# "useless kitchen gadgets" that are actually useful? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903 "2010-01-14T06:25:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/41 "2010-01-14T21:59:19Z")
> [@MitzeKatze](#): > > This is funny. I came to this thread to say “my garlic press!” and not only did everyone else beat me to it, but just before I came back I took my dog for a walk. I am currently listening to the audiobook _Kitchen Confidential_ by Anthony Bourdain on my iPod while walking the dog and he just got to the part where he describes what home cooks should have in their kitchen (in his opinion) to make their food more like “restaurant quality” food. He went into a rant about garlic presses, how bad they are and even said: > and > > LOL. I don’t care and still love my garlic press, but had no idea there was such a hatred of them by anyone. Oh and I have decided that Anthony Bourdain is a pretentious ass-hat. 😉 > > The other kitchen gadget that I love (and is surprisingly Bourdain-approved ;)) is my mandoline. My husband swore I would rarely use it, it would gather dust or I would slice off my fingertips, but I have found a gajillion uses for it and at this point probably couldn’t cook without it. > [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Some presses are better than others. I got the one that Cook’s Illustrated rated most highly, the Kuhn-Rikon Easy-Squeeze Garlic Press. Leaves all that skin behind and minces the garlic up nicely. > > Considering that some people mash the garlic with the blade of their chef’s knife and even puree it up with coarse salt on the cutting board, I fail to see how a **good** garlic press can “ruin” garlic. (Maybe he’s only seen the shitty ones in use, I dunno.) The reason professional chefs don’t like garlic presses is the same reason you should buy fresh garlic, not the big jars of pre-cut garlic in the grocery store; smashed garlic gets bitter and icky tasting if it sits for a while. If you mince garlic with a blade, you essentially are cutting it to little chunks and not releasing much, if any, of the oils & juices. If you’re a chef in a professional kitchen, you do this hours before you actually use the garlic. If you press it (or even smash it, if you’re really particular), you release the oils & juices, and they will go bad as it sits and waits for you to use it. That’s why professionals prefer chopping it with a knife. If you’re a home cook, chances are you’re pressing the garlic a few minutes before you use it. If that’s the case, pressing works fine. But if you _do_ plan on letting it sit for a while, by all means, chop it, don’t press it. Me? I like the press. I just make sure to press it right into whatever I’m cooking. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/42 "2010-01-14T22:11:14Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > \ > If you’re a home cook, chances are you’re pressing the garlic a few minutes before you use it. If that’s the case, pressing works fine. But if you _do_ plan on letting it sit for a while, by all means, chop it, don’t press it. > > Me? I like the press. I just make sure to press it right into whatever I’m cooking. That makes sense, but doesn’t explain why Bourdain was specifically against garlic presses for the **home** cook, and described what they produced as “not garlic”. (As an aside, he was spot-on with what professional chef’s use that are absolutely not necessary for home cooks to achieve similar results.) I’m with ya on it, though, I love my garlic press and will continue to use it despite what any pretentious chef tells me, because I know what the results are. 😉 And I need to second whoever said “pastry scraper” I completely forget about that, but mine lives next to my right hand almost constantly when I am in the kitchen- I use it all the time for so many things! And even though it isn’t really a gadget as in “as seen on TV” I could, but would hate to, live without my Kitchen-Aid stand mixer and all its attachments. It was expensive (to me) so I put off getting one for a long time, but now I hate to think about working in the kitchen without it. But I am an at-home wife and mother, cooking 2 or 3 full meals per day (most days) for a family of 6 (sometimes more) so your mileage will definitely vary. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/43 "2010-01-14T22:33:03Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > If you’re a home cook, chances are you’re pressing the garlic a few minutes before you use it. If that’s the case, pressing works fine. But if you _do_ plan on letting it sit for a while, by all means, chop it, don’t press it. > > Me? I like the press. I just make sure to press it right into whatever I’m cooking. Oh no, I didn’t even think of that. I put the cloves into the press as part of my “mise” work, then press right into the cooking food, cut any excess off with a little knife. It’s easier that way, no need to handle the slightly sticky garlic bits. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/44 "2010-01-14T22:35:39Z")
