Reddit mentions: The best serving trays

DOPNYC's Guide to Proofing Containers

For The Beginner

As a beginning pizzamaker, being able to see the underside of the dough is invaluable.

https://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?topic=21449.msg216567#msg216567

Posting photos of the underside of the dough hasn't become much of a trend here on Reddit, but I'm hoping that it will become more common, because it's a great way for beginners to troubleshoot balling and proofing issues.

Before we jump into my recommendations, let me share some traits of a good proofing container

1. Wide- the wider the better, because the wider your container, the less contact the dough will have the sides, which will give you a prettier rim/less pitting. Those quart soup containers that you get from the restaurants? No.
   
2. Shallow-ish. As you get into pizza, you're going to want to entertain, that means multiple dough balls, and, if you're going to fit them in the fridge, you want to be able to stack them. 2.5 inches is typically tall enough, although if your container is especially wide, you might be able to go smaller than that.
   
3. Round. Square containers make square doughs, and, when you go and stretch them, they fight to form square pizzas. The only exception to this would be a square or rectangular container that's wide enough so that the dough never touches- it would have to be very wide, though.
   
4. Clear. Obviously.
   
5. Smooth- any kind of ridge on the bottom or the side of the container will have a tendency to grip the dough and make the container harder to wash. A little bump is not the end of the world.
   
6. Almost air tight. Dough releases a miniscule quantity of gas as it ferments. If your container is air tight, eventually the pressure will build, the lid will pop, and your dough will dry out. Dried out dough is very bad and will split when you go and stretch it.
   
7. Plastic. Plastic is a little better than glass, since, assuming it's lightweight, it will allow the dough to be more responsive to temperature changes- changes going into the fridge and coming out.
   With this in mind, here are some clear, and some clear-ish options.
   
   A wide glass bowl with plastic wrap
   
   As long as the bowl is clear, and has the right proportions, this may be the least expensive option of all, because you might already have a glass bowl lying around. The plastic wrap is not ideal, though, because, as I mentioned before, your container can't be airtight, so you don't want the wrap to pop from the pressure. The normal procedure for plastic containers is to take a pin and prick an extremely small hole in the top. This isn't as easy to do with plastic wrap, as the hole in the wrap tends to want to open further as the wrap is stretched.
   
   https://www.walmart.com/ip/Glad-Food-Storage-Containers-Big-Bowl-48-oz-2-ct/24689293
   
   The bottom on these is textured, but you should still be able to see what's going on with your dough. The big downside to these is the size. If you're making about a 12" pizza or less, great, if not, I'd go with something else.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-6017397-Simply-Store-Storage/dp/B000LOWN3C
   
   Still a little small- maybe good for up to 15" pies, but no bigger. Glass is not ideal, but, if worse comes to worse, you can just leave your dough out longer to warm up.
   
   https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-TakeAlongs-15-7-Cups-Serving-Bowls-2-count/17331745
   
   Way too tall, but readily available an not that expensive. The bottoms have a similar cloudiness to the Glad containers above. Not ideal, but should still allow you to see what's going on.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Plastic-Storage-Container-1777163/dp/B016QQ2JUK/
   
   Remember what I said about rectangular containers being okay as long as they are wide enough? These are 16.6 x 11.3 x 3.5 inches. 11.3 should be sufficient for up to about 15", but larger dough balls might start creeping up the sides.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Tupperware-Round-Cupcake-Keeper-12-Inch/dp/B00GS8AD0K/
   
   At a little less than 12" wide and 2.75" high, and a perfectly clear and almost perfectly smooth base, this could be, imo, the rolls royce of beginning proofing containers. But it's also a whopping 22 bucks. If you go this route, you might get only one, and then go cheaper with the other ones.
   
   Look Around for Something Else
   
   I've devoted maybe four hours, total, looking for proofing containers online and in stores. There's obviously more out there. I've given you the specs to look for. As you go into your supermarkets or dollar stores, take a look at their disposable plastic containers and see if anything fits the bill.
   
