Every time I set the table, I always put out a full set of silverware because you never know who’s gonna need a certain utensil. I mean, I wouldn’t think about using a knife to cut my spaghetti, but I have a friend who does it every time he comes over for Spaghetti Thursdays. Likewise, I opt to use the side of my fork instead of a knife to cut my pancakes, and my friend thinks that’s a bit loony as well.
With the Knork 4-pc Set (Amazon, $24.99), neither my friend nor myself will feel odd for not using a knife at mealtime. Plus, it’s one less utensil to put on the table (and to wash later). The Knork features a finger platform in its center that allows the user to press down on it and use a rocking motion to cut food. The outer prongs of the Knork aren’t really all that sharp, but curved instead, making the Knork safe as well as easy to use. Because both outer prongs utilize this technology, the Knock is ideal for everyone regardless if they’re a righty or a lefty. If you know someone who suffers from a disability or medical condition that makes it hard for them to use both hands while eating, this is the perfect solution.
While the Knork is perfect in just about any situation, don’t think that you’re gonna be able to cut cans or your shoe with it. It’s not some silly knife from a crazy infomercial or your first job as a door-to-door knife salesman. Seriously, why did you think you’d be able to make $18.00 an hour so easily? That’s just stupid.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of four
-Cuts like a dinner knife and spears like a fork
-No sharp knife edge
-Use finger platform and rocking motion to cut food
-Right or left handed
-Rust, stain, and corrosion resistant
-Matte finish
-Dishwasher safe
I’m not very strong. It doesn’t really bother me all that much because I’m usually around someone who can help me out when I need to lift something heavy or can’t get the lid off a pickle jar. There are times when I’d like to at least pretend I’m an adult and that I have the ability to function on my own. Specifically, when I can’t get the cap off a beer bottle, it almost seems like I shouldn’t even be allowed to drink it.
I could go to the gym and try to build up my muscles, but that sounds like a lot of work. Instead, I’d rather trick people into thinking that I’m stronger by using the EZ Botop Bottle Opener (Drinkstuff, £7.99). Not only does this baby allow you to easily open beer, soda, anything with a bottle cap, but you can do it one-handed! Along with its innovative design, this opener creates a fulcrum that allows you to open a bottle with little to no effort. The top part is also magnetic, so the cap sticks to it after you’ve opened the bottle. I’m a fan of this feature because I am well known for attempting to uncap a beverage, only to have either the cap or bottle go flying because of my underdeveloped biceps.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long week and I need to conduct some further testing on this bottle opener.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40mm x 170mm x 45mm
-One handed bottle opener
-Remove cap and pour contents in one fluid motion
-Magnet retains bottle top
-Not available for delivery in Canada
Last night I heard the melodic sounds of the ice cream truck passing through the neighborhood. I was torn, because ice cream seemed like a really good idea right about then, but it was 10pm and just a little bit creepy for the ice cream man to be out that late. So I didn’t rush out to get a fudge pop or a King cone, choosing to instead pine away for an ice cold treat within the confines of my own home. It seemed like the safer choice, given the circumstances, but I was still left unsatisfied.
If I’d had the Ice Cream Maker (Perpetual Kid, $24.99) in my kitchen, I wouldn’t have spent the rest of the evening salivating over the thought of popsicles and ice cream cones. Instead, ingredients permitting, I could have sauntered into my kitchen and whipped up a batch of my own ice cream. Unlike the ice cream makers of old, this one doesn’t require you to inflict carpal tunnel syndrome on yourself whilst constantly churning its contents. With just the push of a button, you can create two different ice cream flavors in this maker. All you have to do is mix your ingredients (recipe book included), pour them into the maker, push a little button, and put the whole thing in the freezer. That’s it. Seriously.
I’m really trying to cut back on my kitchen gadgets (they’re starting to take over the place), so I have to wonder if this one is really worth it. I mean, will I really eat enough ice cream to justify the purchase? Seeing as my beverage intake skyrocketed once I got Keurig, I’m thinking it’s a fair bet to say I’ll be living off an ice cream diet.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ x 4″
-Includes ice cream maker and recipe book
-Recipe book includes sherbet, sorbet, and ice cream recipes
-Makes ice cream with the push of a button
-Make two different flavors at once
-Needs 4 AA batteries
-Made of plastic
I’ve recently become quite the cooking savant. Well, to clarify, I’ve recently started making edible meals, and even that’s a bit of stretch. I am keen to learn though, which I think is the most important thing. While I love learning how to cook, if only because it helps me save money and for the immense satisfaction that comes with creating something delicious, I hate cleaning up afterward. Somehow, I manage to cover every inch of every surface in my kitchen with bits of food. It’s just as delightful as it sounds.
At least if I’m using the Elevate Kitchen Utensils (Generate Design, $49.00), I can be sure that my cooking tools aren’t being covered in last week’s taco residue. Yes, this six-piece set is nauseatingly cute with its rainbow-colored handles, but that’s not what makes it great. Ok, that’s not the main thing that makes it great. With a weighted handle and an integrated tool rest, each of these tools is designed to sit above the surface when placed down. Meaning, you can set that spoon on the counter for two seconds without having to worry if germs are contaminating it before you pick it up again to stir the spaghetti sauce. Heat resistant and dishwasher safe, each piece features a hanger hole so you can even make them a work of art on your wall.
If you’re scoffing at the thought of kitchenware as art, let me just mention that I have cake pans hanging on my kitchen wall. Yeah, it’s mainly because they won’t fit in my cabinet, but who wouldn’t want to display a TMNT cake pan, circa 1989? I rest my case.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: approximately 11.8″ x 3.5″ x 2.4″ (each utensil)
-Set of 6 includes solid spoon, slotted spoon, flexible turner, slotted turner, ladle, and spaghetti server
-Weighted handle and integrated tool rest
-Heat resistant up to 240C/480F
-Hanger hole for convenient storage
-Boxed gift set
-Dishwasher safe
-Made of polypropylene
Laziness is an art form. Not many people realize that, but it is. There are many times when you might think that it’s ridiculous to ask someone else to get something for you when it’s only a few inches from where you’re sitting, but you would be wrong. I mean, why get up and get something yourself when you can get someone else to do it, right? If you think I’m crazy, ask yourself how many times you use the remote to turn on the TV, even when you’re standing right next to it, instead of doing it on manually. I believe the response you’re looking for is always.
Because laziness might as well be my middle name, I have much appreciation for the little things that make my life easier, like the Salt & Pepper Bots (Nerd Seven, $29.95). Now, we all know that reaching for the salt and pepper isn’t the most difficult thing in the world, even if your table is super long, but wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to reach over someone else while they were eating? With a set of these wind-up robots, all you’d have to do is wind them and get on with your meal. These little guys will clip-clop their way across the table, where they’ll deliver the condiment of choice housed in their screw-on head to the recipient. What more could you ask for?
I know that waiting for a small wind-up toy to deliver a pinch of salt probably takes more time than just reaching across the table and getting it yourself, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is so ridiculously lazy, it crosses over into awesome. You know you agree.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 2.5″ x 3.75″ x 1.3″ (each)
-Weight: 5 oz (each)
-Wind up robots
-Salt and pepper set
-Screw on head compartment stores salt or pepper
-Made of food grade ABS plastic
