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Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

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Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#491

Post by kleer001 »

rozap wrote: post #292
happynacho wrote: post #182

Will probably get hated on but I bought a dog (yes not adopted, there wasn't this breed available). Made WFH much better. As for material things: * 4K monitor (BenQ PD2700U) makes everything much sharper and my eyes are less tired. *Ergonomic chair (Steelcase Leap) my back definitely appreciates it.

Dog breeders literally invented dogs from wolves. Nothing wrong with supporting good ones.

Sure...

But today's dog breeders are as far from their ancestors in terms of complexity as a modern rifle is from a atlatl.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#493

Post by drewzero1 »

tinybear1 wrote: post #256

- A New Model M keyboard from Unicomp. I was initially skeptical of spending >$100 on a keyboard but those doubts quickly evaporated, typing on this keyboard is true bliss. Every keystroke has excellent auditory and tactical feedback. - Uniball Jetstream: One of the best pens that I have used, extremely smooth and smudge resistant. - A Kindle, renting books through Overdrive saves a physical trip to the library and m…

I've been a fountain pen user for years but in the last few years have found gel pens to be a good compromise for their relative reliability. The Uniball Signo 207/307 gives a clean line without much pressure, on par with some of my favorite fountain pens, plus I've been impressed with the waterproofness of the ink. (My overall favorite has to be the Parker 21, if only they didn't crack so easily!)

I'll have had my Kindle for ten years this fall and I still don't use it as much as I'd hoped or expected, but it's always been extremely handy to read a bunch of books from Project Gutenberg on vacation. My favorite part is definitely the screen, unlike most others I can read on it for hours without getting a headache.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#494

Post by sevilo »

Guqin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guqin been a long-time wish of mine to learn it, finally took the pandemic as the opportunity to do so since I'm staying home so much.

Vessi shoes: https://vessi.com best shoes I've worn, feels likes slippers, lightweight and waterproof, perfect for the rainy PNW weathers

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#495

Post by soledades »

Jakobeha wrote: post #128

Material goods: Ear plugs (silicone). Don't waste your money on noise-cancelling headphones, I have $200 ones and they don't compare to simple ear plugs. If you live in a moderately noisy area and you want peace and quiet, get them. They basically just make everything quiet. 24 from CVS = $10. OpenMove by Aftershokz - Bone-conduction headphones. Perfect for running and just good for listening to music. They work, the…

FWIW noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs are not mutually exclusive, and are actually a pretty good combo for living next to a train track.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#496

Post by siver_john »

bunana wrote: post #278

Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker. So far I've only had it for ~2 months, but I really enjoy it. Although rice is a big part of my diet, I didn't know a "high-end" rice cooker existed until I wanted to upgrade the tiny 3-cup Imusa cooker I've had through college. I suppose I'll have to see if the thing stands the test of time (the reviews suggest it should!), but for now, the consistency and quality it provides has m…

I would have probably put my Zojirushi but I got it seven years ago (and am in awe at that fact now that I've typed it). And it's worked more or less flawlessly that whole time, it failing only due to user error. Just if you lose the rice cup and are an American remember that it is ~3/4 cup of uncooked rice is equal to the rice cup.

I've bought loads more Zojirushi things in the meantime and have loved every one, but none except the water boiler (a recent addition) get near the same amount of use as the rice cooker.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#497

Post by ska »

basch wrote: post #438
shireboy wrote: post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Second cast iron. We use ours daily - and it's a handmedown from my grandmother who also used daily for 20+ years. Once seasoned properly, it is non-stick, cleans easy. We just be sure to put a little oil on it after each use. Really the only skillet you need.

Youll probably want stainless steel or enamled cast iron for anything with fond. Anytime you are cooking something acidic, tomatoes, vinegar, wine. I try not to deglaze meat brownings into sauce in cast iron. A stainless steel dutch oven is a great universal pan as well. For a "first pan" I'd probably suggest tri ply stainless over cast iron. The main thing I like about cast iron more is the pan temperature not dropp…

> Anytime you are cooking something acidic, tomatoes, vinegar, wine. I try not to deglaze meat brownings into sauce in cast iron.

I wouldn't simmer an acidic sauce in cast iron for hours, but this is poor advice. Deglazing will not damage the seasoning on cast iron pan once it is properly seasoned (and maintaining that is easy, contrary to lots of what you hear).

Unlike to your experience, I don't find them functionally equivalent for a number of things, which is why I have both (and enamel cast, much better than almost all clad steel dutch ovens that aren't really expensive, as most of them don't clad far up the sides)

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#498

Post by barrkel »

baby wrote: post #248

Instant pot. This thing is magical, everything taste so fucking good in it. I bought a crockpot and never used it, but the instant pot was a game changer for me: ramen, couscous, stews, etc. The meat tastes so good when cooked there, vegetables are the same.

My partner got an Instant pot but I don't like the meat that is made in it. Maybe it's overcooked? Tomato-based ground meat (e.g. ground lamb) sauces are tolerable.

I generally prefer my meat fried (seared) in a cast iron pan and finished in an oven (if necessary, e.g. a big piece of beef).

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#499

Post by basch »

skrtskrt wrote: post #259
silicon2401 wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> cast iron skillet Personally I think these are a waste of money unless you live in a house. Trying to season one of these smoked up our apartment for hours. Apparently we didn't do it right because it's still sticky even with oil, but there's no way we're going through the headache again until we have a house.

I am about to move into a new-construction apartment in California which means no gas stove. Ditched my cast iron in anticipation because the one I have has a rough bottom that would definitely scratch up the glass cook top of the electric stove. Since I ditched the cast iron, honestly haven't seen much of a difference in how well I can cook things using a regular nonstick pan - my main use is cooking/frying up chick…

I cant recommend this enough for great heat in small spaces. Extremely portable as well.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/tillreda-portable-induction-coo...

Re: Ask HN: Favorite purchases of last two years?

#500

Post by knacky »

k__ wrote: post #357
ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #48

Oculus Quest 2 - despite the whole Facebook thing, coupling it with awesome games and experiences, it saved me from going mental during the autumn-winter-spring lockdown in Europe combined with the depressing weather of that time. Worth its weight in gold for that. Roborock Robovac - also worth its weight in gold since the whole lockdown WFH turned my apartment into a permanent office, kitchen, cinema and gym, the fl…

Any Quest game recommendations? I have one, but I barely use it right now.

Demeo is a turn based D&D clone that is pretty fun.
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