lemniscate

I looked for it in my local TJ's previously. No luck. Hoping it shows up for Holiday supplies.

@Shelby ! Awesome! I *might* just use one of my own stock of zip ties to try a self repair. I wanna play with this VP215!

Ok Kind VP215 EG'ers, I need some help. My VP215 just arrived and has been unboxed and sits on its new table cart. We opened up the back to access the oil port and I found a broken white rather heavy duty zip tie behind the plate. See pic. I believe this zip tie goes around and over the vacuum pump on this end, there is another white zip tie unbroken far more internally on the other end of the vacuum pump. I have sent an email off to the Vacmaster support with the pics. I was hoping maybe someone with a VP215 could open theirs and take a picture so I can compare it with mine, especially how this zip tie should look unbroken around the vacuum pump.

I thought mead was the oldest archeological record (so far) human produced alcoholic beverage. Then beer. Then wine.

My rolling table that @Shelby recommended is being delivered today, and just now I checked on the VP215 arrival. It says Friday and 112.4 lbs. I think I am ready. To those who have one, what was the first thing you sealed to test and play with the unit? Bags of water? Rice? How did you start your learning curve?

Does it have to be a food based gel/jelly? Because you can make a very clear "slime" product that may work. In case you're not familiar, making slime is an obsession with a lot of tweens around here and youtube is inundated with how to videos. Slime can be made with household products. It may work for your art exhibit as you are planning it. Example Video Seriously, do a search on youtube or google about making clear slime.

I can't keep up with the varieties. I grew up in northern apple orchard country. Northern Spy, Winesap, Jonathons, McIntosh, Pippin, Snow are cemented in my mind as what I judge all other apples by. Used to piss me off at school lunch they would serve us the effing awful Red Delicious apples when right out the door of the school were local apples of heritage and great taste. The only apple I look forward to now, where I am, is the Jazz. I think I'll try the Cosmic Crisp out of curiosity, but Jazz variety reminds me of those northern apples quite a bit.

@MelissaH Looks like there's a Groupon deal. I've never used a Groupon anything so I'm not familiar with the process. Article HERE. Groupon link HERE. To be honest, this is a fantastic deal. Also canceling a Costco membership is very, very easy if you are not satisfied. My advice is go for this deal, get the bennies and then test out Costco for your needs. I've been a member for decades and never once regretted it. Highlights of deal here: (LOTS of stuff included, nice things) Groupon is running a limited time offer for a Costco Gold Star membership. According to Groupon’s website, the package deal is valued at $148.98 when you take into account the membership fee and the additional goodies. If you buy a membership through Costco’s website, you can get a one-year Gold Star Costco membership for $60. So, what does this Groupon deal actually get you? Here’s what you get for the $60 Groupon Costco deal: A One-Year Costco Gold Star Membership. This includes a membership card for the Primary Cardholder and one additional Household Card for anyone over the age of 18 and living at the same address. A $20 Costco Shop Card. The gift card is valid towards any Costco purchase, including gas. Exclusive coupons for the following products (a $68.98 value) which vary depending on your Costco location Free Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean HE Laundry Detergent Pacs (a $17.99 value) Free Kirkland Signature Create-a-Size® Paper Towels (a $15.99 value) $10 off Fresh Meat. This includes beef, chicken, pork, or fish but excludes deli items. $25 off any order of $250+ on Costco.com

Sorry .ca folks, I should have specified US based pamphlet.

Heads up for Costco members. Got a pamphlet in the mail regarding upcoming sales on holiday foods. Going on sale beginning Oct 28th-Nov 21. Online Only. D’Artagnan Ultimate Steak Lovers Gift Box, 4.25 lbs. Contents. Will be $40 off beginning Oct 28th. Fratelli Beretta Mt Olive Prosciutto Leg Kit, 12 lbs leg. Contents. Will be $50 off beginning Oct 28th. There's also A5 Wagyu roast at $280 off reg price and D'Artagnan Serrano Ham at $50 off, Osetra caviar listed as being $50 off. So if interested, check the Costco website on the 28th for all the offerings.

I MIss These So Much!

