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You can find many uses for scrap metal if you exercise some creativity. If you have some scrap metal at home that will not be worth much if you bring it to a scrap yard, you may find some ingenious ways to turn them into something useful for your home.

Search online and you will find various ways to recycle scrap metal. Some of them became plant holders, wall art, lamp holders, and more.

But keep in mind, do not stash your scrap metal at home. Recycling helps the environment and the economy. Clean and sort your scrap metals. Residents of Kansas, for example, can bring them to a professional scrap yard in KC that provides a reasonable price tag and adequate solutions.

Various uses of scrap metal

Recycling scrap metals is good for the environment and the economy. In the concept of circular economy, everything that is manufactured should be made in a way that they can be dismantled and recreated later into an end product once the original product’s usability is lost. But in the case of metals, almost nothing is lost because they can be recycled continuously without losing their inherent properties. Here are some uses of recycled scrap metals.

With recycled metals, different industries help the environment by reducing the need for mining. Likewise, the manufacturing costs of products made from recycled metals are lower, passing on the savings to consumers.

Industrial uses

There are several uses of scrap aluminum and iron in the construction of bridges, roads, and buildings. In the transportation industry, recycled metals can be used to manufacture aircraft, cars, ships and other vehicles. Scrap metals are needed in the manufacture of industrial metal containers that are used by various companies. A range of appliances is also produced from scrap metal, particularly aluminum. They are also used for plumbing and ductwork.

Packaging

Recycled steel and aluminum are reused as new food packaging today. Most canned goods, for example, use recycled metals, and many manufacturers are using cans made from 100% recycled scrap metals. Within a two-month cycle, the scrap metals, particularly steel and aluminum, will reappear on store shelves as new beverage or food containers. That is how fast various industries need recycled metals.

New and stronger products

Using advanced technology, many scrap metals are recycled to produce stronger as well as new products. With the new processes, manufacturers can produce tools of higher quality. The recycling process consumes less energy and reduces carbon dioxide emissions, both of which are beneficial to the environment.

Home furnishings

Many of the metal home furnishings you can buy today are made from recycled metals. They are not only durable, but they are also beautiful. Examples are chairs, tables, benches, kitchen appliances, yard tools, filing cabinets, and lighting fixtures.

Artistic and creative uses

Artists, craftspeople and those who have some artistic inclinations see a pile of scrap metals as materials for works of art. Several sculptors create outstanding sculptures. You can get so many ideas from various websites. You can turn them into stools, tables, coat racks, picture frames, wall art, wine bottle holders, pots and pans hanging rack, beds, decorative plant holders, stools, and more.

Recycling scrap metals benefits you, the industry, the economy and the environment, without you realizing it. You can even help in providing jobs for more people.

Don’t let a dead battery cut your relaxing evening or weekend on the water short. Even the best marine battery options have a limited lifetime, so explore the steps necessary to get more out of your battery. Check out proper maintenance and the best brands before ordering a new one online.

How To Choose the Best Boat Battery

On average, a marine battery only lasts about 3 to 4 years. Some can last longer than 6 years, but that depends on the maintenance tasks performed and the type of battery you’re using. Consider investing in a battery tester or periodically taking your marine battery to an auto parts store location near you to estimate the condition of this component.

When it’s time to retire your old battery, it’s important to replace it with a reliable option. Start by checking the type of battery you have. Some are used for cranking the engine on your boat, similar to an automotive battery. Others are deep cycle, which power your marine electronics for hours at a time.

Once you’ve determined the correct type for your replacement task, it’s time to shop for styles of battery. Here are the main types that all offer their own pros and cons:

• Lithium ion
• Wet cell, or lead acid
• AGM
• Gel

A lead-acid battery is the most common and affordable. Other battery types add additional features. Gel units, for example, have a low self-discharge rate. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight and have a long life cycle, but are more of an investment than lead-acid alternatives.

Verify that the battery you purchase is sized appropriately for your needs. A VIN decoder can help you find the right maintenance items for your car, but it’s just as important to correctly size your deep-cycle and cranking marine batteries.

Proper Boat Battery Maintenance

The most important task in marine battery maintenance is to prevent it from completely discharging. This typically ruins the battery and prevents it from being recharged by any means. Use a battery tester to spot the signs that it’s time to recharge your battery.

