Reddit mentions: The best specialty tools & gadgets

• 1.) Something that is grey. (sort of)
  
  
• 2.) Something reminiscent of rain.
  
  
• 3.) Something food related that is unusual.
  
  
• 4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!) (Technically this isn't on any of my public wish lists, but rather on a wish list that I keep specifically for collecting gift ideas for my husband. So this is for him.)
  
  
• 5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it! - Sort of a dystopian future book, but the author's ability to describe things and the characterisations are IMO, simply amazing. I downloaded this as a freebie or cheapie, and I could not put it down. Be warned, it's a first parter of more than one, so when you get to the end you will expect more and be enraged that you can't read the rest yet.
  
  
• 6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!
  ----Umm.... I don't actually have anything less than a dollar. embarassed
  
  
• 7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...) It's a stretch, I know, but it has Tigress in the title, and a Tigress is technically a cat, even if it's metaphorical in this sense. :)
  
  
• 8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it. I guess it could be considered useful in a way, but really it's not at all necessary, but it's just so incredibly beautiful and lovely and I want it so bad!!
  
  
• 9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why? Cairo Time. Because AMAZING cinemetography. Lovely music. Alexander Siddig (DROOL) and Patricia Clarkson.
  
  
• 10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain. Because they're Batman throwing knives which means they'd be good for killing zombies from a distance and also, hello, they're Batman which makes them awesome and inherently gives the thrower secret Batman like abilities. :D
  
  
• 11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. - I really want to explore photography more, and learn to be a better photographer, and also I want to develop my artistic side more. I think this would help with that.
  
  
• 12.) One of those pesky Add-On items. - UGH, I don't have one! :(
  
  
• 13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why? Because it's portable, and I've been eyeing one for ages, and I'm getting ready to do some extended travel, so this would be a great thing to have in that respect.
  
  
• 14.) Something bigger than a bread box.
  
  
• 15.) Something smaller than a golf ball. eBooks are technically smaller than a golf ball because they don't actually take up physical space. :D
  
  
• 16.) [Something that smells wonderful.]
  (http://www.amazon.com/Orleans-Saints-Jimmy-Graham-jersey/dp/B00D3CJENG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=FQHQWOTK4LH8&coliid=I2XIVU4BE0S37P&psc=1) - Technically this has no smell, but if I could get Jimmy Graham to rub it up against his body, even briefly, then it would smell like him and that would be wonderful! :D
  
  
• 17.) A (SFW) toy.
  
  
• 18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school.
  
  
• 19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be.
  
  
• 20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand. - It's a Zombie Head cookie jar. What else is there to say??
  
  Bonus Item 1: Because it looks kind of fun
  
  Bonus Item 2: Something made in Oregon: Do my brother's kids count? He made all three in Oregon! :D No? OK, then University of Oregon lanyard because I actually do want something U of O related to support my nephew who will be a freshman there in the fall.
  
  
  Final edit because I always forget the raffle phrase: Fear cuts deeper than swords.

Welcome. Its a big world of booze out there and it can be quite intimidating. My first and best suggestion is to find a good bar with a passionate bartender and let them take you under their wing. They can tell you about what they have in stock and will typically let you try a nip of this and a tot of that before committing. This way you get some tutelage and you don't have to buy a bottle of stuff you may not like. I realize in Utah this may be more difficult, but I understand there are clubs you can become a 'member' of in order to get this kind of experience.

Here is a tasting starter I wrote in another thread that will hopefully help with the appreciation side of things. Also, you don't need to store spirits in the freezer. It is a good way to weaken flavors, which is just fine if you have crappy booze and the flavors are bad. You on the other hand want the full complement of good flavors so room temperature is where you want to be. If you do like a little chill, I suggest these. They will cool your beverage and release a little bit of water, which leads me to my next point. For beginning drinkers the taste of alcohol can be overpowering and hide many of the nuances that are part of the experience. I like to bring out those nuances in one of 3 ways. 1) On the rocks with that ice I mentioned. 2) Splash of water dilutes the alcohol a bit. I suggest about a 2-1 or 3-1 booze-water ratio. 3)And soda. My personal favorite. The ice chills, you get the dilution effect, and the carbonation can really make some underlying flavors come through in a big way. I do this with almost every new spirit I come across in addition to trying it neat (room temp, nothing but booze). 1-2 booze to soda ratio. For added effect you can use a mineral water.

Here are some of my thoughts on the best of each category:

Vodka: Silver Tree (though booze snob that I am, vodka is the least interesting spirit.) Svedka is good too. Ketel and the like are over priced. The point of vodka is medicinal. It is supposed to be colorless odorless, and tasteless. In short :This is not the booze you are looking for

Whiskey: Leopold bros. Maryland rye, Bullit Rye, Jameson

Scotch: Laphroig 15 is my favorite, but for a good entry try either Dewars or Johnny Walker is fine.

Bourbon: Weller, Makers Mark, Bullit

Tequila: Casa Noble reposado Is my all time favorite. I work in a bar with over 150 tequilas so that is a question I get a lot. The best advice is to make sure that what ever you buy it is 100% agave. Reposado means a little time in oak. Anejo means more. Blanco means none. It will take some time and experimentation to find out if your palette likes oak or not.

Rum: Ron Zacapa 21 year, Appleton Estates, Oronoco, Sailor Jerry

Gin: Leopold bros, Magellan, G'vine

Wine: Beginning wine drinkers usually like big Argentinian malbecs on the red side and either creamy new world Chardonnays or Sauvignon Blancs on the white side. Oregon Pinot noirs are also popular. Rioja (red) and vihno Verde (white) are both underrated styles. (Dont worry if you dont know what I mean when I call a wine creamy. The person in the liquor store should get it and know what to grab.)

Beer: Like wine its a whole big world. I suggest buying a few brewers boxes. They are a selection of 3-5 styles from a single brewery in a 12 pack. Once you have a few favorites picked out head to /r/beer for more suggestions.

Sorry thats so long. Let us know how you are coming along.

Oh my god I'm so sorry about your puppy. ;_; a bajillion hugs I can't imagine that, I'd completely break down if I lost my dog.

I nominate /u/cats_and_vibrators for a wishlist item. She's amazing and I love her. She is always there for everyone, super supportive and caring. She deserves everything. Love you Maggie. <3

If I win I would love the kindle, I've had the paperwhite on my Maybe Someday... list for a while now. I love reading and having that would be amazing.

Congrats on the apartment! I love household-y stuff. You definitely need a good knife set!

And this awesome ice mold.

Mixing bowls are essential, and these are my favourite.

Cutest sushi service ever!

And for when you finally get a minute to relax, this bath oil would be perfect.

Thank you for the wonderful contest! I hope you have a really great week. :]

Okay, so this may be something silly to just get into, but I've really gotten into cooking lately! I have the summer off from my college course, so I have more free time than I have in a long time, so I've started cooking dinner for my husband and myself more regularly. I love experimenting with different types of cuisine; so far I can cook some Thai, Mexican, some good steak sauce, and Italian. I would really love to learn to make sushi. I know the item is under the price limit, but I have other relevant stuff too if that matters. I want to start eating healthier, and I love love love good sushi. It seems like it would be challenging, but I definitely think I can do it! 3.14 - thank you so much for the contest!

Both I find. Just by doing the browned butter will give it the flavor but letting it it sit for 24 hours will make it so much better. I've not heard of others having problems, but something that I run into everytime I do them is that by letting them sit in the fridge for 24 hours the batter becomes like a solid rock. This could be due to:


Home made brown sugar. It's much more "fluffy" than store bought and you can choose how dark/light you want it. Typically I do 2tbps molasses per 1 cup of sugar for 1 cup of dark brown sugar. Some call for 2 1/2 or 3 for dark but its all your choice.


Personally I'm not a fan of them being nutella stuffed. Too strong of a flavor like you said. Skip the nutella part and you got some super tasty plain cookies though.


Lastly, some tips. A friend of my dads asked for the recipe after I made them and found all this out the annoying way.

• Use good chocolate. Nestle, hershey, ghiradelli is all low quality. I used this: https://www.chocosphere.com/default/brand/a-c/callebaut/1kg-2-2lb-fairtrade-semisweet-callets.html . The price may be off-putting but it's 2lbs/32 oz which is almost 3x the amount of the small bags at the grocery store. The quality is also tons better and very worth it.
  
  
• Even though the recipe calls for 3 different types of chocolate, just go with the above.
  
  
• Reduce the amount of chips. There is too many with the default. By taking all of what is there it comes to 1 3/4 cups of chips. I would drop it to 1 1/4 or even just 1 cup. Depends on how much chocolate you like.
  
  
• Always brown the butter. Guide to do so is on the site. Be sure to use unsalted or it wont work. Butter quality doesnt matter to my knowledge.
  
  
• Try using home made brown sugar. 1 cup brown sugar is 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons molasses. Use a stand mixer to mix otherwise arm will fall off. The freshness will help with flavor.
  
