When I began testing gadgets for this column and came across a garlic slicer, I had high hopes of replicating a simple yet delicious meal I once ate at a restaurant that consisted of thinly sliced fried garlic chips and steak. Unfortunately, that garlic slicer didn’t work, and along with the gadget’s demise went my hopes of re-creating the meal at home.

Then I found Casabella’s garlic slicer at Williams-Sonoma and my hopes were rekindled. The slicer looked as though it would be easy to use and would accomplish the task it was made for. I had to give it a try.

Does it work?: Yes! And it’s easy, too. First I placed several peeled cloves into the compartment, using my thumb to secure the door against the cloves, thus pressing the cloves against the stainless-steel blade in the middle of the tool. With my other hand I turned the top handle clockwise. Voila! Slices of garlic appeared in the bottom of the device. Twisting the clear bottom unlocked it and freed the slices. Some remnants remained in the compartment, which I tossed (or I guess I could have fried them, too).

Then I tried placing just one peeled garlic clove against the blade, with the curve of the clove following the curve of the blade. Using this method the whole clove was shaved, but few slices fell to the bottom. They remained in the center of the gadget so I had to push them out with my finger. Not a big problem. This method took longer, as I was slicing the cloves one at a time, but it was still faster for me than using a knife — and no worries about cutting my fingers.

Pros: Quickly slices cloves, compact and dishwasher safe (top rack).

Cons: Pieces of garlic sometimes get stuck in the blade and can be hard to remove. It’s a little difficult to wash the blade area thoroughly, as the top section doesn’t come apart.

Cost: $9.95 at Williams-Sonoma

Worth it?: If you lack knife skills or eat a lot of sliced garlic — definitely!

Got a gadget that you love? Or are you curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com, or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813.