Amazon is chock-full of gadgets and gizmos that would give The Little Mermaid a run for her money. Some are, admittedly, complete wastes of hard-earned cash, while others go the distance to offer inexpensive and effective alternatives to notoriously pricey products.
Luckily, Amazon does a decent job of letting customers share unfiltered feedback through reviews and ratings. So we combed through the world’s biggest e-retailer to pinpoint five of the bestselling and cheapest kitchen gadgets to see if they are worth the hype.
Here’s how they stacked up after real-world testing.
Meat Smasher and Chopper
Verdict: Buy It
The results are in but without the trademark suspense of a Maury paternity test: A meat smasher and chopper is and will forever be a cooking must-have. Nothing is more effective at breaking down ground beef, vegetables, mashed potatoes and even eggs into uniform pieces and purees for any recipe.
I was particularly fond of its use for breaking up packets of tuna fish, which are manufactured as compacted, congealed slabs. In fact, it even helped to mix in additions like mayonnaise, sesame seeds, soy sauce and sriracha to create an Asian salad for a protein-packed lunch. Ditch the dinglehopper — err, fork — and enjoy the convenience of just twisting your wrist.
Vampire Garlic Crusher, $15
Verdict: Buy It
Aside from its hilariously thematic vampire design, this “Gracula” garlic crusher gets the job done. My only gripe is that this doesn’t actually mince or chop. Instead, it pulverizes garlic (and other ingredients like ginger and onion) into long strands or, if twisted excessively, into a paste. While this doesn’t deter me from using it, there are those who will require knifework to achieve very specific texture plays for dishes like pastas, soups and stir-fries.
That said, anyone who is accident-prone with sharp objects and/or bores standing over a cutting block will appreciate its quick and easy utility.
Chick Head Egg Separator
Verdict: Think about it
This adorable (yet somewhat morbid, if you think about it) chicken-head-shaped gadget certainly works, but I’m not sure it’s worth the $9 unless it doubles as a piece of kitschy kitchen decor. The vessel can hold only two large eggs without the whites dripping out of its beak hole, and frankly, anyone can now just buy a carton of egg whites.
It would, however, make a wonderful gift for a young chef or baker who may be learning the importance of separating yolks and/or cracking eggs without leaving shells behind.
Easy Jar Opener
Verdict: Think about it
Not all jars are created equal and this opener proves it. While it easily popped and twisted off the lids of jalapenos and kalamata olives, I found it somewhat difficult to open metal-lined tomato sauce jars. The trick is to first break and release the vacuum seal before turning, which can be done with a few quick hand pumps.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this would be ideal for those who suffer from hand-strength issues, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, due to its inconsistency.
Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner
Verdict: Skip it
Angry Mama may throw a fit over microwave messes, but I threw a fit over its inability to, frankly, do it all. While it absolutely helps cut through pesky stains and splatters, you still need to go back in with a dish rag or paper towel to wipe up the residue (which the steam didn’t completely lift in some areas). Additionally, the excessive use of white vinegar can wreak havoc on sensitive noses. And this scent — combined with whatever clung to the walls and tray of your appliance — lingers in the worst way possible.
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