  
• Always put it in the fridge. 2 hours minimum. Doing it for 24 is best for flavor. If doing for 24 it may become very hard to scoop so use something that wont bend. A spoon does not qualify. Using a knife to slash it can help. If buying extra things is fine then look into http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Medium-Cookie-Scoop/dp/B0000CDVD2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393910062&sr=8-2&keywords=oxo+cookie+scoop . A medium scoop is going for standard sized cookies whereas the large is good for gourmet sized cookies/the one I used. Medium is tricky to use when doing nutella stuffed due to size+amount of chips. The one I linked is also very sturdy and wont break trying to scoop out the 24 hour chilled dough.
  
  
• If doing nutella stuffed: get a ziplock back and put nutella in a corner. Squish it all down into a single corner. Cut a very small piece off of that corner. Squeeze the bag to get the nutella out. Any other way you will hate life making them.
  
  
• If doing nutella stuffed: you will want to get a plate with a ziplock bag on it. Scoop out the cookie down, put it roughly into a ball and then flatten onto the ziplock bag+plate combo. The ziplock is so the cookie wont stick to the plate.
  
  
• If doing nutella stuffed: Get parchment paper and cut it to roughly the size of the flattened cookies (before baking.) Do all the cookie flattening in one go and between each flattened cookie put a piece of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to eachother.
  
  
• Probably overkill but a good pan will help with even heating. Something like: http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Natural-Aluminum-Commercial/dp/B000G0KJG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393910441&sr=8-1&keywords=baking+pan . Great if you use pans for other things.
  
  
• The lazy tip: Parchment paper when baking them. No need to clean the pan after.
  

I'm my experience it's not minerals that make ice cloudy. Of course, dissolved substances can affect the quality and appearance of your ice but almost all the cloudiness is from air bubbles.

I have a couple different ice cube trays that are specifically made to make clear ice (they are ungodly expensive, like $40 to make one ice cube) this "true cubes" 4 ice cube tray https://amzn.to/2llib82 and the "peak" single ice cube tray https://amzn.to/2mUKU49. Both work on approximately the same principles, which I will try to explain as I understand them. I think it is helpful to link them because you can go see pictures of how they work.

They are both insulated large containers, with side insulation and bottom insulation (closed cell foam, I think). Then they have a mold you insert and a top mold with some holes. The clear ice forms on top. The middle ice in the mold below the top is just waste ice.

I believe the principles are as follows:

(1) If you freeze water quickly dissolved air and bubbles will make it cloudy. Therefore they are insulated so it takes like 12 hours to 24 hours to make one ice cube, very slowly.

(2) If you freeze water together in one block it will include air bubbles inevitably - so both these models have the ice "separated" halfway through by a porous divider so that the bottom of the ice is kept separate for the top. The top part is the clear part. The air bubbles move down somehow - I am honestly not 100% understanding the physics here since while ice is less dense than water, air bubbles are definitely less dense than ice. But when I take apart the mold the bottom part always has some air bubbles in it.


You still have you use pretty clean/pure water and some people say they have to boil as well. However, boiling water on its own is not enough to get clear ice - you have to freeze it in a special way.

FWIW if you are interested in the kits the peak ice maker is slightly harder to use/assemble and more expensive since it makes only one ice cube, but I feel it makes a better clear ice cube. That could be my own bias though because since it is more annoying I feel it must be worth the effort. Both are fine.

TBH guys I'm in some real need of encouragement. First of all, I think this is the first time my weight loss/bf reduction goals are actually doing something because I am constantly craving sugar. Before I started this I never even thought about sweets but now it's basically constant. I'm tired and my motivation is shot. IDK what to do anymore. It's tough right now, I've definitely got some post-holiday blues going on. I'm in a funk and I know it.

BQ Well, I'm from Michigan so we do a lot of stuff in winter and it's hard to pick just one. I love just going for hikes in the snow. I also like staying in side and making soup/tea and snuggling under blankets and just watching the snow fall. This morning I was on the way to work and I was listening to this podcast where they were talking about "hygge" which is a Danish word meaning something like "comfort" which is really important in Danish culture all the time, but especially so during the winter. I feel like us Michiganders to that do. I am trying to be more mindful of that, too.

----

2017 Theme: Hugging my cactus

Round 22 Focus: Physical Well-Being

----

Yesterday: I had an okay day. Work was rough, I'm working with a difficult consultant and it's making my life tough. During the drive home it went from snow to thunderstorm and it rained all night. But I did make some vegetarian sushi using this stupid thing I bought for like five dollars. It was really fun and messy. Great way to burn off some steam. But then I was too exhausted, didn't do my workout as planned. That's twice this week.

Yesterday I succeeded in trying something new.

Yesterday I failed to stay positive and hit my exercise goal.

Today I'm going to do my best to actually do my Strong Curves and my yoga. And also survive today. And eat well. I feel so drained right now and I don't even know why :/

----

Daily Tasks

• Morning Routine
  
• Log Food
  
• Reach 6k steps
  
• Drink 3L of water
  
• Yoga
  
• Meditation
  
• Reading
  
• Sanskrit
  
• DuoLingo
  
• Bed early // Nighttime routine
  
  Weekly Tasks: Week of 01.09.2017
  
  
• Strong Curves [x] [] [] []
  
• Cardio [] []
  
• Spa Day
  
• Skincare Wednesday
  
• Sketch
  
• Meal Planning
  
• Meal Prep
  
• Date Night
  
• Schedule Physical
  
  

You can offer milk in a cup! Or bits of cubed cheese.

Try different textures.

Mine hates anything pureed but loves smoothies (go figure....) And really loves crunchy things. So freeze dried fruits and veggies. He loves freeze dried peas and edamame. Hates them in any other form.

Loves rice sprinkled with hemp seeds. Loves popsicles (I use this: Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFP6NHO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GAX0CbT3C6M9P) I sneak in hemp protein powder, spinach and chia seeds and flax seeds into them and he has no idea.

A popular recipe for us is frozen berries, milk, dash of vanilla (alcohol free!) small scoop of the hemp protein powder, small handful spinach, ground up flax/chia and half a frozen banana. I pour it into a straw cup or open cup for him to drink with some Cheerios and then pour the remaining into the molds.

When he asks to nurse, offer him munchies instead. If he still wants to nurse after, that's okay too.

Does your baby like fruits? Mine loves all fruits so I usually sprinkle hemp seeds on top of them too. Adds protein and iron.

Yeah, that sounds like a bad ass Old Fashioned. There are a dozen legit ways to make this drink and have it still be considered an Old Fashioned. This one happens to be my favorite, but there's nothing wrong with more bitters or another twist or building it in the glass with smaller ice cubes. It's all about how you like it.

As far as the ice goes, I got a couple molds from a Japanese market. They are pretty good, but a friend of mine has a better one from Tovolo. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54

I'm glad you like the videos. I'm not sure what's going to be next. I've got a lot in the queue, some really classic cocktails the way likes them with specific brands being mentioned, some invented/interpreted drinks, some drinks that other characters enjoyed. All kinds of things. Was there anything in particular you'd want to see?

My husband and I love cooking, so YMMV, but we do a lot of freezer prep. I bulk cook, then freeze in Souper Cubes (freezer trays with one-cup portions) and pull out to make different meals. I keep a list on the fridge of what we have in the freezer so nothing is forgotten! For example, bolognese is great with pasta, zoodles, or in stuffed bell peppers, pulled pork makes a great sandwich if you make a side of slaw, curries just need some fresh rice and herbs, chilies get topped with some avocado and chives, and soups are wonderful with a green salad.

Almost any time I cook, I freeze a few portions for leftovers and we eat from the freezer often! I also use the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker a lot. I bought a few Slow Cooker cookbooks recently and have been building my repertoire of quick-prep meals. Again, extra get frozen!

If she bakes a lot you could get her something that she probably wouldn't buy for herself like this cookie baller. You could include it in one of those cool "gift basket" ideas that some of the people on this thread suggested.

Like, a cookie baller, a nice wooden cooking spoon, a rubber spatula (can never have too many of those lol), all tied with a pretty ribbon in a new (or vintage!) pyrex mixing bowl with a bag of chocolate chips. That would be a kick ass "non traditional" gift for me, as someone who also makes most of my own food.

Really though, all the ideas on this thread that I read through are pretty awesome. Good luck! :-)

As an avid Whiskey drinker I have never really enjoyed using whiskey stones. I have a set but they remain unused. If I am not enjoying my spirits neat I do however enjoy making use of ice spheres. I would love an ice ball press/machine, but they are not economically feasible when I can accomplish the same task for a fraction of the cost albeit not nearly as impressively. These are the ones I use: http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418247774&sr=8-1&keywords=sphere+ice+molds


Also I don't personally own this one, but I thought it looked cool and would make an elegant present:
http://www.amazon.com/Neat-Ice-Kit-Double-Mold/dp/B00O2CO93G/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1418063690&sr=1-1&keywords=neat+ice+kit#customerReviews

edit: their website gives you a better idea of how it works:
http://www.studioneat.com/products/neaticekit

On aspirational ice

Personally I think the $99 price is ridiculous, especially considering the huge usability issues, and mess it makes. Gotta the love the sweet "deal" on Kickstarter where you get one at full retail price if you come in at the $99 level.

Regarding "most" reviews. I love Amazon reviews. They often provide some great humorous reading, and you can also easily spot the shill reviews who give fake 5 star, or 1 star reviews.

