Buying guide for best potato peelers
Potato peeling is a thankless job. There’s a reason it was used as a punishment aboard naval ships for decades. Thankfully, modern potato peelers have made this task not quite so miserable. In fact, many of the potato peelers available to consumers today make peeling potatoes and other veggies a quick and easy job. As kitchen tools, potato peelers have come a long way, and now you have a wide range of functional peelers from which to choose.
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 a seemingly insignificant kitchen aid should be a thoughtless endeavor. This is not true. Because it’s a tool you'll use often, you'll want to carefully choose the right one.
Key considerations
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a potato peeler. Two of the most important are how often you peel vegetables and which type of potato peeler feels best in your hands. Beyond those factors, you’ll want to consider the durability of the peeler in terms of how rough or easy you are on your kitchen equipment.
Vertical vs. horizontal blade
Anyone who has peeled their fair share of potatoes knows exactly which style of peeler they favor. As a general rule, people who have problems with their wrists prefer the horizontal-style peeler because it requires a less extreme wrist motion. As with any rule, however, there are exceptions.
Material
Although potato peeler blades are universally made from steel, the handles can be steel, plastic, or rubber. The handle material you choose will have a great impact on your comfort level over time. Some people find metal handles too unforgiving after long periods of peeling. Others think plastic or rubber handles too easily slip out of their hands, making the process a frustrating one. Seriously consider your own preferences when it comes to ease of long-term handling.
Ergonomics
The shape of your potato peeler handle will have a huge impact on your ability to peel for long periods of time. Some handles are flat; others have a rounded shape. Think about the position in which you’ll be holding your fingers for each option. Make a choice about what you think would be the most comfortable position to maintain for long periods. Traditional peelers with stainless steel handles are often considered some of the least comfortable, so take that under consideration 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’s also dishwasher safe, while others that have plastic and rubber portions may not be. If the ability to throw your potato peeler into the dishwasher without a second thought is important to you, you’ll likely want to choose a stainless steel option over anything else.
Caution
Don’t allow small children to use your potato peeler. They may not have the dexterity to peel fruits and vegetables safely without cutting themselves.
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Features
For such a seemingly simple device, potato peelers have a surprising number of potential features. Any kitchen aid that can be self-cleaning or offer a dual purpose is worth twice as much as any other. If you are fortunate enough to find a potato peeler with most or all of the following features, count yourself lucky, and buy it before someone else does.
Cleaning brush
Some potato peelers come with their own cleaning brushes for cleaning the blade. This is helpful because cleaning the blade of a potato peeler can be a frustrating exercise. Sometimes, you might cut your finger while trying to clean the blade. Other times, you might inadvertently chop up your sponge when it touches the blade. The inclusion of a cleaning brush makes these frustrations a thing of the past.
Swivel brush
Having a dual-function potato peeler can be a great help. You can now find some horizontal peelers that have a brush on the back side of the blade. When you swivel the brush around to the top of the peeler, you can use it to brush any errant pieces of peel off of your fruit or vegetable.
Potato eye remover
Although this is a common feature for most peelers, it is not present on all of them. Naturally, having a potato eye remover on 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 to have the ability to fold your potato peeler without risk of touching the blade, consider one with a retractable design. This isn’t a common feature for potato peelers, but it’s a useful one for those who need it. It’s especially helpful for those with children who need to keep little hands safe from the blade.
Potato peeler prices
Inexpensive: Between $5 and $10, you will find the standard potato peelers that you may remember from childhood. These are mostly plastic and stainless steel and offer very few additional features or ergonomic advancements.
Mid-range: The mid-range category for potato peelers runs from $10 to $20. This range has a wider variety of materials and designs. These peelers are more likely to have ergonomic diversity than inexpensive options.
Expensive: If you spend between $20 and $30, you can expect to get a highly durable and well-designed potato peeler. This range will also contain the majority of features available in a potato peeler.
Tips
Wear protective gloves when peeling fruits and vegetables if you want to protect against peeling your fingers.
Wash your potato peeler thoroughly after every use. Remnants of fruit and vegetables could cause mold to grow on your peeler.
If the style of peeler you are using causes you undue hand or wrist pain, consider trying another style of peeler to alleviate your pain.
Wet your potatoes before peeling to help the blade move across the peel more smoothly.
Take notice if you are unable to peel fruits or vegetables under any circumstances without pain. This may indicate a serious medical issue, and you should consult a medical professional.
FAQ
Q. Is a potato peeler used only to peel potatoes?
A. No. Although many people call them potato peelers, they are used to peel all manner of fruit and vegetables.
Q. Is there a good way to peel potatoes to avoid messy cleanup afterward?
A. Yes. Place newspapers over your sink and peel the potatoes into them. Once you are done, simply fold up the newspapers and throw them in the trash.
Q. Is it ok to peel fruits or vegetables for long periods without taking a break?
A. It is not advisable to peel large amounts without taking a break. Doing so could lead to pain and injury in your hands, wrists, and fingers.
Q. Is peeling with a knife just as effective as using a peeler?
A. No. Using a peeler is a much faster way to peel fruits and vegetables, and it leads to less food waste. Using a peeler is also far safer than trying to do the same task with a knife. A knife brings the additional risk of serious cuts.
