Pro cooks insist they only need one main tool: a good chef’s knife. But the world loves to make single-use gadgets (a.k.a unitaskers) to try to help those who need it. Sadly, a lot of those tools are just plain silly, but there are a few we love that actually earn their keep in our test kitchen.
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ProductOxo Avocado Tool
“Avocado hand:” it’s a thing. A phrase coined in the medical industry for the rising number of avocado-related hand injuries that come into emergency rooms across the globe. This trusty tool makes your morning avocado toast a snap and avoids all those stitches! A plastic blade to cut open the avocado, a special pitter to remove the seed, and then a scoop slicer that gives you perfect slices every time. -
ProductThe Citrus Press
如果你不想拿出一个大电汁r or if you don’t have the hand strength to juice citrus fruits, this little gadget is great. Place a half of a lemon, lime, or small orange, cut side down into the cup and squeeze out all the juice. This one has a small and medium cup so you can use it for different sized fruits, small holes on the bottom tend to catch all the seeds as well. -
Sponsored ProductMicroplane Rasp Grater
These rasp graters work way better than multisided box graters when you want a truly fine grate. And while they have just one task--grating--they can be used on virtually everything from cheese to fresh ginger, from citrus zest to hard spices. Small and unobtrusive they are a favorite in our test kitchen. -
ProductVacu Vin Pineapple Slicer
If you eat a lot of fresh pineapple, you’ll definitely want this tool in your arsenal. Not only does it easily core and spiral the pineapple flesh, it leaves the outside of the pineapple intact so you can use it for a fun drink or cut it half and use it as a serving bowl. -
ProductMarcato Atlas Pasta Maker
Unless you are an old-school Italian nonna, nothing will give a perfectly thin and consistent sheet of pasta than one of these machines. The machines have different thickness settings that you can notch into place so you can roll your pasta evenly and help achieve that perfect texture. Marcato’s Atlas model is alongtime test-kitchen favoritefor its sturdiness and smooth operation. This pasta machine also comes with an attachment for fettuccine and spaghetti, plus you can buy additional attachments for different pasta shapes. -
ProductGarlic Press
We admit it:this one's controversial. But sometimes you don’t want to pull out a cutting board and knife just to add a little fresh garlic to a dish. This wonderful one-handed tool squeezes out all that garlicky goodness without the fuss. So we'll allow that it earns the small amount of drawer space it takes up. -
ProductKalorik Easy-Pour Waffle Iron
Because you can't just make pancakes all the time. This "easy-pour" model from Kalorik sits at a tilt and has a spout at the top to eliminate drips. And it's less of a unitasker than you might think once you discover the joys of waffling hash browns, chocolate chip cookes, and grilled cheese toasties. -
ProductPaderno Spiralizer
Buying precut spiralized veggies from the store can get expensive and cutting spirals by hand is nearly impossible. That’s where this fun tool steps in. You can cut your veggies 6 different ways and cut back on the extra expense. Healthy eating is at your preserved fingertips with this tool. -
ProductFirst Alert Fire Extinguisher
If you won’t buy any other unitasker from this list, let this be the one you do get. Fires can pop up in a kitchen in no time and for many reasons; it’s better to be safe than sorry. Compact and slim, you can tuck this little guy right under the sink and have it at arm’s reach when you need it. This particular model is rechargeable by certified professionals and is rated for extinguishing wood, paper, plastic, trash, gasoline, and oil fires.