   For the Intermediate and Advanced Pizzamaker
   
   Okay, you've made enough pizza to no longer need to examine the bottom of your proofing/proofed dough and it's now time to take the training wheels off. Here are those options.
   
   https://www.bakedeco.com/a/plastic-dough-pan-s-12232.htm
   
   https://www.bakedeco.com/a/lid-for-plastic-pizz-23564.htm
   
   These are what I presently use. I was able to find them locally at a distributor. They work very well. If they could make a clear plastic version of these, and maybe make them 20% larger (17" doughs are a tight fit), then they'd be, imo, the perfect proofing pan for everyone- beginners to advanced.
   
   https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-18-x-26-x-3-dough-proofing-box/40714021.html
   
   These are the industry standard dough proofing box. When you get this large, there's are logistics you have to consider due to the size involved. You can't, say, take 8 boxes, stack them, and put them in the fridge, because they will insulate the other boxes and take a long time to chill. Pizzerias will fill these with dough balls, cross stack them so that the dough is exposed, and then place them in the walk in until they are chilled.
   
   These come in different gauges and can vary in quality from brand to brand. Check the reviews to make sure you're getting a quality box that will last you a long time. NEVER use a metal utensil for removing your dough, as the metal will scratch the plastic.
   
   I measured one brand of these in person, and it came to 27.5". My refrigerator opening is 27" wide. If you go this route, make sure you have a refrigerator that can accommodate them.
   
   Remember what I said about square proofing containers? Well, these are obviously very large, but you should be careful about having your dough balls touching, since encroaching balls will create a square edge. For Neapolitan, this is pretty common, but, for NY, you want to try and keep the dough ball round. This will limit the number of dough balls you can fit in these, but, you can still use these for NY.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/DoughMate-Artisan-Dough-Tray-Kit/dp/B00449IEM4
   
   These are the smaller version of the tray above. If you're doing Neapolitan, and are comfortable with square-ish pizza, then these might hold more than a couple dough balls, but, for NY, with that 11" width, I'd only use them for one ball. Considering the price, that, imo, rules them out.
   
   https://www.bakedeco.com/a/dough-retarding-proo-1491.htm
   
   In NY, these are pretty much standard. These will stack nicely with the plastic ones above, and they're a little bit deeper than the plastic ones, allowing for slightly bigger dough balls- such as 18" skins. I've not seen this tested, but longer fermentation generates acid in dough, which may react with the aluminum, so, for this reason, I tend to gravitate towards plastic. But this is probably a little overly paranoid, so if you feel comfortable using these for multi-day ferments, go for it.
   
   https://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?topic=14506.msg320560#msg320560
   
   http://www.pmq.com/May-June-2004/Whats-With-the-WoodDough-Boxes/
   
   This is super advanced pizza making. Wood proofing boxes (or wood liners for plastic boxes). The wood will naturally draw moisture from the surface of the bottom of the dough giving you a crispier crust. If you're running a professional operation, expect the health inspector to have a fit. The two links that I've provided are both dated and may provide inaccurate info. If you go this route, do a LOT more homework- AND report back here! :D
   
   ...
   
   A final note... These containers are constantly changing. The disposable containers are always being redesigned- usually for the worse, and the companies offering these types of containers rise and fall. 15 years ago, the plastic dough proofing pans that I use didn't exist. Where I am getting at? This list is liable to change- and most likely sooner rather than later. If, on your travels, you come across a viable option, please, drop me a PM. Thanks.

Moving sale! Got fired from my job and now I'm going back home so I have a lot of odds and end type shit and some furniture I want to get rid of. Prices are fixed, but only because I'm already lowballing everything because I just want to get rid of it. I'll post pictures of the actual item based on interest.

Things I'm offloading right now:

edit: New Stuff!!

• Assorted beer glasses - two tall pilsner glasses (22 oz) (has a logo like this on the glass), small 3 oz taster glasses (3) one from Sam Adams, one from Wachusetts Brewery, one from the Copenhagen Beer Festival - Pilsners are $2/each and tasters are $2 for all three.
  
