Kitchen Tools and Gadgets People Buy but Rarely Use
That bread maker, garlic press, or avocado slicer seemed like a great idea at the time—but like millions of other home cooks, you probably used it once and never touched it again.
TL;DR
Many kitchen gadgets are bought with good intentions but quickly abandoned because they’re single-use, hard to clean, or just not as convenient as a knife or spoon. Common culprits include bread makers, garlic presses, avocado slicers, fondue sets, and spiralizers. Before buying, ask: “Will I use this weekly?” and “Does a tool I already own do the same job?” The key to a functional kitchen is owning fewer, more versatile tools rather than collecting gadgets that gather dust.
Key Takeaways
- Single-use gadgets are the biggest offenders—bread makers, garlic presses, and avocado slicers often get used once and forgotten
- Hard-to-clean tools rarely get used—garlic presses, herb scissors, and spiralizers add more cleanup time than they save
- Novelty items like fondue sets and chocolate fountains seem fun but require too much setup for everyday use
- Specialty appliances like ice cream makers and meat slicers are often bought for specific projects and never touched again
- A simple knife, spoon, or pot does most jobs better—without the extra clutter and cleanup
The Most Commonly Abandoned Gadgets
Bread Makers
Bread makers are the classic example of a gadget bought with enthusiasm and abandoned after one or two uses. One Reddit user summed up the experience: “We used it once. The bread was delicious. We never used it again” . These bulky appliances take up significant counter or cabinet space, require setup and cleanup, and often produce results that don’t match the effort . Most people eventually go back to buying bread or baking the traditional way .
Better option: A Dutch oven for occasional homemade bread, or just buying fresh bread from the bakery.
Garlic Presses
Chefs consistently name garlic presses as one of the most overrated kitchen gadgets . While they seem convenient, they’re notoriously difficult to clean—tiny bits of garlic get stuck in the holes, requiring a brush or a long soak . They also bruise the garlic, releasing bitter compounds that can affect flavor . Using a garlic press means you waste garlic left behind, and one clove at a time is inefficient if you use a lot of garlic .
Better option: A sharp chef’s knife or Microplane grater—faster, better flavor, and easier to clean .
Avocado Slicers
When three chefs were asked to name one kitchen gadget they would never buy, they all picked the avocado slicer . A simple knife and spoon do the job just as quickly—and with more control. These specialized tools often don’t fit properly, leave chunks behind, and are one more thing to wash .
Better option: A chef’s knife to halve and pit, then a spoon to scoop.
Fondue Sets
Fondue sets are often purchased with grand entertaining aspirations, but the reality of setup and cleanup quickly kills the mood . The difficulty in preparation and washing conspires to make this a once-in-a-blue-moon novelty rather than a regular staple . Most end up stored away, brought out maybe once per decade for nostalgia purposes .
Better option: A regular pot and dipping bowls—or just skip the fondue and serve cheese and chocolate in simpler ways.
Spiralizers
Spiralizers were a huge trend for making vegetable noodles, but the novelty quickly faded . They’re bulky, difficult to clean, and rarely used long-term after the initial excitement passes . For most people, it’s a tool that sounded fun but didn’t hold up in everyday use .
Better option: A vegetable peeler for ribbons, or a mandoline for consistent slices.
Ice Cream Makers
Making homemade ice cream sounds like a fun idea, but it takes planning, time, and effort . Between freezing bowls, prepping ingredients, and cleaning everything afterward, it often becomes more of a project than a treat . Most people stick with store-bought options .
Better option: Store-bought ice cream or a no-churn recipe that uses a stand mixer.
Egg Slicers and Separators
Egg slicers seem useful until you realize how rarely you need perfectly sliced eggs . And once the wires break after a few uses, you’re back to using a knife anyway . Egg separators are similarly unnecessary—most cooks just use the shell or their hands, which is faster and creates less cleanup .
Better option: A knife and your hands.
Specialty Appliances (Sous Vide, Meat Slicers, Popcorn Makers)
Sous vide machines take up space and require setup time. “I could have several dinners already prepared” in the time it takes to set them up, says one chef . Meat slicers are rarely practical unless you run a deli . Popcorn makers add extra setup and cleanup when stovetop or microwave works just fine .