On Amazon, you can buy TWO Tovolo sphere molds for $11, or $5.50 each. The Tovolo sphere molds got 1753 reviews; 1282 were 5 stars, 331 were 4 stars (15 reviews out of 1753 gave it 1 star, so you are free to make your own fact based conclusions there). http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418127875&sr=8-1&keywords=tovolo+sphere+ice+molds

I use the Tovolo big cube molds (around $8). They are painfully easy to use, and I just pop them in ziplock bags to keep them from picking up odd smells and tastes.

Now, granted the $400 original price point may have looked cheap when stacked up against the professional units that range from $500 to $1500, hence the tongue in cheek sales pitch to "billionaires". I just think the product is way overpriced and not much better than the one that sells for a little over five bucks. It also looks like a direct ripoff from the Cirrus press which sells for $699 (maybe that is a selling point). The Cirrus at least provides a way to deal with the overflow (unless running outside to place the device on a sidewalk is an enticing idea and part of the show).

Lastly, can someone please provide a scientific reason why "spherical" ice is better than a large block? I am willing to bet that a there is little difference dilution-wise between the two shapes, and it is more of an aesthetic one.

cheers.

I'll just go ahead and list a few of the things I use on a regular basis.

Koriko shakers are awesome. They look cool and function amazingly. Good investments. End of story.
http://www.cocktailkingdom.com/Koriko-set-of-2-Weighted-Tins-large-and-sma-p/sha_korikoxxxx_0028_set.htm

I prefer using a julep strainer over a hawthorne strainer, it works fine for me when I'm not muddling things into the drink I don't want served.
http://amzn.com/B001VZAMPQ
http://amzn.com/B000H7VF64

Get speed pourers. Even if you don't plan on free-pouring, they're nice to have a more standardized pouring speed so you can pour out of an entirely full bottle without worrying about spilling too much.
http://amzn.com/B002J8RRAM

A cheap bar spoon is an awful experience. A decent bar spoon is fine. An overpriced barspoon is (generally) just overpriced metal. However, the Tanqueray spoons and the Standard Spoon on kickstarter are actually pretty nice quality stuff. But that said, almost everyone I've met likes the regular old bar spoon.
http://amzn.com/B000VQOP5O
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/workofmyhands/standard-spoon-for-craft-cocktails

Have a jigger on hand, even if you free pour. Just for when you have nicer ingredients and want to try out a drink with them and would rather have the proportions right than have to revive the drink.
http://amzn.com/B00080B07Y

I make a lot of bitters myself or super small batch infusions, so having a set of mason jars on hand has been extremely helpful.

I use cheapo squirt bottles ( http://amzn.com/B007OM9W2E ) to store simple syrup or other infused simple syrup.

If you get super into infusions and stuff like that, I've heard a lot of good things about the iSi system; I have a friend with one, he absolutely loves his. I have to admit, it takes a lot of work and patience out of infusion. As well as whipped cream, or carbonating things, or what have you... now I might want to get one.

These two items are somewhat paired (at least for me) -- a water filter and an ice tray. For ice, I'm talking like the Tovolo King Size ice trays. Water filter -- doesn't matter, as long as it filters from what I can tell.
http://amzn.com/B00395FHRO

Something that's nice to have on hand so you can double-strain is a fine-mesh strainer. Can be harder to find on the cheap though, I ended up breaking down and going to a Bed Bath & Beyond for mine since everything on Amazon was fairly expensive the thrift shops near me didn't have one.

Get nice glassware. I remember when I was younger and someone demonstrated the importance of having nice glass when tasting wine. The same thing applies. This isn't exactly bar-tools, but it's critical to your cocktail experience. Drinking out of cheap glasses, or the wrong glasses, will really hurt the presentation and your perception of the cocktail. In essence, t's important to take pride in both how you make the cocktail and how you serve the cocktail.

That's all I got for now.

fear cuts deeper than swords

1. [Here is a grey Batman.] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-Rises-Action-Figure/dp/B00856ZPK6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I27AJ57RLKJIF5)
   
2. [Well, it is rainy.] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-Comic-Poster-Lightning/dp/B003XNCK5Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376355786&sr=8-5&keywords=batman+rain)
   
3. [Do drinks count as food? If so, then this is food related.] (http://www.amazon.com/ICUP-Comics-Batman-Cube-Tray/dp/B005MUAPOO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I217LY4KTSIWBE)
   
4. [This is for my wonderful little niece. Actually, the majority of my wish list is for her and her brother.] (http://www.amazon.com/Tabby-Plush-Stuffed-Animal-Orange/dp/B008UH3PYI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I2Z2HJV442A08W)
   
5. [I'd suggest this one since I love Stephen King. I haven't been able to read much of it though, since it got stolen.] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Stand-Stephen-King/dp/0307947300/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I1IL4AU89KR1NG)
   
6. [Does a pin count as jewelry?] (http://www.amazon.com/Imagination/dp/B003ZT3QIQ/ref=sr_1_14?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1376358078&sr=1-14&keywords=pin)
   
7. [My sister's cat would love this.] (http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Design-Senses-Circuit-Original/dp/B001LWRFW2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1376355861&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+toys)
   
8. [This game is awe inspiring, so I'd love to see the artwork.] (http://www.amazon.com/The-BioShock-Infinite-Irrational-Games/dp/1595829946/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I23ZRYZ9JQIOEG)
   
9. [This has always been a favorite of mine. It was also filmed in Oregon. I got to visit the house.] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Goonies-Sean-Astin/dp/B000P0J09W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376358133&sr=8-2&keywords=the+goonies)
   
10. [A knife is always useful. Plus, it's Batman.] (http://www.amazon.com/WarTech-Batman-Knife-Assist-Blades/dp/B00C87ZRRY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I2UCKA5S75K356)
    
11. [I really need to get organized. This would be amazing.] (http://www.amazon.com/2014-Injustice-Gods-Among-Calendar/dp/1423822110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376356012&sr=1-1&keywords=batman+calendar+2014)
    
12. [Those dang add ons...] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-QuickTek-Flight-Strike/dp/B006O6F3U6/ref=pd_sim_t_21)
    
13. [Well, it's not really my dream item,. but it's expensive.] (http://www.amazon.com/Funko-POP-Heroes-Vinyl-Two-Face/dp/B005D5U5LQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I36SNIFSQ73X9E)
    
14. [The things it makes smell wonderful.] (http://www.amazon.com/Oster-3883-Belgian-Wafflemaker-Chrome/dp/B00006FMT8/ref=sr_1_14?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1376358434&sr=1-14&keywords=waffle+maker)
    
15. [My wish list is full of toys, so here's one for my nephew.] (http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Ultimate-Spider-Man-Strike-Figure/dp/B00AKDJUQ2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I2TOQWD7NGD1VW)
    
16. [Since I'll be doing a lot of work on the computer, this'd be great.] (http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Creed-2-Mouse-Pad/dp/B00BGD5OK6/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1376358322&sr=1-2&keywords=assassins+creed)
    
17. [As you can probably tell, I love Batman.] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-Samsung-Galaxy-plastic/dp/B0090HER8K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=II9039CFAMLKH)
    
    [Here is a neat book about Oregon.] (http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Curiosities-2nd-Characters-Roadside/dp/0762749717/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1376357656&sr=8-3&keywords=made+in+oregon)
    
    [Here is something made in Oregon.] (http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Shine-Breakfast-Gift-Set/dp/B0011UNLKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376357656&sr=8-1&keywords=made+in+oregon)
    
    
    PS: Are you from Oregon? Also, thank you for the reminder.

Thank me later. The content of this message will solve all of your Christmas gift woes.

The 3 gifts you will get will be found at the following links:
http://www.vat19.com/dvds/worlds-largest-gummy-bear.cfm
http://www.hansonellis.com/engraved-chinese-wood-chopsticks.html
http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Friends-Titonic-Cube-Tray/dp/B001GQ2SQ6
(All items gluten free, total price less than $50.)

The key, however, will be the PRESENTATION!
You will engrave the chopsticks with a clever message, preferably referring to the titanic in some way. You will the impale the giant gummy bear with the chopstick and - voila! - you have a MURDER MYSTERY.

If you make your engraving cryptic enough, with the perfect timing, the cubes can come in to play. Right as she unwraps the gift, serve up some lovely Gin and Titonics to everyone in attendance. One of the delicious beverages should hold a NUN-CHUCK, REVEALING THE NINJA LIVING AMONGST YOU AT YOUR CHRISTMAS GATHERING! HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, THE ANSWER WILL THEN BE!!!!

Tl;dr - two birds with one stone; great gift, purge ninja.

I have accidentally made crystal clear ice in one of these and it wasn't boiled and it was from the tap. I have always wondered how that happened.
Again, I have tried boiling the water, but it didn't do what I wanted close enough. I have NOT tried boiling the water in the plastic tray or with plastic wrap on it. I didn't think that plastic wrap was not air permeable.
I will try to use these sphere ice cube trays I have and boil the water in the microwave and cover it in plastic wrap.
I did try to boil water, pour it in these trays, and I used a bar clamp to cinch the mold between two flat glass plates. I tried to make it airtight. Then, I froze that. It got a LITTLE clear, but not enough.
How close could I get with this? My question is...if it was YOU trying to make a solid sphere of ice that is as clear as possible, what would you do? Efficiency and utility aside. I was this purely for aesthetic purposes to impress my friends when we drink.

