9 Cooking Gadgets From ’90s Infomercials That Actually Changed How America Eats
Late-night TV in the 1990s turned cooking into something viewers could watch and buy all in one sitting. Infomercials repeated demonstrations until the gadgets became familiar, and those products promised faster prep and easier meals at home. Several of these kitchen gadgets actually changed how Americans cooked on a daily basis.
George Foreman Grill
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Launched in 1994, this indoor grill focused on cooking meat while draining excess fat into a tray. Its surface was slightly angled downward, so as burgers or chicken cooked, the fat naturally drained away into a tray instead of sitting in the food. George Foreman’s endorsement helped push sales past 100 million units worldwide.
Ronco Food Dehydrator
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This appliance removed moisture from foods like fruit and meat, which allowed people to make snacks at home. Infomercials promoted jerky, fruit leather, and dried produce as alternatives to packaged snacks. The practical process of dehydrating extends shelf life without refrigeration, and this product helped a great deal with that.
SuperSnacker
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SuperSnacker was essentially a countertop gadget that sealed sandwiches into triangular pockets filled with cheese, meat, or sweet fillings. Infomercials marketed it as a quick solution for feeding families after school.
Jack LaLanne Juicer
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The Jack LaLanne Juicer, first sold as the Juice Tiger, made it easy to extract juice from whole fruits and vegetables by separating the liquid from the pulp. It could even process frozen fruit and turn it into a thick, sorbet-like texture. Jack LaLanne’s reputation as a fitness expert gave the product credibility and encouraged people to see juicing as part of a healthier daily routine.
Ronco Showtime Rotisserie and BBQ
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The Ronco Showtime Rotisserie and BBQ was designed to cook meat evenly with minimal effort. It used a rotating spit that slowly turned the meat, so it cooked on all sides without needing constant flipping or checking. The famous line “Set it and forget it!” captured the main appeal. You could place a whole chicken or a roast inside, turn it on, and let the machine handle the cooking while excess fat drips away.
Breadman Bread Maker
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This machine automated mixing and kneading, even baking bread in one unit. Televisions across America showed loaves made with minimal effort using pre-measured ingredients. The convenience encouraged more at-home baking routines.
Ronco Pasta Maker
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Home cooks started seeing fresh pasta as something they could actually pull off, all because of the Ronco Pasta Maker. Fresh pasta once required time and skill, but this machine changed that by pushing dough through molds in minutes. Vegetable juices even added color and variety to each batch.
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer
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The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer removed air from plastic bags, thus extending shelf life and reducing food waste in home kitchens. It helped make vacuum sealing part of meal prep routines, especially for bulk buying and long-term storage.
Chop-O-Matic
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The Chop-O-Matic used a spring-loaded handle to chop vegetables with repeated presses of the handle. The design kept hands away from the blade while onions, potatoes, carrots, and other ingredients dropped into a container below. Millions of units were sold after television demonstrations.