Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

12 absurdly specific kitchen gadgets you definitely don’t need (but probably want)

The size of U.S. homes keeps increasing — they went from an average of about 1,700 square feet in the ‘80s to nearly 2,600 in 2013. One possible reason? We need more space to store our kitchen gadgets. Sure, it’s just a theory, but there are lots of appliances that are uber-specific that you only trot out once or twice a year. In the throes of a late-night infomercial session, these things may seem like must-haves, but in the harsh light of day, you may realize you could probably just cook pasta in a pot instead of a dedicated tube. Maybe we’re just jealous because we have no room for a special crème brûlée set, because who doesn’t want to make a fancy French dessert at home? It’s not that what these gadgets do, they don’t do well (many get rave reviews); it’s just that with a few hacks (like using a knife?), you could often replicate the results with what you have on hand.

Euro Cuisine Automatic Yogurt Maker ($27)

Euro Cuisine Automatic Yogurt Maker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you search the Web for “make your own yogurt,” you’ll get raves about the benefits and ease of the process, and you’ll also find lots of recipes that don’t require a whole extra gadget for the process. Many of those in the yogurt-making culture swear a slow-cooker works just great.

Amazon

SmartPlanet SuperPretzel pretzel maker ($21)

SmartPlanet SuperPretzel Pretzel Maker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are lots of sandwich-maker-style devices with specific shapes like the pretzel maker, including corn dogs and doughnuts. Don’t get me wrong; I once had a sandwich maker, and it was glorious. Still, I hardly ever used it, though I ate sandwiches daily. The frequency of soft pretzel consumption can’t even compare, so this gadget would likely gather even more dust.

Amazon

Nostalgia Electrics Mini Chocolate Fondue Fountain ($35.50)

Nostalgia Electrics Mini Chocolate Fondue Fountain
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fondue fountains were on the must-have list for pretty much every girl on My Super Sweet 16. That’s because fondue fountains are like the unicorns of the dessert world and not meant to be shoved in the cupboard next to your broken juicer.

Amazon

Nostalgia Electrics Gummy Candy Maker ($29)

Nostalgia Electrics Gummy Candy Maker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This machine is clearly not for children. There’s a little hot pot in the center where you pour your gelatin and Jello, and there’s really only one reason to make your own gummy bears: so you can add vodka. We’re not knocking it, but you could probably do something similar with a pot, a stove, and some Lego ice cube trays.

Amazon

Chef’n Bananza Banana Slicer ($8.40)

Chef'n Bananza Banana Slicer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In the 10 seconds it took you to slice one banana with a knife, you could’ve sliced ten more bananas. Now your cereal is hopelessly soggy.

Amazon

Waring Professional Snow Cone Maker ($70)

Waring Professional Snow Cone Maker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

OK, listen. Just what sort of magical household do you live in where every day is snow-cone day? Or maybe you just make a lot of mint juleps? Aw, heck. Bring on the alcoholic snow cones!

Amazon

Innovia Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser ($100)

Innovia Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The reason for automatic paper towel dispensers in restrooms is because you don’t know how well the stranger who was in there before you washed their hands. If you are feeling squeamish about someone in your own home’s hygiene, maybe it’s time to have an honest talk with them.

Amazon

SmartShopper Voice-Recognition Grocery-List Organizer ($130)

SmartShopper Voice-Recognition Grocery-List Organizer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This would’ve been really, really cool maybe 10 years ago. Now, it’s just as likely you’d print out your grocery list, promptly lose it, then curse yourself for not having it on your phone. If you like the idea of everyone being able to contribute to the list, well, there are apps for that.

Eddingtons Egg Cuber ($7)

Eddingtons Egg Cuber
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do you hate it when your boiled eggs roll around on your plate. Don’t lie to me. Cube your eggs. It’s the only solution.

Amazon

King Dog Electric Corn Dog Fryer ($862)

King Dog Electric Corn Dog Fryer
Image used with permission by copyright holder

I’m pretty sure I saw George Bluth hawking this on an infomercial once.

Amazon

CucinaPro Crêpe Maker ($40)

CucinaPro Crepe Maker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

No one ever said, “If Martha Stewart can do it, so can I,” but she does have a crêpe-making video on her site. The woman in the video does promise the process is easier than pancakes, and she does not have a dedicated machine. Either way, I’m probably just going to the food cart down the street for mine.

Amazon

Smart Planet Hostess Mini CupCake Maker ($15.24)

Smart Planet Hostess Mini Cupcake Maker
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Back in 2012, Hostess shut down, leaving millions terrified of a Twinkie-less existence. If that were still the case, we’d be singing this machine’s praises, but Hostess, and its CupCakes, are back.

Amazon

Jenny McGrath
Former Senior Writer, Home
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Amazon Memorial Day sale 2025: The 35 best tech deals
Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 front angled view showing display and keyboard.

The Amazon Memorial Day sale is already up and running, which means there are some amazing discounts available for all kinds of tech products. Whether you're looking for upgrades to your home entertainment setup, additions to your arsenal of mobile gadgets, or devices that will simply make life easier, there's surely something for you from the retailer's Memorial Day deals this year.

There's a chance that you get overwhelmed with the sheer number of offers from Amazon though. To help you decide what to buy, we've gathered the 35 best tech deals that we've found below. Read on and see if anything catches your eye, but you shouldn't take up too much time because we're not sure how much longer stocks will last for these products. It won't be a good idea to wait until the final minutes of the holiday before you make your purchases -- proceed with your transactions from Amazon's Memorial Day sale as soon as you can.

Read more
Samsung Memorial Day sale: The best washer, dryer, and refrigerator deals
Samsung front-load washer and dryer set in chapagne finish in a laundry room.

The Samsung Memorial Day sale is finally online, so now's the perfect time to make some upgrades in your home. The brand, which is known for making some of the best phones and best TVs, is also a reliable name in the world of appliances, including washer, dryers, and refrigerators. No matter your budget and the amount of space you have, something will surely catch your eye in this year's Memorial Days deals for Samsung appliances.

You can take a look at all the home appliances that are on sale for Memorial Day from Samsung through the link below, but we've also highlighted our recommendations below if you want to finish your purchase quickly. That's actually a good idea, because we're not sure how much longer stocks will remain available. You shouldn't wait until the last minute of these Samsung Memorial Day deals before you proceed with your transaction, as you'll be in danger of missing out.

Read more
How to use the robotic arm of the Roborock Saros Z70
The Saros Z70 picking up a sock.

While the Roborock Saros Z70 didn’t exactly live up to the hype, there’s no denying its robotic arm is still a cool piece of technology. Capable of picking up small objects in its path, moving them to a new location, then continuing its cleaning process, the Saros Z70 and its robotic arm might be the coolest feature we’ve ever seen in a robot vacuum. But how exactly does it work? And what are the robotic arm’s limitations?

Here’s a closer look at how to use the robotic arm of the Roborock Saros Z70 and ways you can improve its performance.
Limitations of the Roborock Saros Z70’s robotic arm

Read more