EDIT: I'm still willing to pay for something like this. A glass tray for ice that will allow me to microwave water and boil it safely, then with smooth edges that I can wrap plastic wrap around or clamp a rubber board on top of for freezing. If there is no top to the ice cube tray, I would imagine that glass wouldn't have an issue anymore and I wouldn't be worried about melting plastic or anything while boiling the water.

I don't really understand your question: you want a hot cold brew? You want a cold brew but want it warmer than it currently is?

If you're looking for a solid cold brew, I have the 1000ml Hario Cold Brew pot and this recipe is golden:

Pour 108g of coffee into the filter then place the filter in the pot. Pour filtered water through this filter until it reaches about a quarter inch from the top. Let it sit for 12-18 hours in the fridge. Remove the filter and discard the coffee. You now have a good concentrated base for iced coffee.

I plop a square ice cube in a glass, pour the concentrate and filtered water into the glass at a ratio of 1:1. I drink mine black but if you add cream/milk/flavoring, then change up your water with a whatever mix you want. Add sugar in at the end. Since this is cold, I recommend syrups over crystal sugar as you may find the crystal sugar settling at the bottom.

Been doing this for a year and have settled on this recipe being my fav. Good luck!

The following I recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swiss-Champ-Pocket-Knife/dp/B0001GS19U/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1377493877&sr=1-6&keywords=swiss+army+knife

I think she would love this. She can use this to help her in the outdoors and it will make her feel like she will have more utility. I have had success with the swiss army knife from cutting ropes to helping my dad repair the bathroom.

http://www.amazon.com/Sante-Cookware-SUZ-Sushezi-Sushi/dp/B001P8J1GU/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1377494165&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=sushi+roller

For tasty food why not surprise her by making sushi with these products. Not only will you show your skill to her but also she will love you even more:

All you need to do is find the sushi recipes online not to mention you can youtube it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mm_5Z__TjQ

*http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-cleaning-spring-cleaning-460303#slide-1

For cleaning why not surprise her and make your own safe cleaning products. Hell do some research on how to make cleaning products. Nothing says I love you like making her gifts especially ones that can help her clean and be safe.

That is all I got.

I find that I switch a lot between being really motivated to meal prep and then not wanting to do it at all. I've found that the best thing for me is to take advantage of when I'm super motivated and freeze a ton of meals. I got this thing called souper cubes that I use to freeze single servings of soup/chili/pasta sauce that I make in my crock pot. At any given time I have about 20 meals of various recipes in my freezer ready to go. Especially now that I've been doing this for a while, I have a ton of variety in there, so I rarely get sick of what I'm eating. I mostly take them for lunch at work, but I also use them for dinners when I don't feel like cooking or eating what I've prepared. I hope you can find something that works best for you!

That looks awesome! I really do feel that clear ice makes for a better cocktail taste as well as obviously the look of it. The way most of us make "craft" cocktails, its a detail that can be overlooked, but well worth the extra effort.

I got the below linked TrueCubes clear ice tray system and it works really well. Same concept (open cooler/keep the top/dispose the bottom) but they use a pair silicone inserts instead of having to cut at the end. It only makes 4 2"x2" cubes at a time but I just keep making them until I fill a large ziplock bag then I am good for a while. I have had it for a couple years and have used it countless times. Holds up really well.

https://www.amazon.com/True-Cubes-Clear-Cube-Tray/dp/B07422QWCP

https://www.truecubes.com/#clearice

B's mom insists that we all provide lists for her and her mother so there's no question of what to get - it's kind of nice, because you actually get what you ask for! I never got any gifts that I asked for when I was a kid, so this is cool to me. :)

• AncestryDNA test - I've wanted to do one of these kind of tests for SO LONG, so I am finally hoping to do it this year!
  
• SUSHEZI! I'm hoping this thing is cool and works well; if so, I foresee quite a bit of sushi in our future.
  
• This lap desk so I can shitpost from bed more comfortably. :)

Ok just to be really snobby... Old Fashioneds should always be made with one large ice cube. I use something like this but the spherical ice cubes are fun too. If you want to get even fancier, you should use purified water that's been boiled prior to freezing. That way the ice won't be cloudy. Just a friendly tip, cheers and have a merry Christmas.

I would like to enter to win a comb, please. It'd be nice to have on a day with the windows down on the freeway. Thank you for the contest! If you can't have an add-on, I would like to enter to win this ice tray for those hot days.

Just a cool box and some of these the actual brand doesn't matter they're all the same. Water is tap water (we have good tap water in my area though, I'm UK) and it's best warm. Then I basically flip the moulds upside down so the air hole is at the bottom (forcing impurities out as it freezes) Also finally the cool box has to be deep so as to not have the moulds near the bottom of it and leave the lid off so it freezes from the top down. Sorry for wall of text, it took a while to get the process down so thought I'd save you the hassle. Oh shit yeah freezer on lowest setting, freeze time of approx 30 hours. Don't be tempted to peek lol. When you're done you'll have cloudy ice at the bottom and the balls should be crystal clear. Should. Lol

Still possible. It requires a bit of involvement until you get to know the characteristics of your microwave, but I did my bacon microwave only for years, and it came out perfectly most of the time. I like mine with a little chew also.

I used this and later this.

You can also use a shitload of paper towels on a plate - but the cookers are a little neater to use.

IMO they worked equally well. You do need to be careful or parts of the bacon will overheat and (IMO) taste off. But that "off" taste is exactly how my wife's bacon tastes when I cook it for her in a pan - she likes it damn near burned.

Takes a bit of experimentation, but you can do half a dozen strips in around 5 min once you get the hang. Thinner bacon takes considerably less time, really thick might take a bit more. Reduced power is the key. I haven't done it that way in awhile for no particular reason, but 70-80% power is good. Depending on the thickness of the bacon, I use about .75 minutes * number of strips. Again keep an eye on it until you get a feel. 30 more seconds can make a significant difference with bacon. Also, it will cook just a little more while it cools off.

Whiskey drinker male here for far too long - so here are my two cents.

1. Decanters are really kind of pointless. They can look cool but meh.
   
   
2. Whiskey stones suck. I bought them and were really disappointed. Get these things. They fucking ROCK. (No pun intended.)
   
3. This guy is basically THE voice on Whiskey. Great read. Unfortunately he has passed away but good guide for the future.
   
4. For glassware I have kind of been interested in these just because they look awesome. I personally own these and they also get some great comments. I've personally never really found a shape that changes the taste so I just wanted something a little more flashy.
   
5. I'm turning 30 this year and I bought myself a 21 year old bottle of bourbon and am getting it laser engraved. Things Remembered will do anything really so if you know what he likes (or just as an add in, doesn't have to be crazy expensive) maybe an engraved bottle.
   
   Hope this helps!

The basics:
Shaker: http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Cocktail-Shaker-Set-Stainless/dp/B000796F1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017012&sr=8-1&keywords=cocktail+shaker

Spoon: http://www.amazon.com/RSVP-Endurance-Stainless-Steel-Handle/dp/B000F7JY00/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017049&sr=8-3&keywords=cocktail+spoon

Muddler: http://www.amazon.com/Tablecraft-H4258-Stainless-Muddler-Plastic/dp/B0032FOQY6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017078&sr=8-8&keywords=cocktail+muddler

My fav strainer: http://www.amazon.com/OXO-1058016-SteeL-Cocktail-Strainer/dp/B0000DAQ93/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017130&sr=8-1&keywords=cocktail+strainer

Jigger: http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Steel-Angled-Measuring-Jigger/dp/B00B6LUAPW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017174&sr=8-6&keywords=oxo+measuring+cup

These few things should get her to a good start. If she prefers a Boston Shaker (http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Cocktail-Shaker-oz/dp/B000NNO2X0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017243&sr=8-6&keywords=cocktail+shaker), all you'll need is a typical pint glass to go with it.

Oh, you've gotta get these big ice cube trays. Only way to enjoy your cocktail, if you're serious about your drinks.(http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-KING-Cube-Trays-Blue/dp/B00395FHRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377017434&sr=8-1&keywords=big+ice+cube+tray).

Does she has glassware? Collins glasses, old fashioned glasses, highballs? Might be good to look for some of those too. Also, people often give away glassware on Craigslist for free or for next to nothing.

If I can think of anything else, I'll come back to this. Should get you off to a good start though.

I roast and freeze it.

Preheat oven to 400F

Cut of the tops enough to expose the cloves

Drizzle with olive oil (or a bit of chicken broth if you want lower fat)

Roast for 30 minutes or until brown and tender

Let cool, then squeeze garlic out from bottom of bulbs into a bowl

Put in ice cube tray and Freeze

*Once frozen, pop out of ice cube tray and put into Zip lock bag

Now you have chunks of delicious, sweet, roasted garlic to add to meals you cook or salad dressings, or whatever you like roasted garlic in.

