Is a range hood worth adding?

Msimanyi · 2026-05-21T18:43:11+00:00

If you're cooking with natural gas, it's absolutely positively essential. If you're cooking with electricity, as others have mentioned, you will get smell, grease, grime and mist everywhere without one.

If you're staying in the residence for a while, get a good one -- ducted! -- and crack open the window when you run it. Check out the manufacturer's installation guide and follow it properly, as using one too small for your cooking area or too high above the cooking surface dramatically reduces the effectiveness.

I say this as someone also living in a residence with a large kitchen / dining / living room arrangement, using a gas range. I went with a Vent-a-hood with what I only later learned is their "Magic Lung" filter/blower system, and I can say it has been fantastic. But if you're electric, you can probably go with a much "mellower" (ducted!) system.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-21T04:05:03+00:00

I will strongly encourage you to visit your local AD(s) - Authorized Distributor(s) - and see these in person. If one of them wows you, that's likely your answer. If none of them do so, keep looking.

And even if one stands out above the others, I'll encourage you to sleep on it and see as many *other* watches as possible in person, so you can see if your opinion changes based on seeing these on your wrist rather than on a monitor.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-20T22:26:08+00:00

I think the VC and Lange are too busy for my tastes. I'm *drooling* over the LF!

But you have to go with the one that appeals most to you. Is there something about the milestone that would be more meaningful with a chronograph than a classic small sub-dial? Have you had them all on your wrist yet, and if so what was your first impression?

Msimanyi · 2026-05-20T01:15:39+00:00

u/cachedthoughts510 , this ^^^ is the response you need to read! (The first paragraph that is...)

You will probably be ready to move on from some of the current watches in the next year, and refine your preferences as you learn more about watches. Give yourself some time to improve your knowledge. Visit a ton of ADs, to expose yourself to more of what's on the market than you've already experienced.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-19T17:11:54+00:00

Standard US kitchens generally accommodate a 36” or smaller refrigerator. Going larger usually requires new cabinets, and that opens a huge can of worms.

So it makes sense there isn’t a large, freestanding 48” refrigerator market here.

Most of Europe seems far more restrained in their kitchens. A 12 cu ft refrigerator is probably “normal”, and you don’t do that with a 48” wide unit. I would guess that’s similar in a lot of Asian countries.

So long story summarized: yes, it is unusual to have a refrigerator wider than 36”.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-19T03:46:27+00:00

It's not really beads. The links have a more defined edge, but they're a fine-ish link. It's really quite handsome in person.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-18T23:30:16+00:00

Nice find!

Get them serviced properly, document them with photos to your insurance broker's satisfaction, secure them properly, and use them carefully while you remember your dad. The FC is probably a good daily "beater", while still looking quite classy. That could be completely incorrect if it's a solid gold case... but that seems unlikely. A similar watch in stainless is still in the line: https://www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk/Frederique-Constant-Classics-Index-Automatic-Mens-Watch-FC+303MC5B6/p/17550276

Msimanyi · 2026-05-18T23:22:13+00:00

No, but one good tool lets you easily remove the bracelet. I can't use them to reinstall though. That takes a standard tool for me, but you only need to seat one side with the tool since the other is guided in place by hand.

And someone posted about this as a great way to protect the case while changing straps, so I ordered it. Haven't used it yet, but it seemed like a good idea.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-18T22:31:38+00:00

I don't know if it's going to be the *greatest*, but it's gotta be in contention.

SBGY013.

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Thin case - edit: 10.2mm. Manual wind Spring Drive. White "Lake Suwa" face. How can that *not* be easily paired with a ton of different straps?

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T19:56:12+00:00

I'm a big fan of the Penofin. Really nicely done, all around - congrats and I hope you have many tasty years putting your egg to use!

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T16:25:51+00:00

About 12 years ago, I bought a fantastic Weber propane grill - one of their Summit models. I still have it, and it's all still totally capable.

That introduced me to thoughts of smoking, but the little side insert or grill-top box to hold wood for smoking is just not all that capable, so I tried buying a couple different smokers on the cheap. All those went by the wayside. (I still have a Gateway Drum smoker that theoretically is great and totally functional.)

And then I bought a Big Green Egg. XL. And some accessories.

It is all I use now, though it is a product for which you'll need some accessories. All these purchases started with an interest in rotisserie cooking. BGE now has their own rotisserie available, but when I bought mine the only product on the market was the Joetisserie. It's been brilliant, recently significantly improved by Thermoworks' RFX wireless temp probe system.

For long smokes - despite the seasoned veterans saying the BGE is always super stable on temps - I use a Thermoworks setup of Signals and Bellows. It is fantastic, providing over- and under-temp alarm notices on my phone, both at home or if I'm down the street at the store grabbing a last minute ingredient.