One of those adjustable gadget things that opens stuck jars. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/45 "2010-01-15T00:22:58Z")
Everyone is totally missing why garlic presses are so highly rated! It’s because they’re FUN! Squeezing something with all your might until it sploots out through little holes? It’s a cross between popping…well, you know…and extruding Play-Doh! Awesome! I pooh-poohed my sister’s [Toss & Chop](http://www.silvermk.com/product_detail.cfm?id=1) scissors. Then she bought me a pair. Now I can’t live without them. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/46 "2010-01-15T00:37:34Z")
My vacuum sealer has saved me a fortune in cheese. (I also use it to split up bulk buys of meat, but when you factor in the price of bags the savings are probably debatable.) ---
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/47 "2010-01-15T00:45:45Z")
Another vote for the Magic Bullet (although I need to replace the cross-blade attachment - the rubber on the bottom of the casing has worn down and now it just spins around without the blades spinning). I don’t currently own one, but my mom had an awesome hand-held hard cheese grater. It makes grating parmesan and other hard cheeses a breeze: [http://www.lionsdeal.com/fmp-137-1090.html?utm\_source=googlebase&utm\_medium=comparisonshopping](http://www.lionsdeal.com/fmp-137-1090.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=comparisonshopping) ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/48 "2010-01-15T01:00:23Z")
I bought a [Susi garlic press](http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&as_epq=susi+garlic+press&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=off&q=%22susi+garlic+press%22&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Q7xPS4KLL4fUNYLU1IwJ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CB8QrQQwAA) many years ago upon the very strong recommendation of the _Frugal Gourmet_ and I have never regretted it. It’s strong, well-built, extrudes all the garlic from the clove, and comes with a handy red plastic device to clean out all the holes at one time, although I usually just scoop out the skin with a fingertip. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/49 "2010-01-15T02:19:42Z")
A spice grinder. And now this thread has reminded me how much I need to get a garlic press… ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/50 "2010-01-15T05:14:37Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > Everyone is totally missing why garlic presses are so highly rated! It’s because they’re FUN! Squeezing something with all your might until it sploots out through little holes? It’s a cross between popping…well, you know…and extruding Play-Doh! Awesome! > > I pooh-poohed my sister’s [Toss & Chop](http://www.silvermk.com/product_detail.cfm?id=1) scissors. Then she bought me a pair. Now I can’t live without them. WANT!!! ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/51 "2010-01-15T09:39:14Z")
Food dehydrator. I bought one off an infomercial and I love it. Although I didn’t use it last year, I normally dry out apple slices and my hop harvest in it. Erm, not at the same time though. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/52 "2010-01-15T13:44:38Z")
> [@MitzeKatze](#): > > That makes sense, but doesn’t explain why Bourdain was specifically against garlic presses for the **home** cook, and described what they produced as “not garlic”. Because he’s Bourdain, of course! And also, I’m guessing, he didn’t realized that if you don’t let the garlic sit, it doesn’t get all bitter & yucky. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/53 "2010-01-15T14:13:28Z")
I’ve always enjoyed my [Salad Spinner.](http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9219279&sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9219279) I hate wet lettuce in a salad. ---