I used the small ice cube trays that come with mini fridges
like the ones here

that way you can use a little or a lot depending on the size dish you're preparing

Edit to make the list easier to read

Don't buy him a bottle. Yeah of course everyone who drinks wants something to drink, but he will drink it and then its gone. Get him something that lasts, something that every time he drinks he will think about you and the gift. Ice cube trays and glasses are your best bet. There are also some places where you can get a phrase engraved on the glass as well, which is an added touch.

The 2 things that my whiskey can't live without are a nice double old fashioned glass (get more than one, they're cheep)
Crate and Barrel
And a nice BIG ice tray Tovolo King Cube

Don't get whiskey stones, they can hold flavor from one whiskey to the next, and my preference is a little water with my whiskey, hence the ice cubes. You can go for a Glencairn they are designed for whiskey, but in my mind i prefer the double old fashioned glasses, because they're more versatile.

I love comic books, absolutely love them, especially Batman. Ever since I can remember I have loved anything and everything Batman.

That being said, I really like these ice cube trays!

Freeze it in 1/2 cup or 1 cup portions. My freezer space is always at a premium, so I opt for 1 cup portions since that cuts down on a little space and packaging. There are a few ways you can do this:

- Measure 1 cup of stock into each individual baggie. Then you know every single frozen baggie holds 1 cup. When you're freezing them, lay them flat and squeeze extra air out - will be better quality and store compactly.

- It's a little foofy but there is actually a silicone mold you can buy that makes it super easy to freeze things in either 1/2 cup or 1 cup blocks and then pop the frozen blocks into a bigger storage baggie. Convenient but a "unitasker". Up to you if the convenience is worth the cost and storing it. I have one and really like it (received as gift) but not sure I can in good conscience really say I'd spend $20 for it. https://www.amazon.com/Souper-Cubes-Extra-Large-Silicone-Freezing/dp/B07GSSSTY9

Good luck!

My two cents added to the mayhem, you should invest in a vacuum sealer and something like this to freeze portions in. It's great for portioning out food and avoiding freezer burn, I freeze large batches of meat, spaghetti sauce, chili, stew and so forth this way and it always stays good for months. Add a rice cooker and you can easily make a large quantity of tasty things that can be dumped over rice for an easy and stress-free dinner.

Also if you want to go wild you can get a vacuseal attachment and vac pack your jars!! I have things I open a year later and still fresh. I just had to do a purge though as my new wife pointed out that some of my vac-packed jars were 8 years old!

See: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UQ428A

Be sure to buy the wide mouth versions. All sizes come that way or small mouth; but the small mouth is harder to fit your hand into for cleaning and for filling. Ooh - and for filling get one of these to make your life easier: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HJ99XS

I haven't tried many infusions, but its on my to do list and I plan on trying the techniques suggested by Jeffrey Morgenthaler. I saw that he infuses liquor and cocktails using an iSi gourmet whip plus. The device basically uses nitrous oxide to increase the partial pressure within a container to increase diffusion rates between solids and liquids. If you have his book, the method is covered in the section titled "Infusions of herbs, spices, and other ingredients" on page 127. You can also find a few of his vids where he uses the device to create Cadillac foams for topping cocktails. HERE is a fairly informative vid to illustrate the idea of using the device to rapidly infuse spirits.


Every time I do the Bourbon trail, I always bring back a bag of bourbon-soaked char. Basically, when they empty the barrels, pieces of char (bits of bourbon-soaked burnt white oak) empty from the barrel. This stuff is great for grilling (parts a bourbon wood flavor to meats) and I love using it in my home brew (bourbon barrel stouts). However, I’ve really wanted to use the char bits in the iSi whip to impart a barrel taste to Manhattans. Its on my to do list.

Tastes great in 10 year old rye whiskey.

Seriously.

Put it in a tray and smoke it at 225. Smoke sticks to cold things and wet things WAY better than hot things and dry things. That's why smoking salt takes so long to be effective. The ice will start to melt, but it turns in to ice in water, and the ice keeps the temperature down - the whole thing stays cold until the ice is nearly all gone, and even then water has a very high heat capacity, so it takes a long time to get hot. The evaporation rate is pretty low until the water gets hot, so all these things combine to mean there's really very, very little water loss from a couple of standard trays of ice after smoking for 3 hours. I refreeze into a couple of tiny ice-cube trays, because I don't like making my whiskey cold, but a little cool with some smoke is great, so small cubes are perfect.

Isn't science great?

I would totally guess you have some teeth on the way. Our son got teeth just shy of 5 months, and it was a long lead-up. My best friend during this time was a breastmilk Popsicle maker.

You can hold it for him or chop off little chunks to put in his mouth. He may love it!

This is my favorite...super sturdy and easy to use.

Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFP6NHO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gIfqybSQN59B7

It's $100 because it's 100% made in America. It could be a bag of dog crap and it would sell if it was 100% made in America.

Americans are always willing to pay over the top for mediocre things, if it's made in America. Kind of like how lots of people are loyal Mac fans and insist Macs are the best yet they do not use them for work or school.

'murica logic


Edit: Look at this. http://www.amazon.com/Chillz-Ice-Ball-Maker-Flexible/dp/B00KI7QZ5Y/ Makes four at once, doesn't require you to melt a huge chunk of ice (have fun freezing that huge chunk in the first place) and is only $10.

I use these things I get from local food store, they are thick foodsafe plastic rated for microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. I've yet to break or damage one. https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6010/5911256460_350f79854c_z.jpg

I wouldn't ever recommend glass in the freezer unless it's the thick wide mouth jar but even then plastic is safer and has the flex.

These work great too as they a huge and let you make good size broth/stock cubes.
https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-King-Cube-Ice-Tray/dp/B00395FHRO

There's nothing wrong with chilling your scotch in the fridge.

Some other options: distilled water ice spheres (I use this to make them) will water your scotch less than ice cubes due to physics I don't understand.

You can also chill the glass, like a frosted beer mug, but I would line the glass you are going to put in the freezer to make sure it doesn't pick up any film.

If you want to drink your scotch slightly chilled but not refridgerator temperature and that's worth shelling out for a wine cooler for you, more power to you, it's the best option, I think, for the effect you're looking for. But if the temperature out of the fridge is all right by you, you will not harm your bottle by refridgerating it.

I always think the ice spheres are awesome or the wedge. Paired with a couple highball tumblers.

Or just something funny. Lastly, just spend your money on a half way decent whiskey. If you have a good liquor store, get a middle shelf beauty, they should be able to help you.

As a disclaimer, I'm not affiliated with these guys whatsoever, but if anyone wants a fool proof way to do this every single time extremely easily and with a lot less space constraints, there's a product called True Cubes that is AMAZING for this. It's basically a little cooler with some silicone inserts to help separate it out. I use it all the time and can't imagine life without it.
https://www.amazon.com/True-Cubes-Clear-Cube-Tray/dp/B07422QWCP/

It's easy!

• Get one of these Coleman six-pack coolers
  
• Get one or two of these Tovolo ice cube trays
  
• Set your freezer so it gets nice and cold. -18C/0F should do it.
  
• Cut some holes in the bottom of the ice cube trays. This is easier said than done since those things are really flexible ...I used a box cutter and cut square holes.
  
• Remove the lid of the Coleman cooler (it's detachable)
  
• Fill the Coleman cooler about, oh, 2/3rds to 3/4ths the way up. Just use regular cold tap water.
  
• You don't want your cube tray sitting on the bottom of the cooler. Figure out a way to keep it off the bottom. I like to use a (cleaned, duh) cottage cheese plastic container that's about 1.5 inches tall and about 3 inches across. Anything, though, to keep your cube tray well off the bottom of the cooler.
  
• Ok, float (well, sink) your ice cube tray until it's very lightly sitting on top of the spacer you used
  
• Pop the cooler into the freezer. It'll take about 1.5 days to get frozen solid
  
• After about 1.5 days take the cooler out of the freezer and pop the block of ice out
  
• Use a bread knife to slice and dice. You'll find that you can't cut the ice very deep but if you score it and then tap the blade with a hammer or something nice and heavy then the ice will tend to split as you've scored it.
  
• Once you've extracted your ice cube tray, pop those clear cubes out. You're a [adjective the cool kids use to describe cool people] now.
  
• Hey, don't throw out all the ice that was around your cube tray! All that slag can be used for shaking or for your own drinks when you don't want to use the "good" ice.
  
  That's it. I've made hundreds of ice cubes this way and it's quite reliable.

Cool looking but not super practical—only one part of the bourbon is being cooled at any given time.

A good ice sphere will chill the whiskey more efficiently and melt nice-and-slow. I use these molds with distilled water and they work pretty well. (When the ice sphere finally cracks, I end up fishing out the smaller chunks so they don't dilute the drink.)

