I started out panning the ez Slice Right from Spark Innovators Corp., which is supposed to cut even slices of “all sizes and kinds of melon” quickly, easily and with “no more messy cleanup.”

Following the directions, I found it difficult to consistently slice a watermelon down to the rind, leading to extreme waste.

Then came my “aha” moment.

While writing down my laments, I spotted a picture on the gadget’s packaging that made me realize that if I cut a small piece off the end of the melon, I could see the inside edge of the rind and guide the cutter along that edge.

I cut off about 2 inches from one end of a halved watermelon. Then I inserted the tip of the gadget into the watermelon close to the cut edge and pulled it through the fruit, guiding it along the rind. I removed the cut piece by turning the cutter over and using it as tongs, then cut the next slice. Because I could always see the curvature of the rind, I could cut efficiently, and in less than five minutes I had a plate full of watermelon slices without much mess. It seemed this device wasn’t so lame after all.

How it works: The instructions indicate that you should start at the center of the halved watermelon, making all the cuts, then removing the pieces. Using that method, not only did I have trouble cutting through to the rind, I also had a hard time making even cuts because I kept squeezing the device. It turns out you should squeeze only when you have to remove a slice, which is done with the same tool turned upside down.

Does it work? Not very well following the enclosed guide, but passable if you cut off part of the end.

Pros: Quick and fairly easy. Little cleanup because most of the juice stays within the hollowed-out fruit (I poured it out to drink). Fits in a drawer. Easy to clean. Dishwasher safe.

Cons: My slices weren’t uniform. It takes a little getting used to. The cutter broke while we were doing the photo shoot, and I’d used it only six times.

Cost and availability: $10 at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Longs Drugs and other stores. Also available online.

Worth it? I was going to say it wasn’t bad for $10, if you eat a lot of melon. But because it broke, I can only say buyer beware.

Got a gadget that you love, or are you curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com.