10 Useless Kitchen Gadgets

Kitchen tools that make life easier are a small joy -- we're totally down with slow cookers, nonstick pans and microwaveable Tupperware. But every time we see an infomercial for the Slap Chop or the Perfect Brownie Pan, we just can't help wondering why there are so many useless kitchen gadgets out there.

In fact, there is such a plethora of inane kitchen items that we had trouble narrowing our list down to just 10. So make sure to check back in the coming weeks for more renditions -- we've got quite a few up our sleeves.

Counter space is valuable; there's no need to clutter it with objects that a chipper salesman is hawking. Check out our slideshow of useless kitchen gadgets below.

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• Garlic Peeler

  Certain kitchen tasks are so laborious and annoying that they deserve their own tool, but peeling garlic isn't one of them (just <a href="http://www.kitchendaily.com/2011/09/27/how-to-peel-a-head-of-garlic-in-less-than-10-seconds/" target="_hplink">shake it</a>!). Thus, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zak-Designs--Z-Rol-Garlic-Peeler/dp/B00004RDDP/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1320170525&sr=1-1" target="_hplink">E-Z-Rol Garlic Peeler</a> doesn't strike us as particularly useful.

• Egg-and-Muffin Toaster

  Yes, in theory, it would be very nice to have a multi-functioned toaster that could prepare both your toast and eggs. In reality, however, you probably already have a functioning toaster. This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM4500--Muffin-Toaster/dp/B000QA1224/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320159990&sr=8-1" target="_hplink">item</a> will thus likely be relegated its true destiny: collecting dust in your garage.

• Pickle Picker

  Apparently forks aren't good enough for those pesky, briny pickles. That's why there's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-5431-PICKEL-PICKER/dp/B0000VLPP8" target="_hplink">a tool</a> solely devoted to nabbing those hard-to-spear fellas.

• Butter Spreader

  So it's not just forks that are a challenge -- knives aren't fulfilling their potential either, at least when it comes to buttering corn. That's why this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-5416-Butter-Spreader/dp/B000I1Y2PK" target="_hplink">"handy" device</a> exists. Maybe if you eat a lot of corn and are really specific about how it is buttered then you could sort of justify this purchase.

• Asparagus Peeler

  Asparagus doesn't necessarily need to be peeled at all. But if you're inclined to shave off thicker stalks, a regular peeler will suffice. Or you could spend $3.95 on a special <a href="http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Asparagus-Peeler/dp/B000BU7U2K" target="_hplink">asparagus peeler</a> if you're into that kind of thing.

• Quesadilla Maker

  Quesadillas are a great and quick snack -- throw a tortilla on a lightly greased pan, add some cheese, put another tortilla on top and flip after a few minutes. If you happen to be spatula-challenged, you can always purchase a totally unnecessary <a href="http://www.target.com/p/El-Paso-Quesadilla-Maker/-/A-10391696" target="_hplink">quesadilla maker</a> to take up counter space that would otherwise be covered with something really useful, like air.

• Roll 'N Pour

  Is pouring a gallon of milk or juice challenging for you? Do you wish you could exert a little less effort when quenching your thirst? The <a href="http://www.rollnpour.com/" target="_hplink">Roll 'n Pour</a> has solved all your beverage problems -- all it takes is one completely unwieldy plastic tool that you can roll...and pour.

• Perfect Meatloaf Pan

  The infomercial says it all. Just <a href="https://www.perfectmeatloaf.com/" target="_hplink">slide and serve</a>. Oh, and sigh. Sigh a lot.

• Pasta N More

  In case the stove just feels too intimidating, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pasta-More-Microwave-Cooker-Cookbook/dp/B0017VIO36" target="_hplink">Pasta N More</a> 5-piece set allows you to use a microwave instead. Cheers to the devolution of cooking as we know it.

• Pizza Baker

  Oh, we get it. It's an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Professional-PS75891-Stainless-Steel-Pizza-Baker/dp/B0002ORKFW" target="_hplink">oven, but skinnier</a>.

