9 Forgotten Kitchen Tools Taking Up Space

Every kitchen has a collection of cooking tools that rarely see the light of day. They might seem useful at first, but over time, they often sit gathering dust in the back of a drawer or cupboard. Some of these gadgets may have been purchased with good intentions, only to be replaced by more versatile tools. It is easy to overlook them when we have our favorite go-to utensils. 

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Fondue Set

A fondue set may seem like a fun, nostalgic cooking tool, but it often gets pushed to the back of the cupboard. The thought of dipping bread or fruit into melted cheese or chocolate is appealing, but the setup can be more trouble than it is worth. With the busy pace of modern life, it is not always easy to find time for a fondue party. Most people end up sticking to simpler meals that require less preparation and cleanup.

Despite its rarity in the kitchen, a fondue set can be great for special occasions or intimate gatherings. It does offer a unique experience, and many models come with adjustable temperature controls for better heat management. However, once the novelty wears off, it often gets tucked away, only to be brought out when entertaining guests.

Egg Slicer

An egg slicer is one of those gadgets that seemed like a good idea at the time, but rarely gets used. It works well for slicing hard-boiled eggs into even pieces, but in most kitchens, a knife will do the job just fine. With limited use, it becomes a single-purpose tool that takes up valuable drawer space. In fact, many people find that they only use it a few times before it is forgotten.

Even though it can make perfectly uniform slices, it is not a necessity in most kitchens. It is an extra step that most cooks avoid when a knife can accomplish the same task more efficiently. If you have one, consider how often you use it before deciding if it is worth keeping around.

Milk Frother

A milk frother promises to make creamy, frothy milk for coffee or hot chocolate, but it is not often put to use. For many, the convenience of a store-bought latte or cappuccino outweighs the effort needed to froth milk at home. These gadgets can be a bit fiddly, and many people end up using their stovetop or microwave instead. As a result, the frother is usually left collecting dust on the countertop.

While it does add a luxurious touch to your coffee, a milk frother requires extra cleaning and maintenance, making it less desirable for daily use. Still, if you are a coffee enthusiast, it can elevate your morning routine with a bit of practice. Otherwise, it might be one of those tools you only use occasionally.

Cherry Pitter

A cherry pitter is designed to quickly remove the pit from cherries, making it easier to prepare them for recipes. However, it is often a tool that people only use once a year when cherries are in season. Most cooks do not find the need to buy a separate tool for this purpose, as using a knife or squeezing the cherry by hand works just as well. It may seem efficient, but for many, it just creates extra work for something that is quick to do without it.

Even if you enjoy making cherry pies or jams, the cherry pitter can be a one-time-use tool that never quite justifies its place in the kitchen. If you make a lot of fruit desserts, it may be worth keeping. Otherwise, it is likely to be forgotten after the first use.

Pineapple Corer

A pineapple corer is a gadget made for quickly removing the core from a fresh pineapple, but it does not always live up to its promise. For many, cutting a pineapple by hand is a simple task, and the corer often ends up unused. These tools are bulky and difficult to store, and they require extra cleaning after every use. People tend to revert to traditional methods of slicing and dicing instead.

Though the corer can make the process faster, it does not offer significant benefits over a knife. It is easy to forget it exists, especially as it is just one more tool that takes up space in the kitchen. If you enjoy fresh pineapple often, it could be handy, but it is not a must-have for most home cooks.

Fish Scaler

A fish scaler is a tool designed to remove the scales from fish, but it is not something that is used frequently. For most people, scaling fish with a knife is enough to get the job done. The scaler is a specialized tool that works well, but it often adds an extra step to preparing fish that can be skipped with a bit of practice. As a result, it tends to be an unused gadget in most kitchens.

If you cook fish regularly, a fish scaler could be a time-saver, but it is not a necessity for most home cooks. Many people simply use the knife technique to remove scales. It is easy for this tool to be forgotten in the drawer once the novelty wears off.

Avocado Slicer

An avocado slicer is designed to make cutting and pitting avocados easier, but many people find it more trouble than it is worth. The slicer has multiple parts, which can be cumbersome to clean and store. In most cases, a knife and spoon are sufficient to do the job without the need for an extra tool. This makes the avocado slicer an unnecessary addition to the kitchen.

While it is efficient in theory, the avocado slicer is not a tool that is used every day. It is often just as easy to slice and remove the pit with a knife. As a result, the slicer is a tool that rarely gets used after a few initial attempts.

Butter Curler

A butter curler creates decorative butter curls for garnishing dishes, but it is not a tool that sees frequent use. Though it might be fun for special occasions or fancy presentations, it takes extra effort that many cooks do not have the time for. Most people prefer simply spreading butter on their dishes without the need for decoration. The butter curler ends up taking up space in the drawer, rarely making an appearance.

For those who enjoy elaborate presentations, the butter curler could be a fun tool to use during special meals. However, it is not something that most people will reach for regularly. It is often put aside in favor of simpler ways to serve butter.

Meat Tenderizer

A meat tenderizer is meant to break down the fibers in tougher cuts of meat, but it is not commonly used. While it can help make tougher cuts more palatable, many cooks find that marinating or slow-cooking works just as well without the need for an extra tool. The tenderizer is often bulky and requires cleaning after use, making it less appealing for everyday use.

Although it can improve the texture of certain meats, it is not a kitchen essential for most people. Marinating and cooking techniques usually suffice to achieve the desired results. For those who cook steaks often, a meat tenderizer may be worth keeping, but for others, it may rarely see use.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.