X-Ray and Vav! :)

I would like this ice cube tray because I'm moving into a new place and I just realized we don't have ice cube trays... which is unacceptable for someone who likes drinking super cold drinks such as myself. Thank you so much for the contest :)

40 whipped cream bottles? Yes. Taping one to each hand? No you facking amateur, just smoke a joint. Unless you;re taping the whipped cream bottes to your hands & then eating the whipped cream, in which case I salute your good work.
Also, FYI, if you are inhaling that sweet, sweet nitrous and not stealing it, just invest in a professional [whipped cream siphon] (http://www.amazon.com/iSi-Gourmet-Brushed-Stainless-Whipper/dp/B001U83TWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398365364&sr=8-1&keywords=whipped+cream+siphon), a bag of balloons, and a few boxes of chargers. Sure, you can't tape the balloons to your hands but you do save some money over time.

While it doesn't brown right, it cooks through, and I actually love the chewy consistency of it.

Like the stuff they sold in the 90s to microwave normal uncooked bacon on T racks.

Not the precooked heat and heat stuff, though that is good too, eaten cold out of the fridge is a great snack - like jerky.

I have done the same with a home-depot bucket. Literally one of the easiest things to make. You don't need to make it air-tight like the instructions say since it is fog and it will go anywhere anyways.

Works great I have it spew out from underneath my bar which is the main focus point of the party. Makes the fog so much better.

Also I like to use giant ice-cubes so they don't melt as quick (I just make up a bunch prior to the party) : http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-King-Cube-Ice-Tray/dp/B00395FHRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414129063&sr=8-1&keywords=giant+ice+cube+trays

I made them for my daughter and she loved them. We started at about 4 months. She doesn't have teeth yet but I feel like she has been teething for months. I ordered these from Amazon and they worked great.

Yep, that's why I called it the really expensive way. It's really one of those excess items, priced WAY beyond its actual value.

There are some pretty good moulds ^(not an affiliate link) out there, though, but it takes a little practice to make perfect spheres with them, since you need to leave a little gap at the top for the ice to expand.

MY PARENTS ARE DEEEEEEEAAAAAD!!!!

Ice cube tray.

Duct Tape.

Car Accessories.

Hope you like these! :D

If I win surprise me!

I'm late to the party on this one, but if you don't own it already, you have to buy the Makin Bacon. You can get it at amazon, Walmart, ebay... wherever you like.

If you're a bacon-eater, this is absolutely game-changing. Once you have your microwave dialed in, you can choose anywhere from chewy to absolutely brittle, or anywhere in-between.

This isn't a paid advertisement... but believe me, it's one of the best 2 items I've ever added to my kitchen.

Better than that, is these. I'm currently using the second one every day, and the silicone lid is a miracle for trays that makes the long slim "ice cubes" for water bottle usage. Normally you have to be incredibly careful with those trays because the long slender slots slosh water everywhere, but the sealing lid works so well.

OXO Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray with Silicone Lid, 8.8 oz., White/Blue

OXO Good Grips No-Spill Silicone Ice Stick Tray for Water Bottles

If anyone actually wants a useful ice tray then check out http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007U256D2?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links

I bought one when I had a one freezer for four people who all bought our own food so that I didn't have to lay it flat. You can set it at up to something like a 45 degree angle (I've put it at a 90 degree angle and had great success) and it won't spill. One of the most simple yet useful kitchen additions I've purchased. And it's just an ice cube tray...

Hello! Nice to meet you. Welcome Back! :)

This is $3.14 with free shipping.

I got this at Walmart for $7. You can load an entire package on it and cook it all at once. Make sure to lay a paper towel over the top to prevent bacon splatter from going all over the microwave. Though if you forget, it doesn't really matter. Your house will just have a slight hint of a bacon smell every time you cook something.

The best part about this device is it catches all the bacon grease in the bottom so you can save it and use it when cooking other stuff like greens. I have a big jar of bacon grease.

I got this one on amazon for 30 bucks and is one of the most popular ones with great reviews. I love it.

In general if it is something you are going to portion out and eat you are better off storing it portioned rather than in a huge batch to hedge against spoilage. I'd just pick a brand of plastic containers, preferably one's with good stacking / lid interchanging and store things that way.

I'm also a fan of, for liquids I'm going to freeze, using big silicone ice cube trays like https://www.amazon.com/Large-Silicone-Kitch-Giant-Cooled/dp/B013KZE0YI/ to freeze 1/4c or so quantities. Melt as many as appropriate.

But I wouldn't look to store it in a big vat unless I'm re-serving all of it at once.

A cool, inexpensive item to have on hand are large ice cube trays. I bought these silicone trays. You can get ones that make round ice cubes too. I like silicone better than plastic since they don't crack or break as easily.

OXO Good Grips No-Spill Ice Cube Tray with Silicone Lid, 8.8 oz., White/Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007U256D2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iwywCbMC796GH

they have a silicone flap on top that sticks to the plastic tray so you can put them in the freezer at an angle and they dont leak. also the bottoms are curved so its hella easy to get the ice out. and theyre a pleasing blue color! 11/10 would buy again

All you gotta use is a normal whipped cream canister and the N2O cartridges for it, which they sell nearly everywhere (I've found the cartridges at target before, but I usually get them on amazon). The N2O is pretty standard with these canisters, it's usually used for making whipped cream but has a bunch of cool other uses (evidently) :)

Whoops. That would've helped haha.

• Protein powder - 3-4 scoops / servings
  
  
• coconut oil - 2-3 tblp
  
  
• cream cheese - 16 oz whipped
  
  
• peanut butter - 1-2 tblp
  
  But honestly I just eyeball it. Following this recipe gets you something pretty sticky. I end up pouring / scooping the mix into 2 silicon ice cube trays. It fits perfectly and I'd eat 2 a day. Sometimes it's hard to stop at just 2. I use this to replace my dependance on Quest bars. With some experimenting, I bet you can make some kind of ice cream with it?

Yeah, I have some mineral water that I sometimes try watering down my bourbon and I also have some of these ice ball molds to water down and cool the alcohol burn but I have found I prefer to have the full blast of taste and burn from a small amount of bourbon rather than dilute a larger amount. Honestly, half the enjoyment is in just holding the glass and sniffing the contents before even taking the first sip.

oh man, i need to take a picture of my old fashioned's... I've got the BIG ice cubes and that would work awesome for this. I also fill my glass up with bourbon, it's a REALLY strong pour, I'm hoping this picture is towards the end of his drink

edit:

here are my drinks 1 and 2

these are the ice cube molds http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00395FHRO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is! Mine are the tovolo king trays, but it probably looks a bit bigger than it is because the glass is pretty small. When I went to look it up I noticed these bigger cubes for the first time. I have the sphere version of that and it works well, so I imagine these mega-cubes are nice too.

When I am thirsty I love to drink water. I will never drink coffee when I am thirsty.

Water's better cold

Thanks for the contest!

I have a similar microwave bacon cooker. I love it for all the same reasons you mentioned.

I honestly haven't noticed any change in the taste making it this way vs. in the oven vs. in my cast iron pan. But that could be just me... I am apparently an equal oppportunity bacon eater :)

King Cube ice trays, however, are totally worth it even if you don't use them for your whiskey (I do). They fit perfectly in an Old Fashioned glass and have massive surface area to cool the whiskey quickly without watering too much (just a splash). The cubes also last forever.

ok thanks again man, looks like il be getting this [dispenser] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VOMHPS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2UHUUWMBAK5DN&psc=1) and these [charges] (https://www.amazon.com/iSi-0085-America-Chargers-Whippers/dp/B000638EXQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1502299408&sr=1-2&keywords=isi%2Bn20&th=1)

i notice the ISI cartridges are printed with "Austria" is this anything to worry about?

seem good to you? anything you recommend changing?

Yep, I use a cookie dough scooper. This one feels nice and makes a side I like:
OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CDVD2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_jRI66pXHP3xrV

I like mine chilled but not very watered down. So I picked up one of these from Amazon and it works great. Keeps it cold without melting very fast.

This is the one my aunt got me, but I'll be honest. Getting the little tentacle edges out without snapping is a skill that takes time to master. I had a lot of blob monsters for a while haha

I have one of these and they're a huge help! It does take a few tries to get your sushi looking perfect, but you get the hang of it pretty quickly.

I have these and I love them, they work like a charm.

I feel like the point of ice is really the water, not necessarily the cold. Whiskey takes time to get cold, and the immediate melting of the ice helps open up the whiskey more. Something you can't get from stones.

The best investment in my opinion are king cubes. Larger surface area so it takes much longer for your drink to become diluted too fast.

Ha ha. Fair. These are pretty money, if you're looking for something different.

Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds - Set of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_8QxjxbH7W35D9

I've got a bacon hanger that works wonderfully in the microwave- the grease doesn't collect on the bacon, and I just pop it in the dishwasher when I'm done. I love it.

blue octopus ice tray

Good luck everyone, and thanks so much for hosting!

I got a Sushezi last year for a secret santa gift. They work pretty good.

Those are from a Tovolo King Cube ice tray. It's pretty awesome for drinks on the rocks. <$9 on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/kitchen-dining/dp/B00395FHRO

Or you could just buy a "good enough" gizmo on Amazon for $40 to make clear ice cubes. It's basically a smaller easier to use version of the beer cooler hack. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07422QWCP/ref=psdc_2469549011_t1_B075DLBHBJ

When I have freezer room often make smoothie cubes for DIY smoothie packs https://gourmetscientist.blogspot.com/search/label/Smoothie

If you want to freeze juice, get a sealing ice cube tray to avoid sticky spills like this https://smile.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-No-Spill-Silicone-White/dp/B007U256D2/

With the DIY smoothie packs, the yogurt mixture is pretty thick so regular silicone that give 1 oz. cubes like in my smoothie pack directions are fine.

