I Found a Tiny Red Object in a Kitchen Drawer That Looks Like a Comb and Has Lengthy Metal Prongs. Do You Know What It Is?

We’ve all been there — rummaging through a kitchen drawer and stumbling upon some odd-looking tool that seems totally out of place.

That happened to me recently when I discovered a small red object, kind of shaped like a comb, with long metal prongs sticking out. It looked like something from a science lab… or maybe a hair accessory gone wrong.

Naturally, I had to figure out what it was — and once I did, I realized it’s actually one of the most useful little kitchen tools around.

So what is it?

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🔍 It’s a Corn on the Cob Holder — But Not the Kind You Think

That mystery object is called a corn stripper, sometimes known as a corn comb or corn kernel remover.

Unlike traditional corn holders that help you eat corn straight off the cob, this tool is designed to do something even better:

It removes all the kernels from a cob of corn — quickly, cleanly, and with almost no mess.

And if you love making fresh corn salsa, chowder, or freezing your own summer corn, this thing is a game-changer.

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🌽 How It Works

The long metal prongs (or blades) are slightly curved and spaced in a way that allows you to run the tool down a cob of corn, shaving off rows of kernels in one smooth motion.

Here's how to use it:

1. Hold the corn vertically on a cutting board or inside a large bowl.

2. Starting at the top, press the prongs against the cob and pull downward.

3. Kernels fall off cleanly and evenly — no flying bits or messy juice.

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🧼 Why It’s Better Than a Knife

• Safer: No risk of slicing your fingers like with a knife.

• More efficient: Removes more kernels in one go.

• Less waste: Gets right up against the cob without cutting into it.

• Cleaner: Reduces flying kernels and mess on your counter.

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🎯 Other Things It Might Be Mistaken For

If you've seen one of these before, you might’ve thought:

• Is it a meat tenderizer?

• A weird salad fork?

• A tiny rake?

Nope — it’s just a clever little kitchen gadget that doesn’t get enough credit.

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🛠️ Bonus Tip: Other Versions Exist

There are also circular corn strippers, which you twist and push down the cob, but many home cooks prefer the "comb" style because it gives more control and works on all sizes of corn — even those odd, bumpy cobs from backyard gardens.

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🏁 Final Thoughts

If you’ve found a red, comb-like object with long metal teeth in your drawer and weren’t sure what it was, now you know: it’s a corn stripper — and it’s actually kind of amazing.

So don’t toss it! Try it the next time you have fresh corn. You might find yourself wondering how you ever lived without it.