A questioner said:

Found in kitchen of an East Coast US home. Sits flush against the bottom of cabinet when stowed, pulls down to position in the photos. What is it used for?

More from the questioner:

Been living and cooking in this house the last two years and didn’t notice this thing. I thought maybe spice rack, but the angle means it’d have to down all the time. Which kills the counter space below it. Wife says recipe holder but I think the ridges would prevent a paper or book from sitting flat without falling down.

Here are some of the people opinions:

1. It holds a cookbook so you can read the recipe as you cook w/o the book taking counter space and being in the way.
2. It’s a spice rack
3. There was a time when it was common to write recipes on large index cards that you’d keep in a box. I could imagine this being a way to hold some of those while you’re preparing the meal—maybe multiple cards at once?
4. Some people are saying spice rack, but my grandmother had one of those and it’s almost definitely a cookbook holder that you can leave out while you’re putting things together. Maybe there is a way to keep spices on it, but that’s not how I’ve ever seen it used.
5. Cookbook holder
6. Spice rack. It should swing back and up against the bottom of the cabinet.
7. I have a similar one in my kitchen, but it has magnets to hold all the really sharp knives.
8. It looks the right size for the small box-style spices and I bet you can get a cookbook to sit right on top of them when down.
9. I had one on my boat that was for a cookbook and the ridges were great for holding little things like pens or notes while cooking.(You see young grasshopper, Wives are always right!)
10. That’s so cool! It looks like a spice rack. You lay the bottles on each ridge with the labels facing up.
11. In my house that was a knife rack. Bought as a knife rack
12. Spice jars used to be spice “tins” – small metal rectangular tins. They fit perfectly in this space. I installed one in my first home. It really saved cabinet space. The cross bars held the bottoms and were high enough a cookbook would just slide off. 
13. It’s a flip down spice rack
14. My grandmother used to use it to store knives.
15. Holds Spices
16. Knife rack. Sold a bunch of these back in the day when I worked in kitchen design at a building supply company. It was designed to be a stiff hard pull down, so they’d pull too hard and then it would drop down fast and give you a knife shower. People didn’t like the idea of knives falling out when opening so they started to use them as spice racks. It’s an example of the market hating your product but then finding a different use for it.FWIW, I loved mine and kept it when I moved.
17. It’s to hold recipes while you’re cooking. My grandma has one in her kitchen.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment!

In the realm of domesticity, the kitchen serves as a veritable laboratory where culinary creations are born and household mysteries abound. Among these enigmatic objects, there exists a peculiar contraption found nestled within the cabinets of East Coast US homes. Its presence is discreet, concealed against the underside of cabinetry until summoned for use. Upon closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a fascinating device that raises eyebrows and sparks curiosity.

Unveiling the Enigma

Captured in photographs circulating online, this mysterious kitchen gadget sits flush against the bottom of the cabinet when stowed away, evading casual observation. However, with a gentle tug, it descends gracefully, unfurling its purpose before intrigued onlookers. Its appearance is akin to a secret agent revealing clandestine weaponry, albeit in a culinary context.

The Unfolding Revelation

The enigma lies in its functionality. As it descends, it transforms from a seemingly innocuous fixture to a utilitarian marvel. Two sturdy arms extend downward, suspending what appears to be a platform or shelf. Yet, its purpose remains shrouded in mystery until one delves deeper into its intricacies.

Unraveling the Purpose

Upon closer examination, the purpose of this mysterious contraption begins to unravel. It is none other than a pull-down spice rack—a revelation that garners both surprise and admiration. This clever invention provides a solution to a perennial kitchen dilemma: the efficient storage and accessibility of spices and condiments.

Practicality Meets Ingenuity

In the realm of culinary arts, spices are the alchemical ingredients that elevate dishes from mundane to magnificent. However, their array of jars and containers often clutter kitchen countertops or disappear into the depths of cabinets, evading detection when needed most. The pull-down spice rack emerges as a savior, offering a solution that marries practicality with ingenuity.