Navigating the world of “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets often presents a dilemma: are these innovative tools truly revolutionary, or simply clever marketing ploys destined for the back of a cluttered drawer? Many home cooks find themselves intrigued by claims of simplified meal prep and enhanced kitchen efficiency, yet a common sentiment involves skepticism regarding their real-world utility and value. This article, complementing the insights shared in the video above, delves deeper into several popular kitchen novelties, examining their effectiveness and, crucially, offering practical, budget-friendly DIY kitchen hacks that often achieve similar, if not superior, results using items already found in most homes. The aim is to empower individuals to make informed decisions and embrace smart kitchen solutions without unnecessary expenditures.
Microwave Bacon Mastery: Bacon Boss vs. DIY Plates
The Bacon Boss Gadget
For those seeking perfectly flat and crispy bacon with minimal mess, the Bacon Boss is presented as a microwave solution. This gadget, typically found in retail, features a glass lid with a locking handle and an angled base plate designed to channel grease away from the bacon. The operational process is straightforward: bacon strips, up to five depending on the cut, are laid out on the base plate. A general guideline of one minute per slice is often recommended for cooking in a turntable-equipped microwave. While results can be satisfactory, with bacon cooked and excess grease collected, the necessity of a dedicated device for this common kitchen task is often questioned by discerning cooks.
The DIY Bacon Hack
A remarkably effective and virtually free alternative to the Bacon Boss involves utilizing standard microwave-safe plates. This ingenious hack requires one large plate to serve as a grease catcher and two smaller plates. Bacon strips are neatly arranged on the first small plate, and the second small plate is placed directly on top to ensure the bacon cooks flat. Following the same one-minute-per-slice rule, the assembly is microwaved until desired crispness is achieved. The significant amount of grease collected by the large plate below is a testament to this method’s efficacy in producing healthier, perfectly flat bacon without the need for specialized “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets, proving that smart cooking solutions are often right at your fingertips.
Pineapple Perfection: Specialized Corer vs. Knife Technique
The Pineapple Corer and Slicer Tool
Peeling, coring, and slicing a pineapple can be a daunting task, often leading to mess and wasted fruit. Specialized pineapple tools are marketed to streamline this process, promising to transform a whole pineapple into perfectly spirals or rings in as little as 30 seconds. The tool is designed with a serrated edge that is twisted into the pineapple’s core, pulling out the flesh while leaving the skin and core behind. These devices generally receive favorable reviews, often rated around 4.5 out of 5 stars, and are available for approximately $6. While effective, the introduction of another single-purpose utensil into a potentially already crowded kitchen drawer is a common concern for many.
The DIY Pineapple Knife Method
Achieving delicious, bite-sized pineapple pieces without a specialized tool is entirely feasible with a sharp knife and a cutting board. This method involves first removing the top and bottom ends of the pineapple. The pineapple is then stood upright and cut into quarters, which makes accessing and removing the fibrous core significantly easier by simply slicing off the angled sections. Each quarter is then laid flat, and half-inch slices are made down to the skin, followed by lengthwise cuts to create a grid pattern. Finally, the knife is run between the flesh and the skin to release the bite-sized pieces. This technique yields excellent results, minimizing waste and demonstrating that efficient food prep can be achieved without additional “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets.
Egg-cellent Peeling: Egg Piercer vs. Thumbtack Carton
The Egg Piercer Device
The challenge of peeling hard-boiled eggs without marring their pristine surface is a common kitchen frustration. The egg piercer is a tool designed to address this by punching a tiny hole in the bottom of an egg prior to boiling. It is claimed that this small puncture prevents cracking during the boiling process and subsequently makes the eggs easier to peel. The device typically features a small needle that pops up when unlocked, allowing for a firm, simple push to create the hole. While some users report success in preventing cracks, the claim of easier peeling is often debated, with many still struggling to achieve a smooth peel even after using the piercer.
The DIY Egg Piercing Hack
A simple and inventive alternative to a dedicated egg piercer can be created using an empty egg carton and thumbtacks. By cutting off the lid and excess parts of an egg carton to leave four egg pockets, and then pushing a thumbtack into the bottom center of each pocket, a stable DIY egg-piercing station is formed. The thumbtacks act as small legs, allowing the carton to stand upright with the tacks pointing upwards. Eggs can then be gently pressed onto the thumbtacks, creating the desired tiny hole without mess or risk. This demonstrates that a clever, cost-free solution is often readily available for common kitchen woes, reducing the need for more single-purpose “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets.
