The Gadget Thread

[phylodog]

I've been a gadget guy my entire life. I love finding simple, relatively inexpensive things that work well and make life easier. Some gadgets I just like due to the design, materials used and/or quality. Doesn't have to be a mechanical device, I have a mild fascination with Amsteel and paracord as examples.

Today I'm trying out my latest find and it's working superbly. I prefer to cook my bacon slowly to render out as much of the fat as possible. I cut the package in half and just pay the pieces in the cast iron and put it on the lowest setting, moving things around every 5-10 minutes. Works awesome but the mess was always an issue. I tried the splatter screens but they're mediocre at best and the heat from the propane stove melted whatever adhesive they used. This thing is called the Frywall and they make a few different sizes, mine is the 10".

Anyone else?

 

[Ingomike]

If one is looking for truly effective gadgets for the kitchen them Americas Test Kitchen is the absolute best source. They do independent equipment tests from potato peelers to massive coolers and in between.

 

[Ingomike]

If one does not have a pizza stone in their oven they are missing an awesome piece. Great for baking homemade pizza, it also makes leftover pizza taste as good as fresh and sometimes better, Then if you do not have a peel and a great pizza cutter, to pick up that pizza and cut it you are missing another pair of great tools.

A pizza stone should live in your oven, it helps maintain more even temperatures in the oven and faster recovery after you open and close the oven door.

 

[phylodog]

If one is looking for truly effective gadgets for the kitchen them Americas Test Kitchen is the absolute best source. They do independent equipment tests from potato peelers to massive coolers and in between.

They're a resource I use before I buy much of anything for the kitchen, I haven't been disappointed in one of their recommendations yet.

 

[Bigtanker]

I bought a $20 OBDII Bluetooth scanner several years ago because of a check engine light that kept coming in my truck. One of the best $20 I've spent.



This is the one I bought. It's $21 now on Amazon. I use a free app called Torque to use the scanner. You can check engine codes, clear them and display all things your computer has a setting for, realtime.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I found one.

cheap but really handy. A 180 lumen lantern for camping. can hang from the top of your tent, or sit like a Weeble on a table. And under $5. Its a little bigger than a baseball so it doesnt take up much room.

Website says 100lm but the tag on it says 180. Regardless its just enough light for inside a tent.

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[Frosty]

I bought a $20 OBDII Bluetooth scanner several years ago because of a check engine light that kept coming in my truck. One of the best $20 I've spent.

View attachment 186154

This is the one I bought. It's $21 now on Amazon. I use a free app called Torque to use the scanner. You can check engine codes, clear them and display all things your computer has a setting for, realtime.

I bought the hundred dollar one but it sure is nice not to have to run to a parts store to get it scanned then wonder how much bs they’re trying to feed you.

 

[KittySlayer]

Well maybe not the best gadget this close to Uvalde but…

When working in areas of my building with self closing locked doors a small magnet on the metal door frame keeps the door from latching shut when I step out to get the one tool/part I forgot to bring with me. No digging for keys, no loaning out my key ring to someone else working in the locking room.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Well maybe not the best gadget this close to Uvalde but…

When working in areas of my building with self closing locked doors a small magnet on the metal door frame keeps the door from latching shut when I step out to get the one tool/part I forgot to bring with me. No digging for keys, no loaning out my key ring to someone else working in the locking room.

How about a little closer to Uvalde... Ive got some militaurs. They are nice. And work on Aluminum doors too.

MILITAUR First Responder Door Stop/Jam (MULTI-3 Pack)

STOPS DOORS FROM CLOSING. First responders know the importance of time and getting your crew/back-up through a secure door once you've made entry. No more looking for a rock or a newspaper to wedge a door open. This ultra convenient door jam will become an essential tool while on duty. Its...

www.militaur.com

 

[Name]

I've been a gadget guy my entire life. I love finding simple, relatively inexpensive things that work well and make life easier. Some gadgets I just like due to the design, materials used and/or quality. Doesn't have to be a mechanical device, I have a mild fascination with Amsteel and paracord as examples.

