Buzz
We typically spend over two hours a day in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning, so it’s no wonder that many people are constantly searching for tools that can help speed up the process. Innovative inventors have created countless gadgets that have transformed the way we cook. Electric mixers have replaced manual beaters, food processors assist with chopping, dicing, and slicing with precision, and the microwave oven has changed the entire cooking game.
Then there are the odd and occasionally bizarre inventions. These are the gadgets we often encounter on online shopping platforms, kitchen TV shows, or in local supermarkets: so-called must-haves designed to save us time in the kitchen. Some of these truly innovative gadgets simplify our cooking routine, while others seemed like brilliant ideas at first but now sit unused at the back of our kitchen drawers. And then, of course, there are those gadgets that leave us questioning how they ever made it to production.
What forgotten treasures are hiding in the back of your kitchen cupboard?
10. Fat Magnet
For many years, health experts have emphasized the importance of cutting down on fat in our diets. As a result, many of us have switched to healthier cooking practices and ingredients—such as grilling fish rather than deep-frying, choosing leaner meats, and incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into our meals.
The Fat Magnet has emerged as a popular choice for health-conscious chefs. According to its marketing, this clever gadget allows you to cook your favorite rich stews while effectively removing excess fat from your dishes.
To use the Fat Magnet, simply freeze it for a few hours. Then, glide the metal plate over your soups and stews. The gadget will absorb the fat, solidifying it for easy removal, resulting in a healthier, lower-fat meal.
9. Banana Slicer
Throughout history, humans have had little difficulty picking bananas from trees, peeling them, and enjoying them by biting right into them. This beloved fruit has been grown and consumed for centuries, and in more refined cultures, we began slicing bananas for a more elegant way of eating or to add to our morning cereal.
For centuries, knives have been perfectly suitable for slicing bananas, so it’s surprising that someone thought to create a banana slicer. It's no wonder this gadget has become one of the most ridiculed kitchen tools available today.
This banana-shaped plastic tool features several blades that slice through an entire banana in one go. It may be helpful for those with arthritis or other conditions that make handling a knife challenging. For the rest of us, however, it might take more time to search for the gadget in the drawer than it would to just grab a knife and cut the banana.
8. Grape Peeler
Grapes have been one of the world’s most beloved fruits since the Neolithic era. You can easily grab a handful from a nearby vine and enjoy them. It didn’t take long for humans to figure out how to transform this convenient fruit into wine.
Egyptologists have uncovered images of servants peeling grapes for their wealthy masters. Older grape varieties had thicker skins, which might have been more enjoyable after peeling and seeding. Over the centuries, however, grape cultivation has produced varieties with such thin skins that it’s surprising anyone still bothers to peel them.
Enter the grape peeler, a useful kitchen tool featuring a thin wire loop that allows you to peel each grape individually. This tool is surely a godsend for professional chefs who prefer to remove grape skins from their dishes. For the rest of us, though, it would probably take less time to eat an entire bunch of grapes than to peel just a few.
7. Chork
Do you enjoy the idea of eating Asian food with chopsticks, but struggle to perfect the technique of getting food into your mouth? The Chork might be the solution for you. This clever invention combines a fork at one end with a set of chopsticks at the other.
The clever plastic utensil is gaining popularity at various fast-food chains, offering diners a choice based on their utensil skills. Those who aren’t familiar with chopsticks can simply use the fork side to eat their fried rice in a classic Western style. For those seeking a more authentic Asian dining experience, they can flip it over to use the chopstick side, switching back to the fork when chasing tricky portions around the bowl.
Experts can easily separate the two parts, transforming the Chork into a set of disposable plastic chopsticks. This tool could be a fun way to practice using chopsticks at home, especially for teaching kids how to use them with their Chinese takeout.
6. Pizza ReHeater
When we order pizza, we often find ourselves with leftover slices the next day. Some of us enjoy cold pizza for breakfast, while others prefer to reheat it in the microwave or oven. Unfortunately, this usually results in soggy pizza or an overcooked, tough slice.
This is exactly why the Pizza ReHeater was created. The triangular tray uses a precise amount of water to absorb excess heat, allowing you to properly reheat your pizza in the microwave.
5. Trongs
Do you love chicken wings, ribs, or other finger foods but dread the messy aftermath? Many of us dislike the greasy residue left on our hands after digging into a plate of wings. That’s exactly why Trongs were created. These clever silicone finger covers act as a pair of tongs, helping you pick up your messy food without getting your hands dirty.
Simply slide the claw-like covers onto each finger. Then you can pick up and devour the messiest food without worrying about greasy or oily residue on your hands.
4. Karoto
Peeling carrots and other cylindrical vegetables can be a tedious task with a knife or a traditional peeler. So it’s no surprise that someone came up with a brilliant tool to make the process faster. The Karoto, designed in Israel, looks and functions like a large pencil sharpener. Simply insert the vegetable into the hole and twist, just as you would sharpen a pencil.
The device is claimed to peel the skin off carrots in just 30 seconds, all while keeping your skin intact. It's a simple yet highly effective design.
3. Self-Stirring Coffee Mug
Making a cup of coffee in the morning is generally a straightforward task. Many of us rely on automatic coffee or tea makers to brew our morning drink. Others can’t begin their day without a freshly brewed barista-style coffee.
For those who prefer instant coffee, the routine is simple: spoon in the coffee or dunk a tea bag, pour hot water, and then maybe add a dash of sugar or milk to taste. The spoon often stays in the cup for a quick stir to finalize the perfect cup of coffee.
However, it seems that even this basic process proved too much for some, leading to the creation of the self-stirring coffee mug. Powered by two small batteries, the mug features a tiny whisk that stirs your drink when you press the button on the handle.
Wasn't that the whole point of the spoon?
2. Cookie Dipper
There are two kinds of people in the world: dunkers and non-dunkers. For many, dunking Oreos into a warm cup of milk or coffee is the epitome of comfort food. On the other hand, some people can't stand the soggy mess that comes with it.
You'd think that dunking is a straightforward action that couldn't possibly be improved. Yet now, you can purchase cookie dunkers like the Dipr to make your coffee and cookie routine even easier.
These cookie dippers range from simple, fork-like devices that help you dip your cookie to magnetic gadgets that allow you to safely submerge your cookies into your milk. How did we ever manage to dunk our cookies without these ingenious tools?
1. Electric Spaghetti Fork
Eating spaghetti can sometimes be a messy affair unless you’ve perfected the technique of twirling the pasta with your fork, lifting it to your mouth like a seasoned Italian. For those seeking a bit more control, using a spoon to assist in the process can be quite effective.
Alternatively, you could try the Hog Wild Twirling Spaghetti Fork. This battery-powered utensil automatically twirls the pasta onto your fork, making it easier to bring the meal to your mouth.
There are countless amusing videos online showing both children and adults attempting to eat with this gadget. While it certainly has the potential to create more chaos than the traditional spaghetti-eating method, it might bring a fun twist to mealtime, particularly for kids—though cleaning up afterward might be a little more challenging for Mom.
