Viral Kitchen Gadgets: 17 Clever Tools People Are Testing Right Now

Viral kitchen gadgets are everywhere this month. Gadget test videos are pulling huge numbers right now: one test of eight viral tools passed 1.5 million views in just eleven days, and another on gadgets from the future hit 1.5 million in under two weeks. We loved watching this pass or fail gadget test because it shows which tools really help and which ones end up in the back of a drawer. With holiday cooking and gift shopping coming fast, it is a good time to know the difference. We are not selling anything here, and there are no brand names. These are 17 simple types of tools that home cooks keep talking about, with tips on how to use each one well and safely..

Viral Kitchen Gadgets on One Busy Counter

Picture a counter where every little tool earns its place: zucchini turning into noodles, corn kernels falling neatly into a bowl, leftovers covered with stretchy lids and fruit drying on a rack over the sink. That is the promise of the viral kitchen gadgets people keep testing online. Some are real time savers, and some are just fun to watch. The trick is picking tools that match how you really cook. Read through the list and see which ones would help in your kitchen..

You will need: a clear counter, a drawer with a little space, and an honest look at what you cook most.

How to make it: 1. Write down the three jobs you do most in the kitchen. 2. Pick gadgets that make those jobs faster. 3. Skip anything that only does a job you do once a year.

Spiral Vegetable Cutter

A small hand held spiralizer turns zucchini, carrots and cucumbers into long curly noodles in seconds. Kids are much more likely to eat vegetables that look like pasta, and it makes salads look fancy. Testers love the small twist style because it is easy to wash and fits in a drawer. The blade is sharp, so twist slowly, use the cap to grip the last bit, and let adults handle it. What would you spiralize first?

You will need: a hand held spiral cutter with a food holder cap, firm vegetables, a bowl.

How to make it: 1. Trim the ends of the vegetable. 2. Push it into the cutter and twist slowly, using the cap for the end. 3. Rinse the cutter right away with a brush.

Viral Kitchen Gadgets for Herbs: The Stripper

Pulling leaves off rosemary, thyme or kale stems by hand takes forever. An herb stripper has holes in different sizes. Push the stem through the right hole and pull, and the leaves slide right off. It is one of those viral kitchen gadgets that sounds silly until you use it once. It is cheap, flat and slips into any drawer. Some even have a little blade for chopping. How often do you cook with fresh herbs?

You will need: a flat herb stripper, fresh herbs or kale, a bowl for the leaves.

How to make it: 1. Find the hole that fits the stem. 2. Push the stem through from the top. 3. Pull it back toward you and collect the leaves.

Clip On Pot Strainer

This one is a big favorite in viral kitchen gadgets test videos. A silicone strainer clips right onto the rim of your pot, so you can tip the water out without pulling out a big colander. It saves space in a small kitchen and means one less thing to wash. Use oven mitts, tip the pot slowly away from you and keep kids clear of the steam. Testers say the clips should feel firm before you pour. Would this save space in your cupboard?

You will need: a clip on silicone strainer that fits your pot size, oven mitts.

How to make it: 1. Clip the strainer onto the pot rim firmly. 2. With mitts on, tilt the pot slowly over the sink. 3. Let the water drain away from you, then unclip.

Viral Kitchen Gadgets for Leftovers: Stretch Lids

Silicone stretch lids are one of the most loved viral kitchen gadgets for one simple reason: they fit almost anything. Stretch one over a bowl, a jar, a can or even half a melon, and it seals snugly. You can wash and reuse them for years, so you use far less plastic wrap. A set comes in several sizes. Testers say to stretch from one side across to the other for the best seal. What would you cover first?

You will need: a set of silicone stretch lids in several sizes.

How to make it: 1. Pick a lid a little smaller than the bowl. 2. Hook one edge, then stretch across to the other side. 3. Press down in the center to seal.

Egg Separator Cup

Holiday baking means lots of recipes that need just yolks or just whites. A little egg separator sits on top of a bowl. Crack the egg into it and the white slips through the slots while the yolk stays put. No more broken yolks or shell bits in your meringue. It is small, cheap and useful far more often than you think. Wash your hands after handling raw eggs. Do you bake much at Christmas?

You will need: an egg separator that rests on a bowl, eggs, two bowls.

How to make it: 1. Set the separator on top of a bowl. 2. Crack the egg gently into the middle. 3. Let the white drain, then tip the yolk into the second bowl.

Garlic Rocker Press

A garlic rocker is a curved piece of steel with holes. Set it over a peeled clove and rock it back and forth, and crushed garlic comes up through the holes. It is easier to clean than the old squeeze style press, and it is gentle on your wrists. Testers say it works best with peeled cloves and a firm cutting board. A quick rinse right after use keeps it easy to clean. Do you cook with garlic every day?

You will need: a garlic rocker, peeled garlic cloves, a cutting board, a small spoon.

How to make it: 1. Place a peeled clove on the board. 2. Press the rocker down and rock it back and forth. 3. Scrape the garlic off the top with a spoon and rinse the rocker.

Viral Kitchen Gadgets That Pass the Test: Corn Stripper

The corn stripper ring keeps showing up in test videos, and it usually passes. Stand the cob upright in a bowl, push the ring down, and the kernels fall off in neat strips. It is so much tidier than a knife, and kernels do not fly across the room. It is great for corn salad, soups and freezing summer corn. Hold the cob firmly and push slowly. Is fresh corn a favorite in your house?

