Corn Zipper strips kernels with ease

Few one-purpose gizmos belong in the typical home kitchen.

Most simply don't prove useful enough to justify occupying valuable real estate in your cabinets. But if you love fresh corn, Kuhn Rikon's Corn Zipper (Kuhn Rikon, $12, www.kuhnrikon.com) can make a compelling argument for finding a spot in yours.

The gist of this wandlike device is to simplify the removing of kernels from ears of corn. The traditional method involves standing the ear on the fat end, then running a serrated knife down the length of it, sawing the kernels off as you go.

The trouble with this technique is the difficulty in controlling the depth of your cut. It is easy to leave much of the kernel on the cob, or cut too deeply and end up with chunky bits of cob among your corn.

The Corn Zipper remedies this by combining a sharp cutting surface with a guide that prevents it from digging too deep. To use, hold an ear of corn in the palm of one hand, then run the Corn Zipper down the length of it.

The result is a perfect row of corn kernels neatly stripped from the ear. Rotate the ear and repeat.

The Corn Zipper was easy to use after a few attempts. Care must be taken, however, with how you grip the corn. The Zipper can slip at the bottom of the ear and stab the palm of the hand holding it.