Have you ever bought a kitchen gadget that promised to change your life, only to find it collecting dust in the back of your drawer a month later? You’re not alone. American kitchens are filled with unused gadgets that seemed like a good idea at the time. The average person spends over $300 on kitchen gadgets every year, many of which aren’t worth the money or the precious counter space they take up. So before you click “buy now” on that next tempting kitchen tool, let’s talk about what experts say is the number one waste of money in your kitchen: the unitasker.
What exactly is a unitasker and why avoid them
A unitasker is any kitchen tool that does exactly one job and nothing else. Think avocado slicers, banana slicers, egg separators, and strawberry hullers. These items crowd your drawers and cabinets with things you’ll use maybe once a month if you’re lucky. Most kitchens already struggle with limited storage space, and adding single-purpose tools only makes the problem worse. When you buy these gadgets, you’re essentially paying for something that will be used for just minutes of its lifetime.
Celebrity chef Alton Brown is famous for his hatred of unitaskers, calling them the enemy of a well-organized kitchen. He points out that most single-purpose tools can be replaced with basic kitchen items you already own. For example, a strawberry huller (a tool designed solely to remove strawberry stems) can be replaced with a simple drinking straw. That $15 gadget suddenly seems like a waste when a 10-cent straw does the exact same job.
Vegetable choppers that don’t save you time
Vegetable choppers are some of the most marketed kitchen gadgets out there. You’ve seen the infomercials: someone struggling comically with a knife, then switching to the magical chopper that dices an onion in seconds. But the reality is far less impressive. These gadgets rarely work as advertised and often require more cleanup time than they save in prep time. Many home cooks report that by the time they’ve assembled the chopper, used it, and then cleaned all its parts, they could have chopped three onions with a regular knife.
Professional chefs agree that vegetable choppers are unnecessary and that learning basic knife skills is much more valuable. A good chef’s knife might cost you $50-100, but it will last for years and can handle virtually any cutting task in your kitchen. Instead of buying yet another plastic gadget, invest that money in a knife skills class or watch some free YouTube tutorials. You’ll save money and become a better cook in the process.
Garlic presses waste more than money
The garlic press is perhaps the most controversial kitchen gadget on this list. Many home cooks swear by them, but chefs almost universally hate them. Why? Because garlic presses waste a significant amount of the garlic you put into them. That flavorful juice left in the press and on your hands? That’s all wasted flavor. A garlic press is also a pain to clean – those tiny holes get clogged, and garlic bits dry and stick to every surface. Some models come with a special cleaning tool, which is, ironically, another unitasker.
Learning to mince garlic with a knife is simple and takes just a few seconds once you get the hang of it. Place the flat side of your knife on a clove and press down to crush it slightly. This makes the skin easy to remove. Then, mince the garlic with a rocking motion. This method actually preserves more flavor than a garlic press because it doesn’t squeeze out as much of the precious oils. Plus, you don’t need to fish a specialized tool out of your drawer every time you want to add garlic to a dish.
Special slicers that take up precious drawer space
Walk down any kitchenware aisle and you’ll find slicers for almost every food imaginable: egg slicers, banana slicers, apple corers, avocado slicers, mango splitters, and on and on. These tools might seem handy, but think about how often you actually slice these specific foods. Maybe a few times a month? Now think about how much space all these tools take up in your kitchen. It’s simply not worth it. Most of these gadgets aren’t even faster than using a knife once you factor in the time it takes to find the tool, use it, and clean it.
The banana slicer is perhaps the most ridiculous example. It’s literally a piece of plastic with slots that you press down on a banana. The same task takes seconds with a knife, and you don’t need to store another gadget. The avocado slicer is another offender – it promises to slice, pit, and scoop an avocado, but most users find that a knife and spoon work just as well and are more versatile. Remember, every specialized slicer is money spent on a tool that can only do one job.
