What apple peeler means
An apple peeler is any tool used to remove the skin from apples. At its simplest, this can be an ordinary swivel or Y-shaped vegetable peeler, which works well for small amounts. The term most often refers, though, to a dedicated mechanical apple peeler, sometimes sold as an apple peeler, corer and slicer. This gadget clamps to the worktop or sticks down with a suction base.
The apple is pushed onto a pronged spike, and turning a handle rotates it against a spring-loaded blade that follows the shape of the fruit and removes the peel in a long ribbon. At the same time, another blade can core the apple and cut it into a continuous spiral, which can then be sliced into rings. Mechanical peelers are particularly useful for anyone who prepares lots of apples at once, for example when making apple pies, crumbles, apple sauce, chutney, cider or dried apple rings. They work best with firm, evenly shaped fruit and can struggle with soft, bruised or oddly shaped apples.
Most models can also peel pears and potatoes. You will see apple peelers recommended in baking and preserving guides, especially for autumn baking when there are plenty of apples to use up.