Your marine motor recharges the battery just like a car. You may know how to jump start a car, but this isn’t a practical solution for a boat if your battery dies in the middle of the water. Always test your battery before you leave to ensure it’s ready for a day on the water.

Connect your battery to a trickle charger during the winter months. If you aren’t going to be taking your boat out for a month or more, then the battery could dangerously self discharge. A trickle charger providers small amounts of power to keep it safely topped up.

Explore the Best Boat Batteries Online

Learn more about boat battery maintenance by comparing battery brands and types online. Shop from the comfort of your couch or from the deck of your boat as you take the necessary steps for safe marine maintenance. Use customer reviews and this guide to find the best battery type to keep your engine roaring and your electronics fully powered.

It’s not easy managing a household. Keeping the house clean, taking care of the kids, making sure you’ve paid all your bills, doing errands and chores on top of having your day job. What’s even more difficult is the fact that despite everything you do, sometimes you still come up short in paying bills and necessities. You might even have financial troubles here and there.

But don’t worry, everyone goes through that at some point in their life. While there’s a popular saying that claims “money can’t buy happiness”, we all know it can make life a lot easier. Money can indeed not buy happiness, but it can purchase the things you need in your life. It can take away a lot of anxieties and worries.

Unfortunately, there isn’t any genie in a bottle with three wishes for us. We have to make do on our own. And that’s what this is article is for. Below are ways you can manage your family’s finances better, and ultimately be in a better financial position sooner rather than later.

Be on Top of Your Finances and Expenses

The first step to managing your finances is actually knowing what you’re spending your money on. You might have a rough idea of how much funds you’re bringing home and how much goes to paying for electricity,mortgage loans, or other expenses and utilities but a rough idea isn’t enough. It’s best to have an exact number of how much you’re letting go monthly. This is all for understanding how your money moves, and even making predictions whether you’ll be running short or not.

The good thing is technology makes tracking your finances easier, as there are multiple expense tracker apps that you can use. Utilizing these software tools can help you have a visual aid, allowing you to see whether you’re spending too much for something or whether you can save money here or there. Make sure you’re on top of your finances and expenses, and you’ll be aware of how to manage your money.

Set Goals and Targets for Your Savings

Saving money is already a given, after all, it’s the only definite way of making sure you’ll have enough for the future. But simply saving money without a target isn’t exactly the best technique. It’s easy to assume that saving money is enough, but not having a goal can lead you to simply spending it all in one go, or chipping it away until there’s none left.

One good and easy target for your savings is an emergency fund. Think of how much you need to survive at three months (at minimum) without work. This includes everything, from all the utilities and daily living expenses to whatever payments you still need to pay. This is your basic emergency fund and is a good goalpost to target as it will help you prepare for the future.

Teach Yourself (and Your Family) Personal Finance

If you go to a bookstore, there’s a big chance you might see a section called ‘personal finance’,but what is it really? In simple terms, it’s anything covering topics such as saving money, investing, insurance, tax, and other financially related topics. And a large part of what you’re doing by managing your family’s finances already falls under personal finance- so why not commit to it and study?

Your financial situation won’t be the same as the next family, and there are many factors affecting that. From salary to living expenses, the multiple factors dictating how your money moves should be something you study thoroughly. There are many resources in personal finance, from physical media like books and magazines to digital formats like videos and online articles. Familiarizing yourself with the multiple facets of personal finance will not only help you better manage your money but also prevent you from making bad financial decisions.

However, what’s equally important is you share this all with your family. After all, you might be the one managing the finances, but it’s still ultimately your family’s concern. Having them learn with you will grant them a better understanding of how finances work, and hopefully encourage them to make better financial decisions too.

It’s Difficult but Not Impossible

Managing the family’s finance is something that every household needs to do. Some have it lucky by having a high salary, some struggle to make ends meet. What’s important is we make the most of what we get and make the right decisions. And making the conscious effort to manage your family’s finances better is a step in the right direction.

 

If you are someone that loves boating or fishing you would have imagined owning a home on the waterfront. This means that building a great dock has always been one of your life’s true ambitions.

There are thousands of individuals including me who love the idea of sipping on a cold can of beer while leisurely sitting on the dock.

In recent years, many homeowners are exploring building docks on their properties for multiple reasons. While some are doing it as they have taken up boating, others are investing in a dock simply because they can help improve the valuation of a house.

