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My second-favorite kitchen gadget is my sous-vide stick. As an apartment-dweller, it's a great way to make a steak without filling up the entire place with smoke. Plus there are so many other great low-effort, high return recipes you can make using a sous-vide stick; it's not just for steak.

My favorite kitchen gadget though is my vacuum sealer. It's obviously essential for the sous-vide, but it makes freezing meat, soups, and sauces so much easier, especially since I have a small freezer (deli containers take up a lot of space that I don't necessarily have). Other favorite gadgets are my instant-read thermometer and microplane grater.

Most underrated gadget: a sharpie. I think I have more sharpies in my kitchen than I do at my desk.

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I just want to get on the record saying I had the sharpie/blue tape/razor for straight cuts thing going on before watching The Bear this summer.

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I just use regular masking tape, but same.

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Back in the early days of the ACBN, I ran a discussion thread on favorite pens, and I was somewhat surprised to find out how strongly everyone feels about their pens. (For me, it's the Pentel Sign Pen, which is just a better version of a Sharpie, I can't explain it.)

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I've never even thought to spice up my food with a little sharpie juice. interesting.

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i wish i could upvote this harder, or more often. my sous vide / vacuum sealer tandem has *literally* changed my life. period, full stop. i’ve never had better proteins, of almost all sorts, up to and including fine restaurant meals.

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Do you have any sous-vide tips? I got one for my birthday a few years ago and have used it twice, both times with unimpressive results.

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the key is in the sear. season it before you sous vide it, then just enough time on the grill or cast-iron pan to get a “crust” on it. burgers for an hour at 148 or so, then four minutes a side on the grill. best homemade burger you will ever have.

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Timing in the sous-vide as well. If you leave your food in the bath for too long, it'll start to disintegrate. The time suggestions on SeriousEats are pretty good for that.

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