Potato Power: Potato Express vs. Traditional Microwave
The Potato Express Pouch
The Potato Express is a microwave potato cooker marketed to deliver perfectly baked potatoes in just four minutes. This fabric pouch claims to utilize a unique insulated design to create a steam pocket, thereby cooking potatoes thoroughly without the need for peeling or poking holes. The packaging suggests it can hold up to four potatoes, though in practice, it typically accommodates three large russet potatoes. While the concept is appealing for quick meals, the advertised four-minute cooking time is often found to be optimistic; most reviews and practical tests indicate that an additional two to four minutes are required, extending the total cooking time to six to eight minutes. Available for around $6 to $8, its value proposition is often considered alongside traditional microwave methods.
The DIY Microwave Potato Method
Achieving perfectly cooked microwave potatoes without a specialized pouch is both straightforward and equally effective. A large russet potato is simply pricked several times on both sides with a fork. It is then placed directly into the microwave for eight to ten minutes, with an optional flip halfway through for more even cooking, though this is not strictly necessary. The internal moisture creates steam, effectively cooking the potato to a soft, fluffy texture. This traditional method not only eliminates the need for an additional kitchen item like the Potato Express but also provides results that are just as good, if not better, proving that basic “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets are not always necessary for efficient cooking.
Pasta Draining Demystified: Chef Basket vs. Standard Colander
The Chef Basket Gadget
The Chef Basket is promoted as a versatile kitchen tool designed to simplify boiling, steaming, and straining. Its primary appeal lies in its ability to contain food within a collapsible basket placed inside a cooking pot, featuring handles that remain cool and can be used to lift and drain the contents directly. The metal prongs surrounding the basket are meant to stabilize it within the pot, and the handles double as legs for propping it up during loading. While it functions as a collapsible colander for boiling pasta or vegetables, users often find that a significant amount of water is required to submerge ingredients fully, and its overall utility often doesn’t extend far beyond that of a standard strainer.
The DIY Colander Solution
The functionality of the Chef Basket is largely replicated by a common kitchen staple: the standard metal colander. Many colanders are designed with handles that allow them to rest on the rim of a cooking pot while the basket is submerged in water, effectively containing pasta or vegetables during boiling. The main operational difference lies in the temperature of the handles, which will become hot during cooking, necessitating the use of oven mitts or towels for safe removal. After draining, the contents can be easily transferred to a bowl. This demonstrates that a widely available and often already owned kitchen tool serves the same purpose as the specialized “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets, promoting a clutter-free and efficient kitchen environment.
Precision Chopping: Clever Cutter vs. Pizza Cutter/Knife
The Clever Cutter Tool
The Clever Cutter is presented as a two-in-one knife and cutting board tool, promising to chop and slice food in seconds with its razor-sharp stainless steel blades. This spring-loaded, ergonomic device is designed for a firm, quick snap motion, making tasks like chopping carrots, celery, and cucumbers surprisingly efficient. Its primary benefit is the ability to chop ingredients directly over a bowl or plate, minimizing mess. While it performs well for certain foods and is praised for its ease of use, it is not truly a replacement for all kitchen knives, and its versatility is somewhat limited. The cost saving by opting for a DIY method is around $13, highlighting a significant economic benefit.
The DIY Chopping Alternatives
For quick and efficient chopping without the Clever Cutter, several alternatives utilize common kitchen utensils. One highly effective method involves a pizza cutter and a sturdy cutting board. Vegetables are held firmly down on the board and the pizza cutter is rolled back and forth, allowing for rapid slicing and dicing. For more robust items, a sharp chef’s knife remains an indispensable tool, offering precision and control that specialized gadgets often cannot match. While these methods may not offer the exact “cut over a bowl” convenience of the Clever Cutter, they provide productive ways to slice foods without a messy cleanup and, crucially, do so without adding another single-purpose item to the kitchen. These DIY kitchen hacks underscore the value of versatile existing tools over novelty “As Seen On TV” kitchen gadgets.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Home-Remade Kitchen Gadget Edition
What is this article about?
This article compares popular ‘As Seen On TV’ kitchen gadgets with clever DIY hacks, showing how to achieve similar results using common household items you likely already own.
Why should I consider using DIY kitchen hacks instead of buying ‘As Seen On TV’ gadgets?
DIY kitchen hacks can save you money by using items you already have, help reduce clutter in your kitchen, and often achieve the same or better results than specialized gadgets.
How can I cook crispy bacon in the microwave without a ‘Bacon Boss’ gadget?
You can cook bacon by placing strips between two small microwave-safe plates, with a larger plate underneath to catch grease, and microwaving for about one minute per slice.
Is there an easy way to make hard-boiled eggs easier to peel without a special egg piercer?
Yes, you can create a simple egg piercer by pushing a thumbtack into an empty egg carton pocket and gently pressing the egg onto it before boiling.
Can I cook a baked potato quickly in the microwave without a ‘Potato Express’ pouch?
Absolutely. Just prick a russet potato several times with a fork and microwave it for 8-10 minutes, flipping it halfway through for even cooking.
