Kitchen gadgets no one needs

Margarita MachineAlton Brown has become best known as the host of the Food Network's "Iron Chef America" program. But he's also a damn fine cook with his own show, "Good Eats." With that show he became synonymous with flawless technique and no nonsense cooking. He is also a champion against the kitchen villain known as the "unitasker" — those gadgets that only do one thing and take up too much space in the one room in the house where organization is key. I have seen enough kitchens in my time — professional or otherwise — to know not only a unitasker when I see one, but a useless gadget as well. They have no business being in your kitchen. Here are nine of them: 1. Margarita machine You don't need this. You need a good blender. A good blender can help you create everything from soups and sauces to margaritas and milkshakes. There are many good blenders on the market, but most pros swear by VitaMix or BlendTec. Be prepared to spend around $500 for either one. That's right. $500. But it's the last blender you'll ever buy. Anyone who has ever struggled with a stubborn smoothie or a leaky blender will immediately appreciate the quality of these machines.

Microwave Omelet Maker2. Microwave omelet maker This unholy abomination is a symbol of what's sometimes wrong with America: Why do something right when you can do it quick and poorly? First, eggs are too delicate for the microwave. Second, there are a few skills I believe everyone should master. How to make a proper omelet is one of those things. With a little butter, a couple eggs and some fresh herbs (thyme is nice, so are chives) you can make an omelet in about two minutes that will put most restaurants to shame. If you want to know how, ask the master - Jacque Pepin has many books. My favorite is "Essential Pepin." Use the money you save not buying the things on this list to buy his cookbook.

Banana Slicer3. Banana slicer There is only one slicer you will ever need. It's called a chef's knife. Find one just big enough to be comfortable in your hands, take good care of it, and then throw away every banana, tomato, egg or whatever else slicer you have rattling around your kitchen junk drawer. Good chefs will tell you that having at least one good knife — and keeping it sharp and clean — will make you a better cook almost instantly.

Quesadilla Maker 4. Quesadilla maker It seems everyone loves quesadillas. For some reason, most people think they magically appear out of restaurant kitchens and can't possibly be made at home without the help of a quesadilla maker. (I blame George Foreman for this. Don't ask why. I just do.) All you need to make a good quesadilla is a decent pan and a little patience. If you know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich you know how to make a quesadilla. Please tell me you know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Pressure Canner 5. Pressure cooker I promise I did not put this item on the list just because I am afraid of them. (Well, maybe a little.) These things are brilliantly engineered, a technical marvel that allows you to cook without letting the air or liquids inside to escape. They are often used on "Iron Chef America" because they are suited to breaking down tough cuts of meat quickly. Chances are you are not under the pressure of the Iron Chefs, so you don't need to employ a pressure cooker. Also, they're expensive. Start your cooking a little earlier and save the high intensity stuff for the pros.

Garlic Peeler6. Garlic peeler People seem to have a lot of issues with garlic. Some cooks are happy to buy it already crushed in a jar filled with oil. Please don't do that. (Would you buy your onions, carrots or celery that way?) Others buy whole heads and then struggle to get the skin off so the garlic can be properly handled. Some resort to this thing, the garlic peeler, which is ineffective and silly all at once. Instead of this, just buy some fresh garlic and smash the whole head with your palm (or the side of your chefs knife). Take the individual cloves and give them a little smash as well. The skin comes off easily and the garlic is ready for preparation. I fully endorse a good garlic press, however, even though many cooks despise them.

Wok7. A wok Don't get me wrong, the wok is one of the greatest cooking inventions of all time. You can employ virtually every cooking method with a wok: Boiling, steaming, frying, braising, shallow frying. They're a marvel of simple design. However, unless you have the proper heat source — such as the BTU animals found in a Chinese kitchen — then a wok is not for you. Unless you've got a burner in your kitchen that looks like an upside down jet engine, skip the wok and use a good frying pan for your stir fry.

Hot Dog Cooker8. Hot dog cooker You do not need this. If you want a decent hot dog you have many choices. You'd be surprised how well a microwave can cook a hot dog. Just wrap them in damp paper towels and nuke them for a minute. Or you can buy one of my favorite kitchen items, the toaster oven. True story: Our oven was broken for years before we got around to replacing it. In that time I made lavish feasts for my family of four with one good burner and the toaster oven. You can cook whole chickens in those things. You can also broil a fine hot dog in one, too.

Pizza Oven9. Pizza baker You already have a fine pizza baker in your kitchen. It's called an oven. Also, I don't know where you're going to put this thing unless you've got a bigger kitchen than most families. Your oven gets plenty hot enough to cook a decent pizza at home. Use a stone or a decent pizza pan — either for under $20 — and you'll be surprised how often you make your own instead of calling for delivery.

Note: This was written by Victor Paul Alvarez, a Digital Crave contributor.
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