The Amco Houseworks Corn Desilker promises to “remove stubborn silk” from ears of fresh corn on the cob. It’s an $8 plastic ring just over 4 inches in diameter with an extended tab on one side; the center is filled with inward-pointing soft bristles, like a circular toothbrush. The idea is that you drag the ring down over the freshly husked ear of corn and the bristles remove all those pesky, clingy threads of silk. As someone with a child who refuses to eat an ear of corn if he sees any trace of corn silk, I welcomed this gadget with open arms.
Sadly, a dozen ears of still-fuzzy corn later, I have to report that it doesn’t do anything, except groom silk into neat rows, like you’re combing long blond hair. After being brushed up, down, and back-and-forth with the Corn Desilker, the silk threads were still attached. Finally I gave up and plucked them off, one by one, the old-fashioned way.
I wanted this thing to work, I really did. I even tried wetting it first—no improvement. The bristles are too soft to grip the silk; if they were stiffer, they might damage the kernels.
This gadget is a bust. Don’t waste your money.
Ever bought a gadget that simply failed at the one thing it promised to do?
About the Author: Lisa McManus
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The silk is so much easier to remove if you cook the corn first. I trim the ends and take off a couple of outer husks, then cook in the microwave for about 2 minutes. Then with hot mitts, peel off the husks & silk, add butter & enjoy!