and cutting board to finish the job in a fraction of the time.
7 Egg Slicer
Next up is the egg slicer, which seems convenient for prepping sliced eggs for a Cobb salad. Yet a regular knife can accomplish the same task, and most people simply bite into a hard‑boiled egg or cut it in half without needing a dedicated slicer.
The slicer does produce evenly shaped cuts, but with a bit of practice any standard knife can achieve comparable results, making the gadget an unnecessary addition to your utensil drawer.
6 Hands‑Free Bag Holder
This device costs over $20 and holds plastic bags open while you fill them—something meal‑preppers find useful for large batches. However, you can simply buy more bags and avoid the extra expense.
Many sandwich bags have flat bottoms, allowing you to set them on the counter while adding food. If you’re worried about spills, roll the bag’s top over itself for a cleaner fill. Holding the bag with one hand is easy and, best of all, free.
5 Bear Paw Meat Shredder
Don’t splurge on a Bear Paw Meat Shredder when two ordinary forks can do the job. By pulling the cooked meat apart with forks, you can shred it effectively without the extra gadget.
While BBQ enthusiasts love the durability and ease of shredders for large quantities, the tool merely occupies precious drawer space. Its function is easily replicated with items you already own.
4 Butter Dispenser
Butter dispensers act like a large syringe, pushing softened butter onto your food. To use one, you must first transfer butter from its original packaging, which adds an extra step.
Spreading butter with a knife or spatula is straightforward, whether you’re topping toast or baking in bulk. The real drawback is cleaning; the syringe‑style dispenser can become a time‑consuming chore.
Most chefs opt to keep a butter dish or simply use a knife, avoiding the hassle of a dedicated dispenser that ends up tucked away in the back of a cabinet.
3 Egg and Bread Toaster
If you’re seeking to save counter space, this oversized toaster won’t help. Priced around $50, it features wide slots for toast and a compartment for cooking a single egg simultaneously.
Users report uneven heating, and the appliance can only handle one egg at a time—far from ideal for busy mornings or larger families. The limited capacity makes it a poor investment for most households.
Stick with a conventional toaster and a stovetop pan; you’ll gain better temperature control, more flexibility, and free up valuable counter real estate.
2 Tuna Squish
The Tuna Squish promises to squeeze excess water from canned tuna for $20, but pressing the lid of the can already does the job. It’s essentially a repackaged version of a simple press.
While some users claim it prevents the tuna‑water smell on their hands, the gadget offers no other function beyond what you can achieve with the can itself, making it an unnecessary purchase.
1 Jenaluca Herb Scissors
These scissors resemble regular kitchen shears but feature multiple blades—sometimes five or more—to quickly mince herbs. The design claims to speed up herb preparation.
Standard kitchen scissors can also chop herbs effectively, and they occupy far less space. At $15, the herb scissors provide only a marginal time‑saving, while their bulkier build takes up more drawer room for a single purpose.
Overall, the multi‑blade design doesn’t justify the added cost or space consumption compared to a simple pair of scissors.