Every House Had One In The '90s — The Fun Kitchen Gadget We Want Back On Our Counters

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

With the return of 1990s trends — fashion staples, home decor fads, and kitchen aesthetics — Gen Xers are basking in the nostalgia of their youth and the simpler times of that era. Household access to the Internet wasn't common, so being tethered to small screens wasn't yet a thing. During the '90s, newer houses upsized living spaces, and kitchen islands became more prevalent, turning the kitchen into a place for socializing and hosting. During this era of reinventing the kitchen as a gathering space, the Clark Snakmaster was introduced.

In an interview with the National Kitchen + Bath Association, designer Ellen Cheever said, "Family members began viewing cooking as a hobby rather than a chore. Soon, everyone was becoming a cook, or at least a cook's helper, and everyone wanted to be in the kitchen — it was 'party central.'" And thanks to the ease of this multipurpose kitchen gadget, popularized by an infomercial, everyone truly could become a cook. 

In modern-day terms, we'd categorize it as a panini maker. But the Snakmaster's value was its ability to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, and dessert. It was also marketed for a party setting: Set out a tray of toppings and a variety of breads for guests to make their own individual pizzas. Not only was hosting easy,  but your guests could enjoy a fun, hands-on experience.

Some may argue that the 1990s were the best decade for kitchen appliances, with the Snakmaster characterizing the childhoods of kids growing up during that time. The user places a slice of bread on the hot plate, tops it with ingredients — whether to make a pizza, quesadilla, or hot sandwich — and then layers another slice of bread over the filling before closing the Snakmaster. After a few minutes, the bread has been toasted and sealed shut, creating a tasty pocket of food.

But wait, there's more! The Snakmaster could also make food beyond the pocket form. It could bake wet batter, including muffins, cinnamon rolls, or pancakes. I could also cook eggs to make omelets. Want dessert? You could slather uncooked pie crust dough into the wells, top it with apple pie filling, and impress your guests with a quick dessert. According to the original 1990 infomercial, the price of the Snakmaster was $49.95, plus $8 shipping and handling.

If you're interested in this appliance for its versatility or for the nostalgia (or both), you can no longer just call the number on the screen, but you may have luck on eBay or Craigslist. You can also find modern variations, such as the Ovente 3-in-1 Electric Sandwich Maker or the Hamilton Beach Electric Sealed Sandwich Maker Grill. And although many single-use kitchen appliances aren't worth the investment, we'd argue that the Snakmaster (and its contemporary versions) still deserve a spot in the kitchen.