  
• Assorted wine glasses (3) - $1/each
  
  
• Digital Food scale - $2
  
  
• This type of waffle maker. I think it's a black and decker, just all black colored, entirely plastic. Used but in great condition. - $5
  
  
• Orange Safety Vest - $2
  
  
• Two paper coveralls (Tyveks) - $2 for the pair
  
  
• Orange work gloves. They're insulated a bit so they'll keep your hands warm and have a rubber palm/finger grip.
  
  
• Hand warmers...I have 4 or 5 packs. - $1 a pack
  
  
• Vacuum cleaner. So it's seen better days but it still gets the job done. Canister style vacuum, has primary floor attachment with a beater brush, solid floor attachment, wand attachment (the narrow high suction thing for getting under tight spaces), a bristle brush, and a smaller upholstery attachment with a beater brush built in for doing things like couches, cars, etc. There is something wrong with the connection between the primary floor attachment and the handle because recently it only operates the beater brush when the handle is turned at an angle. Like I said, it's seen better days, but it still works fine and would be a great vacuum for a shop or secondary thing to clean places that are typically dirty. Whole thing is $5 + some bags. Maybe you can fix it :)
  
  
• 1.5ish ft by 2ish ft rubber entry mat. Used it to change my shoes after a muddy hike without trying to balance around and getting my feet wet or dirty. Take a hose to it and everything cleans right off. - $1
  
  
• This Floor lamp - $5. Add $1 and you get bulbs!
  
  
• These tire chains. New, never used (still sitting in the box amazon sent it in unopened), model QG1142. Bought it to fit a 2008 Honda CRV stock tires. And these rubber tighteners. Also brand new, still sealed in packaging unused. They go together, $20 for both.
  
  
• This Leaf Antenna. Bought it in January, it's been sitting next to my TV. Delivers crystal clear, uncompressed broadcast channels. I used it to watch football for a month and get the morning news, works perfectly here in the city. I'm leaving a F/F coax connector with it so if you want to run a longer cable, you can. $5
  
  
• FitBit HR Charge (original). Color is black. I have two of them and three charging cables. $20 each + charging cable.
  
  
• This silverware tray. Fits in a standard sized drawer and has an expandable slot. $5
  
  
• Brand new black and decker iron. Still in box. $5
  
  
• Black and Decker toaster oven. Like new, been using it for 3 months to make small batch cookies, toast sandwiches, cook biscuits, and heat up food. I think this is the model, if not exact it's near identical. Has all pans and racks, black. Goes up to 450F. $10 Sale pending
  
  
• This paper towel holder. $3
  
  
• This table from Fred Meyer. Still brand new, sealed in box. Never had a chance to set it up. $75
  
  
• A 3 foot, True Temper square shovel. Almost new, used it for work a few times. Only a couple months old. Looks kinda like this shovel. but not quite the same. Black grips instead of red. $10 Sale pending
  
  
• ID badge holder. Holder also prevents proximity based copying...or something like that. It was given to me when I worked for the gov several years back, I don't know. $1
  
  
• Two boxes of nitrile rubber gloves. Large and XL. Used maybe 3 pairs of XL but both are opened. $4 for both boxes. Sale pending
  
  
• Stack of white envelopes. Idk...write me a poem.
  
  
• Knife block. Your basic multipiece knife block. Steak knives, chef knife, carving knife, etc. Also comes with some kitchen utensils like a large plastic spoon, a spatula (I think) and a few other odds and ends. It's one set - $5.
  
  
• These bottles of Nikwax waterproof restoration stuff. Never used, $5.
  
  
• This napkin holder. New. Been sitting on my table for a month holding napkins. $5
  
  
• A copy of the Kite Runner. Used, but little wear and tear. $1
  
  
• The Unthinkable. $1. Sale pending
  
  
• Zombie Survival Guide. 1 poem.
  
  
• ATT cordless handset phones. Two handsets. One main docking station that has a voice mail built in and a secondary dock for the other handset. Still have the manuals too. $5
  
  
• I have two stethoscopes. They're in pretty good condition, one never been used, the other was used last years ago and only for a brief period. Both in good condition. $10 for the pair.
  
