The kitchen gadget industry has never been short on hype. Every year, a new wave of tools promises to revolutionize the way we cook, and millions of home cooks rush to buy them. According to a 2024 survey by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, nearly 70% of home cooks invest in at least three specialty tools each year to improve efficiency and enjoyment in the kitchen. Yet for all that spending, a growing chorus of professional chefs and culinary experts is now pointing out something uncomfortable: many of those once-beloved gadgets are quietly being pushed to the back of the cupboard, never to return. Here are six of them.
1. The Instant Pot
Few kitchen gadgets have had a rise as dramatic as the Instant Pot. America’s mania for it once seemed as never-ending as its appetite for soups, stews, and chilis. The maker of the viral kitchen gadget, whose debut in 2009 spawned legions of fans, ultimately declared bankruptcy. A few years ago, Instant Pot was a hit with home cooks and sold well during the holidays, but sales soon dropped off. The collapse was stunning given how deeply embedded the device had become in everyday American kitchens.
According to a report by S&P Global, Instant Brands’ net sales in Q1 2023 experienced a decline of 21.9% compared to the same period in the previous year. This was the seventh straight quarter where the company witnessed year-over-year sales contraction. As consumer tastes evolved, the Instant Pot failed to adapt. The rise of air fryers, slow cookers, and other versatile appliances left the Instant Pot behind, and its inability to keep up with changing market trends resulted in a loss of relevance. Instant Pot is now owned by Centre Lane Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, which acquired 100% of the brand through a bankruptcy court-approved sale of its parent company Instant Brands in 2024.
2. Single-Use Gadgets (Avocado Slicers, Banana Slicers & More)
The drawer of forgotten single-use gadgets is something almost every home cook knows too well. Avocado slicers, strawberry hullers, banana slicers, cherry pitters. They all promised convenience but rarely delivered real value. Chef Dennis Littley, chef and recipe expert at Ask Chef Dennis, says we shouldn’t bother buying an avocado slicer. “It seems handy, but honestly, a spoon and a sharp knife do the job better, and you can use those for 100 other things, too,” he says. More often than not, he adds, it will struggle or even break if used on anything but a perfectly ripe avocado.
As for banana slicers, organizing expert Duckworth says they are “cute in theory, but most people can slice a banana in about 10 seconds with a butter knife.” The consensus among chefs is clear. Chef Littley puts it plainly: “I’m all for tools that pull their weight, but if something’s taking up valuable drawer space and only does one very specific task you do once a year, it’s probably time to donate it and get back some of your kitchen space.” Kitchen gadget trends can be enticing, but purchasing without assessing long-term value often results in regret. Investing gradually and selecting gadgets that truly enhance your workflow is the smarter approach.
3. The Standalone Air Fryer
It’s hard to overstate how massive the air fryer craze was. Air fryers became a staple in modern kitchens, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying, and these appliances can reduce fat content by up to 95% compared to traditional frying methods. For a time, it seemed like everyone either owned one or wanted one. However, the tide is turning quickly as smarter, more integrated oven technology renders the countertop-hogging standalone unit increasingly redundant.
John Davies, marketing manager at Smeg, explains: “While an air fryer is convenient for those starting their cooking journey, today’s ovens are increasingly multi-functional. It’s less about choosing one or the other and more about finding an oven that can do it all.” Smart designs now combine air-fryer, steam cooking, microwave features, and more, streamlined into one space-conscious design. Search volume for standalone air fryer models declined 30.4% from January to May 2025, a telling sign that consumer enthusiasm is cooling as people look for multi-purpose solutions that don’t eat up precious counter space.
4. The Garlic Press
The garlic press has been a kitchen fixture for decades, and its promise is appealing: crush garlic in seconds without ever touching a knife. In practice, many chefs and serious home cooks have quietly moved away from it. As one culinary expert puts it, “I’ve never been a fan of the classic garlic press because it’s impossible to clean and absolutely mutilates the cloves.” That sentiment echoes widely in professional kitchens, where clean, precise knife work is considered a fundamental skill worth developing.
These gadgets are truly awesome for what they can do, but since they can’t do much else, they’re probably not worth it for everyone. The garlic press produces a different texture than hand-minced garlic, often forcing more oils out of the clove and creating a bitterness some cooks find unpleasant. Kitchenware is evolving to meet the demands of modern living, and multifunctional and space-saving solutions are becoming increasingly popular, catering to those who want to maximize their kitchen’s potential without sacrificing style or functionality. A simple chef’s knife, a rocking motion, and a pinch of salt achieves what a garlic press does – with none of the cleanup struggle.
5. The Electric Egg Cooker
Electric egg cookers had a genuine moment in the spotlight, marketed as a foolproof way to get perfectly boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs every time. They sold strongly for several years and earned dedicated fan followings. The problem is that cooking an egg on a stovetop is one of the most fundamental culinary skills there is, and the kitchen gadgets market in 2025 is now characterized by a strong emphasis on smart technology integration, sustainability, and multi-functional designs, with consumer demand driven by health-conscious lifestyles and home cooking trends. A device that does only one thing – eggs – simply struggles to justify its drawer space in that environment.
As the kitchen is no longer just a functional space but is becoming a powerful expression of personal values, lifestyle choices, and environmental consciousness, the trends all point to a fundamental shift in how consumers view their kitchens and the products they choose to fill them. Chefs consistently emphasize that learning to cook eggs properly is a foundational skill that no gadget can truly replace, and owning a single-purpose egg cooker provides little benefit for a cook who already owns a saucepan. The right kitchen gadgets transform everyday cooking into an enjoyable, efficient experience. Starting with essential tools and gradually expanding your collection allows you to cook with confidence, precision, and creativity. High-quality gadgets not only simplify prep and cleanup but also inspire experimentation with new recipes and techniques.
6. The Spiralizer
The spiralizer exploded in popularity during the peak of the low-carb and clean-eating food movement, when zucchini noodles – “zoodles” – were appearing on every food blog and Instagram account imaginable. Home cooks bought them by the millions, convinced they had found a revolutionary way to eat healthier. A spiralizer can do more than you think – “it’s advertised for making zucchini noodles, but it’s also great for making curly fries that your kids will love, apple spirals for garnish on your baking, sweet potato noodles for salads, and many more ideas like that,” according to expert Kreller. Still, the reality for most home cooks is that the novelty wore off fast.
The kitchen of 2025 is all about personal expression and tailored functionality. Customization has become a key trend, with homeowners seeking to create spaces that reflect their unique style and meet their specific needs. This shift goes beyond mere aesthetics; it’s about crafting a space that’s not only functional but also a true reflection of who you are and what you love. A spiralizer, bulky and hard to store, rarely fits that vision. The kitchenware market in the US is set to hit $25.3 billion by 2027, driven by a surge in home cooking, a revival of entertaining at home, and an increasing focus on healthy eating and nutrition. Yet within that booming market, consumers are increasingly voting with their wallets for tools that genuinely earn their place in the kitchen every single week – and the spiralizer, for most households, simply doesn’t make that cut anymore.