However, it should be pointed out that dock building requires a lot of planning, research, and expertise. Every contractor cannot build the same even if they claim they can.

In this article, we explore the common dock building mistakes and guide owners on how they can avoid making the same.

Mistake 1: Not Working or Hiring the Best People for the Job

Your regular run-of-the-mill contractor, the one who you call to change the color scheme of the house is not going to help you build the dock. Dock building requires years of experience in the field and the companies that build them rarely do anything else. This is why the first and most important thing you need to do is hire the best dock builders and not just any contractor for this project. The issue of safety also needs to be considered.

Mistake 2: Not Getting the Best Dock Supplies for the Project

You need to understand that building the dock requires you to have the best dock supplies for the project. This means that elements like ladders, lighting, fenders, boxes, and piling caps need to be the best. You need to understand that all these elements are very likely to experience the harshest weather conditions. You need to invest in quality materials and brands that can ensure a long and durable life. Add to this the aspect of safety and the answer becomes clear.

Mistake 3: Not Getting Construction Permits from the Local Authority

While you may not require a license from the local administration when you want to redo the kitchen or the bathroom, a dock is an entirely different thing. Being connected to the water falls within the jurisdiction of the local administration. Almost all the waterfronts in the United States require you to get prior permission and submit building plans when creating docks. If you fail to do so, not only will you be fined heavily, but the ongoing work will also cease.

Mistake 4: Not Planning about what you want to do on the Dock

Many individuals fail to take into account the various activities they would be doing on the dock. Unlike a room that you can change if you do not like, a dock cannot be altered so easily. This means that if you are looking at creating an entertaining space that doubles up to hold your boat, the plan will be different when compared to a dock that just holds the boat. Planning, understanding the future needs of the family, etc. should be done.

Mistake 5: Not Fixing a Budget Before the Commencement of the Dock Build

One of the most important things that you need to do is fix the budget and the project completion dates. Building a dock is not an inexpensive proposition. This is why you need to push your contractor to stay within budgets and stick to the quotations that they had given before coming on board. If you are not serious, you can end up spending a hefty amount that can severely drain your finances. Sticking to the budget is critical for the project.

The Bottom Line

In the last few months, especially since the onset of the pandemic, homeowners are looking for vast open areas to settle down. This is making moving to waterfront properties a preferred choice. If you are someone that has decided to move to a location like that, investing in a new dock is something, which you should consider.

A piano can make a wonderful addition, both aesthetically and functionally, to your family home. If you have children, the piano is a great instrument for them to learn to play. Or perhaps you already know how to play yourself or would like to learn.

Pianos also are fun to have at house parties for singalongs! There are many reasons to want to get a piano for your home, but as with most other big ticket purchases, you shouldn’t jump the gun without doing your research and considering options.

Here are five things to think about when buying a piano.

Cost

There is a piano out there for just about every budget, but remember that with higher quality can come higher cost. It just depends how much you are willing to spend, and what you specifically want the piano for. If it’s something you hope to keep in your family for years to come, it may be worth shelling out a little extra cash for. However, if it’s just a first instrument for a curious child showing interest in learning, perhaps not.

Size

It can’t be stressed enough—pianos are huge. Even a small piano is going to take up a lot of space in your home. Make sure to measure the area you plan to put it as well as the piano itself before committing to a purchase.

Sound

If your decision to get a piano is based less on aesthetics and more on the actual music that will come out of the instrument, sound will be an important factor in your decision. You should play a few songs on it (or listen as someone else does) before buying.

Type

There are so many different types of pianos. They come in all shapes and sizes, a wide range of prices, and varying sounds! This is all good to know when considering which piano is right for you and your family. Most of it depends on personal preference, but if you have questions, try going into your local music shop and asking for help.

Delivery & Repairs

A piano is not something you can just pick up and take home in your car. Once purchased, you are going to have to have it delivered, likely by professional piano movers. Pianos are extremely heavy and delicate, so they really do require someone who knows what they’re doing to move. Factor the cost of delivery into your budget. Repairs can also get expensive, depending on what type of piano you end up with. Remember this so that you won’t be in for any unpleasant surprises down the road.

Congratulations on your decision to purchase a piano for your family home! This is a choice that will bring you joy for a very long time. Hopefully the above tips will help make the rest of the process go smoothly for you.

