9 Cooking 'Hacks' People Say Are Actually A Waste Of Time

GarlicEvery once in a while, a cooking hack comes along that changes your culinary life. Take, for instance, a chef’s trick of running an egg through a sieve before poaching it to prevent those annoying wispy tendrils, or the time-honoured restaurant practice of parboiling rice to make speedy risotto whenever you like.The downside is that some would-be “hacks” can end up using more effort than the “slow” version of prep, however. (I am still hurt by how inefficient and messy the supposedly game-changing garlic crusher I once bought proved to be.)Perhaps that’s why Redditor u/Art_Z_Fartzche asked the members of r/Cooking to share the ”popular cooking ‘hacks’ that you’ve found don’t work, are bad advice, or are more trouble than they’re worth?” Here are some of the most popular replies:1) “Taking the tops off of strawberries with a straw.” “It takes just as much time and effort [as manually removing them], and just dirties up more plastic for no reason.”Credit:u/Tough_Tangerine72782) “Peeling garlic by shaking the cloves in a jar or bowl with a lid.” “It only ever half-works, and you still end up having to peel them the old-fashioned way. Waste of time.”Credit:u/sans_shorts3) “Adding oil to the water to prevent sticking when cooking pasta.” “This was popular advice years ago. Bad advice since oil and water don’t mix.” Credit:u/derheinzl“I hate, hate, hate that one,” u/Art_Z_Fartzche agreed. ″[It’s] for people too lazy to stir pasta. [The] sauce slides off, [and they] miss out on the wonderful starchy quality of pasta water to add to some sauces. All around awful advice.”4) “Brushing mushrooms instead of washing them.” “You bet I will wash those mushrooms. You know how you prevent them from being watery by releasing liquid? Cook them longer.“Liquid evaporates, then they brown just fine.” Credit: u/magicmom17“I learned a LOT of cooking from Jacques Pepin, and even [he] is like, ‘wash your mushrooms, always, just do it right before you use them or they’ll get brown. It isn’t true that you shouldn’t wash mushrooms.’“And I always washed ’em before, but it was nice to see someone experienced confirm it,” u/KaizokuShojo replied.5) “Setting a wooden spoon across the top of a pot of boiling pasta does not prevent boil-overs.” Credit:u/guywithshades85(A wooden spoon may initially work, but it won’t prevent bubbles once the utensil warms up ― meaning its usefulness is very limited).“The real hack is to use a stock pot or some other tall pot. I use an instant pot liner for a 7.5L instant pot that’s stovetop compatible. I’ve never had a boil over since,” u/Busy_Employment123 said.6) “Using mayo instead of butter for grilled cheese sandwiches.”“Not as good, sorry.” Credit: u/More_chickens“It 10000000% does not taste the same... Cheese and butter are the point of a grilled cheese. Mayo is not butter. End of story,” u/Jayeffkay agreed.7) “Salting pasta water until it tastes like the sea. I used to tell people this, but as it turns out, nobody really knows how salty the sea is.” “Salt until it tastes like soup, or even just salt until it tastes like something you want to eat, is a lot easier for people to understand.” Credit:u/KaraAuden8) “Adding white vinegar to water when poaching eggs to reduce wispiness.” “Years ago, I tried this for a while, and often ended up with inconsistent results. Stopped that entirely, just made sure I salted my water, got a good whirlpool going with the bottom flat end of a slotted spoon, took them out at 2:45 and they’re perfect every time.” Credit:u/Art_Z_Fartzche(Some think vinegar makes poached eggs rubbery and tough, because it means the whites cook faster than the yolk.) 9) “Adding a pinch of baking powder to onions when caramelising them [to speed it up].” “I’ve found it affects the flavour negatively (makes them slightly bitter) and mushier. It may reduce cooking time a bit, but the results aren’t worth it.“There’s no substitute for low and slow (and patience).” Credit:u/Art_Z_FartzcheRelated...7 Easy Dinner Cheats People Swear By For Busy Weeknights9 Ridiculously Easy Meals That Are Low-Effort And High-RewardI Tried The Viral Italian Wedding Soup, And It's The Perfect Autumn Recipe

Comments

Breaking news

Prince Andrew ‘gagged Virginia Giuffre to protect Queen’s jubilee year’

