I'm a culinary pro, and I agree with Ina Garten — this $5 peeler is the best
When you realize that one of your favorite kitchen gadgets is also beloved by the Barefoot Contessa herself, it's a satisfying moment. Ina Garten relies on the Kuhn Rikon peeler for everyday use, which is why she put it on her preferred equipment list — a treasure trove of tried-and-tested products from the likes of KitchenAid, Cuisinart and Vitamix.
At $14 for a three-pack, these peelers are easy and inexpensive to swap out as needed and make quick work of carrots, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and more. Mine never seem to dull, and I can always find their brightly colored handles in a utensil drawer that's a sea of silver and black stuff.
Related: Ina Garten adores these 20+ handy kitchen essentials, and they start at just $5
As a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, I've tried all types of peelers (some much pricier!) and I agree with Ina: A Y-peeler works much better for me than a straight swivel peeler and is far more comfortable and intuitive in hand. She told Food & Wine that she replaces her favorite Swiss peelers every year, and at this price, I'm happy to follow suit. I've even been known to gift one when I'm visiting a friend for the weekend — yes, I'm that person who imposes her kitchen gear on others.
Related: Looking for other chef-approved kitchen tools? Check out Giada de Laurentiis' go-to spatula and Geoffrey Zakarian's essentials for an at-home bar.
This peeler is lightweight but sturdy and comfortable to grip. Still, its exceptionally sharp blade is its biggest asset. The blade is made of carbon steel, which means it will stay sharp for quite a while. The plastic body is compact (just 6 inches long, great for cramped kitchen drawers). It also features a potato eye remover — that's the small plastic circle to the right of the blade — that can scoop out potato eyes and other vegetable blemishes.
You can use this peeler on vegetables and fruit with tough skin (even butternut squash!) and delicate skin (think zesting a lemon when you're making a martini with a twist). Peeling potatoes for fries? It won't skid like the competition. You can also use it to shave hard cheeses like parmesan for topping a salad, add chocolate shavings to a dessert or make zucchini ribbons for layering in a vegetable lasagna or tossing in a fresh summer side dish.
More than 8,000 Amazon shoppers have awarded this handy gadget a five-star rating. One succinct customer said, "No dislikes. Likes: Colorful, easy to find in the utensil drawers, and again, sharp out of the box. Also, more comfortable/ergonomic when compared to a traditional metal design." (Agreed on all counts.)
"I had a peeler with a fancy handle, similar to these inexpensive peelers," said another fan. "I didn't realize how dull my fancy-handle peeler was until I used one of these. The sharpness makes peeling a lot easier and faster. Plus, the low price makes replacing the peeler easier."
Wrote a pro: "I'm a chef at a fine dining restaurant. These are gold standard peelers. ... They last a super long time, so long as other chefs and cooks don't steal them from you."
I have only one minor complaint about this little guy. The carbon steel blade does not hold up well to dishwasher use, nor should you soak it in water. Clean it with a sponge and warm, soapy water, then dry it shortly after. (I'd say that's a small price to pay for performance and value!)
The potential for rust is also a common complaint among reviewers. "They are very sharp. I damaged a nail because I wasn't focusing. And dry the blades after you wash them," said this now-careful cook. "They tend to rust. [But] they get the job done, especially when you have to peel the pear and potato harvest for canning."
A dedicated user came back after 10 years of use with this update, and some valuable advice: "I purchased these in 2013 and gave two away as gifts. I am now back to purchase a second set, not because I need to, but because I want to have it on hand for when the original blade becomes dull. Unlike the other reviewers, I have had no problems with the blade dulling or rusting at all. However, I have never once placed mine in the dishwasher!"
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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