Better option: Your oven, stovetop, and a simple pot.
Comparison Table: Gadgets to Skip vs. Smarter Alternatives
| Gadget People Buy But Rarely Use | Smarter Alternative | Why It Works Better |
|---|---|---|
| Bread maker | Dutch oven or store-bought bread | Less bulky, better results, more uses |
| Garlic press | Chef’s knife or Microplane | Better flavor, easier to clean, faster for multiple cloves |
| Avocado slicer | Knife + spoon | More control, no extra cleanup |
| Fondue set | Regular pot or skip it | Less setup, less cleanup, more practical |
| Spiralizer | Vegetable peeler or mandoline | Smaller footprint, easier to clean, more versatile |
| Ice cream maker | Store-bought or no-churn recipe | Less hassle, no bulky equipment |
| Egg slicer/separator | Knife + hands | Faster, no extra parts to wash |
| Sous vide machine | Stovetop, grill, or oven | Faster cooking, no special equipment |
| Rice cooker | Pot with lid | Stovetop works just as reliably |
| Electric can opener | Manual can opener | Saves counter space, more reliable |
Why Do These Gadgets Go Unused?
The novelty wears off. Many gadgets are bought because they sound fun or trendy—like bread makers, spiralizers, and chocolate fountains . Once the initial excitement fades, they get pushed to the back of a cabinet .
They’re hard to clean. If a tool requires disassembly, scrubbing tiny holes, or dealing with greasy parts, it’s far less likely to become part of your routine . Garlic presses, herb scissors, and spiralizers are prime examples.
They solve problems you don’t actually have. A tool that only works for one specific food—like an avocado slicer or cherry pitter—doesn’t earn its place when a knife can do the same job .
They require too much setup. Sous vide machines, fondue sets, and bread makers take time to prepare and clean . For most people, simpler methods are faster and produce equivalent or better results.
The Chefs’ Rule: How to Avoid Buying Gadgets You’ll Never Use
Professional chefs recommend asking three questions before any kitchen purchase :
1. Does a tool I already own do the same job?
“If the answer is yes, skip it,” says home chef Marissa Stevens .
2. Will I use this at least once a week?
“If it’s just a specialty tool for one special occasion dish, it’s not worth it,” says chef Katie Vine .
3. Does it save real time on tasks I do often?
“If it only saves a few seconds and then you have to wash another tool, it’s not worth having” .
Tools that pass this test—like a Microplane, which makes grating garlic, ginger, and cheese faster—earn their place . Gadgets that don’t belong in the drawer.
FAQ Section
What kitchen gadget do people buy but rarely use the most?
Bread makers and toasted sandwich makers are frequently cited as top offenders. According to one survey, the toasted sandwich maker is the least-used kitchen gadget, followed by food processors, slow cookers, and bread makers .
Why do people stop using garlic presses?
They’re difficult to clean—tiny bits of garlic get stuck in the holes. They also bruise the garlic, affecting flavor. A knife does the job faster and better .
Is an avocado slicer worth buying?
No. Chefs agree a knife and spoon do the job with more control and no extra cleanup .
Why do fondue sets go unused?
They require significant setup and cleanup time, making them impractical for everyday use. They become once-in-a-blue-moon novelties .
What’s the best way to avoid buying useless kitchen gadgets?
Ask three questions before buying: Does a tool I already own do this? Will I use it weekly? Does it save real time? If not, skip it .
References
Expert-Approved Guidance on Kitchen Gadgets People Buy But Rarely Use
- Allwomenstalk – Gadgets Everyone Has but Never Uses
- Yahoo – 14 Most Useless Kitchen Tools
- Avocadu – Forgotten Kitchen Tools Taking Up Space
- Yahoo – Appliances Chefs Say Are a Waste
- The Thrifty Apartment – Kitchen Items You Never Got Your Money’s Worth From
- Home as We Make It – Kitchen Gadgets We No Longer Use
- Real Simple – The Gadget Chefs Would Never Buy
- Delish – Kitchen Tools Chefs Never Use
- Yahoo Creators – Useless Kitchen Gadgets People Regret
- Yahoo – Underused Kitchen Tools Worth the Money
Which kitchen gadget did you buy with good intentions and never use? Share your story in the comments—it might save someone else from the same mistake!