Metro

Pictured: Company boss, 51, found 'murdered' in his own home two weeks after his wife died of cancer - as man, 31, is arrested

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Balcony collapse horror near University of Cincinnati as students plunge from 3rd floor while celebrating exams

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Top flight horse race is won by biggest-ever outsider in stunning 200-1 record upset

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Prince Andrew 'gagged' Virginia Giuffre for a year so the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations wouldn't be tarnished, book claims

about 3 hours ago

Burnley and Leeds stars are booed for taking the knee - as one player refuses to perform the gesture

Dailymail

Gary Neville comes under fire at Salford game as fan - who is wearing shirt calling pundit a 'traitor' - plants St George's flag in centre circle amid chants labelling him 'a w****r'

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Awkward wardrobe malfunction forces referee to intervene as Royal Albert Hall hosts Grand Sumo Tournament

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Kelly Osbourne cuts a heartbreaking figure as she clutches Ozzy's lifetime achievement award and says it 'would have meant the world to him'

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

British citizens who fought for Israel in Gaza should be tried for war crimes when they come home, Scottish Greens say

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Carol Vorderman, 64, reveals she's been 'very poorly' as she issues a major health update after being forced to quit her radio show following hospital scare

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Croissant for £42, caviar with scrambled eggs for £750 and a £48 omelette: How Michelin-starred breakfast became latest eating fad

about 3 hours ago

NHS nurse gets £300 parking fine while at work - as thousands of colleagues are targeted every year, new figures show

Dailymail

‘No Kings’ protests live updates: Anti-Trump rallies kick off in UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden before millions set to march in US

about 4 hours ago

Independent

The champion Dodgers are dominating October again. There's more behind their success than money

about 4 hours ago

Independent

Jason Momoa worked with a coach to speak Hawaiian authentically in 'Chief of War'

about 4 hours ago

Comments

Similar News

M25 closure LIVE: Motorway near Heathrow Airport hit by 9 miles of traffic after crash

Greedy touts ramp up prices on 9 out of 10 tickets for Scots gigs on resale site

Parents Wait 9 Months to Tell Kids Newborn’s Gender, Doesn’t Go Well

Brentford's IGOR THIAGO: From bricklayer to bulldozing Man United, why I gave up on football after my dad died, secrets of Keith Andrews' success... and why I can win the Golden Boot and be Brazil's next No 9!

Trump asks 9 colleges to commit to his political agenda and get favorable access to federal money

9 Ridiculously Easy Meals That Are Low-Effort And High-Reward

Sanctuary New Jersey: ICE Agents Arrest 9 Chilean Illegals Involved in South American Theft Ring

My 6-Year-Old Handed Me A 9-Word Note. When I Read It, My Stomach Dropped.

Andy Burnham Takes 9 Pot Shots At Keir Starmer And Rachel Reeves Amid Labour Row

Typhoon Bualoi leaves 9 dead and 17 missing as it hits Vietnam

Shooting of girl, 9, as she ate ice cream was linked to £4bn cocaine plot

Astros Cut Ties with Veteran Hurler After 9 Years in Houston Organization

1 person dead and 9 injured in shooting at Michigan church, police say

Best kids clothing for autumn 2025– including F&F and M&S buys from £9

Hurricane Humberto, Storm 9 Spaghetti Models As Warnings Issued

Pakistan vaccinates 9 million girls against cervical cancer despite online backlash

Israeli strikes on Yemen's capital kill at least 9 people and injure scores, the Houthi rebels say

9 Boots That Are Right At The Top Of My Summer-To-Autumn Wishlist

TikToker urges Aldi shoppers to book October 9 off work due to 'rumours'

NearlyParents' Sophie Habboo shares £9 Boots product behind glowing skin at The Roses premiere

Breaking news

Prince Andrew ‘gagged Virginia Giuffre to protect Queen’s jubilee year’

New blood test for 50 cancers ‘could make substantial difference to outcomes’

Ten injured after balcony collapses near University of Cincinnati as students were celebrating end of exams

Developing Rosebank oil field ‘pure climate vandalism’, Scottish Green insists

Jewish film festival postponed after cinemas ‘refuse to host events’

