Novelty Kitchen Gadgets Put to the Test: Which Ones Are Actually Worth It?

Introduction

Novelty kitchen gadgets are everywhere online, but the real question is simple: do they actually work, and are they worth the money? We put a batch of the most intriguing ones through hands-on testing, looking at build quality, ease of use, and whether they earn a permanent spot in the kitchen or end up in the back of a drawer. Here is how four of them stacked up.

Climbing Mugs: Training or Just Fun?

The first gadget is a pair of ceramic mugs with climbing-hold grips moulded into the surface, sold as training mugs that supposedly improve finger strength while you drink your tea. They are handmade in Stoke on Trent, one of England’s oldest pottery areas, by craftspeople working in quality stoneware.

In practice, they are genuinely fun to hold and surprisingly tricky with a hot drink, since the wall of the mug gets quite warm. As training devices they are a stretch, but as a conversation piece for a climber’s kitchen they work beautifully. The downside is price: one mug costs 16.76 pounds, and the other came in at a hefty 35 pounds, which feels more like a designer mug than a hobbyist buy. Verdict: a rock solid mug, a fun gift, but an expensive one.

Four-in-One Cheese Cutter and Storage Box

This one promises effortless precision: a manual cheese and butter slicer with a storage box, a grating attachment, and a cheese wire, all folded into one contraption.

Sadly, the promise falls apart in use. The mechanism is over-engineered, the wheel kept falling off, and slicing produced thin, fiddly slivers rather than clean cuts. At 17.98 pounds it is far too expensive for the experience, and the product’s own customer reviews agree: eight reviews averaging 2.2 out of five, with complaints about the handle falling off and the grating function being described in harsh terms. This was easily the worst gadget tested. A basic knife and grater do the same job better for less.

MoldBrothers Garnish Moulds

The third gadget is a set of silicone garnish moulds designed for baking tuiles, the delicate wafers used in fine plating. Three designs were tested: the honey grid, the brand’s most popular mould, which can be used flat, draped, rolled into a cylinder, or punched into circles with a pastry ring; and the hazel leaf, designed with Chef Mike Cornelissen of a Michelin-starred Dutch restaurant.

The results impressed everyone. A simple batter of egg white, flour, salt, butter, oil, and honey bakes at 160 degrees for about 20 minutes, and the tuiles lift off easily and stay pliable just long enough to shape. Drape them, roll them, stand the leaf upright on a cheesecake; they work exactly as intended and look restaurant-quality. The brand’s website also offers a large library of sweet and savoury tuile recipes, including a squid ink version for a striking black finish. Pricing sits in between expectations: the honey grid is 12 euros and the other moulds 15 euros each. It is an investment aimed at keen hobbyists and entertainers, but for anyone who wants that shape easily, there is really only one way to get it.

Uten Potato Tower Machine

The final gadget is the Uten Potato Tower Machine, a sturdy spiralizing device that cuts a whole potato into a continuous spiral on a skewer, ready to be stretched into the tornado potatoes popular at street food markets, particularly in South Korea.

Setup takes a moment to figure out: peel the potato, mount it on the turning grip, and insert the skewer from the outside so the spiral forms directly onto it. Once it gets going, it slices quickly and evenly, and stretching the spiral into that accordion shape is one of the most satisfying kitchen moments imaginable. Deep fry the whole skewer and you get crisp edges with a soft, almost jacket-potato centre.

It is a niche tool, and the deep frying step means a large vat of hot oil, which is worth thinking about for home use. But seasoning options are endless: curry powder and salt, cheese and beans, okonomiyaki-style toppings with bonito flakes. Smaller potatoes and other vegetables such as aubergine or courgette work too. At 17.99 pounds it feels robust and reasonably priced for something so specific, and it suits both home kitchens and restaurant prep. Verdict: it absolutely sent the testers into a spin, in the best way.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want a guaranteed win, the MoldBrothers garnish moulds deliver exactly what they promise and open up genuinely creative plating. The Uten Potato Tower Machine is the best value of the bunch if you are happy to deep fry. The climbing mugs are a lovely splurge gift for a climber, while the four-in-one cheese cutter is best avoided entirely.

Conclusion

Novelty does not have to mean useless. Two of these gadgets earned their keep, one is a charming luxury, and one proves that not every clever idea deserves a place in your kitchen. Choose based on how you actually cook, and even a quirky gadget can become a genuine favourite.