Alternatives to specialist kitchen gadgets

But they can be pricey, a hassle to clean and take up more space than basic kitchen equipment. Once the novelty wears off, they’ll likely just sit in the back of your cupboard.

It can also be impossible to find replacement parts for many of these gimmicky gadgets, which means more going to landfill, even with just minor faults.

Here are our suggestions of what to use instead that’s already in your kitchen.

Vegetable choppers

There are dozens of gadgets on the market to slice, dice and chop your vegetables. But knives have no moving parts to break, cleaning is easy, and the blade can be sharpened.

Instead: Just use a knife

Ice cream makers

A powerful blender, which can whizz up just about anything, can do as good a job as a dedicated ice cream maker – just make sure yours can crush ice.

Instead: Just use a blender

Toasted sandwich makers

While there are many capable sandwich presses available, you can make your toasted sandwiches perfectly well in a fry pan. Just use a low heat and take your time.

Instead: Just use a fry pan

Garlic peelers

You don’t need a special gadget to peel garlic. The trick is to slightly crush the garlic to loosen the skin, allowing you to peel it off easily (sometimes in one piece). You can use anything you have to hand – the side of a wide knife blade or the base of a cup will do.

Instead: Just use a knife or a cup

Milk frothers

If you like frothed milk with your coffee, an inexpensive coffee plunger works just as well as a milk frother. Pump the plunger up and down through hot milk until you’ve got a decent foam.

Instead: Just use a coffee plunger

Microwave gadgets

Baked potato makers

Microwaving your potatoes on a dinner plate works just fine, and you aren’t limited to doing just two at a time, as is the case with the MicoPotato. It’ll also save you time – 15 minutes on a dinner plate vs 18 with the MicoPotato.

Instead: Just use a dinner plate

Egg cookers

While silicone cradles like Avanti’s Egg Poacher Pods work great, you can make eggs of any style with the saucepan or fry pan you already have in your cupboard.

Instead: Just use a saucepan or fry pan