I tested 5 best-selling cheap kitchen gadgets from Amazon

Amazon is full of gadgets and gizmos that would give The Little Mermaid a run for its money. Admittedly, some of them are complete Wasting our hard earned moneyWhile others go above and beyond to offer inexpensive and effective alternatives to expensive products.

Fortunately, Amazon does a good job of allowing customers to share feedback unfiltered by reviews and ratings. So we combed the world’s largest online retailer to identify five of its best-selling and cheapest kitchen gadgets to see if they’re worth all the hype.

Here’s how they stack up after real-world testing.

Attractive and juicy meat

Verdict: Buy it

The results are there but without the comment of Brand A Mori Paternity Test: The meat slicer and chopper are and will forever be essential cooking tools. Nothing is more effective at breaking down ground meat, vegetables, mashed potatoes and even egg Into uniform pieces and puree for any recipe.

I’ve been particularly fond of using it to crumble cans of tuna fish, which are made into pressed, frozen slabs. In fact, it helped blend toppings like mayonnaise, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and Sriracha to create an Asian salad for a protein-packed lunch. Ditch the fork – miss, and enjoy the convenience of just twisting your wrist.

Vampire Garlic Crusher, $15

Judgment: Buy it

Aside from its fun vampire design, this “Gracula” garlic crusher gets the job done. My only gripe is that this doesn’t actually mince or seal. Instead, it crushes the garlic (and other ingredients like ginger and onions) into long strands, or into a paste if it’s been rolled excessively. Although this does not stop me from using it, there are those who will need to use knives to achieve a very specific texture for dishes such as PastaSoups and French fries.

However, anyone prone to accidents with sharp and/or punctured objects standing over a cutting block will appreciate its quick and easy utility.

Chick head egg separator

Judgment: Think about it

This adorable (but rather nasty, if you think about it) chicken head-shaped gadget certainly works, but I’m not sure it’s worth $9 unless it doubles as a piece of fragile kitchen decor. The ship can only hold two large ones egg Without the whites falling out of his beak hole, frankly, anyone can now buy a carton of egg whites.

However, it would make a great gift for a young chef or baker who might learn the importance of separating the yolk and/or cracking eggs without leaving the shell behind.

Easy jar opener

Verdict: Think about it

Not all jars are created equal and this opener proves it. Although the lids of jalapenos and kalamata olives are easy to pop and twist, I found metal-lined tomato sauce jars somewhat difficult to open. The trick is to break and edit the file first Vacuum seal before turning, which can be done with a few quick hand pumps.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this would be ideal for those with hand strength issues, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, due to its asymmetry.

Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner

Verdict: Skip it

An angry mother may throw a fit Microwave messBut I felt a tantrum over her inability to do everything honestly. Although it absolutely helps get rid of pesky spots and stains, you still need to go back with a cloth or paper towel to wipe off the residue (which the steam didn’t completely lift in some areas). In addition, excessive use of white vinegar can harm sensitive noses. And that smell — along with whatever’s stuck to your machine’s walls and tray — lingers in the worst possible way.