# What Kitchen Utensils Have One Use and One Use Only? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 14, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761 "2016-05-14T15:51:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/1 "2016-05-14T15:51:21Z")
I was just doing dishes and the thought occurred to me, mainly because of one thing I washed by hand. I don’t mean “Well, knives are only used for cutting things (though I’d dispute that).” I mean much more specific things than that. Normal cutlery has a million uses - spoons can be used to eat with, spoon things from containers, and stir with, among other things, for example. I use mixing bowls daily, but rarely for mixing. I can think of a few in just the five minutes since I washed and dried my hands, but I’ll just mention one - the one that made me think of this question. A garlic press. How many things need to be crushed like that and are soft enough to squeeze through the holes? Let’s try to keep this reasonable. Hypothetically, just about anything could be used in different ways, but let’s limit it to kitchen uses. Preferably, to eliminate something, give us an example of how you have used it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/2 "2016-05-14T15:54:49Z")
[Pasta serving spoon.](http://www.bohero.eu/Repository/Cached/ProductPictures_WMF/WMF_Bohero_PROFIPLUS_pasta_serving_spoon_1871086030-canvas-640.jpg) Never actually used one just the first thing that came to mind. Besides, there’s only one unitasker allowed in my kitchen. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/3 "2016-05-14T15:57:42Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Pasta serving spoon.](http://www.bohero.eu/Repository/Cached/ProductPictures_WMF/WMF_Bohero_PROFIPLUS_pasta_serving_spoon_1871086030-canvas-640.jpg) Those make great back scratchers. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/4 "2016-05-14T15:59:02Z")
How about a bottle opener like [this one](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/dd/44/2e/dd442e1f0b2377fdef3978edf1279d7d.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/5 "2016-05-14T16:16:05Z")
Melon baller? Although the only place i’ve ever seen one is in a professional kitchen, when i worked as a waiter. I don’t think i know anyone who owns one. Cherry pitter? I actually have one of these, for when i make cherry pies. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/6 "2016-05-14T16:37:01Z")
A can opener? Not including the bottle-opener part, but the actual mechanism that opens cans. Could it be used for anything else? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/7 "2016-05-14T16:40:50Z")
Grater? I mean, you can grate all sorts of different things with it, but that’s still only one trick Corkscrew . ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/8 "2016-05-14T16:40:53Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Melon baller? > > Although the only place i’ve ever seen one is in a professional kitchen, when i worked as a waiter. I don’t think i know anyone who owns one. A melon baller is just a kind of scoop. I’ve seen them used to scoop butter. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/9 "2016-05-14T16:41:25Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Melon baller?. They can be used to core apples (after you cut the Apple in half). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/10 "2016-05-14T16:41:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Pasta serving spoon.](http://www.bohero.eu/Repository/Cached/ProductPictures_WMF/WMF_Bohero_PROFIPLUS_pasta_serving_spoon_1871086030-canvas-640.jpg) I think I have one. I think I tried to use it once, in the '90s. I just use tongs to pick up the pasta. > [@mhendo](#): > > Melon baller? In addition to making melon balls, they’re also very handy for scraping out the seeds from squashes. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/11 "2016-05-14T16:42:30Z")
Olive pitter. Collanders and sieves: They drain things and I can’t think of another use for them other than perhaps a hat. Knife sharpener and steel. Cheese slicer like [this one](http://www.crateandbarrel.com/mahogany-handle-cheese-plane/s195814?b=1&a=1552&campaignid=206595536&adgroupid=13838805416&targetid=pla-75563052896&adpos=1o1&creative=44897458976&device=c&matchtype=&network=g). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/12 "2016-05-14T16:49:16Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > They can be used to core apples (after you cut the Apple in half). Tried that. Barely scratches the circuit boards, never mind scooping anything out. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/13 "2016-05-14T16:52:14Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Pasta serving spoon.](http://www.bohero.eu/Repository/Cached/ProductPictures_WMF/WMF_Bohero_PROFIPLUS_pasta_serving_spoon_1871086030-canvas-640.jpg) > Never actually used one just the first thing that came to mind. > > Besides, there’s only one unitasker allowed in my kitchen. 😃 Is that what that is? :eek: I thought it was a back scratcher. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/14 "2016-05-14T16:53:19Z")
Egg slicer, but I use mine to slice mushrooms, too. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/15 "2016-05-14T17:00:31Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Egg slicer, but I use mine to slice mushrooms, too. Soft cheeses, too, like fresh mozzarella. Don’t have one myself, cut I saw a friend use it for that. Very nifty. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/16 "2016-05-14T17:12:31Z")
Whisk: Uniquely suited for nothing else but whisking. What’s worse is that you need several sizes, depending on what you’re whisking and how much of it you’re whisking. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/17 "2016-05-14T17:17:43Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > A can opener? Not including the bottle-opener part, but the actual mechanism that opens cans. Could it be used for anything else? > [@Mangetout](#): > > Grater? I mean, you can grate all sorts of different things with it, but that’s still only one trick But in both those cases it’s really hard to do that job without one. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/18 "2016-05-14T17:33:29Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > A can opener? I sometimes use them to open impenetrable clamshell packaging without resorting to the utility knife. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/19 "2016-05-14T17:38:48Z")
[Grape scissors](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTe4WQJdRhQ) [Cookie dropper](http://www.countrykitchensa.com/shop/essentials/cookie-dropper/40/772/1369/614925/) [garlic peeler](http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-The-Garlic-Peeler/dp/B00466RHPA) There is a fruit slicer for pretty much every specific fruit for those that can’t be trusted with a knife. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/20 "2016-05-14T17:45:43Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Soft cheeses, too, like fresh mozzarella. Don’t have one myself, cut I saw a friend use it for that. Very nifty. Hey, thanks for sharing that, **Lamar Mundane**! It would be perfect for slicing those fresh little mozzarella balls when making a Caprese salad, which I happen to adore! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761.md?page=2)