(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best cooking tongs

Eccentriczebpajamas, congrats!

Fellow hEDS, got married last July (pre-diagnosis), and I think I’ve got some ideas for you:

For the shoes, not sure where to look - I have really HUGE feel (size 12-13 women’s), so I struggled too, but ended up finding a cheap pair that looked great and kinda worked for me. They were tolerable but not comfortable, and I regret not focusing more time on finding a better pair.

For the registry, I’ve had really good luck with the OXO Good Grips series of stuff (their handles are chunky enough that I don’t tend to sublux my fingers, even gripping hard)

The can opener I use is a blue version of this one: (OXO Good Grips Can Opener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004OCJW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5-Z.zbZ5E94HD)

They also have a kitchen starter set that might be good to work with:(OXO Good Grips 15-Piece Everyday Kitchen Tool Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IELD9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Ka0.zbT8JYQX5)

When I can cook, I use these gloves instead of potholders - they’re great for the heat, don’t require as much hand strength/fine motor skills as potholders would, and also do a great job at gripping/opening stuck can lids: (Silicone Oven Gloves Extra Thick Heat Resistant Oven Mitts from Aocome, for Cooking Grilling BBQ and Baking, Quilted Cotton Lining, Waterproof Non-Slip Grip Food Grade Safe 1 Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J76A9AI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_id0.zbEAKKA40)

For sitting, this chair is my favorite. Looks goofy, but hurts WAY less than anything else I’ve tried:
(Gaiam Balance Ball Chair - Classic Yoga Ball Chair with 52cm Stability Ball, Pump & Exercise Guide for Home or Office, Purple https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006FFR37W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6e0.zb9Y7MDYQ)

A WiFi blood pressure monitor like the one from Nokia (I have the older Withings version) can be great for helping keep track of your overall health (along with things like FitBits, WiFi thermometers, etc., if you’re into that: (Nokia BPM+ – Compact Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F2MC29/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Qg0.zb3J5YKKN)

Finally, if you have room, a shower stool can be super helpful if you spend too many spoons in one place and struggle to stand up in the shower (there are lots of types, including pretty wooden ones, but this type is really easy to assemble): (Medokare Shower Stool with Padded Seat - Shower Seats for Seniors with Tote Bag, Shower Bench Bath Chair, Handicap Shower Seat for Adults, Shower Stools and Benches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XXZQ4XS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mj0.zb5C9TRYX)

Oh! And bonus last-minute add: overhead lights that you can turn off from your phone, so you can go to bed and THEN turn off the lights, instead of trying to fumble your way across your room in the dark (they can also turn your room into a bright rainbow disco, if you’re into that): (Philips Hue 464479 60W Equivalent White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit, 3rd Generation, Works with Amazon Alexa https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y3QXSGX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0l0.zb2N2PB53)

Good luck, and I hope you have a wonderful wedding day!


...ETA, this set of pots and pans! They have big rubbery handles that are easy to work with, and they’re easy to clean - they can go straight into the dishwasher: (The Pioneer Woman Vintage Speckle 10-Piece Non-Stick Pre-Seasoned Cookware Set (Turquiose) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014X6NQI4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ov0.zb32WQSJ3)

Not really keto specific, but... My knife, my stainless saute pan/skillet/whatever, and chef's tongs. A lot of other things are great, like a cast iron grill pan or a food thermometer, but the first three are requirements for me.

Oh yeah, I do keep a single, small non-stick pan whose only purpose in life is cooking eggs (omelets, scrambled, fried.) And I guess that is pretty damned necessary, too, along with a heat-resistant rubber scraper and spatula, but now I might as well list all my cookwear. I stand by the original three; keto or no, I would not want to have a kitchen without them.

We all know interspecies romance is weird

This is perfect because I'm re-vamping my wishlist!

This isn't popular

not that weird

By far the weirdest I actually have an idea for this one soooo yeah.

I nid dis so I can serve my spawn her favorite dinner. Good luck on your move!

Weird knife, didn't use salt and pepper, at some point tossed in jarred garlic and smashed it with a fork for some effect. In the video comments he says that sous vide should come out perfect no matter what, but he certainly did whatever he could to help bury that steak.

The monstrosity of a knife, but act soon Amazon only has 2 left. And at $30 they won't last long.

Buy yourself a sent of nice spring tongs that look like these. Your ability to flip roasts will be greatly increased.

I bought a miniature boat paddle like this and it works great. Nice and smooth and looks nothing like a normal sex toy so it can be left in plain view.

pan frying meats can be very easy, quick and versatile. pack of seasonings + beef + veg = tacos/fajitas.

chicken has a million different uses. regular pork chops are a quick and easy meal.

from my experience, the less ingredients the better since i didn't have a place to really keep much.

one of these can be invaluable:
http://www.amazon.com/Orka-12-Inch-Stainless-Silicone-Tongs/dp/B000U69B0Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345043577&sr=8-3&keywords=silicon+tongs

one thing to wash up, and you can do anything you need to do.

