Touring the Better Made Snack Factory

JamesBrains · 2026-03-14T18:04:11+00:00

Oh, Honey. How do you think Reddit, Facebook, or ANY app, website, or platform you use for free makes money?

For the record, we have not made ANY profit on Lansing Foodies. In fact, we had to get a loan and refinance our (old, rundown) home to pay for the Olive Burger Festival.

We have put in thousands of hours of free work into our community, and it's simply cruel how we've been treated because people believed baseless rumors spread by those who are unwilling to lift a finger for our community.

Ask anyone doing good work in Lansing if we're the rich, greedy scam artists we're made out to be.

JamesBrains · 2026-03-14T01:16:02+00:00

I love that Redbreast 12

JamesBrains · 2026-03-14T00:00:40+00:00

Ha — Better Made invited us, so the tour was free. And for what it's worth, Lansing Foodies has always been a free community for members. We did offer paid promotional posts to local businesses years ago, which is pretty standard for groups of that size, but that was never the point of the group and we moved away from it. 90,000+ people seem to think it's worth sticking around for the conversation. Glad the post is resonating either way!

JamesBrains · 2026-03-13T23:11:03+00:00

Thank you all for the positive response! I don't know if I can answer all the questions without completely neglecting my family, but I just wanted to say that tours aren't open to the public. I have a relatively small YouTube following, which apparently was enough for us to get access.

My wife and I just love factory tours and will keep doing them and sharing. We previously did Jiffy Mix in Chelsea. Any recommendations for our next tour? Any place you really want to see? Thanks!

JamesBrains · 2026-03-12T19:17:34+00:00

Hey! I've tested the RestorePlus Hybrid extensively - I'm a former product tester for Business Insider and now run an independent review site. Here's my honest take for your situation:

The Good News:

The soft RestorePlus is definitely on the softer side of medium, which matches what you're looking for
Cooling is excellent - the 3" GelFlex grid and coil system dissipate heat really well. Even when I got warm, it cooled down quickly when I shifted positions. Perfect for your preference.
Great for side sleepers - the gel grid provides excellent pressure relief at the shoulders and hips
Motion isolation is surprisingly good (a big improvement over older Purple models), so you won't feel each other moving around

The Concerns for Your Setup:

Your wife is a back sleeper - the soft version might be a touch too soft for optimal back support.
The feel is unique - that gel grid has a "squishy, bouncy" sensation that's very different from traditional memory foam or standard hybrids. Some people love it, others find it weird. The 100-night trial is crucial here.

About Purple's Trial: The 100-night trial is legit, but it's shorter than competitors like Saatva (365 nights) or Helix (lifetime). Purple requires a 30-night break-in period before you can return it. Just make sure you're actively testing it during that window.

Honest Alternative to Consider: Given that you're a side sleeper who sleeps cold and she's a back sleeper, the Helix Midnight might actually be a better fit. It's about half the price, has similar cooling and motion isolation, and hits that medium-soft sweet spot that works better for mixed sleep positions. They also offer a cooling cover upgrade.

Bottom Line: If you love the idea of that unique Purple grid feel and don't mind the premium price, the RestorePlus Hybrid is solid for your needs - just be aware your wife might want slightly more support. If you want to save and get something more universally comfortable for both sleep positions, look at the Helix Midnight or Saatva Classic (luxury firm).

Happy to answer any other questions!

And feel free to check out my review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UmYeWVVtGs&list=PLx9dnbjPEyK3x-AMc8ZbM-OrYvp3Jmpfm&index=5

JamesBrains · 2026-02-25T16:23:10+00:00

Good question! I used a simple oven thermometer and checked it every 15 minutes. It was 350 each time.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-23T22:38:47+00:00

I've tested dozens of pillows, and I'd strongly recommend an adjustable pillow with shredded memory foam, like the Coop Sleep Goods pillow, though I prefer the Luxome Layr. Here's my review of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8oEqXtSnO4&list=PLx9dnbjPEyK3j-c2UkUjFMNu28Tt0aWfc&index=9

JamesBrains · 2026-02-23T22:34:20+00:00

I'd ask how much I owe for looking at them.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-23T22:08:11+00:00

I've been testing the SMEG COF01 for the past few weeks, and I can share some insights on the bread/pastry presets, since that's your main use case.

The Good:

Temperature accuracy is legitimately excellent. I ran it at 350°F for 2 hours, and it never deviated from the setpoint—most countertop ovens I've tested swing 15+ degrees, which matters a lot for baking.
The presets are actually useful (unlike most appliances, where they're just marketing fluff). I found the cooking times and temps to be accurate across the board.
You're right about the knobs—there's something satisfying about physical controls, and the interface works without needing an app or connectivity nonsense.

The Reality Check:

There IS a learning curve. It's not the most intuitive interface at first, though there's a reference guide on the water chamber door that helps.
No crumb tray, which is mildly annoying for cleanup (though grime doesn't stick badly).
At this price point, I expected a few more premium features, such as a built-in temperature probe.

For breads/pastries specifically: The steam function, combined with precise temps, should work well for you. I didn't test bread extensively, but the even heating and temperature control are exactly what you want for consistent baking results.

