11 Outdated Kitchen Gadgets Taking Up Space

If your kitchen is feeling cramped, it might be time to reassess the gadgets taking up valuable space. Many kitchen tools are designed for a single task, and while they may seem useful at first, they often end up being one-time wonders. Clearing out these rarely-used gadgets can free up space for items that are more versatile and practical.

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Banana Slicer

The banana slicer is an overly specific tool designed to cut a banana into uniform slices. While it seems like a time-saver, it is ultimately unnecessary. A knife can easily do the job just as efficiently, and it takes up far less space in the kitchen drawer. Banana slicers are typically bulky, made of plastic, and only serve one purpose: cutting bananas. Once the novelty wears off, the gadget is often forgotten, contributing to unnecessary clutter.

For the small amount of time it saves, a banana slicer is not worth the space it occupies. It is not versatile, and most people find that using a knife to slice multiple fruits or veggies works much better. If you find yourself rarely using this item, it might be time to retire it from your kitchen and clear up that extra drawer space.

Popcorn Machine

Popcorn machines often seem like a fun addition to a kitchen, especially for movie nights, but they tend to be more of a hassle than a help. While the dedicated machine can produce popcorn in larger quantities, it requires constant cleaning, extra oil, and takes up a significant amount of space. Most people can make popcorn just as easily in a microwave or on the stovetop, both of which require far less counter or storage space.

In addition to being space-hogging, the popcorn machine can also be a bit over the top. When you have a microwave or stovetop at your disposal, the effort of pulling out, setting up, and cleaning a popcorn machine becomes far more trouble than it’s worth. If you rarely use it, it is likely time to let go of the popcorn machine in favor of more efficient, versatile cooking methods.

Mini Pie Maker

Mini pie makers promise to create individual pies quickly, but these devices rarely deliver results that are worth the hassle. The pies are often too small to be satisfying, leaving people with an underwhelming dessert. Additionally, these gadgets occupy counter space and require regular cleaning, which further adds to their inconvenience. While they may sound appealing for quick treats, mini pie makers are rarely used after the initial excitement fades.

Making pies the traditional way, using a pie dish or muffin tin, works just as well, if not better, and allows for more flexibility in terms of size and flavor. Mini pie makers are designed for niche use and don’t offer much beyond novelty. For anyone who prefers baking on a larger scale or needs kitchen tools that can multitask, it is best to pass on this one.

Electric Can Opener

Electric can openers were once a revolutionary tool for people with limited hand strength, but they have largely become obsolete in the age of simple manual can openers. They take up significant counter space and are generally difficult to store due to their bulky size. They also require regular cleaning and maintenance, and many people find that a manual can opener does the job just as effectively in a fraction of the space.

Moreover, electric can openers are one-purpose tools. Once you’ve used them a few times, they sit idle, taking up space that could be better utilized for something more versatile. For most households, a simple handheld can opener is a far more practical and compact solution, making the electric version unnecessary.

Ice Cream Maker

Ice cream makers were once a fun kitchen gadget for making homemade ice cream, but they often take up too much space for a tool that is rarely used. These machines require a chilling bowl that needs to be frozen ahead of time, along with various other parts that require cleaning after each use. The process of making ice cream is long and involved, which often makes people reach for store-bought alternatives instead.

Most people find that an ice cream maker is too much of a hassle compared to the convenience of buying pre-made ice cream or even using simpler methods like freezing a pre-mixed batter. The novelty of making ice cream at home quickly wears off, leaving the machine gathering dust. For the occasional homemade ice cream craving, there are easier, more space-efficient ways to go about it.

Toasted Sandwich Maker

While toasted sandwich makers were once popular for making grilled sandwiches, they now feel outdated due to their limited versatility. These machines are often bulky and take up precious counter space, with their only purpose being to toast sandwiches. However, most people find that they can achieve similar results using a skillet or a grill pan, which are much easier to store and clean.

A toasted sandwich maker’s specialty is narrow in scope. It may seem fun to make grilled cheese or paninis, but there are far more versatile ways to toast a sandwich. Skipping the machine and using a simple pan provides much more flexibility for a variety of sandwich styles without taking up additional space.

Milk Frother

Milk frothers are a nice touch for coffee enthusiasts, but they rarely justify the space they take up. The frothing process often requires a separate machine or handheld device, adding an extra step to an otherwise simple routine. Most people can froth milk just as easily with a whisk, a handheld mixer, or even a blender, which are often already present in the kitchen.

While frothy milk is delicious, it is not an essential feature in many people’s daily coffee routines. When it’s used infrequently, the milk frother ends up being another gadget that collects dust. If you enjoy a frothy coffee drink on occasion, it is likely best to invest in a more multipurpose tool rather than an item that only froths milk.

Pasta Maker

While making fresh pasta at home sounds exciting, pasta makers often end up taking up more space than they are worth. These machines can be bulky, difficult to clean, and require a bit of practice to use properly. In the end, store-bought pasta is just as good and far more convenient for most people.

Most home cooks who try making pasta with a machine soon realize that the process can be time-consuming and tedious. For the occasional pasta dish, using pre-made pasta from the store or even a quicker method like using a spiralizer for vegetables is often just as satisfying. It is time to downsize your kitchen tools and free up space for items that are more versatile.

Egg Separator

Egg separators, like the banana slicer, are very specialized tools that rarely earn their place in most kitchens. While separating eggs may seem like a tedious task, it is something most people can do with just their hands or a simple bowl and spoon. The egg separator, often a small plastic or metal device, can quickly become just another item cluttering up your drawers.

This gadget’s singular purpose makes it highly unnecessary, especially when a simple technique like cracking an egg into two halves can achieve the same result. When you do not need a special tool for a task that can be done with the most basic of kitchen skills, it becomes clear that egg separators should go.

Electric Knife

Electric knives used to be popular for carving meat or slicing bread, but they often take up more space than they’re worth. They are difficult to store, require extra parts, and need frequent cleaning. With a regular chef’s knife, most people can slice meat, bread, or vegetables just as effectively without needing to plug in a machine.

The electric knife is another one-purpose tool that is rarely used once people realize that a sharp knife can do the same job in less time. For those who still need a little extra help carving larger cuts of meat, a manual carving knife works just fine without the hassle of an electric version.

Food Dehydrator

Food dehydrators are designed for making dried fruits, jerky, and other dehydrated snacks, but they can often be bulky and take up too much space for something used infrequently. With so many other ways to preserve food, such as freezing or canning, a dehydrator becomes an item that’s only pulled out once in a while. Many people find that the process is time-consuming, and the results can be hit-or-miss.

While dehydrators can be great for certain specific foods, they often aren’t a necessity in the modern kitchen. For occasional use, other methods like using an oven with a low heat setting work just as well without the need for a dedicated machine. If your dehydrator is sitting unused, it may be time to clear up some kitchen space.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.