With short-form videos flooding the internet, some products have captured viral attention. Intrigued by their popularity, I decided to dive into three gadgets that have made waves across TikTok and Snapchat: the Sliding Pizza Peel, Microwave Caddy, and Stanley Cup Snack Tray. Below is my review of each product, as I put their online claims to the test.
Where to Purchase
Below are links where you can purchase the items covered in this review.
Sliding Pizza Peel: A Viral Gadget That Misses the Mark
The Sliding Pizza Peel was the one I was most excited to test. The concept is simple: it’s designed to transfer pizza smoothly with minimal effort, supposedly keeping toppings intact with a non-stick cloth. The peel was compact and easy to store, with a somewhat loud and shrill noise during setup, a sound I didn’t expect but one that immediately gave it a cheap feel. At $22.99, I was curious if it would justify the price.
First Impressions: Assembly and Design
The assembly was quick, but the handle felt flimsy and not particularly secure. Despite washing it prior to use, it looked worn, with smudges and threads that didn’t inspire confidence. Even worse, the instructions were minimal and oddly written, which made me wonder how much thought went into designing this product.
Putting the Peel to the Test
For the initial test, I used a plain pizza crust to avoid any disastrous spills. Holding the handle and pushing the back as instructed, I tried transferring the crust. The mechanism worked but showed signs of struggle even with a lightweight crust. When I later tried it with a frozen pizza, the peel struggled to support the weight without bending. Although I managed to get the pizza in and out of the oven, it didn’t feel sturdy, and by the end of the test, it had started fraying and looking quite worn.
Conclusion
While the Sliding Pizza Peel technically worked, I can’t recommend it. Its cheap build, questionable stability, and lack of durability make it a novelty at best. The traditional pizza peel is tried and true for a reason, and this product doesn’t improve on it. This item eventually landed on my Worst of 2024 list.
Microwave Caddy: Functional but Unnecessary?
The Microwave Caddy was up next. This is a microwave-safe tray that promises to protect hands from burns while carrying hot bowls or plates. For $23.99, it comes in a three-pack and fits a range of bowls and plates. I was curious if this product would actually simplify microwave use.
First Impressions: Compact and Basic
The caddy seemed well-sized for most common bowl and plate shapes. It held items steady, making me cautiously optimistic about its utility. For my first test, I microwaved a bowl of soup. The handles stayed comfortably warm, and I could lift the bowl without worrying about burnt fingers.
Boiling Over Test
The next test was the “boil-over” scenario—one that has plagued anyone who’s microwaved soup or ramen. I tried it with a bowl of veggies, and it caught most of the overflow, leaving minimal mess. However, when microwaving a plate for 8 minutes, I noticed a faint burning plastic smell. It didn’t warp, but the scent was concerning.
Conclusion
The Microwave Caddy does work as advertised, and if you often burn your fingers, it might be worth it. However, the burning smell was a bit off-putting, and for me, it didn’t feel essential. I’ll probably stick to my regular bowl holder, but for plates, it’s a decent alternative.
Stanley Cup Snack Tray: Convenient or Just a Novelty?
Finally, I tried out the Stanley Cup Snack Tray. For $5.59, this tray claims to hold snacks on top of your Stanley Cup, allowing you to snack and sip single-handedly. I found the Stanley Cup trend to be amusing, so I was curious if this accessory could be worthwhile.
Setup and Test: Couch and Car Use
Setting it up was straightforward: the tray slides onto the cup’s rim and fits snugly around the handle. I loaded it up with snacks and tested it while lounging on the couch. Holding both the drink and the snacks in one hand was heavy, and it wasn’t as comfortable for a long movie session as I’d hoped. However, in the car, it was surprisingly practical, as I could easily access my drink and snacks without reaching across the seat.
Conclusion
The Stanley Cup Snack Tray is definitely more of a novelty than a necessity. It’s cute and works well enough but only makes sense in specific situations, like a road trip snack holder. For most uses, I think it’s more fun than functional.
Final Thoughts
Testing these viral products was a mixed bag. The Sliding Pizza Peel didn’t impress me at all, and I wouldn’t recommend it over a traditional pizza peel. The Microwave Caddy worked but felt a bit redundant in my kitchen. Surprisingly, the Stanley Cup Snack Tray, while gimmicky, found its niche in the car.
Have you tried any of these products, or do you have other viral gadgets you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments!
Video Review
You can watch these products in action in the video below.