- TikTok is full of people using fancy gadgets that promise an easier experience in the kitchen.
- But chefs and other food professionals told Insider some of these products are unnecessary.
- Some of their functions can be accomplished with the tools you already own, experts say.
TikTok has brought countless recipes and cooking techniques into the mainstream, and it has also made the discovery of cooking-related products easier than ever.
Across the app, users promote products they claim will make your experience in the kitchen easier than ever, but according to food professionals, this isn’t the case for every gadget.
Here are five viral kitchen gadgets that food experts believe aren’t worth your money.
Egg cookers ‘don’t offer anything new’
Some home chefs — including Insider’s Gabbi Shaw — swear by the viral Dash egg cooker, which poaches, scrambles, and boils eggs “in less time than it takes to boil water on the stove,” according to the company.
“Why didn’t I buy this sooner,” TikTok user @beachgrl_gettinfit wrote in her 2022 video of the product.
But Norah Clark, a hotel and restaurant chef who has been featured in Bon Appétit and Delish, believes egg cookers, which typically retail for around $20 to $30, are a waste of money. She believes their features don’t warrant buying an entirely new product.
“While it may seem convenient, it doesn’t offer any significant advantages over traditional stovetop methods. Plus, it takes up valuable counter space and adds another appliance to your kitchen,” she told Insider.
Spiralizers are likely to be underutilized
“Spiralizing vegetables is so satisfying!” wrote TikTok user @gkcookin on a video of the product, which turns vegetables into noodle shapes.
But Jasmine Golden, owner and chef at Golden Truffle, thinks spiralizers are overrated and under-used. The gadget can cost anywhere from $10 to $80, depending on the model’s brand and quality.
“Spiralizers are great for creating unique and interesting dishes like zucchini noodles or sweet-potato spirals, but other than the novelty factor, they may not be worth the money if you don’t use them often,” he said.
“It’s a type of product that you’d get excited about in the first few uses, but then quickly lose interest and don’t use it again. I think you can still get creative with recipes without a spiralizer — a simple vegetable peeler works just as well,” she continued.
You can swap an electric vegetable chopper for a knife
According to this video by @blossom, a viral veggie chopper has one simple objective: to make chopping easy.
Similar to the spiralizer, the electric vegetable chopper — which resembles a miniature food-processor — is another tool that has a strong potential to be underutilized, Golden said. The tool generally sells for around $20.
“A good pair of kitchen shears or a sharp knife should be able to do the job just as well,” Golden said.
You don’t need a specialized corn stripper to strip your corn
Corn-strippers, which cost under $10, have become popular on TikTok for removing whole kernels from corn cobs.
But according to Zahid Adnan, founder and former owner of Rockin’ Crepes in Huntington Beach, California, and owner of The Plant Bible, “Many chefs argue that a sharp knife can achieve the same result with less hassle and expense.”
Avocado slicers can be more of a hassle than a convenience
TikTok user @tourdelust said the avocado slicer, which cuts, slices, and pits avocados, is “a tool you absolutely need if you love avocados.” It usually costs between $8 and $15.
But Adnan told Insider, “A sharp knife and a spoon can achieve the same result with less expense and waste.”
Other food-specific tools like garlic peelers and pancake batter dispensers might be a waste of money for the same reasons, Adnan added.
“While these gadgets may seem convenient and useful, they often require more time and effort to clean and maintain than traditional kitchen tools,” he said.
“As a chef, I would advise individuals to focus on investing in high-quality, versatile kitchen tools that can be used for a variety of tasks,” Adnan said. “For example, a sharp chef’s knife, a durable cutting board, and a set of sturdy cookware can go a long way in preparing delicious and healthy meals at home.”