that which we call a shaker by any other name would taste as salty

August 26, 2024 10:38 AM

My friend gave me a decorative salt and pepper shaker set that I would like to use for a practical purpose, but I don't use salt and pepper like that. So I'm seeking alternate uses. Anything clever come to mind?

- I want to use these, not just have them sit and be cute
- NOT GLITTER

The shakers each have 4 bore holes that are wide enough to accept a standard toothpick with some wiggle room. Open to the air, by nature of design (so I wouldn't want to use them for volatile seasonings, either).

Since they are Jurassic Park themed they'll work stylistically in any room of my house that makes sense for the contents. Except (ironically) my kitchen which has zero appropriate counter space.

posted by phunniemee to Grab Bag (31 answers total)

Since toothpicks fit into the holes: essential oil diffusers?
posted by demi-octopus at 10:43 AM on August 26

Use it for flowers! (Google "flower frog" for ideas)
Or put led lights inside and make a jurassic planetarium?
posted by nkknkk at 10:47 AM on August 26

Dry shampoo, bath salts, fresh or dry flower vase, powdered catnip, oxiclean powder for laundry stains, baking soda or similar for making face cleanser a scrub, tooth powder, non-talc baby powder for you or baby, food powder (hope no one uses as salt or pepper).

Thin paintbrush holder.
posted by RoadScholar at 10:51 AM on August 26

What material are they made of? You could get crafty with a Dremel and turn them into coin banks for spare change.
posted by oxisos at 10:52 AM on August 26

It's not going to fit anything (much) into the top. Perhaps a visual would be useful. Made of ceramic.
posted by phunniemee at 11:00 AM on August 26

Toothpick holder? Shake to get one out through the hole.
posted by maleficent at 11:05 AM on August 26

How big are the holes at the bottom? You could use them as storage for things that can come in and out through the bottom holes and that you don't need to access a lot. Buttons? Odd screws and other small hardware? Twist ties? Small mysterious scrolls?
posted by trig at 11:06 AM on August 26

I don't use salt and pepper like that
try other spices? saffron & paprika?
posted by HearHere at 11:07 AM on August 26

try other spices? saffron & paprika?

so I wouldn't want to use them for volatile seasonings, either
posted by phunniemee at 11:16 AM on August 26

Fill one with real sugar and one with artificial sweetener, put them wherever you usually eat breakfast or sit with coffee/tea. I don’t think sugar has any volatile compounds that could evaporate out, and I’m sure artificial sweetener doesn’t.

(But don’t do this if you have ants or other bug problems, and it also might not be a good idea if you live somewhere humid)
posted by maleficent at 11:27 AM on August 26

Pin"cushion"?
posted by praemunire at 11:31 AM on August 26

Foot powder? And put them in the closet or shower area.
posted by jpeacock at 11:32 AM on August 26

If you often have fresh cut flowers out in vases you could fill them with "flower food" and give a few sprinkles every few days to your fresh flowers to make them last longer.

Powdered stain remover for laundry

The powder you put in shoes to stop them from smelling bad

Bath oil, though this probably means you can never use them for food or regift them.
posted by hermanubis at 11:36 AM on August 26

Dry shampoo?
posted by Sparky Buttons at 11:49 AM on August 26

I'm not sure the bottom is big enough and/or if theyre heat resistant, but putting an incense cone and having smoke come out from the top would be kind of amazing in a retro way. Not useful, fun though.
posted by Sparky Buttons at 11:56 AM on August 26

Garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne or gochugaru, stevia (sugar substitute), well marked. Or make a tray on top of the fridge or somewhere, and lean in. Srsly, if you display the Jurassic Park set and 1 more setof dinosaurs, you will start getting dino stuff.
posted by theora55 at 12:08 PM on August 26

lol

Toothpick holder? Shake to get one out through the hole.
my toothpick holder

If you often have fresh cut flowers out in vases
my fresh cut flowers

Srsly, if you display the Jurassic Park set and 1 more setof dinosaurs, you will start getting dino stuff.
I don't understand the words in this sentence.


do I have too much dumb shit
posted by phunniemee at 12:19 PM on August 26

Salt and pepper shakers are the most non-fungible and specific devices ever. There isn't anything else to shake out in these tiny quantities (unless you have a fish that needs to be fed.).
So you should insert a time-capule message in tiny handwriting or tiny font, written on a small scroll. One day, in 200 million years, some earth being will find it.
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 12:27 PM on August 26

S...sprinkler? For when you're ironing and need to moisten the...