Today I'm trying out my latest find and it's working superbly. I prefer to cook my bacon slowly to render out as much of the fat as possible. I cut the package in half and just pay the pieces in the cast iron and put it on the lowest setting, moving things around every 5-10 minutes. Works awesome but the mess was always an issue. I tried the splatter screens but they're mediocre at best and the heat from the propane stove melted whatever adhesive they used. This thing is called the Frywall and they make a few different sizes, mine is the 10".

Anyone else?

I'm a little late to the party but...
Oven on °380
Line baking sheet with parchment paper
Lay bacon out flat on said sheet, and put in oven
Drain grease off every 7ish minutes until cooked to your liking.

I also prefer to dig the the packs to find the fattiest one.

 

[JCSR]

My favorite...........

 

[Brandon]

Most things I buy to make life easier involves tools for work = not cheap

My latest investment is a Hilmor hydraulic swage tool and reverse kit for my benders.

 

[phylodog]

I'm a little late to the party but...
Oven on °380
Line baking sheet with parchment paper
Lay bacon out flat on said sheet, and put in oven
Drain grease off every 7ish minutes until cooked to your liking.

I also prefer to dig the the packs to find the fattiest one.

Used to bake ours and have tried it on foil, parchment paper and cooling racks above a sheet pan. None of them compare to slowly frying the bacon in its own fat for my taste.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Used to bake ours and have tried it on foil, parchment paper and cooling racks above a sheet pan. None of them compare to slowly frying the bacon in its own fat for my taste.

And if you cook with the grease, the pan method seems to yield the most grease.

But parchment paper in the oven is the easiest especially for cleanup and splatter.

 

[phylodog]

And if you cook with the grease, the pan method seems to yield the most grease.

But parchment paper in the oven is the easiest especially for cleanup and splatter.

I'll not sacrifice taste and texture for convenience!!!!!!!!

 

[Cameramonkey]

I'll not sacrifice taste and texture for convenience!!!!!!!!

Yep. I keep a medium canning jar for bacon grease. if there is room in the jar, I pan fry. (and save the grease) If the jar is full I bake on parchment paper. I like both textures.

 

[flightsimmer]

I bought a $20 OBDII Bluetooth scanner several years ago because of a check engine light that kept coming in my truck. One of the best $20 I've spent.

View attachment 186154

This is the one I bought. It's $21 now on Amazon. I use a free app called Torque to use the scanner. You can checke engine codes, clear them and display all things your computer has a setting for,the same on realtime.

I have the same one and it has saved me a ton of money.

 

[MRockwell]

I found one.

cheap but really handy. A 180 lumen lantern for camping. can hang from the top of your tent, or sit like a Weeble on a table. And under $5. Its a little bigger than a baseball so it doesnt take up much room.

Website says 100lm but the tag on it says 180. Regardless its just enough light for inside a tent.

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

And for the INGO approved light: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Firefly-...nWKNgy&athancid=null&athena=true&athbdg=L1300

 

[Cameramonkey]

And for the INGO approved light: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Firefly-...nWKNgy&athancid=null&athena=true&athbdg=L1300

View attachment 203859

Dont let my daughter see this. Or @churchmouse

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I found one.

cheap but really handy. A 180 lumen lantern for camping. can hang from the top of your tent, or sit like a Weeble on a table. And under $5. Its a little bigger than a baseball so it doesnt take up much room.

Website says 100lm but the tag on it says 180. Regardless its just enough light for inside a tent.

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

I have a few of these from Harbor Freight and I like them a lot. If they're predicting power outages I put one in each bathroom at home and I take them camping too. On sale right now for $3.99 (ends today, but they go on sale frequently). You can adjust the brightness depending on how much you pull the top up too.

250 Lumen Pop-Up Lantern

Amazing deals on this 250 Lumen Pop-Up Lantern at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com