Most Useless Kitchen Gadget You Have Bought

try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 16:05

I've been looking at some of the postings here, and looking in my own kitchen, and wondered what was the most useless kitchen gadget someone had actually bought.

In my case it was the Jamie Oliver Flavour shaker - I used it once and then went back to shaking my dressing in jars. I also bought an Alligator chopper, which I would also have put in this bucket, if I hadn't discover this is great for chopping up the asparagus, mushrooms, capsicum and tomatoes for my omelets. You still need to prep the veggies to make them small enough for the chopper, but it does actually save time and it isn't that bad to wash up.

OK people, bring out your dead.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • myusername on 20/03/2017 - 17:33
    +6

    flatmate bought a mini shaved ice machine during summer thinking they could make their own slush puppies.

    things was noisey AF.

    showed her the same if not better result could be achieved by bagging the ice up and beating it with a meat mallet

    • abb on 22/03/2017 - 10:23
      +6

      Is banging ice with a meat mallet really much quieter than the machine?!

      • ChillBro on 23/03/2017 - 10:27
        +9

        Must be using a Bose noise cancelling mallet.

  • Stewardo on 20/03/2017 - 18:02
    +2

    Corn kernel remover

  • altomic on 20/03/2017 - 18:37
    +3

    Make your own slushy machine. I was some how given 2. They both sat on top of the cupboard for 4 years before I got sick of them and put them both on the nature strip. Some fool picked them up with in 20 minutes.

    • TheBird on 22/03/2017 - 22:52
      +2

      You know, I was walking along once and in front of a house, I found two slushy machines. Score!

      • altomic on 22/03/2017 - 22:56
        +2

        fool

  • cheap-andrew on 20/03/2017 - 19:05
    +2

    I have a device to help with the extremely difficult task of cutting up a banana ;-). It's this yellow plastic banana shaped thing with equal spacing between cutting blades. Complete junk. But someone made it and we bought it.

    • Kangal on 20/03/2017 - 19:09
      -5

      Thanks for keeping aretards in a job!

    • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 22:24
      +4

      Thanks for sharing, that does make me feel better about some of my kitchen choices.

    • cannedhams on 21/03/2017 - 22:28

      Almost certainly a joke gift. Read the Amazon reviews.

    • HN Professional on 22/03/2017 - 19:36
      -1

      I don't think they're marketing those correctly:

      • I am an ice-cream fiend and realised that I would be heading to a premature grave if I kept on gorging on the chemical-laden monstrosities you get in stores so I decided to get one of these banana cutters: cut 'em up, freeze 'em, use as the 'base' for home-made ice-cream (blended up with fruits, occasional TimTams etc.)

      • I don't have kids myself but would assume these things are a godsend for the busy mum/dad whilst kids are screaming out for their snacks.

  • lainey13 on 20/03/2017 - 19:39
    +5

    Frigging herb cutter. Knightmare to clean compared to a knife.

    • ihbh on 20/03/2017 - 19:57

      … or fingers.

    • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 21:51

      Thanks for the headsup on these. I was looking at the herb scissors at one point - think I will stick with the knife.

      • lainey13 on 20/03/2017 - 22:00

        Just use normal kitchen scissors, you can cut packets and chicken with the same thing, no need for a separate scissors for herbs :)
        The one I had was like this:
        http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Njc2WDEwMDA=/z/IikAAOxyffZSVWCJ/$(KGrHqJHJEkFI+OI+rJNBSVWCIpOP!~~60_1.JPG
        Man. Nightmare!

        • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 22:05

          I can what you are talking about, cleaning that would be painful.

        • D6C1 on 21/03/2017 - 13:42

          @try2bhelpful: They are horrible!!

      • anastasiastarz on 22/03/2017 - 04:24
        +1

        Oh gosh I have one, for chives. $6 from Daiso.

  • freemoneyhunter on 20/03/2017 - 20:00
    +3

    A food processor, might save time cutting things, but you spend more time washing it up.

    • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 21:57
      +7

      Can't really agree with this one, I have a Magimix and I use it all the time. The washing up is a bit tedious but when you are shredding vegetables for a vegetable curry, or stir fry, it saves a lot more time than the washing up. I use my baby magimix to puree fruit to put over greek yogurt - it is a quick dessert that isn't loaded with sugar. In my case I fill the sink with sudsy water and put the bowls into the sink immediately after using them to soak. I then use a scrubbing brush to clean them, rinse them under hot water and leave to drain.

      • freemoneyhunter on 21/03/2017 - 16:20

        For a family of 4 it doesn't make sense unless it is a very simple one and easy to clean. For a restaurant yes.

        • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 16:34
          +1

          I would use my Magimix at least 3 times a week and sometime multiple times in one day. You can't beat if for slicing vegetables, chopping onions, etc. I also use it for pureeing soup once it is cooked. I can also do that in my Vitamix but it is easier to get thick stuff out of my Magimix than my Vitamix. We are a couple with no children and this is one of my "keepers". The baby magimix is used mainly for cutting onions and pureeing small amounts of fruit for topping my yogurt. (We did get the baby one as a freebie) so we would probably use the small bowl in the bigger magimix is we didn't have this one.

        • freemoneyhunter on 21/03/2017 - 16:38

          @try2bhelpful: Fair enough I believe you it is worthwhile for you. There are many different food processors so they are not all equal, maybe if I had a better one it would be good but the one I have has so many parts it is crazy.

        • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 16:44
          +1

          @freemoneyhunter: Got to agree with you on that one. Before I got the Magimix I had a several Breville ones and they drove me insane. In the end they just wouldn't click into place. I also got a good deal with my Magimix so I could get several freebie blades with it. It means I have the stir fry cutter blade and a couple of different slicer/shredding ones. Apparently you can also whip cream in it, however, I have a KitchenAid Artisan mixer for that. (the KitchenAid is probably my most expensive folly - I don't do a lot of baking so this doesn't get used as much as it should, given the cost).

    • zqipz on 21/03/2017 - 14:22

      Yeah, they take up room, but when you need one they're indispensable.

    • zhenjie on 22/03/2017 - 21:41

      Food processors are great, especially if you are doing batch and Sunday meal preps.

      eg, doing a months worth of cauliflower rice in minutes. cleanup simple with a quick rinse and wipe.

  • Islund on 20/03/2017 - 20:28
    -1

    Nutri Ninja Blender

    • onetwothreefour on 21/03/2017 - 06:30
      +4

      You bought 2?

      • Islund on 22/03/2017 - 19:21

        That was sticky fingers from the ninja

    • movieman on 21/03/2017 - 11:31
      +3

      I find it really useful.

      Smoothies. Just mixed frozen berries, soy milk, and some seeds, etc.

      Spreads, etc. So quick and easy

    • pauper on 21/03/2017 - 14:46
      +7

      That is one of the best things I have ever bought in the kitchen. I use it almost everyday and has helped me get some veggies into me.

      • montorola on 23/03/2017 - 14:22
        +1

        I agree, I've been using mine alot too - I love how it can blend ice effortlessly. Makes making my own smoothies so easy.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2017 - 22:10
    +3

    thermomix obviously

    • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 22:14
      +13

      Have you seen the Katering Show on the thermomix - hilarious

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yr_etbfZtQ

      Language warning

    • Helmuth on 21/03/2017 - 09:48
      +1

      Absolutely agree. Wedding present, just sits on the counter taking up space and gathering dust. Overpriced blender. Don't even use the tea towel drying function - I just hang them up.

    • theguyrules on 21/03/2017 - 12:27

      Have a Thermochef - cheaper version of the Thermomix.
      Use it a couple of times a week for making full meals for myself.

      Love it.

    • spersephone on 21/03/2017 - 21:58
      +3

      I use mine multiple times a day most days. I've never regretted it. There are always going to be people for whom it's not that great, but overall, it's been such a blessing for me, now that I'm working full time. I want a second one but can't justify the cost. Seriously, I love mine to bits.

      Depends on the person and their needs, obviously. Just like many of the items on here.

  • iridiumstem on 20/03/2017 - 22:37
    +3

    Juicer. Like a lot of things people have mentioned here, it's alright but too much hassle cleaning it and preparing for it can be a little bit of hassle as well.

    • try2bhelpful on 20/03/2017 - 22:43

      Have you thought about something like the Vitamix. It liquifies the entire fruit/vegetable so you get the fibre as well as the juice. When I do my Neopolitano sauce I just quarter the tomatoes and put them in the blender - with seeds, skin and all then add the basil leaves, squish everything down and just liquify the lot. It is also pretty easy to clean because you just put in water, a little bit of dishwashing liquid and run it for about 30s. You still need to do a little bit of rinsing, but you don't need to pull things apart and scrub them.

      • iridiumstem on 20/03/2017 - 22:52

        Well, I technically do have a blender as well. It's not a good one, but it does its job with soft stuff (either it was on one of the bargains or I got it for free from a friend).

        I kinda bought it because I was constantly craving carrot juice for some bizarre reason that I still don't know. I was spending fair bit of money, so I was like, maybe I should get a juicer.

        What you are saying does sound like a nice solution though, if the juicer or the blender goes for some reason, might look into it.

        • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 08:04
          +1

          If you do buy a new blender get one with a powerful motor. You need the extra grunt to pulverise the seeds and skin. I threw away a heap of Breville blenders/food Processors before I bought my Vitamix/Magimix and I didn't use them that often. Have a look at the Froothie site as they have Vitamix clones.

