Joe Blowe

Have a sous vide setup? If so, check this out for another possible route: https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/smokerless-smoked-brisket

For the same price, and nearly the same review ranking/customer satisfaction, you could get an induction cooktop that would allow you to use larger (or smaller) volumes than just a frying pan.

It's been mentioned on eG a few times now, but it is possible to shop at Costco without a card. Might be worth your while to investigate. P.S. Be sure to read that Snopes article, though!

That looks like Pollo Ala Brasa in Gardena, Calif. I'm lucky to live just a few miles away from this glorious chicken shack! FWIW, they use eucalyptus as their sole source of firewood. It's cheap and abundant here in California. Although you would never want to run a smoker with eucalyptus -- due to the volatile organics that would foul your choice of meat -- it works great for grilling...

There have been many articles/studies published over the years regarding cafestol, a compound found in coffee, and its ability to raise cholesterol: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070614162223.htm (I'm sure you know which direction this is headed...) In a recently released study by Aarhus University Hospital, cafestol has been linked to a reduction in fasting glucose in mice. Naturally, this now means "cafestol may contribute to the reduced risk of developing T2D in coffee consumers and has a potential role as an antidiabetic drug." As of yesterday, the media is running wild with this latest breakthrough. I never went out of my way to avoid coffee that wasn't filtered through paper. But, I guess it was in the back of mind that the *occasional* extra pot of French press *might* be having some effect on my blood chemistry. As with all things, moderation is always the key. How about you? Will you break out the old percolator based on this news? Brew up a nice pot of cowboy coffee?

There's this older thread, which is primarily about countertop models. I'm still a big fan (get it) of my 11 year old 1/4 sheet Cadco oven, but those are now selling for over 600 bucks. I did not pay nearly that amount back then, and I'm not sure if they're still made in Italy, so I can't say if it's still a good rec this time.

STPP is preferable to TSP in hard water areas. And seeing that you're in SoCal, as am I, you might want to check it out: https://www.google.com/search?q=stpp+vs+tsp I buy it in small quantities (under 10 lbs) on eBay.

Actually, the last Tribute pot I bought online, a 4.5 qt sauce pan, was manufactured in China. After receiving the pot, I called the vendor, and then I called Vollrath. They both confirmed that most of the production was shifted offshore. At least my frypans were made in the U.S. My advice is to check out your local brick-and-mortars for any old U.S. stock...

Looks like unmarked Wagner Ware. I have a few from this particular vintage -- the modern font, and lack of MADE IN USA stamped on the bottom, suggests that the pan was made around the late 1950s to early 1960s. https://www.google.com/search?q=identifying+unmarked+cast+iron

Would pickling lime be a substitute?

An old saying: I'm in the Porthos camp. But, gfweb makes a good argument, too. (Where'd the devil emoticon go?)

Having just recently posted a gripe about my Anova, I feel for you. And, one of the thoughts that popped into my mind during the Anova Fail was, "Hey, maybe it's about time for a PolyScience." Yes, this is the disposable world we live in. No, I don't like it. My effing Anova scroll wheel should function normally after 13 effing months. I'm lucky that I'm still able to use the Bluetooth function to control my Anova, but it makes me wonder what will fail next. Luckily, I still have a Sous Vide Magic controller on standby, which I am beginning to doubt will ever die...

Thanks for the heads up on Reddit forum. I just might give that a go...

FWIW, I exclusively use the Bluetooth app for my Anova. Mainly because the scroll wheel stopped working after the warranty expired. Contact with the CSR drones proved futile, as they deflected any suggestion of working with me on how to fix the problem. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth, which will soon be rectified when I pull the short ribs out of the water later today

I also have a MyWeigh scale, a KD-7000, that I purchased from Old Will Knott in 2006. Last year the membrane keyboard cover finally wore out, and the power and tare switches were poking through the plastic. I contacted Knott about service and/or parts, and they responded that they do not provide any service on their scales. They just give you a new scale!! I had to mail a copy of my receipt and the battery door from my scale. A week later, I had a brand new KD-7000. Now that's customer service!