I’m always intrigued by kitchen gadgets that solve very specific problems. The question is whether they’re actually useful or just clever novelties. Today I tested three oddly specific kitchen gadgets to see if they’re worth your time and money.
Where to Purchase
Below are links to Amazon where I purchased these products.
Jokari One Slice Pizza Skillet Review
The Jokari one slice pizza skillet is designed to reheat leftover pizza without the sogginess of a microwave. It features a non-stick surface and a ventilated lid, and it’s marketed as a compact, space-saving alternative to using a full-size pan. It sports an interesting triangular design, which is a perfect fit for a slice of pizza.
In my tests, it actually performed quite well. Both a large Sbarro slice and a smaller Red Baron slice fit inside, which was a pleasant surprise. The reheating process worked, but I found the instructions a bit off. The recommended timing left the pizza lukewarm on top, so I had to add an extra minute to get it properly heated.
Once adjusted, the results were impressive. The crust came out crispy and the pizza tasted fresh, not like leftovers at all. That said, this isn’t exactly a new concept. You can achieve similar results using a regular pan on the stovetop without a dedicated pizza skillet.
Pros: Crispy results, non-stick surface works well, compact and easy to store, fun novelty for pizza lovers.
Cons: Expensive for what it does, instructions need tweaking, not necessary if you already use a pan, always produces a crispier texture which not everyone prefers.
Overall, it works, but it falls into the “nice but not necessary” category unless you really like the idea of a dedicated pizza gadget.
Crimp-It Tortilla Sealer Review
Crimpit is designed to seal tortillas so your fillings stay inside. The idea is simple: fill, moisten the edges, crimp, and then heat it up.
After a quick practice run, I found that warming the tortilla and moistening the edges is key (the instructions state to warm it OR moisten – but I did both, as many on Amazon suggested). Once I got that down, it sealed surprisingly well. A basic cheese test worked perfectly, creating something like a sealed quesadilla with no leaks.
I pushed it further with a taco meat filling, which has a higher chance of leaking. Even though the seal opened slightly in one spot, nothing actually spilled out, which I consider a success. I also tried a peanut butter and banana version in the air fryer, and that sealed perfectly with no leaks at all.
The biggest limitation is the tortilla size requirement. You need large (10–12 inch) tortillas for this to work. There’s also some excess dough around the edges that you may want to trim for appearance.
Pros: Works well when used correctly, versatile for different fillings, easy to use, great for meal prep ideas.
Cons: Limited to larger tortillas, some trial and error required, excess edges can look messy, not strictly necessary since similar results can be done manually.
This is one of those gadgets that does what it promises and is fun to use. If it appeals to you, you’ll probably enjoy it.
SlotDog Hot Dog Slicer Review
The SlotDog is designed to cut crisscross patterns into hot dogs so they expand during cooking and hold toppings better. It uses a rocking motion with built-in blades to create the cuts.
In practice, the results were mixed. When it worked, it created a great-looking crisscross pattern that expanded nicely during cooking. The hot dogs looked better and had a more interesting texture.
Results, however, were inconsistent. Sometimes it sliced cleanly, and other times it smashed the hot dog instead of cutting it. I found that putting the hot dogs in the freezer for about 10 minutes (as the instructions suggest) beforehand helped significantly, and the brand of hot dog also seemed to make a difference.
After cooking, even some of the imperfect cuts still produced good results. The scored hot dogs expanded nicely and looked appealing on the bun.
Pros: Creates visually appealing hot dogs, works on multiple sizes, enhances texture when it works properly.
Cons: Inconsistent performance, can smash instead of cut, slight learning curve, depends on hot dog type and temperature.
This one probably has the most practical upside of the three, but only if you can get consistent results with it.
Video Review
Watch the full video below.