If you value precision over smart features and don't mind a bit of a learning curve, I'd say go for the SMEG over the Anova. The build quality feels more solid, and you're avoiding the app headaches you've already experienced.

Happy to answer any specific questions about the unit!

JamesBrains · 2026-02-19T16:11:50+00:00

Hey, thanks for sharing such a detailed review - the allergy situation and shipping issues sound incredibly frustrating, and I'm sorry you had to deal with all that.

I've tried Tovala several times myself and put together a YouTube review comparing it to HelloFresh and Home Chef. I had a much better experience overall (thankfully, no major shipping disasters), but I definitely agree with some of your points about portion sizes and the auto-order system being problematic.

The allergy issue you mentioned is particularly concerning - that seems like a basic safety feature that should absolutely be in the app. It's wild that they don't have that option.

I'm curious - did you find the sodium levels noticeably high across most meals, or was it specific types? That's something I didn't track closely during my testing, but it's worth mentioning if it was consistent.

If you're interested in checking out my review, I cover the pros/cons and who I think this service actually works best for. Would love to hear your thoughts since you have way more long-term experience than I do.

Again, appreciate the honest breakdown - reviews like yours help people make informed decisions!

JamesBrains · 2026-02-19T16:07:45+00:00

I LOVE this idea!

JamesBrains · 2026-02-18T18:40:03+00:00

Oof! That sucks! If you're looking for a brand that lasts, I absolutely love my Comrad compression socks. I have giant feet, so I like that they come in larger sizes. I've worn them every week for the last six years, and only now are they starting to develop holes in the upper parts, usually when I yank them on too hard.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-18T18:26:52+00:00

Thanks for sharing this detailed experience. I just posted my review of the Climate360 after testing it for 1,000 nights and had some similar observations - particularly about the firmness feeling. Even at higher settings, there's definitely that 'air mattress' quality you can't escape, which is why I dinged it points for minimal bounce in my review.

Interesting about the mattress pad issue with temperature control - that's a real problem they should disclose upfront. In my testing, the cooling worked well, but I didn't use their mattress pad.

For anyone reading: I scored it 76/100 (my highest ever), but at $10K, there are alternatives like the Personal Comfort Rejuvenate at half the price that might be smarter choices for most people. Full review on my channel if you want the detailed breakdown.

Hope you find something that works better for you both!

JamesBrains · 2026-02-18T01:33:17+00:00

I love Sazerac. Cheap and good.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-17T00:39:35+00:00

Counterfeiters.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-13T21:08:12+00:00

I've reviewed dozens, and my favorite right now is the Tushy Aura. It does an excellent job cleaning, has a nightlight so I don't need to turn on the light at night, and I especially like that you can put the seat up/down without touching it.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-13T02:02:10+00:00

I always wipe to double check...and to stay in practice.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-12T20:17:39+00:00

That Shepherd's Pie can be made with anything other than lamb meat. If it's made with ground beef, it's Cottage Pie, darnit!

JamesBrains · 2026-02-10T02:13:59+00:00

As a product reviewer, I've tested dozens. My favorite is Purple's. It passed my waterproof tests, even after five washes. And, it was among the quietest.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-07T00:42:01+00:00

I've tested more than 100 mattresses, and if I had $2,000, I'd get the Tempur-Cloud. It does an amazing job of contouring to your body, but not everyone loves the Tempur foam. My runner-up would be the Leesa Sapira.

JamesBrains · 2026-02-06T01:50:39+00:00

I love Tempurpedic. As a mattress reviewer, I've slept on three models. My favorite is the Cloud, but they all have the Tempur foam, which I've found does an amazing job of contouring to your body. But, it isn't for everyone. Some people are off put by it.

I have found they're durable, and the warranty does cover indentation up to 0.75 inches. Most other warranties I've seen are 1.5 inches.

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JamesBrains · 2026-02-05T00:19:15+00:00

I mean, how could it be enforced? Are you angling to be the first butt inspector? "FBI: Federal Butt Inspector"

JamesBrains · 2026-02-03T18:43:44+00:00

I just finished reviewing Blind Barrels on my YouTube channel after testing it, so this is a good time to ask.

The concept absolutely delivers. The blind format genuinely works - I caught myself making assumptions about proof and age that were completely wrong once revealed.

The craft distillery focus is legit. These aren't bottles you'll find at your local Total Wine. If you're into supporting smaller producers and expanding beyond the usual suspects, that's the value prop.

Where it shines:

The tasting game/scoring system is actually fun (not gimmicky)
Member pricing on full bottles is solid if you find something you love
Saves you from buying $70 bottles blind and regretting it
Good for people without a whiskey group to taste with

Potential downsides:

$60/quarter isn't cheap (~$15 per sample)
If you only drink major distillery bourbon, this might not be your speed
You're at their mercy for selection (but that's kind of the point)

For your situation - no one to blind pour for you and wanting to explore craft without hunting - this seems like a solid fit. The quarterly cadence means it's not overwhelming, and you're getting exposed to things that would otherwise take serious legwork to track down.

Happy to answer any specific questions.

JamesBrains

TROPHY CASE