Another user here of the 3 gallon/ (12 quart) rubbermaid container and lid. I cut a very small hole in the lid for my anova to fit into and it hardly loses any water even on >24 hr cooks. Plus the lid is flexible enough to just lift one or two corners and position bags. you can also use it to keep a zip top bag in place instead of clips or vacuum bags.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R8JOUC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VAUFD6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00


I also use this ikea pot lid organizer to help separate bags or weigh down food that just keeps wanting to float. It is pretty nice because you can turn it around and remove pegs to customize the shape for what you are cooking.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJTWR04?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Something else that is nice to use is a pair of tongs with silicone tips so that they don't rip your bags but still grip your food for removal or changing the placement of food, because you don't want to stick your hands in hot water!

http://smile.amazon.com/Vivree-Kitchen-Tongs-Set-Stainless/dp/B00XGXGP3Y/ref=pd_sim_79_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41nuul3KFhL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0TK46SWSYA8WEN7S6YPR

Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls and Tongs.

They're not fancy, but you will learn to love them.

I know the OXO ones stay closed pretty well.

I would go with:

Weber Premium Kettle

OXO 16" Tongs

Lavatools Javelin Instant Thermometer

Maverick 733 w/ Bear Paw shredders

Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter

I never used gloves or bricks.

For long smokes I use the snake method. For shorter hotter cooks like chicken, I use the minion method. Keep your top vent open all the time and adjust your bottom intake to adjust your tempature (closed cold - open hotter).

Tongs. I got some silicon tongs that work great. Hold Mr Cactus with one pair and work the soil with the other pair.

Years ago my dad bought 4 "sugar tongs" (similar to these), put little rubber bits on the end, and called them "cheeto tongs." I just used my hands because I was a kid, but the adults liked the tongs.

Sowas. Ist mittlerweile wie meine dritte Hand beim Kochen. Gibts auch mit etwas größeren spitzen vorn.

Put porcini in a small bowl (or a big cup) with warm water for about 30 mins. Put the water in a big pot, don't forget the salt (it doesn't really matter if you put salt when the water is hot or cold) close the lid and turn on the fire (this must always be the very first thing you do when you cook pasta).

When the water is boiling, put the pasta and start the timer. Let's assume you are making spaghetti, so 8-9 minutes will be your total cooking time.

Dry the porcini mushrooms and put them in a pan with some very hot olive oil (but don't let it burn! if it smokes, you have to throw it away and start over) with garlic and a small pinch of hot peppers.

After 4-5 minutes, take out the spaghetti from the boiling water with this thing and transfer them in the pan with the porcini, keep the fire under the boiling water on.

From now on, stir fry the pasta along with the mushrooms, adding small quantities of water and stirring it ofter. The cooking water contains a lot of starch from the pasta, and cooking the spaghetti in the pan with the mushrooms in this way, will create a nice smooth texture without using milk cream (please, don't use that).

When the timer is over (so about 9 mins for spaghetti), turn off the fire and sprinkle some minced parsley, add a teaspoon of fresh olive oil and the pasta is ready!

I know, it sounds complicated, but it's a superquick recipe that if properly done is a blast! if the stir fry process sounds too much for you, you can just add 3-4 spoons of pasta water to the mushroom, boil the pasta for 8 minutes (one minute less of the cooking time reported on the box) and then drain the pata and add it to the mushrooms sauce in the pan, stirring for 1 minute.

Let me know it it worked!!

ciao!

Stefano

You can see it used in the pictures on this Amazon listing. It's really common in China (and probably other Asian countries), since you often steam food on a plate and need some way to get the plate out of the big steaming pot. It definitely doesn't belong in a fridge.

($3.77 shipping is a bit high)
http://www.globeequipment.com/Kitchen-Supplies/Kitchen-Utensils/Tongs-For-Cooking/47312

($6.20 if you have Prime, free 2 -day shipping)
http://www.amazon.com/Vollrath-Company-47312-Utility-12-Inch/dp/B00125NHSO

Even better are Toast Tongs.

OXO makes sturdy items. $80 for a nice set and then add on items if needed.

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-15-Piece-Everyday-Kitchen/dp/B000IELD9A

No no no. KitchenAid utensils are shit. Link to http://smile.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-15-Piece-Everyday-Kitchen/dp/B000IELD9A/ instead.

There is a huge overlap between the Paleo community and the BIFL community. OXO Good Grips shit is basically indestructible. I don't care if that kit costs 3x more, it will last 10x longer.

I agree with your choice of Lodge. And you might want to have a slot for knives, try these: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016O8PGA