**Author:** ![Sehmket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Sehmket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sehmket)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/54 "2010-01-15T14:31:54Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > Food dehydrator. I bought one off an infomercial and I love it. Although I didn’t use it last year, I normally dry out apple slices and my hop harvest in it. Erm, not at the same time though. This. I use my dehydrator once a week or so. I’ve made Jerky in a hundred flavors, apples, peaches, zucchini chips, banana chips, strawberries, pears, and a bunch of different herbs. This spring, I’m planing a good-sized herb garden, and part of that reason is because I know I can save almost everything using the dehydrator. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/55 "2010-01-15T14:32:16Z")
> [@MitzeKatze](#): > > This is funny. I came to this thread to say “my garlic press!” and not only did everyone else beat me to it, but just before I came back I took my dog for a walk. I am currently listening to the audiobook _Kitchen Confidential_ by Anthony Bourdain on my iPod while walking the dog and he just got to the part where he describes what home cooks should have in their kitchen (in his opinion) to make their food more like “restaurant quality” food. He went into a rant about garlic presses, how bad they are and even said: > and > > LOL. I don’t care and still love my garlic press, but had no idea there was such a hatred of them by anyone. Oh and I have decided that Anthony Bourdain is a pretentious ass-hat. 😉 > > The other kitchen gadget that I love (and is surprisingly Bourdain-approved ;)) is my mandoline. My husband swore I would rarely use it, it would gather dust or I would slice off my fingertips, but I have found a gajillion uses for it and at this point probably couldn’t cook without it. Alton Brown’s not a big fan of them either. But then again, he’s not a big fan of any “unitasker.” ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/56 "2010-01-15T16:23:55Z")
Huh. I have a garlic press, but don’t use it any more - I always found it a pain to use and clean (it’s likely that mine’s not a very good one). Instead, I use a little lidded container to mince up my garlic. It’s got little ridges in both the lid and the bottom - pop in your garlic, put on the lid, then rotate the two pieces around to mince it up. Works a treat! Can’t remember the name though. Here, I’ll amazon it: it’s [this](http://www.amazon.com/NexTrend-GT-Clear-Garlic-Twist-Clear/dp/B000173JMS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1263572412&sr=8-4)one. (I don’t remember mine costing that much, but maybe it did.) I think I vaguely recall some chef or other saying that using a press pushes out so much of the liquid in the garlic, and can lead to it tasting bitter (or some such). (Maybe they mentioned this in Cook’s Illustrated or something.) However, ISTR that it’s only noticeable if you have a pretty highly developed palate - I’d certainly never notice the difference, I don’t think. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/57 "2010-01-15T16:28:24Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > Alton Brown’s not a big fan of them either. But then again, he’s not a big fan of any “unitasker.” Though he’s got a few blind spots on that, if you pay attention. If I ever meet him in person, I plan to take him to task and ask him what _else_ he uses his coffee grinder (the big burr grinder, not the little blade grinder he uses for spices, etc.), his 2-tablespoon measuring spoon, and his espresso machine for. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/58 "2010-01-15T17:03:13Z")
Should have added the mortar and pestle. It’s amazing how you can get actual flavor from dried spices with one of these! LOL! About once a week I dump a bunch of herbs and pepper into it, then powder them and sprinkle them over a plate of olive oil. Dip french or italian bread and Oooooh, Ahhh! I never use dried herbs without crushing them now. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/59 "2010-01-15T18:37:39Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Though he’s got a few blind spots on that, if you pay attention. If I ever meet him in person, I plan to take him to task and ask him what _else_ he uses his coffee grinder (the big burr grinder, not the little blade grinder he uses for spices, etc.), his 2-tablespoon measuring spoon, and his espresso machine for. But that’s like saying an oven can only bake or a knife can only cut. The “anti-unitasker” philosophy isn’t really about only having multipurpose tools, it’s about not using unitaskers when there’s a multipurpose tool that does the job as well or better. I’ll grant you on the two-tbsp measure, though. 🙂 Then again, I have one I got for free with a coffee bean holder. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903/60 "2010-01-15T19:33:47Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > The “anti-unitasker” philosophy isn’t really about only having multipurpose tools, it’s about not using unitaskers when there’s a multipurpose tool that does the job as well or better. My rebuttal is entirely in the form of a quote: > [@Alton Brown](#): > > In my kitchen, there is only _one_ unitasker. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/useless-kitchen-gadgets-that-are-actually-useful/524903.md?page=4)