Latest Kitchen Gadgetry: The Garlic Zoom by Chef'n
While you can already get this (relatively) new Garlic Zoom at some retailers, I thought I would take the opportunity to tell you about this little gadget from the good people at Chef'n.
Last week, my cook's tools and cutlery team went to visit the Chef'n folks in their Seattle office--only a few blocks away from ours. They sat down with us to demo their latest and greatest gadgets coming very soon to kitchen retailers near you. And, while I was initially dubious about the effectiveness of the Garlic Zoom, my doubt proved to be completely wrong.
This little chopper is sharp. The Zoom is easier, more effective, and definitely more fun to use than other garlic tools on the market, e.g., the garlic twist, a garlic presses, etc. And, the kind folks at Chef'n indulged us when we got into a brainstorming about custom designed Garlic Zooms. Don't you think it would be fun if you could model the wheels and color of the body to match your favorite cuisine? A hamburger with a bun for wheels? Falafel with green cucumber wheels? Or, even cooler--like your favorite Hot Wheels design? The Zooms could become big time collectibles and develop a cult following, sort of like Zojirushi's Mr. Bento.
Anyway, we'd like to send a big "thank you" to the staff at Chef'n for humoring and entertaining us with their latest kitchen gadgetry. And, if you're looking for a quirky, yet highly effective kitchen gift for that special chef, don't pass up the Garlic Zoom!
--Sous-chef on the Run
PS. Amazon.com will be carrying these within a couple weeks!
PPS. Nov 27 Update: We now have these available for delivery within a few weeks! Tie one on a holiday gifts for the special chef on your list.
Steve on November 20, 2007 at 06:42 AM
I bought their pepper grinder a while back and it broke within a few months (one of the handles snapped off).
Joseph Rodriguez on November 20, 2007 at 09:11 PM
I bought one of their Rabbit shaped grinders and it is sooooo fun! I get so many comments during parties and dinners. Love it and totally reccomend it! After seeing the garlic zoomer video, I'm on a quest to find one ASAP!
Sous-chef on the Run on November 21, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Sorry to hear about the broken handles, Steve. Hopefully you've tried some other fun Chef'n products and had a better experience...?
Joseph, we are doing our best to get the Garlic Zoom onto Amazon.com. It's coming in the first couple weeks of December, so check back if you haven't found it in a local store. --Sous-chef
Mr. Particular on November 29, 2007 at 01:58 PM
I saw the video. Unanswered questions:
The chopped garlic looked rather big and irregular. Can that be adjusted?
Also, the problem with garlic presses and gadgets is the CLEANUP. It looked like that could be a problem.
Sous-chef on the Run on November 30, 2007 at 09:49 AM
Mr. Particular -
I have used the Garlic Zoom and love it. The number of times you roll the Zoom back and forth determines the size of your garlic. I needed mince-sized garlic and the Zoom delivered that result.
On clean-up: not too painful. There are two sections to the Zoom that you can open. The top flips open allowing you to shake out the freshly zoomed garlic; the bottom opens for access to the rotating/removable blade. The blade is easy to remove, and you can just rinse the plastic parts of the Zoom. If I were to rank this on cleanup, I would give it a B. (I would give a knife and A+, the garlic twist a B+, and most garlic presses a C.)
Angel on December 11, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I own one and love it. The only problem is getting it started. The wheels need more traction. I use a hand towel for traction. It would be nice to dispense with holding a towel in place for traction.
Way better than a garlic press and beats any other chopper I've tried for quick easy clean up.
lilly on November 12, 2009 at 09:38 PM
My husband won a garlic zoom and I LOVE IT. It is easy and does not waste any garlic, like a press does. clean up is easy too. Just rinse it right away so the garlic will not harden on the blades. I would like to buy some for stocking stuffers, looking for a store in Victoria BC that sells them?
Ed on March 31, 2010 at 10:43 AM
The Garlic Zoom is more fun, yes! But my Garlic Twist is a more serious garlic tool! It can mince garlic to perfection from coarse to very fine even to a paste great for making garlic bread or for use in salad. A quick rinse under the faucet is all it takes for cleaning, no disassembly and re-assembly required. I can also use it to easily remove the skin. You should try it too!