  
• Metal measuring spoons and measuring cups - $5
  
  
• This TV stand. Color black. Surprisingly well built for "cheap" furniture. I have one back where I'm moving and it's held up great for 5 years. $75
  
  
• Coffee Maker. I think it makes 4 cups, I'll have to check. It's a small one that I basically had for guests as I don't drink coffee. - $5 sale pending

I needed a tray, like a Kind Tray, but for my specific stuff, and we mostly vape flowers and are MFLB users. Kind trays are pricey, but very nice. If you find one that suits you perfect, great. But for me, I had to make something.

So, there are a number of ways to get creative here.

But, I got the Seville Classics Bamboo Drawer Organizer Boxes for like $22.

To hold it all, I got the Lipper International Bamboo Solid Tray, which seems currently unavailable but there are dozens of alternate options. My tray cost $35. Just make sure to check the dimensions on your bottom tray.

Pick up some rubber drawer liners at Lowe's or Wally world or something. I used flat, solid ones inside my smaller boxes and the perforated sort for the bottom of the large tray. It looks pretty nice.
You have to get the thin Scotch double sided tape to adhere your cut drawer liners in there.

If you have an Orbiter -- and trust me, you should have! -- then you can leave the Orb in its box as shown when vaping, and just move the box around if necessary; this has turned out to be a great feature because since we started doing this, we have had zero Orb water spills! The box holds things fairly well.

Anyway, I set this up last week and after one week, I'm still happy with it and everyone thinks it's quite impressive. Hope it inspires someone else!

I've got you on this one! Make her the best gift basket ever.

1. First, you start with a [basket] (http://www.amazon.com/Winco-PWBN-12B-Rectangular-Handles-12-Inch/dp/B001PZBFC6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1415745615&sr=8-5&keywords=basket), of course. Alternatively, you can brave Walmart to find a cheaper one.
   
2. You mentioned Victoria's Secret? Then load that basket up with a [gift card] (https://www.victoriassecret.com/gifts/gift-cards/gift-card?ProductID=168487&CatalogueType=OLS). That way she can pick out something that she wants/needs.
   
3. Next, get her a [coffee mug] (http://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Sweater-Knitted-Removable-Knitwork/dp/B00HQ231IS/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1415745900&sr=1-4&keywords=cute+coffee+mug). I don't know what your wife likes, so I picked a pretty neutral one. You could get her something with her favorite animal on it.
   
4. Alternatively, you could get her a travel thermos so she could take her coffee/tea/whatever she drinks on the go. [Tervis tumblers] (http://www.tervis.com/products/Storefront/24/38a4ba519358b40af7548fbf928f408f) are pricey, but wonderful, and will keep her drink hot or cold for hours. There are even fields that you can narrow down on the left hand side of the Tervis link I sent, since there are literally thousands of them and finding the right one can be overwhelming.
   
5. Next, find her favorite coffee or tea or drink and put it in there to go with the cup.
   
6. Then, find a pair of pajamas in her size that she can curl up in at night. Is it cold where you live? [Go with a pair with pants.] (http://www.amazon.com/Del-Rossa-Womens-Cotton-Flannel/dp/B00BJOGONI/ref=sr_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1415746160&sr=1-3&keywords=pajamas) Hot? [Go for the shorts.] (http://www.amazon.com/District-Elastic-Drawcord-Flannel-Black/dp/B00IMX92EC/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1415746213&sr=1-2&keywords=pajama+shorts)
   
7. Finally, find something special to you and her. Where did you go on your first date? Where is her favorite restaurant? Make a "date night" card good for one trip to that restaurant whenever she wants to go.
   
   I hope this helps! It's a good way to get her a bunch of gifts at once, and you can easily keep it under $100. Let me know if you need any more help :) My number is 867-5309

To add to this; it's not that metal gets colder or hotter, but that is conducts heat more efficiently. So it gets cold faster and translates that to the surrounding area.

