Pointless Kitchen Gadgets

[Karen]

I often get emails - some spam - some from Cooking.com - that include "new" kitchen gadgets or implements I find completely unnecessary. Yesterday's email included a "must-have" "Grill companion set" which included two bins - one marked "raw" and one marked "cooked" - Um, folks, if you cannot tell the difference between a cooked item and a raw one, you probably should not be grilling in the first place! Hello? It also included a lid for the bin, and a "tool caddy" - do they seriously expect people to pay money for this? Hello?

I remember there was an old thread about "eggies" so one could hard-boil eggs that would have a flat bottom - like a paring knife after cooking wouldn't accomplish the same thing?

What have you seen that inspired eye-rolling bemusement?

[moosmom]

I laughed when I read this thread, Karen. But I gotta tell ya, I'm sure who invented these gadgets is laughing all the way to the bank.

I see plastic hamburg makers in the stores. My Mom used an aluminum can and wax paper to make perfectly formed hamburgers, LOOOONG before this gadget was even thought of!!!

Spoolies. Remember those??? Well, before these were even invented, my Mom used to set my hair in strips of cotton rags.

Geez, if only...

[pomtzu]

Karen - maybe the "raw and cooked" is so that you don't put the cooked items back in the bin that held the raw meat - since there is so much hoopla about the risks of the bacterias that are in raw meat. Just like they say to use a separate cutting board for meats. Just a guess, and the only reasonable idea I can think of behind it.
I still wouldn't buy it tho..........

[happylabs]

LOL! I can't think of any right now Karen but this made me laugh.

[pomtzu]

How about that gadget that you put in a pot and it "walks" around the pot and stirs what ever it is that you are cooking, so that you don't have to stand and stir it. Talk about the height of laziness!!! And from what I've seen and read about it - it doesn't even work - except for something that's the consistency of water. I think this one wins the top booby prize in my book.

[cassiesmom]

I saw these at the supermarket on a display next to the bananas and I just started laughing! Just eat the whole nanner for crying out loud!

http://www.asseenontvguys.com/nana-saver.aspx

And Moosmom, a plastic burger shaper is ideal for OCD types like me who have to have them all the same size (seriously- my mom has one and if I don't use it, the burgers turn out more like semi-flat meatballs)

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh you are pushing an open door here Karen. Kitchen gadgets drive me insane! As far as I am concerned, the only necessary kitchen "gadget" is a sharp knife.

My mother is an absolute sucker for advertising. She watches an advert for some useless junk and thinks she has to have it! She uses it once then tries to palm it off on me because she has just discovered it serves no purpose. Drives me insane.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I would never buy something off the T.V. or an unsolicited email but...I have some gadgets that I like - the ones that come to mind all seem to have to do with corn.

For example....I have a devise for taking the kernels off the cob. I could use a knife but I find I cut myself less and make less of a mess using this gadget.

A non-corn is a garlic peeler (RIP) I loved my garlic peeler. It peeled perfectly every time! Sadly, it was plastic and I have now broken two of them.

Perhaps I am just a less skilled person in the kitchen and therefore need my toys!

[Karen]

And Moosmom, a plastic burger shaper is ideal for OCD types like me who have to have them all the same size (seriously- my mom has one and if I don't use it, the burgers turn out more like semi-flat meatballs)

Did you every try just using a plastic or metal measuring cup (like a 1/2 cup on you'd use for flour for example) shape it with that then squash it with a mug, spatula, or similar flat-bottomed wide anything? Just as good results - at least back when I could eat beef!