Stripping corn from the cob can be tedious, especially if you’re using a knife and trying to keep things mess-free. Enter the $32 RSVP International Corn Stripper, a gadget designed to simplify the process by keeping kernels contained and eliminating the mess. With mixed reviews online, I decided to put this tool to the test and see if it’s worth the investment.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase this corn stripper on Amazon at this link. When I bought it, the cost was $32, although I’ve seen it as low as $18.80. It may pay to shop around.
Unboxing the RSVP International Corn Stripper
Right out of the box, the corn stripper is a simple gadget, consisting of a chamber to hold the corn, a stainless steel blade, and a plunger to push the kernels through. The claims are enticing: it’s dishwasher-safe, easy to clean, and supposedly removes kernels close to the cob without making a mess. With a 3.8-star rating on Amazon, expectations were moderate, and I was curious to see if it could live up to its promises.
Testing the Corn Stripper: Fresh Corn
First Attempts
I started with fresh corn, following the instructions to insert the cob into the chamber and align it with the blade. With a downward twisting motion, the blade began removing kernels. While the result was impressive—kernels stripped cleanly and contained in the chamber—the process took more effort than I expected. The corn tended to rotate within the chamber, requiring brute force to keep it in place.
Getting the Hang of It
After a few tries, I remembered to use the included plunger, which made the process significantly easier. By the third cob, I was faster and more efficient, though I still had to apply substantial force to get the blade to catch. The stripped cobs were impressively clean, but a bit of kernel debris at the ends was unavoidable.
Testing the Corn Stripper: Cooked Corn
For cooked corn, the process was slightly messier. Steam from the warm cobs fogged the chamber, and the softened texture of the kernels made them harder to strip cleanly. The blade struggled to align properly, and on one cob, a chunk of the cob itself ended up in the chamber—a disappointing hazard. Despite this, most kernels came off easily, and the results were visually similar to those from the fresh corn.
Challenges and Observations
- Alignment Issues: The blade and corn cob often didn’t align properly, causing the cob to spin instead of being stripped.
- Force Required: The twisting motion needed more strength than expected, which could be a drawback for users with limited hand strength.
- Inconsistency: While some cobs were stripped perfectly, others left chunks of cob or ragged ends, especially with cooked corn.
- Clean-Up: Cleaning the gadget was relatively easy, though cooked corn left a stickier residue inside the chamber.
Final Thoughts: Worth It or Not?
The RSVP International Corn Stripper is functional but flawed. It does a great job of containing kernels and stripping the cob relatively clean, especially with fresh corn. However, the amount of effort required and occasional inconsistencies make it less user-friendly than I hoped.
For the price I paid, I expected a tool that would make corn stripping effortless, but this gadget fell short of that promise. If you strip corn often and don’t mind a bit of a workout, it might be worth considering. Otherwise, a sharp knife and a steady hand might still be your best bet.
Have you tried a corn stripper like this? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Video Review
Check out my full review of this corn stripper below.