This is why your seatbelt feels scorching hot in a hot car, it's not hotter than, say, the upholstery next to it. But it conducts the heat into your hand faster so you feel the heat instantly. Same thing with cold metal, it's not any colder than the surrounding area, but it conducts the heat from your hand away more efficiently, giving the sensation that it's cool to the touch.

Actually it's this efficient conducting that would make metal cubes in your drink less effective as well. The conductive property of metal works best when there are two extremes, and it just works too move heat from one place to another. But putting cold cubes of metal into a warm drink would just mean the cold dissipates faster, and the metal wouldn't retain enough cold to make a big difference in drink temperature.

This property of metal is actually useful in another way though; metal thawing plates are used to defrost and thaw frozen meat, and they work remarkably well. They work by conducting efficiently and bringing the frozen slab into equilibrium with the room temperature faster than waiting for the frozen chunk of meat to reach equilibrium on it's own.

So in short, metal isn't a very good temperature storage device, but it's an excellent temperature transference device.

They're definitely adjusting their taste buds at that age. A favorite today will be tossed to the floor tomorrow. I struggle to keep my niece fed since she's so flip floppy in tastes on an hourly basis.

Does he like spaghetti with marina or meat sauce? Blend veggies in that even green ones will go undetected.

Fruit. Try fruit cups with 100% juice or puree the fruit and add it to other stuff. Also, smoothies! Call them slurpees or milkshakes.

Potatoes are no big loss, but for healthier options, bake the fries.

Eggs can be cooked into all sorts of stuff.

Pancakes were my saving grace. I made whole grain pancakes with finely shredded carrots, peas, spinach, etc. and meat of various types. They have eggs in them. I'd freeze them and grab a couple to take with us anywhere we went in case he wouldn't eat or they didn't have something he liked.

Give a wide selection and make comments about how his favorite toy loves this or that. Daddy loves, mommy loves. Etc. Oh no! You can't eat my (fill in the blank).

Color the items with food color (they make natural food colors). Blue eggs? Why not. Pink milk, sure. Get purple carrots and potatoes. Make caterpillar bananas. Get one of these https://www.amazon.com/Fred-DINNER-WINNER-Dinner-Enchanted/dp/B01D1FSJXA/ref=sr_1_10

or

these https://www.amazon.com/Qshare-One-Piece-Toddlers-Dishwasher-Microwave/dp/B06XHLS6JR/ref=sr_1_12_a_it

Use cookie cutters to cut fun shapes. Try different temperature items (frozen peas and frozen grapes).

I don’t think it matters, but fwiw, here are the links to what I use for mine:

Tray: Carlisle 1217BT03 Bistro Plastic Café Tray, 12" X 17", Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RSKCBO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_j72ZDbRX6SPZC

Pebbles: skullis 5 Pounds River Rocks, Pebbles, Garden Outdoor Decorative Stones, Natural Polished Mixed Color Stones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2ZDSVV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_p82ZDb71BJEH5


It turned out really pretty - the “pebbles” are more like “stones”. They’re all pretty flat and probably 1”-1.5” in diameter and are polished. I think polished or not simply depends on your aesthetic preference. One order of those stones perfectly fills the tray. Three 6” pots easily fit on it and the humidity at the lip of those pots is consistently 60-70%.

Love me some BBQ chicken pizza. Same here! We can't go back to delivery or frozen pizza unless we are in a dough jam.

These are what we have: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00449IEM4/

They are a bit pricey but definitely worth it. We can fit 12 dough balls comfortably in them, 6 in each. They stack and prevent any air from getting in and they come with a dough scraper. Just be sure to measure your fridge to make sure they will fit!

I've never tried this myself, but how about a fun dinner tray like this? http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Friends-DINNER-WINNER-Dinner/dp/B00I0VUMBI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464894295&sr=8-1

Other tips I've heard include giving foods silly names (e.g. recently on here, I heard about asparagus as 'snozzlegrass') and putting the food on 'shared' plates between you and the kid.

Ultimately, it sounds like it's all about the marketing rather than the taste. If you can get him to see the food as special, feel like he's accomplished something by eating it, etc. then you can shift the focus away from the power struggle.

