Potato Peeler - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
Peeling potatoes is a thankless job. It's one reason it was used as a punishment aboard warships for decades. Fortunately, modern potato peelers have made this task not so miserable. In fact, many of the potato peelers available to consumers today make peeling potatoes and other vegetables a quick and easy job. As kitchen tools, potato peelers have come a long way, and now you as a customer have a wide range of functional peelers to choose from.
Whether you run a professional kitchen or just want a good peeler for home use, you can find what you need in our review of the best potato peelers. Some may think that choosing such an insignificant kitchen aid should be a thoughtless effort. That's not true. Because it is a tool that is used often, a lot of thought should be given to choosing the right one.
Use our helpful reviews and buying guide for the best potato peelers, and you'll be on your way to peeling like a pro in no time.
Key Considerations
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a potato peeler. Two of the most important are how often vegetables are peeled and what type of potato peeler feels best in your hands. Beyond those factors, you'll want to consider the peeler's durability in terms of how rough or easy it is on your kitchen equipment.
- Vertical Blade vs. Horizontal Blade
Anyone who has peeled their fair share of potatoes knows exactly what style of peeler they like. As a general rule, people who have problems with their wrists prefer the horizontal style peeler because it requires less extreme movement of the wrist. As with any rule, however, there are exceptions.
- Material
Although potato peeler blades are universally made of steel, handles can be made of steel, plastic, or rubber. The handle material you choose will have a huge impact on your comfort level over time. Some people find metal handles too unforgiving after long periods of peeling. Others find that the plastic or rubber handles slip out of their hands too easily, making the process frustrating. Give serious consideration to your own preferences for long-term manageability.
- Ergonomics
The shape of the potato peeler handle will have a huge impact on its ability to peel for long periods of time. Some handles are flat, others have a rounded shape. Think about the position you'll be holding your fingers in for each option. Choose the one you think would be the most comfortable position to hold for long periods of time. Traditional peelers with stainless steel handles are often considered the least comfortable, so keep that in mind if you choose one of those models.
- Ease of Cleaning
Some materials are easier to clean than others. Stainless steel is recognized as one of the easiest materials to clean. It is also dishwasher safe, while others that have plastic and rubber portions may not be. If the ability to throw your potato peeler in the dishwasher without a second thought is important to you, you'll probably want to choose a stainless steel option over anything else.
Characteristic
For such a seemingly simple device, potato peelers have a surprising number of potential features. Any kitchen utensil that can be self-cleaning or offer a dual purpose is worth twice as much as any other. If you are lucky enough to find a potato peeler with most or all of the following features, consider yourself lucky, and buy it before someone else does.
- Cleaning Brush
Some potato peelers come with their own brushes to clean the blade. This is helpful because cleaning the blade of a potato peeler can be a frustrating exercise. Sometimes you can cut your finger while trying to clean the blade. Other times, you may inadvertently cut the sponge when it touches the blade. The inclusion of a cleaning brush makes these frustrations a thing of the past.
- Rotary Brush
Having a dual-function potato peeler can go a long way. You can now find some horizontal peelers that have a brush on the back of the blade. By turning the brush on the top of the peeler, you can use it to brush off any errant bits of skin from your fruit or vegetable.
- Potato Eye Remover
Although this is a common feature for most peelers, it is not present in all of them. Naturally, having a potato eye remover in a potato peeler is beneficial and convenient for anyone. Therefore, you will probably want to opt for one that has this feature.
- Retractable Design
If you want the ability to fold your potato peeler without the risk of touching the blade, consider one with a retractable design. This is not a common feature of potato peelers, but it is useful for those who need it. It's especially useful for those with children who need to keep their little hands safe from the blade.
Tips
Wear protective gloves when peeling fruits and vegetables to protect yourself from peeling fingers.
Wash your potato peeler well after each use. Leftover fruit and vegetables could cause mold to grow on your peeler.
If the style of peeler you are using is causing excessive hand or wrist pain, consider trying another style of peeler to relieve your pain.
Moisten the potatoes before peeling so that the blade moves more smoothly.
Take note if you cannot peel fruits or vegetables under any circumstances without pain. This may indicate a serious medical problem, and you should see a medical professional.
FAQ
Que. Is a potato peeler used only for peeling potatoes?
Ans. No. Although many people call them potato peelers, they are used to peeling all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Que. Is there a good way to peel potatoes to avoid a messy cleanup afterwards?
Ans. Yes. Put newspapers over the sink and peel the potatoes in them. Once you're done, simply fold up the newspapers and throw them in the trash.
Que. Is it okay to peel fruits or vegetables for long periods without taking a break?
Ans. It is not advisable to peel large amounts without taking a break. Doing so could cause pain and injury to hands, wrists, and fingers.
Que. Is peeling with a knife as effective as using a peeler?
Ans. No. Using a peeler is a much faster way to peel fruits and vegetables, and leads to less food waste. Using a peeler is also much safer than attempting the same task with a knife. A knife carries the added risk of serious cuts.