Homeowner baffles thousands with ‘mystery’ gadget near her stove: ‘I have no idea what this is for’

A new homeowner has been left baffled over the purpose of a stainless steel frame bolted to the wall next to her stove top.

The woman posted a picture of the strange-looking rack online hoping strangers could help her solve the puzzle.

But most were equally confused and offered hundreds of ideas until one woman finally solved the mystery: ‘It is a pot lid holder,’ she announced.

‘I think it could be a pot lid holder,’ seconded one woman. 

‘This quiz is better than Wordle,’ laughed another. 

‘Is it a piece of over-engineered design for a niche purpose that’s clearly unnecessary?’ asked one woman.

‘I would assume it is for a bottle of cooking oil because it is near the cooktop,’ one woman said.

The contraption is a pot lid – one can be seen in use left – and not a tiny ladder for mice as some people joked

‘On a second look it could be a spice rack with missing shelves,’ said another.

Others incorrectly guessed it to be a wine holder, fire blanket holder and gladwrap/foil/paper towel holder.

Some made jokes about the fixture after deciding they had nothing constructive to add to the conversation and no real answers for the woman.

‘I think it is a tiny mouse ladder so they can turn the lights off,’ one woman said.

‘I was thinking more a mouse-sized fire escape,’ laughed another.

Others laughed and said they plan on leaving objects with no purpose around their home next time they move out – to confuse the next family.