Commonly, people will keep frozen water bottles to give to their rabbits in the summer. They’ll cuddle up to them to keep cool, but I recommend that you wrap it in a towel or put it in a sock to prevent the ice from “burning” them.

If you wanna get real fancy, you can look for a cheap marble or stone tray (usually home decor stores), flip the tray upside down and put ice packs underneath. It’s like making a cold stone for the rabbits that they can lie on. This is personally what I do for the California heat, and my buns love it! The challenge is finding a marble/stone tray that’s big enough for a rabbit without being too costly!

Something like this would be an example, but make sure you find one that’s around the size of a standard cookie sheet or larger!

https://www.amazon.com/Designs-by-Crafter-Myrtus-Tray/dp/B009HQJSUG/ref=br_lf_m_o2rffgcn6zme8y6_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&s=hpc

These are the things I bought this summer when I purchased my frist Blackstone.

For squeeze bottles: criteria: they dont leak as I take them camping https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076PT3BD9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For spatulas & Scraper: Wanted ones that dont bend and hold up well without breaking the bank
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Metal-Spatula-Set/dp/B072QT1LYY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=anmarko&qid=1575082739&sr=8-1

Cafeteria trays: surprised how much I love/use these, such easy cleanup camping, no excessive waste of paper plates etc. Mine were red, pack of six, and a bit cheaper than what the price is showing now. I use them for everything, chopping veggies, preparing steaks, just toss the dirty one aside, grab a clean one, put the cooked stuff on them, let the steaks rest on them etc. Much sturdier than paper plates. But I also find myself using them at home a lot now when going outside and back inside. Easy carrying food.
https://www.amazon.com/Carlisle-CT1014-8103-Standard-Cafeteria-Black/dp/B01C5HC1S4/ref=sr_1_37?crid=KRE80XQPYXZZ&keywords=carlisle+food+tray&qid=1575082836&sprefix=carlisle+%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-37

Meat temp pen: its cheap and it works, not the best you can buy
https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-Digital-Instant-Thermometer-Kitchen/dp/B01IHHLB3W/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=thermopro&qid=1575083104&sr=8-7

Digital Read Temperature for the griddle. Cant find the one I bought

I already owned excellent quality dome lids. Get one! They work great for steaming vegetables, melting cheese, etc.

If you bought the new pro series with a lid, you can make things like pizza really well :) I made it all summer on my smaller 22" with lid and figured out the best base to set the pizza on was a wire cooking rack. I found the pizza stone worked as well but it got very hot directly on the griddle, and I figured it was just as easy to place it on a rack. Either the pizza directly or the stone on rack. So a cheap cooking rack is handy.

Lots and lots of paper towels :)

Well, my coworker tells me all the time "You're an adult!" And does not approve of my household decor or kitchen items, so I feel like this fits the bill lol.

I love dinosaurs, throw a lot of parties, and just think it'd be a kick in the pants for her to see at my next party LOL.

Thanks for the contest!

Went to a wedding where my party had to stand for the entire reception because there wasn't enough seating. We at least had a high top table to use or I probably would've left.

I would just make sure there's lots of flat surfaces around. Even if you have to get a few fold out tables like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Casual-Home-660-41-Set-White-Table/dp/B07MMSTPSP/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=tv+tables&qid=1564031425&s=gateway&sr=8-9

They'd be easy to decorate with a pretty candle, and they would fold up easy when you're done. And some stools lined against the wall will at least give people a chance to rest their plates on their laps.

One of ours did that a couple of times. Now I sleep on my side and, the moment he gets too playful, put him out in the hallway and shut the door. Clearly you need one of those breakfast-in-bed trays to put over yourself as armor while in bed. If you can find one that'll fit: http://www.amazon.com/Pecks-Adjustable-Bent-Laptop-Walnut/dp/B001CD1BF2

Congrats on the baby and hope all goes well!

Just bought basically the same ones and added tray tables with cupholders.

