20 Clever Uses for a Turkey Baster
Yes, it’s a Thanksgiving prep staple, but turkey basters can also make a number of chores, from changing plant water to touching up a paint job, much easier. Check out these useful turkey baster tricks.
Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It’s not just for turkeys anymore
Is your turkey baster’s job done as soon as Thanksgiving is over? If so, you’re missing out on some other not-exactly-intended, but no-less-useful ways you can use this kitchen gadget. Keep in mind that you should not use your cooking baster for cleaning or chemical-related tasks, so it’s helpful to have a second turkey baster to take full advantage of these uses. Here’s where you can get one. Then you’ll be ready to try out these fun—and useful!—ways you never thought to use it. And if Thanksgiving cooking is the main event, check out these handy Thanksgiving cooking hacks using everyday objects.
Change plant water
Remove dirty water without disturbing your plants. Use a turkey baster to absorb the old water and replace with fresh water, whether your greens are in a vase or potted plant. This trick is especially handy for high-hanging plants. You can also use a turkey baster to water a Christmas tree and to add small, precise amounts of water to cups containing seedlings or germinating seeds.
Place water in your pet’s bowl
Do you have a pet in a cage, like a bunny or a hamster, that drinks water from a bowl and not from a bottle? And are you getting tired of chasing said bunny, hamster, or other caged pet around the house whenever you change its water? Use a turkey baster to fill the water dish. You can usually fit the baster between the slats without having to open the cage. Shopping for your furry friend? Check out these pet products on Amazon with nearly perfect reviews.
Save wine
Can’t find a wine stopper? To preserve an open bottle of wine, drop the thin end of a turkey baster into the bottleneck. Have you bought any of these kitchen gadgets that are a total waste of money?
Remove excess water from coffeemaker
The perfect cup of coffee is determined by using the proper balance of water and ground coffee in your automatic coffeemaker. If you pour in too much water, however, you typically have to add more coffee or suffer through a weak pot. But there’s another, often overlooked option: Simply use your kitchen baster to remove the excess water to bring it in at just the right level.
Touch up a paint job
For small paint sprucing jobs, use a turkey baster to transfer a small amount of paint from the pail to a disposable cup. You’ll have the exact portion you need and avoid drips. Now are you starting to see why a turkey baster is one of the kitchen gadgets you’ll wish you had years ago?
Blow away roaches and ants
If you’ve had it with sharing your living quarters with roaches or ants, give them the heave-ho by sprinkling boric acid along any cracks or crevices where you’ve spotted the intruders. Use a baster to blow small amounts of the powder into hard-to-reach corners and any deep voids you come across. Note: Keep in mind that boric acid can be toxic if ingested by young children or pets. Fortunately, there are plenty of chemical-free ways to keep bugs out of your home, too.