Take A Guess: What's Illinois' Most-Purchased Kitchen Gadget?

Okay, let's just get this out of the way early: if you (like me) chose any of the late, great Ron Popeil's famous Ronco products like the Chop-o-Matic, the Veg-o-Matic, Mince-o-Matic, or even the Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ--you're wrong.

But, you have fabulous taste in goofy, as-seen-on-TV products that actually work...except for when they don't.

The bottom line is that while Illinois' most-purchased kitchen gadget of last year is somewhat out-of-the-ordinary, it isn't something that ends with "O-Matic," and I've never seen one advertised on TV.

Ron Popeil and his as-seen-on-TV goodies. (Getty Images)

Last Christmas, We Discussed Getting A Very Popular Kitchen Gadget For Our House

I think the key word here is "discussed," because it never went beyond us talking about buying ourselves the Air Fryer, which we quickly decided against buying because of the amount of counter-space one of those things needs, compared to the amount of counter-space we were willing to sacrifice.

The potatoes look great, but it's still a no from me, dawg. (Getty Images)

New Study Looks At The Most Popular Kitchen Gadget In Every State In 2021

This peek at what we wanted in our home kitchens last year was done by California insurance provider SuretyFirst, and it's all based upon a record of searches for kitchen gadgets (of all sorts) over the last 12 months on Google Trends.

SuretyFirst compiled a list of all the top kitchen gadgets, then they analyzed Google search volume across the US to determine the most popular gadget in every state:

Qualifying items included the common, like peelers and ice cube trays, to the more obscure, like hot dog toasters (looking at you, Missouri!).

Really, Missouri? (Getty Images)

Again, really Missouri? (Getty Images)

Before We Get To Illinois' Surprising Choice, Let's Take A Look At America's Top 5

The most searched for, or "popular" kitchen gadget in the United States over the last year is this, the crock pot.

The Crock Pot, (Getty Images)

Right behind the Crock Pot comes the aforementioned Air Fryer.

Still no. (Getty Images)

In the number 3 spot is the deep fryer.

Lotta frying going on here. (Getty Images)

At #4 comes the French press.

Now we're talking. (Getty Images)

And at number five...this is really somewhat underwhelming, but...it's ice cube trays. No, seriously, it is.

Ooh, how exotic! (Getty Images)

Here In Illinois, We Didn't Want Those Things, Apparently---We Really, Really Wanted This (or at least searched for it the most)

The garlic press.

The humble garlic press. (Getty Images)

Gotta give you an action shot of the garlic press doing its thing. (Getty Images)

Other than ice cube trays, I think Illinois may have a winner for the ~~cheapest~~...I mean, most inexpensive gadget on the entire list with the garlic press.

In Wisconsin they searched most for splatter-guards (fill in your own joke here)
Indiana digs the Air Fryer
Michigan was all about strawberry hullers
Minnesotans were hoping for an immersion blender.

Back to Ron Popeil for a moment. This is a bit lengthy, but it's a wonderful trip down the TV commercial memory lane:

See How School Cafeteria Meals Have Changed Over the Past 100 Years

Using government and news reports, Stacker has traced the history of cafeteria meals from their inception to the present day, with data from news and government reports. Read on to see how various legal acts, food trends, and budget cuts have changed what kids are getting on their trays.