beverlyaduke

[beverlyaduke]

How to Turn Your Grill into a Smoker

With the temps warming up, it is most certainly time to get mouths a-watering for barbecue season. Whether gas or charcoal, most of us have a backyard grill, but a dedicated smoker can be a luxury. They take up space, can cost a lot, and while they make sense for true smoked food fans, might not be necessary for the average grill fan.  

In fact, they're not necessary at all. Cause with a little creativity and DIY ingenuity, you can turn the grill you already own in a smoker that can turn out tender, fall apart food fused with the flavor of fire. 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4244-how-to-turn-your-grill-into-a-smoker

[beverlyaduke]

Ten Great Uses for a Handkerchief...Other Than Blowing Your Nose

A few years ago I was driving to a lunch meeting with a publisher for a book project and the conversation turned to old stuff making a comeback. I took her by surprise when I mentioned handkerchiefs, and even more so when I produced one from my back pocket. I had never really thought much of it, because carrying handkerchiefs is my way of classing up a serious problem with allergies, where my sinuses go DEFCON 1 and launch sneezing attacks at a moment's notice. (Like my man Sneezy says... "When you gotta, you gotta.") 

But I'm not the only one looking to supplement tissues with fabric. The resurgence of handkerchiefs is part of the larger picture of kids born in the 80's reaching back into Grandpa's closet and workshop for a feeling of concreteness and authenticity. Regardless of your position on reaching for retro, I'd argue that the handkerchief, far from being a relic relegated to nostalgic millennials, is a useful tool... and not just for catching sneezes.

Here's a list of some of the things you can use handkerchiefs for in your everyday life.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4811-ten-great-uses-for-a-handkerchief-other-than-blowing-your-nose

[beverlyaduke]

ManMade Guide: How To Make the Best Cold Brew Coffee at Home

You can buy cold brew coffee at a coffee shop. But, if it happens to be from a certain Seattle-based java-serving monolith named after a Melville character, or an pink and orange East Coast chain known for selling fried rings of dough for, uh, "placing" into your coffee, then what you're actually getting is cold coffee...that is, hot coffee that's been iced down.

Cold brew is an entirely different beast altogether. And with the weather warming up, it's time to cool our coffee down. Or, more accurately, never heat it up to begin with. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/2534-manmade-guide-how-to-make-the-best-cold-brew-coffee-at-home

[beverlyaduke]

The Process: Making a Pen on the Lathe

I know it's a small thing, but your choice in writing implements can say a lot about you. Do you carry a simple plastic tube with cheap ink, or do you hold a solid, well-made piece that makes an impression? Or do you not carry anything at all? A pen holds stories and signatures, words and dreams, and you can make one that leaves an impression every time you put some words to that page.

That's why you should carry something impressive, and why you definitely should make your own.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4606-the-process-making-a-pen-on-the-lathe

[beverlyaduke]

Weekend Project: Make a Wooden Chair from One Board (for $8!)

At its core, a chair is simply a seat with a back. And while they often have legs and arms and complex joinery for strength, sometimes, a little physics can accomplish the same thing.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/3482-weekend-project-make-a-wooden-chair-from-one-board-for-8

[beverlyaduke]

This is Probably the Best $50 I've Ever Spent in My Life

In college, my roommate Adam returned from the holiday break with a new alarm clock he'd received as a Christmas gift. (My dorm days were a bit before the smartphone era and we all still used actual bedside clocks to wake up for our 8:00am classes). This particular alarm clock was special; it featured a… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4604-this-is-probably-the-best-50-i-ve-ever-spent-in-my-life

[beverlyaduke]

9 Awesome Podcasts for Makers, Crafters, Artists, and Designers

Podcasts. You know 'em. You listen to 'em. You're moved by them. You laugh and are entertained by them. But are you inspired by them? Do they light a fire under your butt and make you want to get into your work space as fast as possible? Do they… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4254-9-awesome-podcasts-for-makers-crafters-artists-and-designers

[beverlyaduke]

Five Shakespearean Speeches Every Man Should Know

So, I'm gonna throw down and get controversial for a sec: William Shakespeare was the greatest playwright and poet who ever spoke English, and I'd relish a comment-fight-to-the-death in the comments anyone who disagrees (not really, but I encourage the conversation).

To argue the man's merits feels redundant; the work speaks for itself. The Bard's plays are so influential that he's taught us how we understand storytelling and character development in the modern and post-modern world. His words have become so ubiquitous that I'd bet good money everyone reading this knows unique phrases from at least 4 of the 5 speeches below (also lots of movies take their titles from his phrases). I challenge any man considering himself an educated member of our society read these speeches and attempt committing them to memory. You'll find them helpful in more than a few settings. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4120-five-shakespearean-speeches-every-man-should-know

[beverlyaduke]

The No Bullshit Way to Bake Your Own Bread

Want to make no knead bread in a Dutch oven? It's not nearly as hard as it sounds. 