If you are unhappy with the way that your jawline looks then it is time to start taking some steps to fix that. Contrary to what you may believe, and whilst it is certainly not easy, there are many options which you can try out to give you a more chiseled and better looking jaw than you realize. There is always jawline surgery available if you are really bothered and cannot change the appearance of your jaw, prior to that however, here are just some things which you could try which will give you the appearance which you are looking for.

Smiling More Often

Believe it or not those who smile more often actually do a great deal of good for how their jaw looks. When we smile we extend the cheekbones and that helps to exercise the muscles in and around the jaw. We cannot target weight loss but we can strengthen muscles and through more smiling, we can help those muscles around the jaw to improve.

Fish Face Exercise

A fun way to make sure that you get that strong jaw which you are looking for is to perform the fish face exercise. All you need to do here is to pout as though you had a fish mouth, and hold it for 5 to 8 seconds. Repeat this multiple times a day and you can consider your jaw sufficiently worked out.

Face Massages

Whether you choose to do it on your own or you head for a facial, a massage in the face area is excellent for your jaw. The reason for this is that massaging increases the blood circulation to your face, and that helps to give you a more youthful look. Increase blood flow will also help to firm up the skin and prevent any sagging from occurring.

Drinking More Water

Drinking more water is great for so many reasons yet even more so when it comes to the way in which your face looks. Water helps to flush out toxins from the body which then helps to firm up the skin and to give you a more youthful and fresh appearance. This will have a great impact on how your jawline looks.

Clenching Your Jaw

Another great exercise which can help to chisel your jaw into shape is through thaw clenches. Do this as an activity before bed each night and you will be able to really help to build up those muscles and leave you with a more defined jawline.

There are some products which you may have seen online, plastic mouthpieces which you bite down on in order to strengthen the jaw area. It should be noted that none of these have actually been proven to work and they may actually cause some damage to your teeth if you use them regularly. And finally if none of the above gives you the desired result, then jawline surgery is always a great option which will certainly help you to achieve the look you desire.

Over the last decade vaping has become incredibly popular and so many have replaced smoking cigarettes with vaping instead. This is a significantly healthier step which so many have taken and many have now even taking to vaping for other reasons, not just to stop smoking. What vaping offers which traditional smoking cannot, is a healthier and lower cost option, which sees users inhaling water vapor instead of smoke and harmful chemicals.

As a result of this increased popularity we have seen the mergence of the tobacco vape shop, both online and offline. These are great places to find accessories for all of your vaping needs, and here is what you can expect to find in these stores.

Range of Juice

Many think that vape juice is simply tobacco flavored liquid but there is much more to vape juice than just tobacco. In fact one of the reasons why so many enjoy vaping is that there is a wide variety of flavors to choose from. Over the years the companies which produce this liquid have really pushed the envelope in terms of flavors, and there are some truly creative ideas out there. This is certainly what makes up the largest part of these stores and the range of flavors which you could get your hands on is incredible.

Batteries

In order to utilize the liquid which you buy, a battery or a cartomizer, which actually creates heat for the liquid to vaporize is needed. Now these come in a range of lies and a range of power options, and you should ensure that you do some research before you buy. As to which works best for you, much of it will come down to convenience, and the type of liquid which you decide to buy. In many cases the liquid can be thick in consistency and that requires a different level of voltage in order to heat it thought sufficiently. Unfortunately however most of the stronger batteries are larger in size, which may not be conducive to carrying them around. What many will do is look to buy a stronger battery for home, and a more handy, portable option for when they are out and about.

Disposable Options

One great choice for vaping which you’ll find in these stores are disposable options. These are ideal for single trips or perhaps even nights out. Some smokers will even look to switch things up for a change and seek to buy a disposable cigarette for a family party or a particular event where they are not keen on smoking cigarettes, especially with the smell and the awkwardness which this may bring. For someone who is looking to vape long term, this makes little sense, for those who simply want a short term solution however, this is the perfect choice and a smart investment which will help out.

These stores are growing, and you will find all of your vaping needs here, including an enormous array of liquids.

Gardening is a fun and fantastic time to grow and cultivate plants. It brings people happiness, and the enjoyable sight of beautiful flowers blooming during the day is priceless. Some, if not all, treat gardening as therapy when they experience a stressful day and need a pause from everything.

