Today, I am reviewing four kitchen gadgets – two of which were requested and two of which were sent to me as samples. My goal is to determine whether or not these gadgets are truly necessary and useful.
Where to Purchase
Here are the four items in this review, and where to purchase each one. Below that are links to other items mentioned or used in this review:
Other items used or mentioned in this review:
- Granite Rock Pan: Written Review | Buy
- Hot Hands: Video Review | Buy
Reviewing 4 Kitchen Gadgets
Replacement Handle
I recently purchased a replacement handle for $14.99 that can be used to replace broken or missing handles on pots, pans, bowls, and bakeware, or to add a handle to items that don’t typically have one. The handle is heavy and well-constructed, with rubber contact points to prevent scuffing or damaging cookware. To use it, you simply place it over the edge of the item and turn the handle until it locks in place.
I tested the handle on a few different pans, including Paula Deen pans and a Granite Rock pan, as well as a heavy Hexclad pan. It held all of these pans well, but the grip wasn’t as secure when I shook the pan or used very thin pans. The handle was also unable to grip firmly enough to lift a pot of boiling water. Overall, it seems that this handle is best suited for medium-sized pots or pans. Thin pans may not be held securely enough, and very heavy pots may be too much for it to handle.
Corn Peeler
I was recently sent a corn peeler to review as part of a batch of samples. The peeler is made of stainless steel and has a sturdy, attractive design. To use it, you hold an ear of corn in your hand and run the peeler over it to remove the kernels. I tested the peeler on four ears of corn and found it to be very effective, gliding smoothly through the kernels. Although I was a bit nervous about using it near my fingers, I had no mishaps. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of this simple gadget. According to Amazon reviews for similar models, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found it to be quite effective.
Oven Rack Puller
I purchased this highly-rated gadget on Amazon for $7.99. It is designed to help you easily pull or push a hot oven rack, especially in small countertop ovens where space is tight and burns are more likely. Although it is primarily marketed for use in countertop ovens, I also tested it in a full-sized oven. It can be used in temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Overall, I found the gadget to be effective at what it was designed to do. It helped me avoid burns in my small countertop ovens and it even remained unscathed after being placed in my large oven for a few minutes. Some countertop ovens use baskets or other trays that are less easily pulled or pushed by this item, but even in those cases it still worked. If you frequently use a countertop oven or are prone to burns in a standard oven, this inexpensive gadget may be a useful addition to your kitchen.
Lemon Juicer
Although I’ve seen and used a variety of lemon juicers over the years, the unique design of this model caught my eye. The main section of the juicer includes a reamer for juicing and a seed and pulp catcher, and there is also a channel knife and citrus zester hidden inside the handle. However, I found these additional tools to be of minimal value.
I experimented with the juicer on a few lemons of different sizes and found that it took me a few tries to get the seed and pulp catcher to work effectively. I learned that it is best to hold the juicer steady with one hand while twisting the lemon with the other, rather than trying to move both hands. I also tried the juicer on an orange, and it worked for that as well.
Overall, I’m not sure this design is superior to other lemon juicers, but some people may prefer its handheld design.
In conclusion, the usefulness of these gadgets depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you frequently juice lemons and are not satisfied with standard juicers, the model discussed in this review may be worth considering. If you often burn yourself with a countertop oven, the rack puller could be a useful tool. Similarly, the replacement handle may be helpful if you have pans with broken or missing handles, and the corn peeler may be worth considering if you frequently peel corn.
If you’ve used any of these kitchen gadgets, tell me what you think in the comments below.
