Even if you eat boiled eggs daily, you've little need for this cumbersome contraption. An electric egg boiler typically requires you to pierce holes in the bottom of your eggs, add water, and set a timer for your required consistency. A saucepan of water and a timer is just as – if not more – quick and efficient, and it won't take up unnecessary space on your kitchen counter.
Another not-so-eggcellent invention... Poached eggs can be tricky to get just so. And they're even more likely to harden up if you zap them in the microwave for too long. Stick with a pan of boiling water and follow our foolproof tip for getting perfect poached eggs every time instead.
A favourite among health enthusiasts, fruit-packed juices have long been seen as a great way to pack in your five a day. But it turns out that juicing isn't as healthy a habit as you might think. Juicing reduces the fibre in your fruit and veg, and sugars are also released more quickly, since they're no longer bound within plant cells. Ditch the juicer and opt for whole fruits instead and save space on your countertops too.
Garlic crushers might seem like nifty little tools, but they're mostly more hassle than they're worth. Little garlic chunks cling to every nook and cranny, meaning they're a waking nightmare to clean and you waste some of your ingredient too. The flat side of a knife to crush followed by the sharp edge to chop will do nicely, thank you.
While carrots sharpened to a perfect point might look pretty on a plate, the point of this bizarre kitchen gadget really does end there. If you can live without attractively arranged orange carrot shavings on your Sunday roast, then your few pounds is definitely better spent elsewhere.
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If you're a yogurt lover, this might seem like a simple and effective money-saving gadget for making preservative-free homemade yogurt. But did you know it's super easy to make yogurt from home without a flashy device? All you need is a clay pot and a lid.
Dedicated herb keepers usually look a bit like covered vases or tall containers, with room for water at the bottom, and they may well preserve your herbs for longer. But DIY methods work just as well for keeping them fresh. Simply store herbs like basil and parsley in fresh water as you would a bunch of flowers.
Unless you're going to fill up on a hearty sarnie every morning, this breakfast-sandwich-making machine really isn't worth the surface space. It's more than a little faffy, with one section for your bread and other fillings, and another for your egg, which you slide out when cooked. And it's really not much quicker, or cleaner, than a frying pan and a fish slice.
These brilliant breakfast recipes will transform your morning
For a period in the 2010s, spiralizers were a kitchen must-have, particularly revered among health fanatics who loved turning carrots and courgettes into "spaghetti". The device is still popular with no-carb dieters, but the rest of us have moved on. There's only so long fruit and veg ribbons can win out over a steaming bowl of real tagliatelle.
Ditch the spiralizer and try these delicious and comforting pasta dishes instead
Cocktail sets with all the bells and whistles might seem fun and glamorous at first – but they can also be thoroughly overwhelming if you don't know how to use them. The good news is that all you really need to make great tipples is a cocktail shaker with an in-built strainer.
Lose the extra kit and try these super simple three-ingredient cocktails
There's something wonderfully nostalgic about an electric kitchen knife – you might have fond memories of the cacophony it made when your parents were carving up a meat joint for the Sunday roast during the 1970s and 1980s when these gadgets were all the rage. But, ultimately, they're tricky to clean, unbearably noisy and you're much less likely to make accurate cuts. Best invest in a sharp, good-quality regular knife for cutting meat instead. They are, however, helpful for people with some disabilities.
However much you love popcorn, there's really no need for a countertop appliance when you can make your favourite movie snack on the stove or in the microwave. Popcorn makers work by simply applying heat to the kernels until they pop. Save yourself time and money by using a saucepan with a lid instead. Here's how to do it.
A melon baller may be gloriously retro, with balled melon on sticks conjuring images of 1970s dinner parties. But, if you have one, it's most likely something you used once or twice, then consigned to your utensils drawer forever. Use rounded measuring spoons instead – they'll do the job just fine.
Read on for more retro dishes we think should make a comeback
Another single-purpose appliance taking up precious space in your kitchen, a muffin maker is basically an electric, countertop oven with special moulds for your cakes. And, even if you're a serious baker, there's little point buying one if you've got a working oven and a muffin tin...
Fancy some sliced banana on your porridge, or stirred into your fruit salad? Slatted and slightly curved, this simple gadget might save you a fraction of time when preparing your favourite fruit. But that extra time will be lost in cleaning the thing, as banana inserts itself into all the little grooves. Best stick to a knife...