Quick Stick Snack Slicer
What's to love: A safe way to let children help with preparation work in the kitchen.
What does it do: If a cook has good knife skills in the kitchen, this tool might not be necessary, but it is a fun way to let younger folks take part in making snacks for school lunches or help cut vegetables for a salad. To use, just put carrots, grapes, cherry tomatoes, etc., in tube, press the plunger and the food is quartered. The sharp blades are inside the tube, keeping them away from tender fingers. The snack slicer sells for $9.99.
Echo Shred 'N' Vac ES-250
What's to love: Great for turning fall leaves into mulch.
What does it do: This gas-powered tool can be used as a blower or a vacuum cleaner. Blow the leaves into a pile and then vacuum them up. A patented shredding mechanism then turns small twigs, grass and leaves into mulch, which is great to use around the yard and garden. Thirty-five-inch tubing keeps the user from having to stoop over when using, and it is easy to start with an electronic ignition. The Shred 'N' Vac sells for $299.99.
-- Cary Jenkins
HomeStyle on 09/26/2015