The 20 Most Overrated Kitchen Gadgets You Don’t Need (According to Pro Chefs)

When it comes to stocking your kitchen, the shiny new gadgets advertised on late-night infomercials might seem tempting, but professional chefs overwhelmingly agree: quality basics beat single-use gimmicks every time. I spoke with renowned culinary experts to uncover which tools are truly worth your money—and which ones are just collecting dust in your drawers.

Why Chefs Hate These “Must-Have” Tools

Professional kitchens run on efficiency, and that means every tool must earn its place. The recurring theme among chefs? Specialized gadgets promising to “revolutionize” simple tasks often fall short, while mastering fundamental techniques delivers better results.

Celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto puts it bluntly: “Taking the time to learn how to handle a sharp chef’s knife will help you in almost every recipe.” His target? The mandolin slicer. While it promises uniform cuts, Morimoto argues that developing proper knife skills provides more control, precision, and safety than relying on bulky, hard-to-clean equipment.

Eric Rowse, lead chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, doesn’t mince words either. His kitchen pet peeves include onion holders (“looks like a weapon for Wolverine wannabes”), onion goggles (“a waste of money”), and glass cutting boards (“bad for your knives”).

The Full List of Kitchen Gadgets to Skip

1. Mandolin Slicer

Skip it because: Mastering knife skills gives you more control and precision. Mandolins are bulky, hard to clean, and risky if not handled carefully.

2. Onion Holders

Skip it because: Cut your onion in half to create a flat surface instead. A fork works just as well for rings.

3. Onion Goggles

Skip it because: They don’t form a proper seal, and a sharp knife with good ventilation works better.

4. Metal, Glass, or Stone Cutting Boards

Skip it because: Hard surfaces dull your knives quickly. Wood or poly boards are knife-friendly alternatives.

5. Chicken Shredder

Skip it because: Two forks do the job just as well for this single-purpose tool.

6. Herb Stripper

Skip it because: Your fingers work perfectly for removing leaves from rosemary and thyme stems.

7. Bluetooth Wireless Probe Thermometer

Skip it because: They’re expensive and easy to lose or damage. A good instant-read thermometer is more reliable.

8. Electric Can Opener

Skip it because: Manual openers are compact, reliable, and don’t need an outlet.

9. Avocado Slicer

Skip it because: A knife and spoon handle all avocado sizes better than this single-purpose tool.

10. Egg Separator

Skip it because: Cracking an egg and using the shell halves or your fingers works just as well.

11. Garlic Peeler Tube

Skip it because: Smashing cloves with a chef’s knife is quicker and more reliable.

12. Pizza Scissors

Skip it because: A pizza cutter or knife works better and is easier to clean.

13. Herb Scissors

Skip it because: They’re hard to clean and tend to crush delicate herbs rather than slice them cleanly.

14. Electric Egg Cooker

Skip it because: Boiling eggs in a pot is straightforward and more flexible.

15. Butter Cutter and Dispenser

Skip it because: A regular knife works instantly without the hassle of loading and cleaning a plastic gadget.

16. Pasta Measurer

Skip it because: Just eyeball it or learn the rough weight by experience.

17. Oil Mister

Skip it because: Often clogs and sprays unevenly. A small spoon or brush does the job with less frustration.

18. Electric Potato Peeler

Skip it because: Takes up space and peels slower than a regular peeler.

19. Bagel Guillotine

Skip it because: A serrated knife does the job just fine without taking up tons of space.

20. Oven Mitts

Skip it because: Executive chef Jackie Carnesi from Kellogg’s Diner says they’re the most useless item in a home kitchen. A sturdy kitchen towel does the same job and is more likely to be washed regularly.

What Chefs Actually Use

Instead of these gadgets, chefs recommend investing in:

• A quality chef’s knife (8-inch Japanese or Western style)
• A good paring knife
• A sturdy cutting board (wood or poly)
• A reliable instant-read thermometer
• A manual can opener
• A pizza wheel or sharp chef’s knife
• A kitchen scale for precise measurements
• A set of kitchen towels

The Bottom Line

Before buying that trendy kitchen gadget, ask yourself: “Will I use this daily? Can I accomplish the same task with tools I already own?” If the answer is yes to either question, save your money and drawer space. As these professional chefs demonstrate, sometimes the simplest tools are the most effective—and the most satisfying to master.

tags

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sentences

Stop wasting money on single-use kitchen gadgets—chefs reveal what actually works
Professional chefs share the 20 most overrated kitchen tools you should avoid
The kitchen gadgets that professional chefs say are completely useless
Why your fancy avocado slicer is just taking up drawer space
Chefs reveal why oven mitts might be the most useless kitchen item
The simple tools professional chefs actually use in their kitchens
How to stock your kitchen like a pro without breaking the bank
The kitchen gadgets that are actually worth your money
Why mastering basic knife skills beats buying specialized tools
The truth about those trendy kitchen gadgets you see on Instagram

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