Gotten any fun stuff lately?

[Shel_B]

43 minutes ago, DesertTinker said:

I’m six feet tall, so not vertically challenged, but it’s more comfortable to put things into the container when it’s on the base. The handle is very nicely finished (see attached pics) the brushed finish gives it a bit of texture, so not slippery. It weighs 3 lbs 6 1/8 oz (1.342kg). I just put a couple of cups of water in and tipped it on its side, zero leakage around the rim, of course the center cap is not sealed, only for splash protection. The other thing that I really like is the way it fits on the base, there’s not that looseness that the plastic has, it’s not tight or stuck feeling, just a properly fitted snugness, doesn’t do that partial rotation when turned on and not as tippy/loose.

 

 

Thanks for the great description and excellent pictures. They have helped me decide to get the SS container ... now I need to find a deal as $200 is a bit steep for something I don't need. I'll keep an eye on Amazon and Vitamix.

 

Edited to add that Costco sells 'em for $160.00 including shipping when they're available.

Edited December 26, 2024 by Shel_B (log)

[JAZ]

Not sure these count as "fun," but we replaced our old sheet pans and racks with new ones for Christmas.

 

Out with the old:

 

 

In with the new:

[Laurentius]

On 12/26/2024 at 10:38 AM, Shel_B said:

 

 

Did the change in battery type affect the size of the thermometer at all?

 

I've not measured exactly, but the One is very, very close to the Mk. 3 in size.  But I'll note that Thermoworks warns that the silicone boot for Mk. 3 will not fit the One.

Edited December 27, 2024 by Laurentius
Typo (log)

[Shel_B]

1 hour ago, Laurentius said:

I've not measured exactly, but the One is very, very close to the Mk. 3 in size.  But I'll note that Thermoworks warns that the silicone boot for Mk. 3 will not fit the One.

 

I appreciate your response and it gives me a starting point.  I don't see the Mk. 3 on the 'Works site, and the only size reference I have is to my thermometer, which is fairly old, perhaps the first model? It's at least 11 years old, with no backlight, no rotating face, and with button batteries.

 

Soon after purchasing my unit, I discovered that it would be nice to have the backlit and rotating face, but it made no sense to replace it so soon after purchasing. Now, many years later, and with the new model on sale, would be a good time to upgrade.

 

I called ThermoWorks and got the information I wanted and will probably upgrade. One thing that's holding me back is that I'm also considering a wireless temperature probe.

[Laurentius]

36 minutes ago, Shel_B said:

I called ThermoWorks and got the information I wanted and will probably upgrade. One thing that's holding me back is that I'm also considering a wireless temperature probe.

 

No problem.

 

You should also know that there's a stackable coupon for an additional 10% off items in the Christmas Sale.  Use coupon code TWGYW4RA9Z.

[liuzhou]

Apparently to be a civilised drinker, you need to be equipped with more than a mouth. Who knew?

 

These are examples of such. Unfortunately, they didn't come with instructions (or anything to drink).

 

Two shot glasses. Who shot them?

 

A combination 15ml and 30 ml cup for measuring something. Can't be for alcohol. Who drinks only 15ml of alcohol? What is wrong with pints? 

 

 

 

[Katie Meadow]

3 hours ago, liuzhou said:

Apparently to be a civilised drinker, you need to be equipped with more than a mouth. Who knew?

 

These are examples of such. Unfortunately, they didn't come with instructions (or anything to drink).

 

Two shot glasses. Who shot them?

 

A combination 15ml and 30 ml cup for measuring something. Can't be for alcohol. Who drinks only 15ml of alcohol? What is wrong with pints? 

 

 

 

No kidding. I drink my rye straight from the bottle. 750ml = one shot.

[SLB]

The Kitchenaid ice cream attachment.  I have been dying to make ice cream, even though I eat sweets at home like once a year anymore.  

 

However.  However.  A dear friend, who's old and no kids or wife or anything, has started to love ice cream and eat it every day.  A DEDICATED EATER!!!  Between him and my 2025 resolution to start having people over again for dinner, I think this could be a lot of fun.

 

I'm starting out with apple something.  Because I have a lot of apples.    

 

<Edited for a loud typo>

Edited January 3 by SLB (log)

[Tropicalsenior]

5 hours ago, SLB said:

The Kitchenaid ice cream attachment

That really sounds great. My housemate, Carlos, can't eat ice cream because of the lactose in it and I would love to be able to make it with non lactose milk. However... I just priced it at our KA supplier here and it is about $170 compared to $99 up there. I won't be going there very soon.

So, when you live in a third world country sometimes you have to be happy with the little things. My grandson came down yesterday and brought me quite a few things that I needed and the things that I am happiest with are some spices that he brought me.

These are yellow mustard seeds, black mustard seeds, and mustard powder. He also brought me some curing salt and smoked paprika that I can no longer find here.

Then today he went into San Jose and while he was there he went to our local kitchen and restaurant supply and bought me some things that I needed.

An instant thermometer, an oven thermometer and a marinade syringe. I'm really happy with the syringe because now I can go back to making corned beef and Ham.

I guess I'm just a cheap date because little things make me happy.

Edited January 3 by Tropicalsenior (log)

[liuzhou]

Bought me some eggs.

 

 

Front L-R:  Duck, Chicken, Quail, Goose.