Gluten is my homeboy. I don't care what the fad-diets say (and apologies to those of you who are truly gluten-intolerant). Paleo-be-damned, I'm grateful our… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/no-knead-bread-dutch-oven

[beverlyaduke]

10 Essential Gin Cocktails You Should Try This Spring

Any time of year, gin is a favorite spirit. It mixes well while retaining its character, and its aromatics complement a great range of flavors. But there's something so special, so obvious, about gin and springtime. If flavors had colors, gin's would be green, and it's a perfect chance to start putting ice back in our cocktails because the external temperatures are finally bearable.   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/2967-10-essential-gin-cocktails-you-should-try-this-spring

[beverlyaduke]

How to Make Head Tea: The Greatest Cold Remedy Known to Man

I live in an area of the country that experiences four traditional seasons. Of those four, my favorites are Spring and Fall. I love everything about these transitional seasons—the mild weather, the changing light, the start of garden season on one end and the height of its bounty at the other. (Even if they do only seem to last for about a week here in eastern North Carolina.)

That is, I love these seasons, but my sinuses do not. I've got horrendous seasonal allergies that flood my head with histamines twice a year, to the point where I really should invest in a giant hypoallergenic vinyl bubble to seal myself off in from April to July. Also, the change of seasons seems to kick the butts of everyone's immune systems, and I always inevitably catch what everyone's passing around.

Are you in the same club? I got something for what ails you, and it goes by the name of Head Tea.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4784-how-to-make-head-tea-the-greatest-cold-remedy-known-to-man

[beverlyaduke]

How to Hack Your Aeropress to Make an Even Better Cup of Coffee

I recently posted a photo of my Aeropress setup to Instagram and had a buddy comment with questions about my process. I've only been using my press casually for the last couple of years, so I didn't feel comfortable saying anything authoritative. That begged the question: who would be considered an authority on the subject of Aeropress recipes? Which led me to: if not the victors of the World Aeropress Championship, then who? 

If you're unfamiliar to the world of Aeropress, if you own one and have no idea what to do with it, or if you're looking to tweak your current routine: read on, friends.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4781-how-to-hack-your-aeropress-to-make-an-even-better-cup-of-coffee

[beverlyaduke]

Pickle Everything. Or, How to Make All Your Vegetables as Interesting as Possible

I knew I had a problem with pickles when I was a kid and the jar of Claussen's or Batampte's in our fridge wouldn't last a week without me finishing it. Something about the perfection of cucumber plus garlic plus the salty-sour of the brine made for something refreshing, savory and just perfect. I craved pickles as the accompaniment to a sandwich, but I also ate them straight out of the fridge, getting through at least a spear or two before the door closed shut. Pickles are, simply put, one of my favorite ways to eat vegetables.  … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4770-pickle-everything-or-how-to-make-all-your-vegetables-as-interesting-as-possible

[beverlyaduke]

​How to Build Your Own Altoids Tin Survival Kit

I'm sure the original makers of Altoids had no concept of survivalism, let alone having any inkling that they were providing a vessel for emergency lifesaving tools. Yet here we are: this humble, yet curiously strong, breath mint has inspired scores of tutorials for intrepid would-be wilderness warriors.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, we at ManMadDIY have scoured the tutorials, and we've honed in on what we think are the best basics for that quintessential Internet favorite, the Altoids tin survival kit.

Let's dig in!

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/3105-how-to-build-your-own-altoids-tin-survival-kit

[beverlyaduke]

How to: 3 Ways to Punch a Hole in a Leather Belt

Get out your leather hole punch, 'cause sooner or later, you're gonna have to do it. It may be because you lost a little weight, and now it's time to notch over one more, and you're plumb out of holes. Maybe it'll be due to the fact that different pairs of pants sit on your body at different places. Or it may be that you'll simply had that belt for a little while, and the leather has stretched a bit. But, at some point, you're gonna have to make a hole in a belt. And if you do it right, it can look perfectly in line with the others, like it's been there the entire time.

  … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/how-to-make-a-hole-in-a-belt-with-leather-hole-punch

[beverlyaduke]

What to Do During Down Times Instead of Staring at Your Phone

Downtime. Or, in same cases, dead times: waiting rooms, lines, traffic, the moments in between appointments. Those places where you get nowhere quickly, but live in effective purgatory, embracing neither productivity or relaxation. To the overly ambitious (or those suffering from some form of adult ADHD), these are the times that try your soul in that special kind of slow-drip water torture way.

Sure, you could kill your dead time by scrolling through Instagram. You may even decide to do something useful with your phone, like one-liner email replies or clearing out your old voicemail. But what if you want to occasionally limit your exposure to the little blue screen that wasn’t a crucial part of human existence before 2007?

In lieu of time-killers, here are four suggestions for time-fillers that you can perform with absolutely no equipment other than your mind and your body (as well as one that requires a simple piece of string). These are especially helpful if you’re stuck in a situation where you really shouldn’t be using your phone, like stop-and-go traffic. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4772-what-to-do-during-down-times-instead-of-staring-at-your-phone

[beverlyaduke]

How to: Make a Proper Cup of Builder's Tea

If you were to ask an American to picture drinking a cup of tea, it's safe to assume that the mental image wouldn't include work boots, hardhats, bricks, and lumber. But while coffee is standard in the U.S., for thousands of construction workers in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as numerous tradesmen like electricians, welders, and plumbers, a strong cup of tea is the preferred fuel for a day filled with labor.

Here's a basic rundown of how to fortify your work day with the strength of a bricklayer.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

from Man Made DIY Recent Posts http://www.manmadediy.com/4775-how-to-make-a-proper-cup-of-builder-s-tea