They are quite sturdy. I don't think they are really FOR LIFE per say, but they are of good quality and I would expect them to last quite a few seasons, especially if they are brought inside or stored in a shed/garage.

I highly recommend them. I have enjoyed quite a few cigars and whiskeys in those chairs.

Something like this?

Like this?

yaay! Thank yoou! I did it!


sorry about the long link.. I don't know how to make it look nicer. Haha.

I still have my "Original Miracle Thaw Defrosting Tray" as seen on TV. Works great, it's aluminum with feet to allow for airflow under the platter. I put mine over the grate on an unused, unlit burner to really get some warm air flowing around it.

Yes, I get deposits so the water definitely is hard. I get spring water delivered which I could try next time to see if it behaves differently.

The dough seems really good at first, I knead by hand using the technique I saw in one of your linked videos where the guy is working clay. I knead between 5-10 until the dough "bounces" back.

I have this proofing container if it makes any difference DoughMate Artisan Dough Tray Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00449IEM4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Here it is!

I've only had it for a day, so I can't say how well it'll hold up, but I really like it so far. It has a lovely texture and all the rounded edges are consistent.

Just bought this: DoughMate Artisan Dough Tray Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00449IEM4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Tn0MDbVY7CN85

Tried buying restaurant official gear but realized I needed to own a restaurant to buy it. I actually do recommend these for proofing at home. They fit in the fridge and my cabinets and does the job like restaurant equipment the same.

Thank you for specifying multiple items! I couldn't pick.

1. I want an attractive bar server. Something like this I love my wine and liquor. I have to wait until my kids are all old enough that I don't have to cringe whenever they're near it, though.
   
   
2. A stationary bike. I'm paying $300 a year for a gym membership just to ride stationary bikes. Why not buy my own and cancel the membership? We'd save money long-term. High impact exercises are a problem for me because of repeated injuries to the same ankle. Bikes are my way to burn lots of calories in a short amount of time still.
   
   
3. A nice bird bath for my front yard.
   
   
4. This appetizers on ice thing. This would really come in handy for parties I've thrown!
   
   
5. An awesome popcorn popper. I love popcorn but I have absolutely demolished every other popper I've had...they just don't hold up to once-a-day or even a few-times-a-week use for at least a year. So, if anyone has any other very durable suggestions, let me know!
   
   

6 balls around 270g each. After the 12 hour initial, bulk rise - I use this container, lightly oiled - it also makes a great cover for the intervening "stretch and fold" rest/knead periods:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005INDQSC/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_1_w


I pour it out and, using a dough knife, eyeball it into 6 pieces, trimming and weighing to get them all close. I then shape them into really tight balls using Alton Brown's method (just ignore everything else he says about pizza), i.e., gently rolling them along a flat surface until a nice, smooth skin forms.

The balls then go into a floured proofing tray (I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/DoughMate-Artisan-Dough-Tray-Kit/dp/B00449IEM4/ref=lp_8066596011_1_1?srs=8066596011&ie=UTF8&qid=1537597372&sr=8-1) for UP TO another 12 hours. You can stretch this time period for days, probably. Just pop the whole tray into the fridge.

Anyone use or recommend a specialty proofing container? I may just need to use better plastic wrap that actually clings better, but I was wondering if anyone used containers like this or had any other recommendations on how they proof their dough in a refrigerator.

I guess they don't make miracle thaw anymore. But you can still buy it on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Original-Miracle-Thaw-Defrosting-Tray/dp/B00DU5ARH8

Works better than the cold water method especially for large chunks of meat or ground meats. I leave the meat in the freezer bag and lay it directly on the metal. Easier clean up that way.

And, I get the whole don't know what I want until I get home thing. I'm the same way.

defrosting tray
Not sure if that's the exact brand we have (it looks just like that though). It sounds really gimmicky but it works by kind of wicking/pulling the cold from the frozen item and distributing it across the tray so it thaws much faster. Like if I touch the tray while I'm using it, it's freezing cold. Unlike when you put frozen steaks or whatever on a plate; if you touch the plate it might be slightly cold but most of the cold is still localized in the steaks. If that makes sense lol

Now that is something very close to the depth of my shelves, thanks!