        • eltito on 21/03/2017 - 11:03

          Vitamix is the bomb! Mine has been running for over 10 years strong! And it is still a bad ass blender!

        • freemoneyhunter on 21/03/2017 - 16:42
          +1

          @eltito: Aldi had a Vitamix clone for $50 a few years ago, I bought one, the motor blew when I tried to mash some things up. The whole jug and blades were a complete clone, just the motor part was poor.

        • eltito on 21/03/2017 - 19:16
          +2

          @freemoneyhunter: Get a vitamix if u have ever the spare $$, seriously it was the best thing apppliance i ever bought

        • freemoneyhunter on 21/03/2017 - 20:13

          @eltito: Real ones are really expensive thou, more than $500 last time I checked years ago.

        • HN Professional on 22/03/2017 - 19:44

          @freemoneyhunter:

          They even had a recall. 90% of the electronic stuff I've bought from Aldi have been crap - have learn my lesson.

          As for the Aldi-faux Vitamix, threw it away after one use (did not want to leave it on the kerb, and risk a blade flying out and killing someone else)

  • onetwothreefour on 21/03/2017 - 06:30
    +2

    Ice cream maker, bloody wife's only used it a few times.

    • Momotsuki on 21/03/2017 - 12:38
      +1

      Bought my wife one too, however I've had a good and steady stream of green tea ice cream and teh tarik ice cream come out of that investment.

      • onetwothreefour on 21/03/2017 - 13:12

        We bought ours a couple of months before a trip to Japan and said we'd buy a load of green tea powder to make some ice cream… Never happened.

    • spersephone on 21/03/2017 - 22:02
      +2

      If you have the space to keep the bowl in the freezer, they're great. We use ours every few weeks and make great ice cream. Only problem is having the ingredients ready. But you can have a "Mr Whippy" style ice cream ready in about 30 minutes with these, if you don't want to wait for them to freeze overnight. The taste is far better than anything you can buy in the supermarket, because it's fresh. I must admit I don't make these enough, but we always appreciate having it when we do.

  • Drj55 on 21/03/2017 - 07:34

    Blow torch has never been used. Not even once to see if it works!

    … and almost every kenwood attachment from that $10 super sale a few months back.

    • bling on 22/03/2017 - 11:55

      would you sell your Kenwood attachments? I missed out on the pasta roller so if you have and want to offload that, I'd take it off your hands

    • MBB on 27/06/2017 - 21:32

      Hi. I would be happy to purchase some of those Kenwood attachments if you want to sell them. I am looking for the following: Pasta Roller AT970a; Electronic Scale AT850b; Citrus Juicer AT312; Compact Chopper/Grinder At320a. Let me know please. Cheers.

  • Hotpotcorn on 21/03/2017 - 08:55

    ICECREAM SCOOP!! WTF SO USELESS PLEASE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO REGRET BUYING ICECREAM SPOONS

    • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 09:14

      The ones that have a lever that pushes the icecream off the scoop aren't as bad, but I know what you mean.

      • zine21 on 21/03/2017 - 13:14
        +4

        those are the worst. The lever almost always gets stuck and it just becomes pointless.

        • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 13:17

          Haven't had an issue with mine, but we don't get icecream that often so it is hardly used.

    • Calmago on 21/03/2017 - 09:15
      +7

      Better then bending spoons.

      • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 10:13
        +4

        Uri Geller made an act out of that.

    • terrys on 21/03/2017 - 10:19
      +6

      Perfect for serving mashed potatoes to the aging with fond memories of orphanages, prisons, mental institutions or English school lunches. never let it near ice-cream tho as it may break.

    • Herbse on 21/03/2017 - 11:39
      +1

      Look into Midnight Scoop. This was one the east things I've ever bought.

      No more straining my wrist getting hard ice cream out.

      • HN Professional on 22/03/2017 - 19:49
        +1

        As an ice-cream tragic, thank you!

    • zqipz on 21/03/2017 - 14:29
      +2

      I got one of these scoop it's actually pretty good for making those little cones without bending spoons.

    • ozbjunkie on 21/03/2017 - 16:18
      +6

      I have solved this issue by eating straight from the tub.

      I have of course developed a new issue…I need new pants.

    • bling on 22/03/2017 - 11:58
      +1

      I've had a couple and it depends on the coating of the scoops. I've found the ones with levers are useless. the normal ones that have a non-stick like coating means the icecream slides easily off the scoop and makes nice round balls for heaping onto waffle cones (Aldi ones are the bomb!).

      • spaij on 22/03/2017 - 18:41

        How do you keep the cones from going stale? (Once you open the packet)

        • bling on 26/03/2017 - 22:17
          +1

          zap it in the microwave for 10 secs before using/eating. Crisp them right up!

