You Probably Own These 20 Kitchen Tools -- And Pros Think They're Useless

You Probably Own These 20 Kitchen Tools -- And Pros Think They're Useless

Countertop real estate is valuable, and when you're short on space, every inch counts. That's why it's frustrating when drawers get crowded with gadgets that looked fun at first but quickly collect dust. Whether it's an avocado cuber, a corn kernel stripper or a specialty peeler you forgot you even owned, these single-use tools often take up more room than they're worth. Instead of giving in to gimmicks, it's smarter to build your kitchen around dependable, multifunctional gear. We asked chefs and kitchen pros which gadgets they consider totally unnecessary-and which tools actually pull their weight.

We turned to five professional chefs to find out which kitchen tools aren't worth the space they occupy. From onion goggles to instant read meat probes, these kitchen gadgets may seem useful at first but can quickly become clutter and a waste of money. Let's take a look at what the pros have to say about them.

Masaharu Morimoto: The Most Overrated Kitchen Tool

Masaharu Morimoto shared his pick for the most overrated kitchen tool:

  • Mandolins can be bulky, hard to clean and risky if you're not extremely careful. Relying too much on a mandolin or tools like a two-in-one apple cutter or a tomato corer can hold you back from developing real technique. Taking the time to learn how to handle a sharp chef's knife or Japanese blade will help you in almost every recipe.

    • What to try instead: Mac 8-inch Japanese chef knife

    Eric Rowse: The Gimmicky Onion Chopper

    Lead chef-instructor Institute of Culinary Education, Los Angeles Culinary instructor Eric Rowse knows a gimmicky kitchen tool when he sees one:

  • "These look like a weapon for Wolverine wannabes; it's meant to help you hold a whole onion and 'chop' it. Instead, cut the onion in half to create a flat surface so it won't roll away. If you're trying to cut rings, save the $14 and stick a fork in the root and hold the fork."

    • What to try instead: Learn to properly slice an onion the old-fashioned way

    Peter Butler: The Cutting Board Conundrum

    CNET's Peter Butler shares tips for cutting onions without crying:

  • "A waste of money, as they don't form a great seal around the eyes to prevent the sulfur compounds from getting to your eyes and making you cry. Keep your knife sharp and open a window or turn on a fan instead."

    • 4. Metal, glass, stone and acrylic cutting boards are OK for serving but when slicing and dicing, wood is the way to go.

    Peter Som: The Can Opener Con

    Cookbook author Peter Som didn't hold back when asked about his least favorite kitchen tools:

  • "Most of us grew up with an electric can opener permanently stationed on the kitchen counter, like it was a vital appliance. But truthfully, they're more nostalgia than necessity. They take up space, can be a hassle to clean and often struggle with irregularly sized cans. A good manual opener is compact, reliable and gets the job done without needing an outlet or a user manual."

    • What to try instead: Oxo's soft-handled can opener

    Richard Ingraham: The Avocado Scooper

  • "A knife and spoon do the job just as easily and the specialized tool rarely fits all avocado sizes properly. It's a one-trick pony that clutters drawers."

    • What to try instead: A good paring knife like this $35 Wusthof

    Eric Rowse: The Eggbeater Alternative

    Lead chef-instructor Institute of Culinary Education, Los Angeles Culinary instructor Eric Rowse knows a gimmicky kitchen tool when he sees one:

  • "Separating an egg by hand isn't so that difficult that it requires hardware. A tool just for separating yolks is unnecessary for most home cooks. The only exception may be this one, and even that is just for yolks."

    • What to try instead: Cracking an egg and using the shell halves or your fingers works just as well

    Peter Som: The Pizza Cutter Conundrum

    Cookbook author Peter Som didn't hold back when asked about his least favorite kitchen tools:

  • "A pizza cutter or knife works better and faster. These scissors are gimmicky, awkward to clean and take up more space than they're worth."

    • What to try instead: KitchenAid's stainless-steel pizza wheel

    Peter Butler: The Garlic Peeler Con

    CNET's Peter Butler shares tips for cutting onions without crying:

  • "Rolling garlic cloves in a silicone tube may work but requires storing a single-purpose gadget. Smashing garlic cloves with a chef knife is quicker and more reliable."

    • What to try instead: Smashing garlic cloves with a chef knife is quicker and more reliable

    Peter Som: The Oven Mitt Conundrum

    Cookbook author Peter Som didn't hold back when asked about his least favorite kitchen tools:

  • "Oven mitts are the most useless item in a home kitchen! A sturdy kitchen towel does the same job, and odds are, it's more likely to be washed regularly. I don't know many people who wash their oven mitts frequently enough ... it seems many have deemed it an item that doesn't warrant regular cleaning."

    • What to try instead: Stock a plethora of kitchen towels