11 Novelty Kitchen Gadgets That Only Have One Job—And I Want Them All
Why yes, I do need a corn stripper and butter cutter.
ByErin Alexander
Published On
Photo by Amazon
We spent the last year and a half reorganizing, reimagining, and decluttering almost every part of our lives and spaces, but there will always, always be one thing that I’d happily cram into my newly-organized cabinets. That’s right—I’m talking about kitchen gadgets.
There are kitchen gadgets that are genuinely useful, like potato ricers and avocado slicers. But then there are novelty gadgets that have a singular—and often extremely specific—purpose like a butter cutter or a hands-free stirrer. Turns out, I’m an absolute sucker for any type of novelty tool that has just one job—and on Amazon, there are many.
Even though my kitchen (despite my multiple Marie Kondo-inspired cleanses)is extremely full of such trinkets and tools, there are always sooo many others I'm tempted to drop in my cart. Here are just 11 of the one-fit wonders I definitely don't need, but absolutely want to have (even if I only use them once).
We know you’ve seen this everywhere (and maybe already own it), but this is one of the more hardworking uni-tasking kitchen gadgets because it can cook eggs a ton of different ways—hard boiled, soft boiled, scrambled, poached, and even as omelettes. Technically, this compact machine can cook whatever you put in there, but let’s be real—you’re only ever going to make hard boiled eggs with it.
Making hot dogs is hard work—but not if you have this handy dog and bun toaster. It makes the perfect serving for one (in my book anyway) and only fits standard franks and buns, but it’s just too adorable to pass up. I just know it’s going to be worth buying for the two times I eat hot dogs in a whole year.
In theory, corn on the cob is cute. In real life, it’s messy—and like quinoa, it always finds a way into your teeth. That’s why I’ll only eat corn by the spoonful after stripping it with this nifty little gadget.
While the lazy way is often not the best way to achieve, well, anything, I think I can make an exception for this hands-free automatic stirrer designed to fit pots and pans of all sizes. Though on the pricier side for a gadget, I can just envision it stirring my favorite summer soup to bubbling perfection while I curl up on the couch and watch The Bachelor.
Speaking of lazy, I now find my life (and television viewing routine) totally incomplete without this do-it-all wine gadget. With the press of a button, it aerates, decants, and pours my wine tap-style into my glass. Cheers to that!
When straining your pasta into a separate colander is just too much, you can use this snazzy Snap 'N Strain Strainer instead. Do I need it? Of course not. But it's so small and storage-friendly (it'll tuck right in to the corner of my cabinet perfectly) that I want it.
Spiralized vegetables will never fool me into thinking that zucchini noodles are pasta. Carbs will always reign supreme but this tiny, compact, handheld spiralizer is luring me to eat more vegetables with its clever cuteness.
Chopping an onion in slices is hard. Chopping an onion in perfect, even slices without losing a finger is even harder. This handy little onion holder (which is also great for tomatoes, potatoes, meat, and anything else your imagination will allow) makes my culinary dreams, possible—without any phalangeal danger.
I have been and will always be butter's number-one fan. As part of my memorabilia collection, I own a butter keeper, multiple butter knives, and a butter churner (because the best butter is homemade butter), but I'm thinking that this brilliant stick butter cutter needs to join the party. After stumbling upon it, I can't imagine buttering my toast or pancakes any other way.
No matter how hard I try, I am a hot mess in the morning (13 times hitting the snooze button? Oh yeah, that's me), meaning a proper breakfast is always a rushed afterthought. I think this all-in-one breakfast sandwich maker might solve my problems (even ones that have nothing do with breakfast), since it takes care of every step in the process—minus cracking the eggs.
Do I make fresh pasta regularly? Or empanadas? Or dumplings? No, no, and no. But that's because I don't have this adorable ravioli/empanada/dumpling/any-doughy-pocket mould. And if I ever decide to be that person who makes homemade ravioli for a regular weeknight dinner, this would really help.
This article was updated in June 2021 with even more fun kitchen gadgets.
What are some "useless" kitchen tools you absolutely can't live without? Tell us in the comments below!
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