 

Back Centre:  Ostrich

 

 

[liuzhou]

Well, I think this could be fun!

 

A selection of small tools I bought this morning, prompted by my funnel having disappeared into the same place as socks go when they leave their partner mid-way through a wash cycle carrying off my Tupperware lids.

 

 

 

[Tropicalsenior]

On 1/3/2025 at 12:00 PM, SLB said:

The Kitchenaid ice cream attachment. 

Ever since you mentioned this I have been absolutely dying for one but living in Costa Rica I figured that it was a total impossibility. However, my grandson is here visiting and we checked the internet. It is available in Costa Rica. Today he went into San Jose and he bought me one. I am in 7th Heaven. At least I am right now. I'm still going to have to verify that will work on my machine. It says it will but I don't trust it. I have to see for myself.

Yesterday in preparation we defrosted one freezer and rearranged two others so that I now have a dedicated spot just for it, ready to freeze the bowl and make ice cream tomorrow.

Now I have to locate all those great EG threads on making ice cream.

[Tropicalsenior]

Just tried everything and it fits. Ice cream reports coming up.

[SLB]

Me too!  Be warned -- those ice cream threads are dizzying in eGullet's Very.Best.Way.

 

I am starting with the (possibly overly) simple recipes from the Chez Panisse Desserts book.  They seem to all involve the fruit of the moment (the current moment in NYC is apples and pears); all and only heavy cream; a custard assessed without even thinking about using a thermometer; and some kind of booze.  

 

On revisiting those threads, this seems like . . . some instructions might be missing.  

 

But my bowl is in my freezer too.  Looking forward to seeing what we come up with!

[Tropicalsenior]

1 hour ago, SLB said:

I am starting with the (possibly overly) simple recipes from the Chez Panisse Desserts book. 

I'm going to start out with just some simple recipes. I used to have some Donvier freezers and I had a Hamilton Beach electric freezer for a while. So I made quite a bit of ice cream in them and they are the same principle as this one.

I have some passion fruit nectar in the refrigerator so that will be my ice cream for tomorrow.

I read a lot of the reviews on the KitchenAid website and most of them were very positive. The most negative review was about the piece that slides on to the head of the mixer. They warned that because it is made of plastic it is a little more fragile and, according to them, they don't have replacement parts for that yet.

Edited Wednesday at 08:19 PM by Tropicalsenior (log)

[SLB]

Got it.  Thank you!  I'm a total neophyte at ice cream making, the last time I even observed such a thing, it involved rock salt, a wooden bucket-thingy on the back porch, and the men in the house taking turns cranking seemingly forever.   

[Tropicalsenior]

33 minutes ago, SLB said:

I'm a total neophyte at ice cream making

I just made my first batch and it is so easy. You are going to love this thing. The ice cream is so smooth and probably the best ice cream that I have had in years. I made passion fruit ice cream which is one of my favorites.

I made the Custard in the microwave the night before as I have always done when I use the other type of ice cream makers. My custard was a bit thicker than it should have been but it still turned out perfectly. I do think though that if it had been a bit thinner it would have aerated more and I would have gotten more yield. As it was I got about a quart and a half.

I'm going to start posting about this on a topic that I found here about the KitchenAid ice cream accessory. Seems that it was started in 2004. I had no idea that they had an ice cream maker. I don't understand why it isn't more popular because I think everybody that owns a KitchenAid should have one. You and I might be the the only ones posting on it but maybe we can become enablers.

https://youtube.com/shorts/O_Ga2S8ZB5o?si=8EW-2mXwRVg7d-nl

 

Edited yesterday at 05:24 PM by Tropicalsenior (log)

[SLB]

I'm in!

[KennethT]

Has anyone seen or used this:

https://www.stirmate.com/

 

Traditional Indonesian (Sumatra) rendang is cooked over low heat for like 8 hours while being constantly stirred.  I don't mind stirring the last bit by hand, but standing around for 8 hours isn't appealing.... hehe.  If this thing worked well, I can think of quite a few uses for it.

[Tropicalsenior]

3 minutes ago, KennethT said:

Has anyone seen or used this

I've seen something similar reviewed on English TV and it was a dismal failure. But I think the one that they had was more in the class of a Gadget rather than a serious Appliance.

[chromedome]

On 1/5/2025 at 10:23 PM, liuzhou said:

Well, I think this could be fun!

 

A selection of small tools I bought this morning, prompted by my funnel having disappeared into the same place as socks go when they leave their partner mid-way through a wash cycle carrying off my Tupperware lids.

 

 

 

I have a collapsing silicone funnel like that one, but have used it maybe three times in as many years... because the grandkids are fascinated with it, and the damned thing is never in the drawer when I want it!

(I love sharing a home with them, don't get me wrong, but of course there are frustrations and this is one of 'em. At least once/week I'll go around the yard and collect up cups, silverware and especially bowls that have somehow migrated outside and never come back.)

[Laurentius]

2 hours ago, chromedome said:

I'll go around the yard and collect up cups, silverware and especially bowls that have somehow migrated outside and never come back.

At least these kids are going outside to play.

[chromedome]

42 minutes ago, Laurentius said:

At least these kids are going outside to play.

Yes, for sure. They do get their share of screen time (it's 2025, after all) but they both have lots of imaginative playtime indoors and out.