But, what could hinder the blooming of beautiful plants in a garden? The answers are garden pests. Garden pests are not suitable for any garden. They can kill your plants, and they don’t just ruin the plant’s foliage, but they affect even the deepest roots. They could also transfer diseases in plants that could greatly hinder their growth and development.

Not to mention, other pests like to stay on plants to feed on other pets, like Stink bugs. But don’t worry nor panic; just like other garden pests, stink bugs could be controlled and rid of. Thus, listed here are relevant information about what are stink bugs and ways on how to get rid of them successfully:

What are Stink Bugs?

Stink bugs, or also termed “shield bugs,” got their name due to the unpleasant odor they produce during times that they feel threatened. Stink bugs could be categorized as either a large oval-shaped insect or a shield-shaped insect. Also, they could grow at almost 2 cm.

Stink bugs have a small head and only have two pairs of wings. They are known to be attracted to light, so it’s better to check out the plants you have outdoors if they have been affected in any way by this pest. They could be found in gardens and even homes, but mostly in warm climates where they could reproduce more.

The odor produced by stink bugs helps them to be protected from predators around them as if it is their shield. Stink bugs are not known to be dangerous to humans, but they can harm crops and negatively affect the agricultural industry, so it is important to find out how to eliminate this pest. To understand more about stink bugs, visit Gardener’s Path.

How Do Stink Bugs Damage Your Garden?

As stated above, stink bugs could greatly harm and feed on plants as they want to. They may feed on the plant’s juices and attack vegetables. Some of these are tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers, and more. They can create three major damages in a plant. Either they kill a small seedling that was just about to grow, produce a stunted or dwarfing plant, even cause suckering.

They could be a source of nuisance to people. Although this specific pest does not spread diseases, they do damage ornamental plants and gardens. Also, a female stink bug could produce as many as 30 to a hundred eggs at a time. So, can you imagine the damage if that number of pests would attack any of your gardens?

How Do I Get Rid of Stink Bugs Successfully?

Since stink bugs could create nuisance in everyday life and damage garden plants, a control system is necessary. Read down below to learn about how you could remove stink bugs from creating more damages.

Keep Your Garden and Surroundings Clean

Pests love to stay in decomposing logs or any decaying plant. Thus, keeping your garden area clean could decrease the potential of garden pests like stink bugs. You could start by removing dead leaves and trim overgrown grasses and plants. Stink bugs usually use the weeds in the garden to hide and cover-up.

Suppose you happen to find any cracks or holes outside your home where stink bugs could hide on, seal them using any good quality silicone or any material you could use. Also, look behind your chimneys and pipes as they could also stay there.

Turn Your Lights Off

As mentioned above, pests are fond of light. They could be easily attracted to plants that are hit by light, especially during nighttime. So, a great way to get rid of them is to turn off any light in your garden and cover your windows with curtains when you have a light inside your home, so it does not reflect outside and reflect onto your plants.

Check on Items You Bring Home

Carefully inspect one by one the boxes and any grocery bags you have before bringing them into your home. Although this may take some time, stink bugs could be transferred in this way. It’s better to feel sure than to feel sorry later on.

Make Use of Some Row Covers

The presence of stink bugs in the garden could be unexpected. But, when they do attack, it could create damages. Thus, using a row cover as a protective shield for plants helps prevent stink bugs from having access on the inside. They don’t only protect your plants in strong wind.

Turn to Insecticidal Soaps

If handling stink bugs gets out of hand, a good alternative is to use insecticidal soaps. They are known to be affected in killing stink bugs and are used by lots of other gardeners. They are also safe for your plants and will only target pests.

Takeaway

Now that most people stay indoors due to the spread of COVID-19, there’s no other best time to start gardening than now. But, before starting, it’s best to know pests like stink bugs that could destroy all your hard work in planting to help you achieve your ideal house garden in no time.

Besides, gardening could also be a great way to unleash your creativity and free your mind from stressful situations. So, the relevant information stated above provides various ways to save your garden from the attack of stink bugs.

There is no doubt that tofu is tasty. However, it is intimidating the first time you buy it and attempt to make crispy tofu with a fresh silken tofu block. The tofu disintegrates in the pan or starts crumbling; next thing you know, the tofu has found its way to the bin. Anyone that has not grown up with tofu as a staple in the kitchen has had some kitchen mishap the first time they try tofu. Here are a few things that might be going wrong when you prep tofu.

