What it is:

Vacu Vin Pineapple slicer a marvellous aid in slicing pineapple. It prevents all the mess and pressure required when using a knife. The kitchen gadget feels so much safer. The action required is rather like when using a corkscrew but, instead of pulling out a cork, you are taking out the contents of the pineapple.

How to use:

With a knife (the only time it needs to be used) cut off the top of the pineapple and put the plastic tool in. Centre the blade and twist like you're back in the sixties. When you feel the tool has hit the bottom brings it back out. Just look at that - perfectly shaped pineapple rings with none of the mess or difficulty involved when using an ordinary knife. The core of the pineapple is left within the pineapple shell and it takes seconds. Pour the juice into a vessel which has been placed beside the pineapple in readiness.

Go Retro:

The pineapple shell is left in a perfect condition which makes a very good container for serving cocktails which is fun for a retro party.

The handy kitchen tool is dishwasher safe. The claim is that this works quicker than opening a can. Well, I don't think so but the end result is fresher and purer than any tinned fruit. The slicer can be purchased in a bundle of three different sizes to cater for small, medium and large pineapples or can be purchased as separate tools.

The bitter and sweet bits:

The tool is far from sexy looking. It is made of thick, white, plastic with a long stem that comes out from a permanently attached black and white handle. The circular bit at the bottom resembles an apple corer. It looks cheap and takes up room in the drawer but it works and you don't have to have it on show for people to see. I've owned this for so many years that I've lost count yet it it still cuts and cores pineapples with the ease that it had from day one.

The bad side is that it leaves a bit too much fruit on the wall of the pineapple but on the whole I wouldn't want to be without it. It's a fantastically simply invention and really takes the effort out of preparing a pineapple. This is well worth every penny and I know I didn't spend more than five pounds on this.

Unless you object to fresh pineapple I can't imagine why any home would be without one.