As far as formatting a shorter link, put the link in parenthesis and put the text you want to take place of the link in brackets just before the link [Looks something like this](website link)

Here's your Amazon link

Do you think he might eat a smoothie or shake where you could hide in some veggies? That'd at least get some nutritional value into him!

We also had a lot of success with this plate with our 4 year old. It's expensive for just being a plate but it made mealtime more interesting and kept his attention on eating to get to the "prize" at the end.

https://www.amazon.com/Fred-Friends-DINNER-WINNER-Dinner/dp/B00I0VUMBI

And just to be clear, don't wrap the dough balls (they may not be able to expand as needed). Put the dough balls on a plate or baking sheet or something similar and then wrap that. If you wanna get real pro with your dough making, you'll wanna get something like this: https://www.amazon.com/DoughMate-Artisan-Dough-Tray-Kit/dp/B00449IEM4/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1525284555&sr=1-1&keywords=dough+proofing+tray
(could likely be found cheaper at a restaurant supply store).

HOW. ARE THESE PEOPLE. STILL IN BUSINESS?!

Also, I found a great product to go with that. BEHOLD. Because I need to stick something in my cupholder, so I can hold my cup.

For tournaments I use one of these for pieces:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01055A1D0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And one of these for map tiles:

https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-14138606-Aquarium-Latches-Freshwater/dp/B00IRXAR7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494364665&sr=8-1&keywords=sterilite+stack+of+3

Yes you do have to use the original boxes. I prefer the organizers for the rest of my stuff for a number of reasons. They make campaigning a LOT easier because you can just pull out a few necessary trays rather than digging through all the cards. I also paint my figures so I don't want to pile them all together as that would damage them.

I think has some promise as well - http://www.amazon.com/Automobile-Swivel-Tray/dp/B004E4DC94/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_y

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Compartment-Condiment-Container-Removable-Capacity/dp/B01NBPCDJB/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506786683&sr=8-3&keywords=salad+serving+container

Or

This:

https://www.amazon.com/Prodyne-AB-5-L-Appetizers-On-Ice-with-Lids/dp/B000UMK9QS/ref=sr_1_21?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1506786724&sr=1-21&keywords=condiment+serving+tray

Onto the photog

I am a large man so I use a Living XL Extra-Wide Zero Gravity Chair. The comfort is extraordinary. The zero gravity recline at full extension puts my body in the same position as it is when floating in water. There are locks on both sides to hold ant position in between though. The chair is very well made and the max weight of the chair is listed at 500 stationary pounds. The only problem I have ever had out of it was if I set it up on a solid surface like concrete one of the plastic feet would pop off so that thing had to get epoxied into place. The chair came with a koozie holder but I set up with a Prime Products 13-9003 Utility Tray on the side for the beer holders and tray so I have a place for my phone and other things.

Personally, I consider "rounded edges" to be a deal breaking feature for rolling trays. Trays like these that have sharp edges defeat the purpose of the tray imho, which isn't just to keep product contained but also to simplify collection/cleanup and reuse.

I strongly prefer this type of rounded design.

If you just wanted something cheap to throw the gaunts in these are nice to just keep lots of infantry in. Don't know why that one is so expensive but I picked up the green from target for $9.

I use a upside down bamboo tray. It holds a big one spot underneath just fine. A spade bit makes holes for ventilation and wires. board

Same concept that makes these defrosting trays work.

My sister found some at a Walgreens years ago. I think she paid a couple of bucks each and gave me one. It's convenient when I get home from work and want to cook something frozen that I forgot to move to the fridge that morning.

another alternative: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003R248Q0

nachosaurus

Ask and you shall receive

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BPBWRM1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8YqdBbCQHJZBS

I use these..

https://www.amazon.com/DoughMate-Artisan-Dough-Tray-Kit/dp/B00449IEM4

Also went for the 3rd tray to accommodate when i make a lot of dough. Each tray will hold 6 200g dough balls with plenty of space, you can pack them in denser if you have to.