The Handiest Tools for Prepping and Eating Corn on the Cob and Off

Lynn Andriani
·2 min read

The Handiest Tools for Prepping and Eating Corn on the Cob and Off

It's peak corn season and these accessories will help you enjoy it to the max.

Few vegetables have inspired as many accessories as corn has. A quintessential summer ingredient, corn can take on so many personalities, from the primal (grilled on the cob, that is), to the refined (off the cob, in elegant soups and crisp salads). It makes sense, then, that a range of tools are out there, to help us get the most out of corn in all its myriad forms. Here are some of the most useful and delightful we've found.

Related: Our Guide to Grilling Tools Includes the Essentials and Some Extras

Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma

Corn Zipper with Silk Remover

This handy two-in-one tool has a brush that helps remove the corn silk, and sharp teeth that separate the kernels from the cob. You'll be left with a pile of sweet corn ready for salads, fritters, muffins, or anything else.

Shop Now: Kuhn Rikon Corn Zipper with Desilker Brush $13.95, williams-sonoma.com.

Courtesy of MOMA

Butter Easy

This clever silicone holder holds half a stick of butter and folds down, so you can neatly "paint" butter directly onto your corn on the cob. (It's also great for buttering toast and greasing pans for baking.)

Shop Now: Butter Easy, $6, moma.org.

Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

Corn Basket

The long handle and locking top of this stainless-steel basket make grilling corn a snap. It holds four ears, and you can season, turn, and flip them all without worrying about getting burned.

Shop Now: Stainless Steel Corn Basket, $15.00, uncommongoods.com.

Courtesy of Chef’n

Corn Stripper

Here's another take on the kernel remover that also does a terrific job. Twist and push the cob through the tube, and you're left with corn that's ready to go.

Shop Now: Chef'n Cob Corn Stripper, $7.99, amazon.com.

Courtesy of Stonewall Kitchen

Corn Plates

A cob of corn can take up valuable real estate on your dinner plate, which is where these streamlined dishes come in. They're made to each hold one cob, with corn-shaped grooves in the bottom to prevent slipping.

Shop Now: Corn Plates, Set of 4, $18.95, stonewallkitchen.com .

Courtesy of Oxo

Corn Holders

Hot and slippery corn on the cob is not a problem if you've got a pair of corn holders. This set has soft handles that are easy to grip, and each pair nicely snaps together (to avoid accidental finger pricking and make for easy storage).

Shop Now: Oxo Interlocking Corn Holders, $9.99 for four, oxo.com .