The basics

Tofu isn’t a one-size-fits-all protein substitute for any recipe that calls for tofu. To get a better understanding of which kind of use, there are a few things to consider:

Soft or silken tofu 

The softest of all the tofus, this tofu is usually handled with care and is not ideal for crispy tofu recipes. The texture is similar to jelly. Silken tofu has the most amount of water in and hasn’t been pressed for long.

Silken tofu is perfect for desserts, creamy dishes, steamed, or deep-fried in a batter. The high moisture content makes it unsuited to shallow and pan-frying.

Firm tofu

Firm tofu is the most commonly found and famous tofu on the market. It has less water than silken and can be used in a variety of recipes. You can press firm tofu to remove more moisture to make extra-firm tofu.

Firm tofu is a little more robust and manages well in recipes that call for baking, boiling, pan-frying, and glazes. It can also be crusted and battered. It is considered the workhorse of tofu.

Extra-firm tofu

Extra-firm tofu is an excellent choice for anyone that needs a plant-based meat substitute. Extra-firm tofu has the lowest moisture of all tofus. It is solid and doesn’t break easily when handled.

The low moisture content makes this perfect for crispy tofu dishes, baking, battering, and just about any cooking method.

#1 – The wrong kind

The first mistake many novice tofu cooks make is buying the wrong kind of tofu. When it comes to making a delicious Thai tofu curry, there is nothing worse than finding your tofu broken into many pieces, floating on the top.

It is essential to consider how you will cook the tofu. Here is a look at different types of dishes and which kind of tofu is suitable for it.

• Smoothies, creamy sauces, desserts, dressings, or soups: Use silken or soft tofu for these meals. You can blend the silken tofu in a food processor for a smoother consistency and texture.
• Curries, stews, broths, and bakes: For solid pieces of tofu that are tender and tasty, use firm tofu. You can press the tofu to remove additional moisture and can hold its shape well in these dishes.
• Stir-fries, grills, battered meals: Opting for slightly harder tofu, such as extra-firm or super-firm tofu, is best for these recipes as the tofu is less likely to break apart.

Unless your recipe states otherwise, selecting firm tofu is usually the safest bet; it is easier to learn how to cook with firm tofu until you are confident to experiment with other kinds.

#2 – Fresh out the press? 

The liquid is the number one reason why a recipe didn’t work as well. Draining the liquid out of the package is sometimes not enough for the tofu to work well. Most kinds of tofu, except silken or soft, can benefit from being pressed.

Pressing tofu removes excess liquid. If your tofu is too wet, the moisture can cause spattering oil. Moist tofu can also start to crumble while moving it around in the pan. Another sign that your tofu has a little too much moisture is a distant lack of crispy texture in the batter. Moisture hides inside the tofu, and if it is not removed, your tofu will struggle to become crisp and crunchy.

#3 – Making the cut

It might not seem that something as simple as cutting your tofu can change the entire meal, but it can. Like most meaty foods, you can marinate tofu to create flavor. If you cut the tofu into big pieces, it will not absorb the marinade evenly.

Slicing your tofu before putting it in a tofu press is also vital to get as much liquid out as possible. Think of tofu as a sponge; it is highly absorbent and will retain liquid if not properly pressed before marinading. The excess liquid leftover can dilute the marinade as well.

Pro Tip: Leave oil out of your marinades as it can stop the tofu from absorbing flavor by creating a barrier between the tofu and the marinade as tofu has high water content.

#4 – The wrong method

We know that pressing tofu is vital, so is the method in which the tofu is pressed. There are two methods to pressing tofu; a tofu press or manual pressing. Both ways work well if done correctly; here is how to ensure that your tofu is pressed correctly every time, no matter which method you opt for.

• Manual: The old-school method of pressing tofu. Place clean paper towels on a plate, tofu, and additional paper towels on top. Place a second plate on the tofu, and weigh it down with something heavy. This method takes a little longer depending on how heavy the weight is. It is usually recommended to press tofu for 30 – 40 minutes to remove the correct amount of water from the tofu. Drain excess water off the plate after pressing for 15 minutes.
• A tofu press: The modern invention of a tofu press has saved time and mess; many tofu presses have drainage trays for mess-free pressing (like Tofubud). Slice the tofu and place it in the press for 15 minutes. It will be ready for cooking after 15 minutes. Most presses only need 15 minutes as it provides even pressure across the tofu.