Police launch investigation after bar worker, 19, found dead in Manchester flat

US jury issues $20M verdict against French bank BNP Paribas over Sudanese atrocities

Reform’s newest MP Danny Kruger: ‘On a personal level I deeply regret rejecting the Tory party’

Lady Annabel Goldsmith death: Socialite who gave her name to London nightclub dies, aged 91

Skeletal woman 'locked in bedroom for 27 years' utters three chilling words

School staff member dies 'after being kicked in chest by pupil'

Scots mum's blurry vision during pregnancy uncovered as serious brain condition

Police probe new allegation against Scots Tinder rapist who faked own death

Portugal set for burka ban

Protesters in Germany demand removal of Madeleine McCann suspect

Prince Andrew still worth £3.7m even after losing all his royal titles

Three UK areas told by Met Office to prepare emergency kit - see if yours is one

EastEnders 90s heartthrobs now - drugs, illness and 'clown feuds'

Urgent warning as 'dangerous' fake weight loss drug is being pushed on social media

Aldi urgently recalls steaks over health fears as shoppers warned 'DO NOT EAT'

Prince William 'was driving force' behind Andrew giving up titles, claims royal expert

Donald Trump protests live: No Kings march in Washington DC attracts tens of thousands

Queen's one-word response to Prince Andrew's allegations before she passed

Burglary suspect does a poo in courtroom and lobs it at the judge before verdict

Ange Postecoglou SACKED by Nottingham Forest just minutes after heavy Chelsea loss

This hot chocolate advent calendar saves you £2 a day on fancy takeaway drinks

Pictured: Company boss, 51, found 'murdered' in his own home two weeks after his wife died of cancer - as man, 31, is arrested

Balcony collapse horror near University of Cincinnati as students plunge from 3rd floor while celebrating exams

Top flight horse race is won by biggest-ever outsider in stunning 200-1 record upset

Prince Andrew 'gagged' Virginia Giuffre for a year so the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations wouldn't be tarnished, book claims

Burnley and Leeds stars are booed for taking the knee - as one player refuses to perform the gesture

Net Zero destroyed my home: Father-of-one reveals how eco-friendly scheme cost him £250k and 'ripped his life apart'

Fury as historic Scottish sailing ship is towed out to sea and deliberately sunk off the coast of Hawaii

Gary Neville comes under fire at Salford game as fan - who is wearing shirt calling pundit a 'traitor' - plants St George's flag in centre circle amid chants labelling him 'a w****r'

Awkward wardrobe malfunction forces referee to intervene as Royal Albert Hall hosts Grand Sumo Tournament

Kelly Osbourne cuts a heartbreaking figure as she clutches Ozzy's lifetime achievement award and says it 'would have meant the world to him'

British citizens who fought for Israel in Gaza should be tried for war crimes when they come home, Scottish Greens say

Carol Vorderman, 64, reveals she's been 'very poorly' as she issues a major health update after being forced to quit her radio show following hospital scare

Croissant for £42, caviar with scrambled eggs for £750 and a £48 omelette: How Michelin-starred breakfast became latest eating fad

NHS nurse gets £300 parking fine while at work - as thousands of colleagues are targeted every year, new figures show

Inside Postecoglou's 39 days to forget at Forest

David Attenborough becomes oldest Daytime Emmy winner

Louisiana resident assisted in Hamas 7 October attack, US says

Watch: Brits row from Peru to Australia in tiny boat

Giuffre brother calls on King to strip Andrew of prince title

Eleven killed after Israel hits bus in Gaza, Hamas-run civil defence says

‘I dressed as Thatcher for Halloween 13 years ago as a joke – now it’s my full-time job’

Mystery of ‘crocodile’ spotted in UK river solved after police’s ‘strangest appeal ever’

Terrifying moment fire breaks out on plane travelling at 33,000ft

Fire chief’s home set ablaze after dog chews through lithium battery

Cowboy builder wrecked woman’s memorial garden for two-year-old granddaughter

Putin foe stabbed to death in Istanbul villa where he lived in exile

Ofcom orders BBC to air on TV finding that Gaza film broke broadcasting rules

Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy

Work begins to restore power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Unions warn Reeves they could abandon Labour if she ‘panders to the right’ with more welfare cuts

Putin wants Farage to win to divide Europe, says Lammy