Many trendy kitchen tools are popular on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, but professional chefs often question their effectiveness and value. Some of the popular cookware pieces that chefs would never add to their shopping lists include vegetable choppers, garlic presses, rice cookers, classic stovetop pressure cookers, all-in-one pans, mini blenders, panini presses, and cooking torches. Vegetable choppers and herb “choppers” are seen as unnecessary by some chefs who feel that basic knife skills are more valuable. Garlic presses are also deemed less crucial, as they can be messy and difficult to clean.
Rice cookers, despite their convenience, are not favored by some chefs who believe that traditional cooking methods produce better results. Stovetop pressure cookers are seen as cumbersome and difficult to use, leading some chefs to recommend Instant Pots as a more user-friendly alternative. All-in-one pans that claim to do multiple tasks may not have the best heat distribution and can lack versatility compared to traditional cookware like cast-iron skillets. Mini blenders, while cost-effective for certain uses like smoothies, may be limiting in terms of functionality compared to larger, more powerful blenders like those used in restaurants.
Panini presses are considered a luxury rather than a necessity by some chefs, who recommend using alternative methods like griddle pans with weighted grill presses. Cooking torches, while fun for adding browning and caramelization, may not be the most economical choice due to the need for additional butane refills. Some chefs prefer using blowtorches from hardware stores for precise cooking tasks like slicing brownies with clean edges. Overall, professional chefs caution against investing in specialized kitchen gadgets that may take up space and have limited usability compared to traditional cookware and cooking methods.
