Who doesn’t love peanut butter? That’s why it’s one of the most popular foods in America. But did you know there are many unique uses for this delicious spread beyond just eating it straight from the jar? Peanut butter can be used in all sorts of recipes, as a natural beauty product, and even to clean your house! Keep reading to find out some of the best unique uses for peanut butter.
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How Is Peanut Butter Made?
For people who love the classic combination of smooth, creamy peanut butter and jelly, it’s hard to imagine how peanut butter is made. In its simplest form, making peanut butter involves three general steps: harvesting, roasting, and grinding. The harvesting process introduces peanuts to a mechanical grab that scoops them up and typically drops them into a hopper that transports them through the processing plant.
After they’re harvested, peanuts are roasted and cooled before being transferred to a different part of the facility, where they’re ground up to create spreadable peanut butter. This process often involves roasting and separating peanuts from their shells while removing some moisture from the nuts. Finally, ingredients like salt, sugar, and even hydrogenated oil are added to give peanut butter its iconic taste and texture.
Unique Uses for Peanut Butter
Natural Lubricant
While a spoonful of peanut butter might typically land itself in your sandwich or on toast, it may be surprising for some to find out that it also has a variety of unique and practical uses. One of these is a natural lubricant due to its high-fat content. Peanut butter is non-toxic, inexpensive, and easy to apply, making it an obvious choice when lubricating surfaces such as door holders and drawer runners, as well as rubber applications like gaskets, valves, and O-rings.
Its effectiveness arises from the fact that it contains loads of good nutrients, which aid in creating a better-sliding surface than plastic equivalents. Not only is this beneficial in reducing scratching or scuffing on surfaces, but its moisture control properties also prevent the introduction of additional contaminants. With so many advantages up its sleeves, maybe taking another look at what lies in your pantry is long overdue!
Shaving Cream
Peanut butter can be a great addition to your arsenal of grooming tools! Contrary to popular belief, peanut butter can be an effective shaving cream; the fat content in peanut butter creates a slick surface, allowing for a closer shave. The natural oils in the butter are also believed to hydrate and nourish the skin before and after razors have been used.
Applying a thin layer of natural, creamy peanut butter onto clean skin while shaving is easy to get smooth, moisturized skin without adding chemicals or irritants. Investing in some natural peanut butter and taking the time to experiment with this unique method could be just what you need to improve your shaving experience.
Pest Bait
Peanut butter isn’t just something you spread on a sandwich or dip your apples into – it can also be used around the home as an effective pest bait! Its strong smell and sweet taste are attractive to many pesky animals. Although commercially available traps will almost always require some peanut butter, making your traps at home is simple and cost-effective.
To make a basic trap, simply spread a thin layer of peanut butter onto a small piece of cardboard and attach it near the area where pests are seen. The peanut butter attracts the pests, who become stuck in the sticky substance and can then be safely discarded away from the house.
Good Leather Cleaner
Peanut butter may be best known as a delicious condiment or snack food, but it serves many purposes outside the kitchen. One of the most unexpected uses for this familiar food is as a leather cleaner. Peanut butter can be used to clean leather furniture, car interiors, shoes, and even clothing items like jackets. Its oils can condition the material, while its texture allows it to scrub away dirt and debris without causing any damage to the fabric. Even high-end materials like pigskin and suede can benefit from this trick with peanut butter.
Peanut butter is an inexpensive way to maintain your favorite leather items without purchasing fancy cleaners! To use it successfully, apply a dab to a clean cloth and rub it in circles over the leather surface. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth.
Butter Substitute
Peanut butter may be more typically used on toast, stir-fry dishes, or desserts, but it can also be a great substitute for butter! When baking cakes, cookies, and other treats, you can swap out an equal amount of butter with the same amount of peanut butter to create a healthier version.
Using peanut butter instead of butter reduces fat while adding a nutty flavor to your creations. It’s also popularly used as a spread that is better for you than traditional margarine or butter; plus, it adds protein to any meal or snack! Peanut butter isn’t just for sandwiches – it can be a fun and healthy substitute for Butter!
Bird Feed
Peanut butter is often thought of as a human food, but it can also benefit your feathered friends. Birds will likely flock toward your menu by spreading peanut butter on a bird feeder or creating birdseed treats with the ingredient.
Studies suggest that most birds not only enjoy peanut butter’s flavor but may also reap nutritional benefits from it due to its protein-rich composition. If you’re looking to give birds a tasty treat and an extra energy boost, try incorporating some creative uses of peanut butter into your feathered friend’s diet!
Wood Scratch Repair
Peanut butter may be an unusual choice for repairing scratches on wood furniture, but for those looking for a quick and easy approach to hide or reduce the appearance of light scratches, it’s worth trying. This unconventional method utilizes the natural oils present in the spread, which helps to minimize the look of shallow scratches. Make sure you use creamy peanut butter and apply a small amount with a soft cloth for the best results.
Allow it to sit for several minutes before wiping it off with a dry cloth and buffing until desired results are achieved. It is important to note that this approach does not work as well on deep scratches, so if you have more severe damage, it’s likely still best to turn to professional repairs.
Did You Know About These Unique Uses For Peanut Butter?
In conclusion, peanut butter is not just for eating. Whether you need a cleaning solution, wood scratch repair, or even an alternative to butter in recipes, this cult-favorite condiment has many unique and creative uses that go far beyond the kitchen! So don’t be afraid to get creative with your peanut butter – you never know what kind of surprises it may bring!
