10 Kitchen Gadgets You Don’t Need (But Thought You Did)

Kitchen drawers and cabinets fill up fast, especially with random gadgets that promise to make cooking easier. But a lot of them end up collecting dust after just one or two uses. The truth is, many of these tools don’t save time or effort…they just take up space. Here are ten kitchen gadgets you can let go of and never even know they’re gone.

Banana Slicer

This one sounds fun, but a regular knife does the exact same job—probably faster. It’s a one-trick tool that clutters your drawer and never gets used when you’re in a rush. If you’ve got a butter knife, you’ve got a banana slicer.

Electric Can Opener

Unless you have a medical need for one, manual can openers work just fine. They’re small, easy to clean, and don’t need a power outlet. An electric version takes up space and usually doesn’t work any better than the old-school kind.

Avocado Slicer

You don’t need a gadget to cut, pit, and scoop an avocado. A knife and spoon do the job with less cleanup. These tools often don’t fit right or leave behind chunks, and they’re one more thing to wash.

Egg Separator

Cracking an egg and separating the yolk by hand or using the shell is quicker than digging out a special tool. It’s satisfying, simple, and once you’ve done it a few times, you won’t miss the gadget at all.

Quesadilla Maker

It seems like a good idea—until you realize a frying pan works just as well. Plus, the pan is easier to clean and doesn’t take up half a cabinet. Unless you eat quesadillas every day, you probably don’t need a dedicated appliance.

Herb Scissors

These scissors with multiple blades promise to chop herbs faster, but they’re hard to clean and not that efficient. A sharp knife and cutting board work better and don’t leave little bits stuck between blades.

Popcorn Machine

Stovetop popcorn is quick, easy, and cheaper than buying special kernels for a machine. You can make it in a pot with a lid and add your own flavoring. A popcorn maker just takes up space for a once-in-a-while snack.

Garlic Press

A knife can mince garlic just as well, and you don’t have to scrub tiny bits out of a press. Garlic presses seem handy, but rarely save time once you factor in the cleanup. Plus, chopping garlic gives you more control over size and texture.

Hot Dog Toaster

It sounds like a fun novelty, but it’s not practical. It’s bulky, hard to clean, and only does one thing—toast hot dogs. A skillet or toaster oven can handle the job without adding clutter to your counter.

Salad Spinner

While they work, salad spinners are big and take up a lot of cabinet space. You can dry lettuce with a clean dish towel or let it air dry in a colander. Unless you’re eating salad every single day, it’s probably not worth keeping around.

Clear the Clutter

You don’t need a gadget for every task. Most of the time, a simple knife or pan does the job just as well. Letting go of extra tools makes your kitchen easier to use—and gives you more space for the things that matter.

This article first appeared on Happy From Home.