A Collection of Mysterious Kitchen Gadgets (15 photos)

Cooking can sometimes be a true art, requiring a multitude of tools. And sometimes kitchen gadgets are so mysterious that even the most experienced cooks have no idea what this strange contraption is for. And yes, this is the somewhat forgotten "Explain to Me What That Thing Is" column.

A silver ball that opens. Inside is a plate with holes.





This is a cupcake dish! You pour hot water in it, and you can light a flame underneath. The cupcakes stay fresh and warm on the plate.

What's this plastic hook?



It makes opening cans much easier.

Why is there a hole in this bowl?





It's used to separate the yolks from the whites. The yolk stays inside the bowl.

What is this shaped spatula used for?



They put honey on it; this shape prevents it from slipping.

What's this thing?



They make poached eggs in this shape.

What do you cook on this grill?



They roast corn on it.

With antiques, things are even more mysterious.



In the Victorian period, they used this spoon to pour tea into a teapot.

Wooden press from an old kitchen



Oil press. This pattern could tell you who you bought your butter from at the market.

Are you sure this is a kitchen utensil?



Yes, they use it to stir and serve salad.

I've always had this tool, but I don't even know how to use it.



They use it to remove the kernels from corn cobs.

Unidentified item from a relative's kitchen



Heat this thing over the fire and use it to brown bread, meat, or crème brûlée.

It seems this porcelain pan is for cooking.



You bake pâté in this pan in the oven, and you can also store it in it.

What is this tool for?



This is used to cut the cores of apples and other fruits.

Either a spoon or a knife



This is a cheese knife. It's used to cut hard cheeses, like Parmesan.

A whole set of strange devices



The first one is used to make balls of melon pulp, the second one is used to cut butter into curls, and the third one is used to remove zest.