I have a separate one for coffee because I don’t want the coffee to flavor everything else I freeze.

Thanks for the Halloween contest! I'd love this cookie dough scoop!

Any one of these

This could do

Or maybe this

If I had to suggest only one - it would definitely be a Magic Assist Smith and Wesson knife (the first link). I bought my dad one last year, and he LOVES it. So much so that he bought them for my uncles this year for Christmas.

I want this, because ice cubes are awesome.

And I want to eat some ice cubes for Halloween

Thank you!

I believe you are referring to Nugget Ice, which generally is done by $2,000+ commercial grade machines.

I was able to find one smaller home Nugget Ice maker from Scotsman.

As a much more reasonable solution, a great place to start would be with these mini cube trays from amazon..

Man. I was looking through all my stuff.. and most of it seems.. non-random to me.

I guess the most random would be Bayou Classic Seasoning Injector that's on my bar wishlist.. Ideally, it's too pair with Tovolo Ice Molds to make cocktails within an ice sphere. Lol. >< Sorry not really any awesomely randomness from me.. but maybe you'll think differently :D

Pretty California.

Anyone looking for the mold can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Fred-GIN-TITONIC-Titanic-Tray/dp/B001GQ2SQ6, this thing is pretty great. Gonna go buy one now.

Great idea! Now get some better ice. http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Perfect-Cube-Tray-Dark/dp/B000QIU7X6

I would gift /u/samsterk911 this fancy batman ice cube tray because I have enjoyed talking with him and playing CAH. And because Batman!

I just bought some molds on Amazon. I think these are the ones (although there are plenty to pick from):

Nuby Garden Fresh Fruitsicle Frozen Pop Tray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KFP6NHO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_dSEmub0BBK4A

At 18 months he still loves them! I usually just shove the leftovers of whatever fruit he didn't finish at dinner into the mold, add a touch of water, and freeze.

They’re pretty easy to make with something like this.

The tough part is getting clear ice.

Edit: formatting

Not only that what if you want to drink something other than what you just froze? What if all you wanted and needed was a cold glass of water?

If you have a big enough of a cup, though far from perfect, I recommend this

Stop weighing the dough and use a scoop. Make sure the dough is packed in and flattened well and Bam. Perfectly uniform cookies.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CDVD2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_r..Hub0HXW92R

The lid in that second pic looks perfect. I found these on amazon, but one of the comments said it leaves a little ring around the middle of the sphere. They're pretty small too though.

I have this set (actually I have 10 of the sets!) and I love them.

The issue /u/DancesWithElectrons describes about the "mushroom" effect is less prevalent I find with the round balls since you can roll the ice ball in the glass. Plus they fit in most all the glasses I've found.

Noted. But they do say

>But if we pick junk, and you return it, we make nothing. We think that’s a fair system.

I concur. Although if you really didn't want them to get any kickback, just remove the referral ID

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00395FHRO/thesweethome-20

To

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00395FHRO

Although that's just being mean (or spiteful?)

I liked the site for the long articles describing their research and alternatives (as opposed to just propping up a recommendation). So even if I didn't purchase anything, I'd still walk away with a better survey of products, features, and prices than before.

But no ice? I get that if you think it melts too fast. A little chill in an old fashioned is nice and I recommend an ice sphere mold or cube mold. Fits a lowball perfectly and melts slowly.

My dad was in charge of Friday morning wake ups before school and he used this contraption. We always called it the Bacowave but apparently that's a different product design. It's called the Mak'n Bacon. It's glorious.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002HSFB2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1452630932&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=bacon+microwave+tray&dpPl=1&dpID=417%2BbT%2BpzLL&ref=plSrch

Mocha Maca Keto Shake

• scoop chocolate protein
  
  
• pinch xanathan gum
  
  
• 1 tbsp erythitol
  
  
• 1 tsp gelatinized mixed maca root powder
  
  
• 1.5 tsp-ish sugarfree instant coffee or mocha mix
  
  mix dry together
  
  
• add water to cover mixture with a couple splashes of unsweetened coconut milk, mix til dry ingredients are soaked through
  
  
• add mini frozen ice cubes (I use this, essential for smoothies if you use a magic bullet)
  
  
• add handful of mini frozen coffee ice cubes
  
  
• add more unsweetened coconut milk and top with a few generous splashes of heavy cream
  
  
• add vanilla or mocha syrup if desired
  
  blend
  
  
  Top with whipped cream if desired.
  

Some super classy "Gin & Titonic" ice cube trays.

wow tahts cute the clock is ticking! and theres seriously a reddit for everthing so item under 5 or this

I am Batman. But this is just my disguise for browsing Reddit. If I shared the other names I used, I'd have to put you in the same time-out corner as Joker. And you don't want that. He's been quite gassy today.

Why am I Batman? Because I'm Batman.

(Actually, I prefer his brand of superhero over Boy Wonder. Dun throw those tomatoes and rotten fruits at me! But also don't tell him that I think Harley Quinn is better than him.)

Hm, what lies and/or truths should I share? What about:

I own the largest collection of rubber bands.

Or that I'm a professional dust bunny herder. It's not an easy job!

Or that I dream of visiting places like Japan, Ireland, New Zealand, and such.

These sphere ones keep showing up on Amazon's Lightning Deals for $7 or so. I bought a pair and think they're pretty neat, of course my ice is never as clear as I want it...but that's not the mold's fault.

Microwave spaghetti with this.

Make hard-boiled eggs with this.

Make microwave bacon with this.

They're small and cheap, and you can't argue with those amazon reviews. Makes great stocking stuffers.


Also, make microwave eggs.

Mmmm... now I want a bacon-egg-and-cheese croissant sandwich.

This hasn't been suggested yet, exactly, so...

I use a $5.61CAD canning funnel, specifically this one: Norpro 607 Extra Wide Plastic Funnel, Green https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000HJ99XS/ . Just recently got it after years of getting powder on the counter every time I mixed a bag. Works great.

Using a scoop, you get powder all over your hands and it sticks to the sides of the scoop then flakes off onto your counter. Would rather do without.

I had gotten these trays that make perfect squares which are a bit easier to store and they pop out so easy

these oxo ice cube trays are fantastic and really are no-spill. The cover also keeps the ice protected in the freezer.

This one seems to have good reviews on amazon.

I've heard if you use distilled water it ends up more clear.

I like the Tovolo 2" cube trays for my Old Fashioneds. Less surface area and higher volume chills as well with far less dilution. It's also easier to stir with these.

Just buy this, boil the water before you freeze, or use distilled, and save yourselves some money :)

https://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Leak-Free-Sphere-Molds-Silicone/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1536374148&sr=1-5&keywords=whiskey+ice+ball+maker&dpID=41hr3l1Z7zL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I have the 1-pint whip: (takes both nitrous oxide aka N2O & also CO2 cartridges for carbonation)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U83TWW

These injectors:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DTFSV0E/

These soda chargers:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007JXR8/

These N2O chargers:

https://www.amazon.com/iSi-North-America-Chargers-24-Pack/dp/B073ZT7SV3

Although the new ones are like more than double the capacity:

https://www.amazon.com/N2O-Professional-Cream-Chargers-50-Pack/dp/B07L6TBQR4

It's one of those oddball kitchen gadgets that is somewhat expensive & niche, and has annoying recurring fees for the different cartridges, but you'll find yourself using it all the time for weird little projects...custom sodas, homemade whipped creams (dairy & non-dairy), modernist techniques like foams, etc.

If you're the type of person who likes to tinker in your kitchen & have the budget available, then it's a super-fun toy (tool) to have in your inventory. I use this & my Searzall on a weekly basis for all kinds of random stuff! I can dig up a list of things to try if you're looking for ideas!

This is the mold I have but I got them at a slightly cheaper price during a one day sale. They're excellent for whisky!

I just jarred mine in 8 oz wide mouth jars. Get a canning funnel. This will make the job much easier. I had to pack some of the tins in pretty tight but they all fit.

Mine isn't insane but it's worth sharing BEHOLD

Get a large-cube silicone ice cube tray like this one. They're fantastic for Old Fashioneds, and anything on-the-rocks.

Just keep in mind that because they take longer to melt, they take longer to chill your drink. But it should keep it at a fairly consistent temperature.

Also, these take much longer to freeze, so you need to plan ahead (takes at least 4 hours in my freezer, I think).

[I have this](http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-KING-Cube-T
rays-Blue/dp/B00395FHRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UT
F8&qid=1341871374&sr=8-1&keywords=big+ic
e+cube+tray), and I love it. Didnt care for whiskey stones, but I also don't mind some dilution. OP: Favorite bourbon is Wild Turkey Rare Breed or Woodford Reserve, although I've been on a Rye kick lately.

I kinda want one. I go through a lot of ice cubes. Novelty ice trays just seem fun.