Single-purpose electric appliances that gather dust
Electric unitaskers are even worse than their manual counterparts because they’re bigger, more expensive, and use electricity. Think quesadilla makers, hot dog cookers, s’mores makers, and egg cookers. These appliances often cost $30-100 and take up valuable counter or cabinet space. Most people use them a few times when they first buy them, then relegate them to the back of a cabinet. Five years later, they end up at a garage sale, barely used. The problem isn’t just the money wasted – it’s also the environmental impact of manufacturing and eventually disposing of these rarely-used appliances.
A margarita maker is just a blender with fancy branding. A quesadilla maker does exactly what a pan on your stove does, but takes up more space and costs more money. An egg cooker boils eggs, something your existing pots already do perfectly well. Before buying any single-purpose electric appliance, ask yourself: “Can my stove, oven, or microwave do this job?” The answer is almost always yes. If you need specialized tools for a one-time event (like a fondue pot for a party), consider borrowing from a friend instead of buying.
Fancy versions of tools you already have
Many kitchen gadgets are just fancier, more expensive versions of tools you already own. Take electric can openers, for example. They do the same job as a manual can opener but cost more, take up more space, and can break down. Electric wine openers are another example – they’re often given as gifts but rarely used because they’re bulky and need to be charged. Meanwhile, a basic corkscrew works perfectly well and fits in a drawer. These “upgraded” versions often add complexity without adding much value, and they frequently break down faster than their simpler counterparts.
Even something as simple as tongs can fall into this trap. Many home cooks find that silicone-tipped tongs are actually less effective than plain aluminum ones. The silicone tips can be slippery and don’t grip food as well. Similarly, those fancy walnut crackers with special grips and levers often work worse than simply cracking nuts with a table knife. Before buying an “improved” version of a tool you already own, ask whether it truly solves a problem you have or if it’s just adding complexity.
Specialized knife sets with blades you’ll never use
Those massive knife blocks with 12-20 different knives look impressive on your counter, but most professional chefs will tell you they’re a waste of money and space. The truth is that most cooking tasks can be handled with just three knives: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated bread knife. All those other specialty knives? The boning knife, the tomato knife, the sandwich knife? They’re rarely used and mainly serve to make the set seem more impressive and justify the high price tag. You’re much better off buying three high-quality knives than a large set of mediocre ones.
The knife block itself is often unnecessary too. Many home cooks find that a magnetic knife strip on the wall or a drawer insert works better and takes up less counter space. And those ceramic knives that come in bright colors? They might look nice, but they chip easily and can’t be sharpened at home. A good quality stainless steel knife will last much longer and can be maintained with a simple whetstone or honing rod, no fancy electric sharpeners needed.
Wasteful gadgets that actually make cooking harder
Some kitchen gadgets don’t just waste your money – they actually make cooking more difficult. Take glass cutting boards, for example. They look sleek and modern, but they quickly dull your knives and don’t have the helpful “give” of wooden or plastic boards. Similarly, those popular “all-in-one” pans that claim to replace eight different cookware pieces usually don’t perform as well as dedicated pieces. They often have poor heat distribution compared to a good cast iron or stainless steel pan, and their non-stick surfaces wear out quickly with daily use across multiple cooking methods.
Another example is the mini blender, which seems convenient but lacks the power to properly blend many ingredients. Most people find they end up pulling out their regular blender anyway for tasks the mini version can’t handle. Kitchen torches are also frequently disappointing – they’re small, use expensive butane canisters, and often don’t get hot enough to properly caramelize sugar or sear food. For anyone who actually wants to use a torch in cooking, experts recommend buying a standard hardware store torch, which costs about the same but works much better.
Next time you’re tempted by a shiny new kitchen gadget, ask yourself: “Can I do this job with tools I already have?” and “Will I use this often enough to justify the cost and storage space?” Being honest about these questions will save you money and keep your kitchen clutter-free. Remember, the best tools are the ones you actually use – and often, they’re the simplest ones too.