I have a prolific lemon tree and I made a large jar of preserved lemons early last year. Somewhere on egullet there was a post about making a puree or paste of salted lemons. I've done that with half of my jar (just blitzed it smooth in the food processor) and I used it as the salt in dishes I make, I've even started using it in my bread baking. It works really good for salad dressings and aioli and as a rub. It's just so much easier to deal with than the whole lemon pieces. One of the unconventional uses for me is salty lemonade. I like the Vietnamese salty lemon and lime drinks, so I add the paste to my lemonade to replicate. I smear it on the edges of my margarita glass as a sub for the salt dip. It's a revelation to the margarita, salty and lemony on the edge of the glass.

@rotuts, is it possible the wire ring on the lid that holds the gasket in place might be bent or malformed? I can see if that is not lined up as factory spec that a seal might be not possible since it may not align with the edge of the pot.

Someone posted about that on Reddit a few months back.

I am so happy to see the Woot! deal. I was just about to pull the trigger on the VP321C at Cabela's (they have the best price so far with free delivery to store) at more than 3x the price.

I just went to Woot! and was able to get a confirmation order on one of the VP215. It did not say "sold out" on my browser. This is truly truly a great deal and thank you @fledflew and @Coogles for posting it quickly.

Has anyone used the silicon mat that comes with the Paragon yet? If so, what did you cook?

Solvang and æbleskivers are indelible in my mind. That is my favorite touristy town. Frankenmuth is a close second. I want that A4 to go back on sale price......soon.

@shelby Has it at least been dry the last few weeks? Hopefully those beans aren't damp still, drying costs $$$.

I have one of those tabletop Iwatani butane burners, so I also can cook during a power outage too 😁 . I was specifically referring to my personal situation, an all electric range in an all electric kitchen. I've never lived where there was a gas stove, so I have no experience with them. I can see the benefit of the gas or LP stove in power outs.

I'm sorry. I didn't pick up on that. Please forgive.

Wine is lost on me. I do not drink wine voluntarily.

I'm not sure your meaning? I was a Prime member for many years before the WF purchase. Amazon shows my earliest purchase from them is books in 1998. I buy lots of merchandise thru Amazon and use the Prime Video entertainment offerings (I am a cord cutter and do not pay for traditional cable). I amortize with the convenience of getting the things I want when and where I want them. Not having to drive around to 3-4 stores to locate something or being on endless phone hold with a brick and mortar store when a sales associate forgets about you. I buy what I need and what I want, within the means I have. Nothing I purchased recently was something I won't use. I am an Amazon stock holder, in my 401k and other funds. I think its OK they do well for me in all aspects.

There are some things I consistently buy at TJ's. I will try lots of the new offerings all the time, but there are some things that always come home with me. My go-to's at TJ's over the years are their jarred Salsa Verde. It's a tomatillo based salsa. I like their cottage cheese a lot. The flax seed corn chips. The white cheddar popcorn (probably not dental work friendly at the moment for you @Shelby) The little tiny stroopwafels called caramel bites are great. I like the frozen mango chunks. I like their TJ's rebranded Unibroue beers (Providential, Audiciter, Vintage Ale) so good and so inexpensive for Unibroue. Gerolsteiner mineral water. The dried pineapple rings, mango slices, coconut cashews, roasted sunflower seeds......the nut and dried fruit offerings are really good. +1 on the Chimay cheese, it's buttery. Unexpected Cheddar is so good. The aged Goudas they offer. They have a good version of Pub Cheese spread. Easy to go a little crazy in their cheese bin. The Everything Crackers and Cornbread crisps to go with the cheeses. Their tricolor radiattore pasta is my favorite shape ever. I like their canned Marinara pasta sauce. The garlic stuffed olives. I don't buy the fresh meats, prepared meals or sandwiches or salads at TJ's. I know people really like their frozen pizzas and orange chicken. I don't buy those things either. I usually only buy fresh apples at TJ's when they carry the Jazz variety. Wine seems to fly out the door at TJ's. I see people buying cases every time I shop.

Exactly this. I don't need a range anymore. I need the versatile counter space where the range is and under the vent fan. I can pull out an induction hob(s), or an IP, or a SV device and do the cooking and then (theoretically) put them away. My cheapo Oster ovens live on the patio on a rolling cart where I do the baking. One of the most common IP damages comes from people using the range top as the place for their IP cooking (I assume in very small kitchens) and then accidentally turning on a burner and melting the base of the IP. I believe the stand alone range will be fading into history for kitchen designs of the future.