I really like the Titanic one, too.

yup. The reason anybody buys this at all is because the ice that it forms is completely clear. The cheap molds always end up cloudy. Also, buying the press is cheaper than buying a month's worth of pre-formed spheres. It also looks cool.

There

Are

Way

Too

Many

Cool

Batman

Things

MY PARENTS ARE DEEEEEEEAAAAAD!!!!

Thanks for the contest!

https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Mouth-Plastic-Funnel-Green/dp/B000HJ99XS/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1499550263&sr=1-2&keywords=Canning+funnel 😊

Can confirm. I used to use normal ice trays like these. Then I bought these trays which make nearly perfect cubes and the difference with these is already huge. They melt much slower. I also have to get me 2inch cube trays.

I think you would like this [Bullet Shaped Ice Cube Tray)(http://www.amazon.com/Mustard-NG-4000-Ice-Tray/dp/B001J8RWWQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=bullet+ice+tray)!

This poster is about $0.60 over, but I thought you might still like it!

To note this isn't the standard whipped cream cans people buy in the supermarket, but instead a high end make your own whipped cream style of dispenser which uses a replaceable gas canister to create the whip effect. Like these type of things - https://www.amazon.com/iSi-1-Pint-Gourmet-Culinary-Whipper/dp/B001U83TWW

Made two batches last night and froze them overnight. 8oz hwc and 2tbsp peanut butter (peanuts and salt only) and another of 8oz hwc and 2tbsp coconut butter. Came out as hard blocks so popped them out of containers and cut off some. It is ok. I wouldn't do again without sugar substitute. I am staying away from sugar substitutes for now so have to shelve this idea for awhile.

If I were to do it again with sugar substitute and freeze it I think it would be best to use a Cream Whipper and do dollop on a cookie sheet and freeze.

Cream Whipper (idea): https://www.amazon.com/Impeccable-Culinary-Objects-ICO-Professional/dp/B003VOMHPS

Cococnut Butter I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BN19938

I'll stick to eating a spoonful of peanut butter or coconut butter out of the jar until I am ready to incorporate sugar substitutes.

I don't understand, why would you want to make coffee ice cubes? Also, these are the best ice cube molds.

these are awesome. These remind me of the bullet ice trays I once saw on amazon or thinkgeek.

link for reference: http://www.amazon.com/Mustard-NG-4000-Ice-Tray/dp/B001J8RWWQ

Buy this: True Cubes Clear Ice Cube Tray:... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07422QWCP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Looks goofy as hell, but works like a charm. On mobile, so please excuse editing.

You should add [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Sante-Cookware-SUZ-Sushezi-Sushi/dp/B001P8J1GU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375024095&sr=8-1&keywords=sushezi) to your wishlist, cuz I have one and it's pretty cool!

Try these.

I got some for Christmas and they are nice in drinks. They melt slower so wont dilute as much, but still give you a nicely chilled bourbon.

I would recommend a isi whipping siphon over a soda stream. You can use nitrous and carbon dioxide chargers in them, so you get seltzer and whipped cream. There are also hundreds of paleo friendly recipes you can make in these things, and it is still cheaper than buying seltzer a bottle at a time.

For the carrot, it has to be a big one, not one of those little ones you can pop into your mouth.


I plan to use something like this for the frozen breastmilk pops https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00KFP6NHO/ref=aw_br_ov_dp_2_3?colid=J000J9HACES1&coliid=I18AYZUSLI4HVP&vs=1


I plan to buy 2 of them so I can have a lot of pops on hand as he can eat as many as he wants.

I have this Tovolo and like it. The mold is soft, so it is easy to get the ice cube out.

LMAO sorry, oops. Here you go.

Basically rice labeled 'sushi rice' will do, I used to get Kokuho Rose or something like that. He's also going to want seaweed sheets. Any Asian grocery store will have these, but the rice might come in really, really massive bags. I found some on Amazon that were more expensive per oz but more manageable in size.

Ha, yeah, the product is ridiculous. I don't quite understand the product, large ice block molds are available for ~$5 (link). I've seen those before and it seemed fine to me. Or I have whiskey stones that were $15. They're pretty cool.

SS ball bearings, now that's an expensive rock! I bet they work wonders though!

I use these ice ball makers now

These things work great, and don't dilute the spirit very quickly.

I wonder if you try, you should reduce the water content of the batter. When making a pancake on a pan, it "rises" through water bubbling and evaporating.

You won't have the same effect with a sous vide unless the water is at boiling temps... but a fun idea would be to place the batter inside a whipped cream dispenser (like below) and dispense the batter into a mason jar or something so the batter is aerated. You'd have more of a sponge cake than a pancake but you can always broil it after.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VOMHPS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CyAhAbEKQB6RF

If you have a mason jar funnel and refold a normal coffee filter into a cone (or purchase something like a set of chemex filters), you can do a decent pourover. Before I purchased a chemex I would occasionally do a home-rig pourover with the filter basket from a Bunn machine. Controlling the water temperature and grounds saturation does improve the quality of coffee you make, so it's worth trying it out.

I like these larger ones better

This is completely unrelated to full on mixing drinks but Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds were pretty life changing when it comes down to drinking beverages. A novelty for some but ice spheres won't water down a drink as quickly as normal ice.

Everything that goes in the ice chamber, stays in the ice chamber.

The cooling effect is far greater than when I would put ice in the vase and I highly recommend it. Makes quite a difference (From what I've noticed, if you use small ice cubes packed to the rim), as the whole stem gets cold to the touch.

The best ice cube trays in the world are these: http://www.amazon.com/kitchen-dining/dp/B00395FHRO

I use these and I love them.

You can put them in the freezer in any position.

I have two categories in my wishlist for health. :o One is Keto and the other is Health and Beauty.

Can never have enough ice cubes for water. I'd consider it a big item that is healthyish?

I am not fond of them. I received a set as a gift and I've only used them once. Stone on glass is an uncomfortable texture and I got a slight mineral-y taste from them.

I like these better.

This microwave bacon cooker works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Microwave-Bacon-Cooker-Original-Reduces/dp/B0002HSFB2/

Tovolo trays. They're awesome.

I have these silicone trays and they are awesome, you just push the cubes out from the bottom.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QIU7X6

I have it and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-Sushezi-Roller-Kit/dp/B001P8J1GU/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1479135548&sr=1-3&keywords=sushi+maker

Own these, work great
http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54

Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds - Set of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lXwyzbNSP3M67

$9.99 pack of 2, work great.

I got curious of the Sphere ice molds so I found it here if anyone else like a gander. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be slipping back to /r/all and you'll likely never see me again...

Not enough thermal mass to cool off anything.

I really like the 2.5" ice balls - you can find them here:

http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1380899755&sr=8-5&keywords=big+ice+ball+maker

Came here to say that.

They're sold on Amazon; 2 of em for $10.03. Plus free shipping if you have Prime.

I usually like my old fashions served up, but those who like them on the rocks I got these: http://www.amazon.com/Tovolo-Sphere-Ice-Molds-Set/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_y

I've owned a few different brands, and I recommend this one. The silicone cap is easy to peel off and it releases the sphere pretty easily. It can be a pain in the ass to ge the sphere out of some brands.

Also, I got mine at Marshall's, it was cheaper than Amazon.

Yes. I have these. They work very well. Rather than freezing a cylinder and then form it to a sphere, you can just freeze it to a sphere to being with.

Ice cube tray

Alarm clock

Batman snuggie!

MY PARENTS ARE DEEEEEEEAAAAAD!!!!

Surprise me!

These are absolutely adorable!

Christmas in April?

I remember back when I was in WA State we would get snow in April! It really was nice.

Batman Ice Cube Tray

This will change your life Perfect bacon anytime.

Yep, ISI. Built like a tank. https://www.amazon.com/iSi-1-Pint-Gourmet-Culinary-Whipper-x/dp/B001U83TWW/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1542221518&sr=1-4&keywords=isi+whipping+siphon

Or this. Perfect for rocks glasses.

That's what I assume and I think it's fantastic. I further assume with a vessel that large there are a couple of these clinking around inside. It almost makes me want to go get a pineapple.

These things are fantastic. Get you some.

Me too! I want to start making my own though. There's this easy sushi maker I found the other day. It looks promising!

Large Cube Silicone Ice Tray, 2 Pack by Kitch, Giant 2 Inch Ice Cubes Keep Your Drink Cooled for Hours - Cobalt Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013KZE0YI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Fl1xDbM3G3ENK

These silicone ice trays are no brainers. They're so cheap, I've keep two in the freezer so I'm never out. I have like 5 different ice ball thingies but they're so bulky and tricky to fill that I never use them.

I just took one of these silicone trays to the beach with me, in my suitcase with a bottle of G4 reposado and a bottle of McKenna BiB 10yr. Great week.

Mini ice cubes = amazing for teething.

Get trays like these: https://www.amazon.com/Cubette-Mini-Ice-Cube-Trays/dp/B000I1ZXIK

My daughter would just take one and suck on it until it melted. To this day (she's 4) she will ask for a bowl of these mini ice cubes as a snack.

I use Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds to make the ice, works quite well.

Amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007ACTN54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uArHzbHS410VW