8 Kitchen Appliances That Are Becoming Less Popular

Kitchen trends come and go, but sometimes the reason a kitchen appliance becomes less popular is that it has become obsolete, not because it's unfashionable. There are many household staples that no one uses anymore, especially in the kitchen. Some appliances that were extremely popular, like toasters and toaster ovens, are now being replaced by space-saving multifunction appliances. Many previously common stove types are being replaced by induction or glass cooktops. Oddly enough, one item on our list is being replaced by its manual counterpart: the electric knife.

It's only natural for the appliances we use in our home on a daily basis to eventually fade out of popularity. For instance, when was the last time you saw an electric skillet in a kitchen? It can happen for many reasons: convenience, changing diets, advancements in technology, or even safety reasons. And when one kitchen appliance gets left behind, you'll start to see new, trendier appliances show up in kitchens to replace it. Many people are looking to replace outdated kitchen appliances with ones that are not only space-saving but also provide better functionality, are more energy efficient, are more eco-friendly, and are less risky to use. Over the last few years, these eight kitchen appliances have become less popular in favor of such replacements. 

Many budget-conscious households still have electric coil stoves, but they are becoming less popular. Homeowners who still prefer electric may choose to upgrade to a glass-ceramic cooktop or even decide to get an induction stove. The decline in popularity of electric coils may be due to many reasons: other electric stove types offer more even heating, are easier to clean, or are more energy efficient. Whatever the reason, we may eventually be seeing less and less of this type of range in appliance stores.

Toasters had a great run, didn't they? They have been producing toasted bread products for over 110 years! But sadly, they may be on the way out thanks to multi-function toaster ovens and countertop ovens. Many homeowners are looking to save space, and unfortunately, that means single-purpose kitchen appliances like the toaster are the first to go. With alternative appliances being more convenient and often having multiple options for bread types and toasting levels, the standard toaster just doesn't compare.

It's no secret that microwaves are starting to lose their popularity, especially among younger generations. The air fryer is their main competitor, with its ability to reheat food relatively quickly while maintaining a crispy texture and taste. The biggest complaint about microwaves is that they often cook food unevenly, take up too much counter space, and don't provide much flexibility in cooking options. For those who do still want a microwave, over-the-range microwaves are seeing a significant decline and are being replaced with alternatives that can be easily concealed.

Although electric can openers aren't out, many people are opting for the handheld manual versions these days. Both mounted and countertop electric can openers frequently prove to be unreliable (especially with bigger cans), messy, and just a pain to use. There is hope, though; innovative companies are trying to improve electric and automatic can opener designs to help those who suffer from carpal tunnel or have accessibility needs.

Similar to electric coil stoves, gas stoves are being replaced by glass-ceramic and induction stoves, although for different reasons. Since studies have found that cooking with gas in a home can potentially create health issues like asthma, many homeowners are opting not to test that theory and are either not buying them or looking to replace their current gas stove. There are other reasons someone might want to replace their gas stove with an alternative, too: They can be hard to clean and maintain, there is the risk of gas or carbon monoxide leaks, and other stove types can be more efficient and eco-friendly.

It used to be that in order to get crispy, restaurant-style fries and nuggets at home, you had to have a deep fryer in your kitchen. But with the shift towards healthier diets, air fryers are becoming a more popular option. Besides being a high-fat way to get crispy food, a deep fryer is extremely inconvenient. It is difficult to clean, and once you are done cooking, you have to find a safe way to discard the oil. While deep fryers are still relatively common for at-home use, air fryers seem to be slowly pushing them out.

Similar to a standard toaster, a toaster oven typically has limited cooking options. In order to stay competitive, companies have begun to design multi-function versions of this appliance. Instead of a few temperature and cooking modes, newer toaster ovens now offer convection, broil, and even dehydration settings to compete in the market. The newer versions may be slightly bigger, but they offer more functionality than previous models.

Many homes in the mid-century had an electric knife that was brought out for holiday meals to cut turkey or holiday ham. But the popularity of this kitchen tool has since begun to wane. Some home chefs still have an electric knife that may have been passed down to them, but they are becoming a lot less common. Many people prefer to just invest in a set of high-quality carving knives instead of having a single-purpose appliance cluttering up the kitchen.