Yeah, I got nothin
posted by Don Pepino at 12:30 PM on August 26

do I have too much
just enough; you can create a di(n)orama! [insta]
posted by HearHere at 12:30 PM on August 26

The only use not mentioned I can think of is some kind of powdered marking chalk to quickly draw patterns with. Of course, you'd need to come up with a reason to be regularly laying out sportsball fields or magic circles or whatever... it does seem natural to have two colors for two shakers, though.
posted by dick dale the vampire at 12:44 PM on August 26

Could there be a better use for dinosaur containers than powdered fossils?*

* Likely contains ~0% fossil. Health claims not supported. I guess it could help clean up pet messes, but since it contains silica I would recommend a respirator.

Fingerprint powder comes in two colors but it is moisture sensitive. Probably not an issue if you're dusting for prints every day but you wouldn't want to be caught flat-footed with damp powder on a big case.

I tried thinking of actual health and beauty products you might want in powdered form and the best I got was cornstarch (nsfw).
posted by hydrophonic at 1:40 PM on August 26

I think your best bet is some kind of freshening powder you can shake over your bed/linens/fabrics that you can vacuum off so it can smell good.
posted by yueliang at 1:41 PM on August 26

Diatomaceous earth (food grade) for if you get ant-vasions.

But if you use foot powder that seems like a good choice.
posted by janell at 1:47 PM on August 26

What if you didn't fill them with something powdery, but instead took a small spool of dental floss (like the kind Cocofloss sells) and run the end through one of the holes to give you a floss dispenser (or two)?
posted by yellowcandy at 1:53 PM on August 26

Green jello powder.
posted by warriorqueen at 1:58 PM on August 26

Since they are Jurassic Park themed they'll work stylistically in any room of my house

So I realize you already posted a few but I pretty much came to say that without a LOT more pictures I don't see how I could really offer cogent advice.

do I have too much dumb shit
Absolutely not.


Ok serious thoughts.

If you cook with any regularity you could put olive oil in one and routine oil in the other (Special and Pedestrian oils obviously) and they won't go rancid if you use them on the regular. Is there any spice you use with regularity? Most volatile are lost to the air anyway and make very minimal impact on their ability to season things (this is related to why you smell them when opening).

I would definitely use them for baby powder, shoe or foot powder, etc etc as well....

But my real final answer is just some good smelling stuff. Patchouli, lavender, whatever stuff you like. And then just leave them be. Or walk by and lovingly pick them up and say "nature finds a way" which will help you recall the absolutely perfect friends who gifted you and to jog the scent a little plus.... Bring joy to all....
posted by chasles at 1:58 PM on August 26

But my real final answer is just some good smelling stuff.

I have decided to make a scent moment in my half bath, filling the shakers with (s)andalwood and (p)lumeria soaked diffuser pads. Breathe deep, relax, transport yourself to the late Cretaceous.
posted by phunniemee at 2:28 PM on August 26

I would get some miniature plants and claws and stick in the holes to make it a miniature jungle location with the claws extending over the doors about to open and eat up the guests. Maybe some dinosaur eggs and a small crashed car. So, a little diorama of sorts.
posted by effluvia at 6:32 PM on August 26

If you have a couple sets of Dinosaur S&P shakers, people will notice and assume you collect them, and begin giving them to you for holidays. My friends ended up with a kitchen full of black cat stuff that way.
posted by theora55 at 9:17 AM on August 27

Know someone who likes Nine Inch Nails? Give it to them as bookends for their CDs.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 10:01 PM on August 27