Once the tofu has been pressed, you can cut it into cubes or slices according to your recipe. However, slicing the tofu before pressing can help remove water trapped deep inside the block. It can be challenging to press tofu that has been sliced with the manual method, which is why it takes a little longer.

#5 – Don’t panic; just practice

Tofu is actually easy to cook with once you get the hang of it. The most common mistake people make when cooking tofu is panicking. Don’t panic; tofu isn’t as scary as it seems.

All it takes is a little experimentation and time to familiarize yourself with how it works and adapts to your cooking style. If you love tofu from a restaurant, you will soon be able to make your own at home with ease!

A griddle is a handy piece of kitchen equipment. You can make a pancake breakfast complete with bacon and eggs or a tasty steak dinner, as we’ll see here.

It’s easy to cook a good steak on a griddle, and when you do it correctly, the results speak for themselves. You won’t get flare-ups from fat dripping onto hot coals. You won’t have hot or cold spots, either – just a nice, even surface that will rival any grill for cooked meat perfection.

Here are some secrets for making your griddle steak taste better.

Note: For the very best results, get yourself a cast iron griddle, which ensures even heat distribution.

Select the best cut of meat for the job

The cut of meat that you choose will make all the difference. The best cuts of meat for griddle steak are Porterhouse, T-Bone, Ribeye, and NY Strip. Get the best quality you can afford.

Steak tips are also delicious when grilled: these are the very tender pieces of beef cut from the sirloin. They are also known as sirloin tips or tri-tip steal.

Dry your steak

Before seasoning your steak, dab it first with a paper towel to get any moisture off that could interfere with the searing process.

Drying your steak will also enable the seasoning or marinade to soak into the meat more effectively.

Season your meat

The best kind of seasoning for griddle steak can be simple: a light coating of oil with some salt and freshly ground pepper.

You can use any flavored seasoning you like – but coating your meat with a light oil first will make it extra tasty.

The best type of oil for cast iron griddles is one that has a high smoke point, such as canola oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or peanut oil.

Try a marinade

If you want to marinate your steak before cooking it, let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can (in the fridge).

An effortless marinade recipe is a mixture of steak seasoning, garlic, brown sugar, and Italian salad dressing.

Let it rest

Allow your seasoned meat to rest for half an hour at room temperature before putting it on the griddle. Letting your meat rest won’t give you food poisoning – you are taking the chill off, which will provide you with meat that is juicier and more evenly cooked.

Prepare the griddle

Heat your griddle at high heat. When the griddle is hot, put a knob of butter or a bit of cooking oil on the surface and spread it out. You want the area where your meat will cook to be covered with a light base layer of fat.

Alternatively, if your chosen cut of meat has fat around the edges, rub the meat’s fat over the surface of the griddle. If your griddle is hot, the fat will melt and provide an excellent base layer.

Cook your meat

Place your steaks on top of your base layer of fat, and press down with a spatula. You want your meat to be nice and flat. Don’t press too hard, as you don’t want the meat’s juices to run out onto the griddle.

Now let the steak cook for long enough to form a seared crust on the bottom. Don’t flip your steak more than once, or you won’t get the flavorful crust. When the brown starts coming up the sides of your steak, it’s ready to flip.

If you want to check your steak’s progress, you can peek underneath by lifting a small corner.

As a rough guide to the cooking time you’ll need, a steak that is one inch thick tends to cook in about 18 minutes (10 minutes on the first side). A thinner steak will cook faster.

If you don’t want to estimate your steak’s doneness, you can use a probe thermometer. Here are some temperatures you can use as a guide:

• 128-135 degrees F for medium-rare
• 135-145 degrees F for medium
• 145-155 degrees F for medium-well

Let the meat rest again

Most people skip this step, but it’s a crucial one: before serving your cooked steak, let it rest.

You want to let it rest at least 8 minutes before you start cutting it. During this time, your steak continues to cook, even when it’s removed from the heat.

While your steak cooks, the juices go into the center of the steak. Allowing your steak to rest enables the juices to redistribute towards the outer edges so that you can get juice in every bite.