• Related Video: As Seen On TV Kitchen Products

Comments

[Tree S-B]

12:51 PM on 11/17/2011

I would imagine that for people with arthiritis or Parkinson's, the Roll and Pour could be helpful.

[northcntrlcoast]

03:25 AM on 11/15/2011

More food gadgets = more slowly growing obese eaters.

[Josh Loyens]

09:31 PM on 11/16/2011

Love this.
so true haha

[Vulvina Snatchoff]

12:03 AM on 11/15/2011

Does that stainless steel bar get the smell off her fingers if they have been "elsewhere"??

[Solar Bear]

08:58 PM on 11/14/2011

Most worthless item I've ever bought (As Seen On TV, of course) was the potato peeling gloves. Absolute garbage.

[Bryon Burzynski]

03:34 PM on 11/11/2011

The "Pizza Baker" looks an awful lot like a Salamander, one of the more heavily utilized pieces of equipment in a standard restaurant kitchen. I'd love to have one, they're fantastic for making quick nachos.

[Dillinger13]

08:37 PM on 11/06/2011

Dudes and dudettes the butter dispenser is really useful!

[Baryl]

11:44 PM on 11/14/2011

I've had one for years and we really like it!! In fact, I had 2 but when one of my boys moved out, he took one with him.

[slackgeek]

11:25 PM on 11/04/2011

the garlic peeler is actually pretty cool... my parents have one and i always thought it was kinda stupid (i'm all for old school and avoiding 'convenience' (which to me usually means lack of quality)), but it easily loosens the skin without crushing the garlic if you want whole cloves. maybe i just suck at using the flat of a knife but i always crush the heII out of it on accident :p i also discovered that a garlic press is one of the most awesome-est things ever! after all the time i spent mincing garlic (i love garlic...).

[slackgeek]

11:28 PM on 11/04/2011

omg! nevermind, i just watched that video of the dood with the head of garlic and it was AWESOME!!!! except it's not very often i need to peel that much garlic (or never) but that was neat!

[ontariogirl]

11:32 AM on 11/04/2011

I'm holding out for the chef in a box. You open the box and a little chef comes out, prepares dinner, cleans up and goes back in the box. So far it hasn't come through. Still optimistic though.

[ckinsobe]

11:20 PM on 11/05/2011

And if it came in the form of Peter Dinklage it would be even better!

[JScott]

01:30 AM on 11/04/2011

ANOTHER Popeil dollar stretcher.........soon appearing at you local Big Lots!.

[clearthinker2008]

12:52 PM on 11/03/2011

That milk and soda pouring thing left me completely perplexed.

[JScott]

01:29 AM on 11/04/2011

Amateurish infomercial as well.

[WhatTheHolyHeck]

01:44 PM on 11/07/2011

I think maybe it's meant for people with limited ability to lift things, like really old folks with poor arm strength or people with rheumatoid arthritis.

[notsotupelohoney]

12:39 PM on 11/03/2011

The egg and muffin toaster would be perfect if it had a place for the sausage.

[xstevejx]

07:30 AM on 11/03/2011

HuffPo should have a 10 Most Mindless Slideshows slideshow.

[DevonTexas]

01:31 PM on 11/05/2011

But we'd all watch them and comment anyway! LOL

[butchcliff]

07:23 AM on 11/03/2011

Bring back the OLD Vegamatic. A good one

[pslcitizen]

03:07 AM on 11/03/2011

There's tons of useless kitchen gadgets..coming from a QVC.

[mlaiuppa]

11:22 PM on 11/02/2011

I've never seen that bottle pourer but I'll be keeping that in mind for my Mom at some point. She's 82 and can still handle the bottles but eventually she'll need help. That may seem like a wasteful or frivolous thing, but for some it might mean independence. I can see it being very valuable to those with limited use of their hands or difficulty with weight of bulk.