    • bargdebarg on 23/03/2017 - 05:46

      If you have rather small ones, they are perfect for portioning cookie dough

    • mataeka on 23/03/2017 - 16:06

      yup, recently got rid of mine because we literally never use it - just use our spoons …

  • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 09:40
    +2

    Soup maker.. One that blends and cooks at the same time.. Similar to a water kettle and blender.. Takes forever to cook soup and difficult to clean. Once got burnt by the steam as well.. It was an impulse purchase which was used only once..

  • mrtempeh on 21/03/2017 - 10:04

    a plastic green avocado scoop with a serated edge…..cat cut the skin of the avo and scoop too small…taken up space in the drawer for the one day …….

  • Blahness on 21/03/2017 - 10:41

    A Mandolin without a hand guard (!) … and it doesn't even julienne.

  • TigerWoops on 21/03/2017 - 10:55
    +2

    cheap coffee maker. bought one but poor taste and not easy to use. bought good one and give old one to a friend. Use new one a lot as better taste and automatic.

    • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 12:51
      +4

      hmmm, not sure "friend" describes the relationship if you are palming off bodgy kitchen devices.

      • TigerWoops on 22/03/2017 - 06:57
        +1

        I gave it to him cos he wanted it. lol

        • try2bhelpful on 22/03/2017 - 09:21

          Does he actually use it.

  • navegante88 on 21/03/2017 - 11:52
    +1

    Slapchop

    • c0balt on 21/03/2017 - 16:31

      Bought one on eBay a month or so back for $10.. it's still in the box.

      • ordinarygreenbottle on 27/09/2021 - 14:51

        Still no good? How's it now after 4 years? Still in the box? The ad makes it look really effective.

    • ordinarygreenbottle on 27/09/2021 - 14:51

      Still no good? How's it now after 4 years? Still in the box? The ad makes it look really effective.

  • Viderzo on 21/03/2017 - 12:16
    +4

    Breadmaker, what was I thinking

    • decr on 21/03/2017 - 18:33
      +2

      I bought one off gumtree a year ago for $15, and have used it… maybe 10-20 times. The price justified the purchase.

      Edit: and I still actually use it.

      • Viderzo on 21/03/2017 - 20:35

        I just dont have the time to make the bread, do you set it with a timer so it will start around midnight? And where do you source good flours and yeast? I mighy start using mine again

        • spersephone on 21/03/2017 - 22:05
          +1

          Most of them have a timer. Actually throwing the ingredients in shouldn't take more than a minute or two. Ours has a timer that you set to when you want it to be ready to take out. So if it's 10pm now, and I want it to come out at 7am, I set it for 9 hours. It incorporates its mixing and rising time and only starts when it knows it should. I used to use mine a lot, but lately I prefer to make overnight bread that requires very little work, but needs two hours in the morning to finish off. Absolutely magnificent flavours though.

        • decr on 21/03/2017 - 22:46
          +1

          Mine is old and doesn't have a timer. I make it on the weekends and I use bakers flour for wheat and rye for the rest. Plain flour works too. I use normal dry yeast from Coles and store it in the freezer.

          To make it I dump it all in at say 9am, takes 5mins, no mixing no nothing, and you'll have fresh warm bread by lunchtime around 12. If you do plain white I think you can get away with 2 hours baking.

          And the lack of mess… I'm not an advocate of breadmakers but I sure as hell don't have the time/energy to do anything else. Even better toasted btw.

    • bargdebarg on 23/03/2017 - 05:47

      I only use mine to make pizza dough

  • alz on 21/03/2017 - 12:37

    One of those Aliexpress egg cracker. It's sitting in the drawer now.

    • try2bhelpful on 21/03/2017 - 12:48
      +4

      Googled it. That looks like some medieval torture device for someones 'nads.

      https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-egg-cracker.html

      • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 12:56

        That looks like some medieval torture device for someones 'nads.

        lol. It really does.

        My rice cooker sits unused.

        • BuyoTheCat on 21/03/2017 - 15:00
          +12

          You not asian

        • Forfiet on 21/03/2017 - 18:06
          +1

          Maybe he is? maybe he is Caucasian……

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2017 - 22:58

          @BuyoTheCat:

          I eat heaps of rice, I just use a saucepan.

        • BuyoTheCat on 21/03/2017 - 23:47

          @Juddy:

          That is how I usually do it too, like a Pilaf.

        • mmd on 22/03/2017 - 01:12

          @BuyoTheCat:
          +1
          Even written in the correct Asian English format.

        • Lockieasy on 23/03/2017 - 15:42

          Really? I love my rice cooker. Just stick the rice and water in and forget about it for ~30min. So easy.

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