© 2026
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scam Advisory: We have been made aware that an online entity is posing as Joe Donahue to invite authors and other creatives onto our radio shows. The scammers then attempt to charge guests an appearance fee for exposure/publicity.
Please note: WAMC does not charge guests to appear on the station and any email about appearing on a WAMC program will come from a wamc.org email address.

The 'Unitasker' Kitchen Gadgets Alton Brown Loves To Loathe

Cooking gadgets seem to be a solid go-to when you're not sure what to give someone. Who wouldn't be charmed with a laser-guided pizza cutter? A one-click butter dispenser? An electric bacon-bowl maker?

Alton Brown, that's who. The Food Network host and celebrity chef has always railed against single-use kitchen gadgets. And on All Things Considered, he urges you to think twice before putting these items in your virtual or actual shopping cart.

In early December, Brown made a video for The Daily Dot in which he "reviewed," so to speak, several items. It's basically a guide on what not to get the cook in your life.

As Brown tells ATC's Ari Shapiro, "I have railed against unitaskers for 20 years. I've come around to liking them as strategic gifts for people you don't like."

Brown explains why you may not need meat claws, an egg cuber or the Rollie Eggmaster. You can listen to the interview by clicking the button above.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.