# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/61 "2016-05-16T17:47:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s what egg tongs are for. 😃 I use those for my pasta. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/62 "2016-05-16T17:56:03Z")
[Grapefruit knife](http://www.amazon.com/HIC-Squirtfree-Twin-Blade-Grapefruit-Sectioning/dp/B000J0ZJDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463421156&sr=8-1&keywords=grapefruit+knife). Neither the curved blade side nor the parallel blade side are really suitable for any other job, although it works perfectly for grapefruit. I’ve tried to use the curved side to peel other fruit, but it just makes a mess. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/63 "2016-05-16T18:59:13Z")
[Banana Case](https://www.google.com/search?q=banana+case&safe=off&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwinpI2oo9_MAhWE64MKHdQ3C8sQsAQIag) ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/64 "2016-05-16T20:46:51Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Pulling hard boiled eggs out of the water. Also makes a great dough docker. A grapefruit SPOON might seem single-purposed to most people, but we quilt makers know better. They are invaluable when you are pin-basting a quilt, it helps make short work of closing sometimes hundreds of safety pins. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/65 "2016-05-17T15:35:39Z")
**Nothing has just one use.** > [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > A garlic press. How many things need to be crushed like that and are soft enough to squeeze through the holes? Torture implement. Get your victim’s thumb in there and they’ll sing like canaries (between squealing like a pig). 😃 ---
**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 17, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/66 "2016-05-17T15:46:10Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > **Nothing has just one use.** > Torture implement. Get your victim’s thumb in there and they’ll sing like canaries (between squealing like a pig). > > 😃 The thumbnail gets in the way too much. Remove it first. ---
**Author:** ![AllanGH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@AllanGH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllanGH)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/67 "2016-05-18T02:33:04Z")
[http://www.tamalespreader.com/Tamale-Masa.html](http://www.tamalespreader.com/Tamale-Masa.html) Only one use in my kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/68 "2016-05-18T15:15:08Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > [Banana Case](https://www.google.com/search?q=banana+case&safe=off&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwinpI2oo9_MAhWE64MKHdQ3C8sQsAQIag) Codpiece? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/69 "2016-05-18T16:58:58Z")
[Pepper corer](http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-121-Grip-Jalapeno-Corer/dp/B003FNU7G6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463590540&sr=8-2&keywords=pepper+corer). ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/70 "2016-05-18T21:20:38Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The thumbnail gets in the way too much. Remove it first. With which kitchen implement? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/71 "2016-05-19T01:36:32Z")
Just remembered I have rosette irons in the pantry. Though I suppose they would work as drawer pulls if needed. Or maybe pressing patterns into sugar cookies. ---
**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 19, 2016, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/72 "2016-05-19T01:43:00Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > With which kitchen implement? Vice grips. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/73 "2016-05-19T01:45:08Z")
garlic press ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/74 "2016-05-19T13:54:17Z")
Been trying to come up with a good one. Even a potato ricer has multiple uses. Best I can think of right now is a [pie bird](http://amzn.com/B0018OTZT4). Used to vent steam from pies, and that’s its only use as far as I can tell. I don’t think it’s fair counting different types of pies as different uses. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e47774/32.png) [@quiltguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/75 "2016-05-19T16:11:09Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Been trying to come up with a good one. Even a potato ricer has multiple uses. > > Best I can think of right now is a [pie bird](http://amzn.com/B0018OTZT4). Used to vent steam from pies, and that’s its only use as far as I can tell. I don’t think it’s fair counting different types of pies as different uses. You’re missing out if you don’t see the great potential of using pie birds as toothpick holders. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/76 "2016-05-19T20:44:48Z")
Rolling pins can be used for home defense! ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/77 "2016-05-19T22:12:39Z")
I am surprised it hasn’t been mentioned, yet, but… There is always the ladle… ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/78 "2016-05-19T22:22:31Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > There is always the ladle… Can be used as a [musical instrument](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiken_Drum). ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/79 "2016-05-19T22:45:59Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > [Banana Case](https://www.google.com/search?q=banana+case&safe=off&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwinpI2oo9_MAhWE64MKHdQ3C8sQsAQIag) And the [banana slicer](http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII), which has some of the greatest Amazon reviews. We actually have [champagne openers](http://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Champagne-Opener-Pliers-Velvet/dp/B000063K7I?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage), which seems to be useful for nothing else. (Well OK, it’s good for Champagne _and_ sparkling wine.) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761/80 "2016-05-20T16:49:42Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > And the [banana slicer](http://www.amazon.com/Hutzler-571-Banana-Slicer/dp/B0047E0EII), which has some of the greatest Amazon reviews. 😃 OMG I was having a crappy day but this is making it much better: “What can I say about the 571B Banana Slicer that hasn’t already been said about the wheel, penicillin, or the iPhone…” “I would rate this product as just okay. It’s kind of cheaply made. But it works better than the hammer I’ve been using to slice my bananas.” “I only speak Spanish. Will it work on platanos?” “Maybe I’m doing it wrong, but I can’t get this thing hooked up to my wifi network. Am I supposed to slice my bananas over an ethernet cable? What is this, 2005?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kitchen-utensils-have-one-use-and-one-use-only/754761.md?page=5)