We Tried a Bunch of BuzzFeed’s Tasty Kitchen Gadgets — Here Are Our Favorites

Did you know that BuzzFeed (as in the website that tells you where you’ll meet your soulmate based on the groceries you buy) has its own line of kitchen gadgets? Technically, it’s from Tasty — the brand’s spinoff food site — and it launched in Walmart stores earlier this year. The line is super colorful and reasonably priced.

I know what you must be thinking (in addition to whether or not you should take that quiz to see what kind of unicorn you are): Is it any good? I got my hands on a bunch of the stuff and got cooking. Here are my super-honest thoughts.

For the most part, I was surprisingly impressed with the new Tasty tools. They’re solidly made and do what they’re supposed to do well. And I love the bright, cheerful colors. Such a refreshing change from the metallics (even copper gets old after a while!) that we’ve been stocking our kitchens with for the last few years.

Go shopping: Tasty tools at Walmart

• The spatulas, ladle, and whisk are silicone so they can be used over heat and in nonstick cookware. You can use the whisk to make a pan gravy, the spatula to scramble eggs, etc. These tools are all way sturdier than even more expensive counterparts.
• Some tools are two-in-one. Find a bottle opener in the shears, and two different options on the grater. That translates to less clutter in your gadget drawer or tool holder.
• Almost every tool has a soft handle, which won’t dig into your hands as you work.

According to Tasty, some of the tools with metal parts aren’t dishwasher-safe. And, in my opinion, that’s kind of annoying: I don’t really want to spend time lovingly hand-washing an $8 gadget.

1. 2-Piece Bowlander Set, $13: I’m crazy about this. It’s super handy for rinsing strawberries, herbs, and farmers market zucchini, which I like to immerse in water to get off all the grit. I use the colander to drain ziti, canned beans, and veggies and then rest the whole thing in the bowl, to keep excess water from dripping on the counter. Both pieces have a large handle that makes them easy to maneuver. Feet on the colander keep it raised above the bottom of the sink and silicone on the bottom of the bowl means it sits steady on the counter when I’m making vinaigrette.
2. Soup Ladle, $4.50: This is currently in heavy rotation in my kitchen. Because it has two straight edges instead of being completely curved, it gets to every last drop of the gazpacho and cold vegetable bisques I’ve been serving these days.
3. 3-Piece Peeler Set, $8: In this three-piece set, you get a traditional swivel peeler, plus a serrated one that’s great for removing eggplant and tomato skins for ratatouille, and a julienne peeler that instantly creates strips of carrot for salads.

About me: For more than 30 years, I was in charge of testing and reporting on everything from wooden spoons to connected refrigerators at the Good Housekeeping Institute. My street cred? I worked as a chef in New York City restaurants for seven years. In my free time, you’ll find me banging pots in my own kitchen.

Have you tried out any of these Tasty gadgets? Share your thoughts in the comments below!