5 Vintage Kitchen Gadgets Tested By Design Expert | Well Equipped | Epicurious

Design and usability guru Dan Formosa returns for another episode of Well Equipped, this time turning his expert eye towards 5 vintage kitchen gadgets from the past. Watch as he tests each device, putting them through the gauntlet while commenting on what works, what doesn't, and what he would've done to improve their design.

Follow Dan on Instagram at @danformosa

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0:00 Introduction
0:43 Ice Pet Ice Shaver
4:51 Miracle French Fry Cutter
7:59 Bean-X
10:49 Wedge Egg Slicer
13:41 Juice-o-Mat


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5 Vintage Kitchen Gadgets Tested By Design Expert | Well Equipped | Epicurious

[JohnPMiller]

If you try using the mandoline slicer with oily hands, you'll realize that the French fry cutter is pretty good.

[estoylaroca]

I find that Dan has a likeable personality, so I rate his person a 5/5. Seems like a guy I could watch for numerous videos.
I also like that he explains things well, so I rate his presentation a 5/5. It's pretty obvious that he has a lot of experience.
Lastly, I like the colors of his outfit today, and so I give his style a 5/5. Nice contrast on the shirt and the polo.

Overall, I give Dan a 5/5. I always love videos with him in it.

[shangerdanger]

at in n out they have something similar to this french fry cutter, but it's mounted on the wall and the user pulls down on the lever. looks like it works great

[KyaKramer]

French fry cutter is supposed to be mounted on the wall so that it's stable, and you can use your body weight. It makes it very easy to use and safer than a mandolin, though you probably still need to have a bit of strength. Admittedly, this makes it useful in a restaurant, but probably unnecessary in a home kitchen

[jamesmuhr]

Praise to the set staff for making the Jell-O fruit dish decor for the video, totally fits the vintage vibe of the gadgets.

[markiskool]

I have two of the items you reviewed, the juice-o-mat and the miracle french fry maker.
I bought the juicer to make lemonade shakes like you get at the fair. I priced the modern juicers and they were insane. With a lemon, the juice-o-mat is perfect as is.
Now for the french fry cutter. I, too, found it hard to use until I saw it properly utilized. You see, it is meant to be mounted vertically on a wall with a bucket under the blade end. Instead of pushing down, you're pushing the handle up and to the wall. Saw it used at the Canfield Fair this way and the guy could do 10 or so potatoes in less than a minute.

[Celt]

There's a lot to be said about a host personality making or breaking a show, but Dan is undeniably a gem to watch.

[ToxicSpork]

The main thing you have to ask with any kitchen gadget is whether it's worth the space it takes up, because "You know, I just have way too much kitchen space" is something that nobody has said, ever...

[aznknite]

Surprised by how well a lot of these old gadgets work. Simple designs for simple tasks.

[Trappor]

One reason why some of the old gadgets work well is that the materials are often much better. Looked like good quality metal and plastic to me, compared to a lot of the new stuff.

[Say_Tin]

Is it just me or is Dan somehow getting better and better at leading the show??

[floatingdoor]

Someone should give this guy his own show creating gadgets. Funny dude.

[vincentcarlson]

Flip the citrus fruit upside down. It turns the fruit inside out when you press it and you get more from the fruit.

[GabeTheGrump]

Be nice to for him to show what he designed and how successful he was. For most people he could be a design expert for a bunch of 2 star niche junk for all they know. I looked him up and found it he was behind WAY more amazing products than I thought, he really doesn't give off the vibe of being the genius he truly is.

[joebland]

The juicer is designed for a smaller fruit than what we're used to today. The wedge shape was designed to smash and spread a small fruit out more efficiently. The fact that you still have a recognizable half of the orange instead of a ripped out cone husk is the most telling part. Your fruit was too big.

[brothyr]

the issue with that potato slicer is double. For one, they really intended it for russet potatoes which are much softer. Two: the blades are highly subject to age, once they've been used even once or twice, they're dull and it was likely cleaned and put back in the box and never used again.

[biohazard_the_potato_muncher]

theres something about old kitchen gadgets that makes them feel more reliable, maybe is that they are Made of steel instead of a cheap plastic or maybe it could be because on that epoch they were more worried about making the thing work as efficient as posible instead of making it look unique and diferent from any other

[eightteentwo]

Now I want to see Dan review gagets he designed.

[lucidmoses]

I used one of those french fry makers at a restaurant while going to collage. They work great but you do have to bolt them to the counter. Not something I would suggest in a home setting.

[Tinyvalkyrie]

For anyone curious about why eggs have a pointy end, there are two main reasons. Eggs are squishy for most of the creation process, so when they are squeezed by the inside of the bird, they naturally tend towards that shape. They come out blunt end first. Secondly, the slightly odd shape makes them less likely to roll away. Birds that lay eggs on rocks or cliffs often have almost conical eggs so they roll in a tiny circle and don’t fall off.