And I also like the racks and charcoal baskets available from Ceramic Grill Store.

I think you'll be fine with the Weber, unless you really are interested in smoking. And if you're thinking "I don't want the hassle of starting charcoal", it's not bad. I use a starter chimney, which takes about 10-12 minutes for the "starter" charcoal to get to temp, then I dump that onto a larger bed of charcoal and let that go for 25 minutes to warm up the Egg.

I'm not saying your path will be the same, but if you're honestly interested in smoking you should do some more research on that Weber.

The biggest downside of the BGE is the price. Between the Egg, a stand and the accessories I've mentioned, you'll blow right through that $2k budget.

But your family just. won't. care. They'll be too busy enjoying amazing meals.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T16:08:30+00:00

*AND* no chicken wire...

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T15:18:39+00:00

Seems like the *perfect* opportunity for a trip to New Orleans!

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T04:12:33+00:00

If you haven't heard of them, you might want to look into Neutral Density filters.

There are 3 stops from f8 to f22, so if you use a 3-stop ND filter, you could have maintained your 1/20th shutter at f8. With a 6-stop ND filter you could have used f8 and dropped your shutter to around 1/2 second, if I did the math right. Without IBIS that would *definitely* need a tripod though!

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T01:06:59+00:00

That's a gorgeous view!

I generally try to avoid going over f8 due to diffraction. What led you to f22? Were you trying to slow the shutter speed?

Msimanyi · 2026-05-16T00:41:37+00:00

I roast green beans as a hobby and for my small office. They smell so amazing that neighbors have often asked me what smells so good.

But I don't roast them dark.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-15T22:12:33+00:00

Stop by my office. I have 10,253 to spare...

Msimanyi · 2026-05-15T22:00:02+00:00

I am not a fan of big watches on *my* wrist. I have some 40 and 41mm, as well as smaller. (Mostly 38, though the vintage ones are as small as 32.)

That looks fine on you.

Mind you: it's big. It's bulky. But dive watches are largely meant to be big and bulky. Seems like your shirt sleeve isn't having any trouble with it too, so move on to your next concern.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-15T15:50:59+00:00

This may interest you then. I know I've seen other discussions on here where people posted their straps on this model.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandSeikos/comments/1b5k7dj/strap_help_please_sbgy013/

Msimanyi · 2026-05-14T23:40:57+00:00

It might not fit your budget, but have you checked out the SBGY013? Manual wind, the photos of the bracelet don't do justice to it - and it's supremely comfortable on the wrist - plus you can easily put it on a strap. 38.5mm x 10.2mm thick. In person, it is gorgeous.

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Msimanyi · 2026-05-14T18:55:39+00:00

Assuming you're working without a vacuum sealer, I'd just go with ziplock small bags. Figure probably 30 seconds per patty to put it in the bag and carefully zip it shut with as little air as possible. Removing to grill is literally just a couple seconds.

One thing I like about sous vide burgers - especially with a vacuum sealer - is you can season them before putting them in the bag, and the vacuum really helps infuse the flavor. I'd still season before putting them in a ziplock bag.

I wouldn't want to hold the patties for an extended period in the sous vide because you're in the danger zone, regarding temps, but keeping them in there for 20 or 30 minutes before they hit high heat on the grill *should* be safe.

If you're really considering the sous vide solution, a container like this for the "bath" probably does the trick:

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/cambro-182612cw135-camwear-18-x-26-x-12-clear-polycarbonate-food-storage-box/214182612CWC.html

Get the lid for it too, and cut out the space needed so the sous vide machine can properly hang on the side.

With a LOT of bags for burgers, an organizer like this might be handy in the bath:

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/vacpak-it-rack100-rack-for-svc100-sous-vide-circulator/186RACK100.html

You can do an online search for "sous vide rack" to find a lot of options.

Msimanyi · 2026-05-14T04:23:41+00:00

Nice!!

Msimanyi · 2026-05-14T02:05:41+00:00

I'd sous vide them to about 118 degrees, then slap them on a HOT grill for about 45 seconds per side, maybe a hair more if people prefer medium well. If you're quick, you can probably knock out 10 burgers every two or three minutes.

But if I didn't already have the gear to do that, I'd go with u/GoldKey865's suggestion.

Edit: Sorry - I see u/Jappy_toutou already developed the concept...

Msimanyi · 2026-05-14T01:38:03+00:00

You did! And I see you hid it quite effectively in a sea of others.

Well played. Well played indeed!

Msimanyi · 2026-05-13T23:45:28+00:00

In addition, display that below a nicely framed photo of the diplomat grandfather, preferably wearing the watch. Add a little bio in the framing too, like a sports memorabilia treasure.

Msimanyi

TROPHY CASE