If you go with a countertop tool, you'll want one with strong suction cups at the base, so it doesn't go crashing to the floor. You can easily make it through a dozen apples in less than 10 minutes, making it great for large batch dishes. The speed depends on how fast you turn the crank, but it took us around 8 seconds to peel and slice a small apple. Senior editor Jennifer Hunter says that the apple peeler she used all the time growing up—on an organic vegetable farm in Oregon—looked exactly like our staff favorite, too. You will then need to decide whether you would like to peel, slice and core peel or slice and core your apple.

The peeler worked well for our apple crisps, but we did note that irregular shapes (like a sweet potato) can cause it to skip small sections of peel. We tested a wide range of options—from electric to manual and handheld to countertop—so each home cook and aspiring apple pie baker can find the right fit for their kitchen. The beauty of this gadget is that you place a whole, clean apple on its mount and within seconds you have an “apple slinky” that needs one cut down the middle to create sliced of peeled apple. The swivel also swiftly and quickly peeled thick-skinned sweet potatoes, with barely any work on our end.

These are peelers only so if you are looking for something to core and slice, you do need an additional tool. Wetting the base a bit can help it stick too, a tip Lesley picked up somewhere along the way to dehydrating 126 pounds of apples. They are thin and small which makes them easy to stash in drawers, and with a three-pack you will always have one on hand. Sales, Administration and Warehouse: Creeds (Southern) Ltd, Unit A3, Brunel Gate, Telford Close, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8AR.

Since serrated blades are better for softer fruits and vegetables—think peaches, plums, and tomatoes—we used it on a soft Roma tomatoes before making a sauce. The full set does take up more room than a single peeler, but we appreciate that each has a blade guard to keep your fingers safe. It worked great on an apple, slicing, coring, and peeling in a snap, but it took a few more tries to get it in the right place for a carrot and sweet potato. It features very sharp blades, and we noted no decrease in sharpness after lots of peeling and coring. A handheld peeler is a kitchen staple used for potatoes, carrots, and just about anything else that needs peeling.Apple pies, apple cobblers, apple crunches, apple butters, apple preserves, and apple cakes are all great choices for seasonal fare. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. It may not have the technology to core and slice your apples, but it fits compactly in your kitchen drawer and can complete the task within seconds. It's also important that the handle is ergonomic, so you can peel apples for long periods of time without becoming uncomfortable.