You will need: a ring style corn stripper, cooked or raw corn on the cob, a wide bowl.

How to make it: 1. Stand the cob upright in a wide bowl. 2. Set the ring on top and push straight down slowly. 3. Turn the cob and repeat for any rows left behind.

Over the Sink Roll Up Rack

Among viral kitchen gadgets for small spaces, a roll up rack sits across your sink and gives you instant extra counter space. Rinse fruit on it, let dishes drip dry, or set a hot pot on it to cool. When you are done, roll it up and tuck it in a drawer. People in small kitchens say it is one of the best buys they ever made. Make sure the size fits your sink before you buy. For more space savers, see our small kitchen hacks. Would this help your sink area?

You will need: a roll up rack sized to your sink, a dish towel.

How to make it: 1. Measure across your sink. 2. Unroll the rack over the sink edges. 3. Roll it up to dry and store when you finish.

Strawberry Huller

A strawberry huller has a little claw that grabs the green top and the white core in one twist. You waste less fruit than when you cut the tops off with a knife, and berries look pretty for desserts. It is a tiny tool, but people who make a lot of fruit trays swear by it. Kids can use it with help since there is no sharp edge. Do you make fruit platters for the holidays?

You will need: a strawberry huller, fresh strawberries, a bowl.

How to make it: 1. Push the claw into the top of the berry. 2. Squeeze and twist. 3. Pull out the top and core together.

Butter Spreader With Grater Holes

Cold butter tearing your toast is a small morning frustration. This spreader has a row of little holes along the blade. Drag it across cold butter and it makes thin curls that melt and spread easily. Testers love it, and it makes a nice small stocking stuffer for the person who always forgets to take the butter out. It is also handy for baking when a recipe calls for grated butter. Do you keep your butter in the fridge?

You will need: a butter spreader with grater holes, cold butter.

How to make it: 1. Pull the spreader firmly across the top of cold butter. 2. Collect the curls on the blade. 3. Spread them on warm toast.

Pan Scraper Set for Stuck on Food

Plastic pan scrapers are small, cheap and amazing for stuck on food. Each corner is shaped differently to fit pan edges, curves and corners. They clean cast iron and nonstick pans without scratching, and they also scrape bowls and cutting boards clean. A set of colorful ones hangs easily on a hook by the sink. Testers called these a must have. Which pan in your kitchen needs the most help?

You will need: a set of plastic pan scrapers, warm water, a sponge.

How to make it: 1. Soak the pan in warm water for a few minutes. 2. Scrape stuck bits with the corner that fits best. 3. Wash and dry the pan as usual.

Viral Kitchen Gadgets That Save Space: Folding Cups

Measuring cups take up a surprising amount of drawer space. Collapsible silicone cups fold flat when you are done and pop open when you need them. They are bright, easy to read and handy for camping or small kitchens. Testers say to look for clear markings inside each cup. They are among the viral kitchen gadgets that really earn their spot. Is your utensil drawer too full right now?

You will need: a set of collapsible measuring cups.

How to make it: 1. Pop the cup open by pushing the bottom up. 2. Measure as usual. 3. Wash, dry and press it flat to store.

Avocado Three in One Tool

This is one of the viral kitchen gadgets that cuts, pits and slices an avocado in three steps. The plastic blade splits the skin, the center grabs the pit, and the slotted end scoops out perfect slices. It is safer than the old trick of hitting the pit with a big knife, which can lead to nasty cuts. Testers say it is great for anyone who eats avocado toast often. Do you have an avocado every week?

You will need: a three in one avocado tool, a ripe avocado, a cutting board.

How to make it: 1. Cut around the avocado with the plastic blade and twist apart. 2. Use the center grip to lift out the pit. 3. Slide the slicer under the flesh to scoop out slices.

Pancake Batter Dispenser

A batter dispenser lets you mix, pour and store pancake batter in one bottle with a trigger. Pancakes come out round and even, and there are no drips down the side of the bowl. It is great for holiday breakfasts when you are making a big stack for a crowd. It also works for muffins and cupcakes. Adults should handle the hot griddle while kids help mix. Who makes the pancakes in your house?

You will need: a batter dispenser bottle, pancake batter, a griddle or pan, a spatula.

How to make it: 1. Mix the batter right in the dispenser and shake. 2. Squeeze the trigger over a hot pan. 3. Flip when bubbles form on top.

Jar Opener Grip Pad

A simple rubber grip pad is one of the oldest tricks, and it is back in viral kitchen gadgets lists for a reason. Place it over a stubborn lid and twist, and the extra grip does the work. It is a lifesaver for anyone with sore hands. It also works as a trivet or a non slip mat under a mixing bowl. It costs very little and lasts forever. Who in your family always asks you to open jars?

You will need: a rubber jar grip pad, a stuck jar.

How to make it: 1. Lay the pad flat over the lid. 2. Hold the jar steady with your other hand. 3. Grip and twist the lid counterclockwise.

Magnetic Measuring Spoons

Magnetic measuring spoons snap together so you never lose the half teaspoon again. Many are double sided, with a round end for liquids and a narrow end that fits into spice jars. They stay neat in a drawer and look nice too. Testers say they are a small upgrade that makes baking feel easier. They are a happy last pick for this list of viral kitchen gadgets. Which tool from this list would you try first?

You will need: a set of magnetic measuring spoons, your spice jars.

How to make it: 1. Pull off the size you need. 2. Use the narrow end to reach into spice jars. 3. Wash, dry and snap them back together.