More on food
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Place a paper towel in the container or bag with leafy greens to absorb excess moisture.
It absorbs condensation and keeps the produce dry, preventing sogginess and extending freshness.
- One source warns that paper towels can harbor bacteria and suggests using anti-microbial towels instead to avoid food poisoning.
- Some users report that certain brands of paper towels do not absorb enough moisture.
17 people, independently
Wear safety glasses, swimming goggles, lab goggles, ski goggles, or contact lenses to create a physical barrier against onion fumes.
Goggles block the airborne irritant from reaching the eyes.
- Regular glasses may allow vapor to go around the edges.
- Some users note they look silly.
7 people, independently
Stand near an open window or use a fan to blow onion vapors away from your face.
Moving air prevents tears by removing vapors.
5 people, independently
- Chew gum, particularly mint gum, while chopping onions to help prevent tears.3
Flatten ground meat into thin sheets in freezer bags before freezing to increase surface area for faster thawing and easier stacking.
Flat packs stack easily, reduce freezer burn by removing air, and thaw much faster due to increased surface area.
8 people, independently
Squeeze air out of condiment bottles before capping to create negative pressure; this prevents dribbling on the cap and stops spurting when the bottle warms up.
Creating negative pressure prevents air expansion from squirting contents when warmed.
- This method is less useful if you plan to place the bottle back in the fridge.
6 people, independently
Leave the onion’s root end intact until the final step of chopping.
The root area contains a high concentration of irritating compounds and cells that release gas when smashed.
11 people, independently
Press indentations or create divisions in flattened frozen meat with a chopstick or pencil so you can break off smaller pieces without fully thawing it.
This allows you to use smaller amounts and makes it easier to separate when it is only partially thawed.
6 people, independently
Keep a $20 bill hidden in your car (such as under a floor mat or in a chapstick tube) to pay for gas, food, or transport if you lose your wallet, run out of gas, or encounter broken card readers.
- If $20 cannot solve the emergency, the situation is likely severe enough to require much more money.
6 people, independently
Dip a metal spoon in hot water before measuring honey so it slides off easily.
The warmth helps the honey slide off without needing oil.
3 people, independently
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Set frozen goods on an inverted aluminum tray to use the metal as a heat sink for quicker thawing.
Metal functions as a heat sink, while air acts as an insulator.
3 people, independently
Add a small amount of salt to your coffee grounds prior to brewing. This may help reduce bitter and acidic notes.
3 people, independently
Store celery stalks upright in a container of water on the counter or in the fridge to keep them crunchy.
The stalks soak up water like flowers, staying crispy and enhancing flavor via capillary action.
4 people, independently
Give chickens kitchen scraps and leftovers to cut down on food waste.
They consume leftover food items, which helps lower overall waste.
3 people, independently
Turn stale or hard bread into breadcrumbs or croutons instead of discarding it.
It is a good way to save money.
3 people, independently
- Cut stale bread into squares and bake them to make croutons.4
- Use stale bread as a key ingredient in cooking dishes such as meatballs, bread sauce, or stuffing.3
Peel bananas before freezing them.
Frozen bananas are very hard to peel, which impedes using them in recipes that require thawing.
4 people, independently
Sprinkle salt on fruits like watermelon, pineapple, apples, mangos, or tomatoes.
It brings out their natural sweetness.
4 people, independently
Soak peeled onions in water for a period before cutting to reduce tear-inducing compounds.
3 people, independently
- Refrigerate or chill onions before cutting to deactivate the molecule that causes tearing.5
Make sure homemade breadcrumbs or croutons are fully dried (for instance, via oven-toasting) prior to placing them in an airtight container or freezer to stop mold growth.
If not thoroughly dry, they readily develop mold while stored.
3 people, independently
Add umami-rich ingredients like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, anchovies, parmesan cheese, or garlic to meals for meaty richness and deeper savory notes.
They add to layers of flavor.
4 people, independently
Allow one day for every 4-5 pounds of turkey when thawing in the refrigerator.
7 people, independently
Buy individual bananas at varying stages of ripeness instead of a whole bunch to stagger when they are ready to eat.
Bananas ripen faster when separated from the bunch, allowing you to avoid waste by having some ready immediately and others for later.
9 people, independently
Substitute parchment paper for aluminum foil when baking cookies to stop them from adhering to the surface.
Parchment paper helps avoid the sticking problems that often occur with foil when cooking flat items like cookies.
3 people, independently
Reheat leftover or soggy fries in an air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
Circulating air distributes heat evenly and dries out the surface, making food crispier without becoming soggy.
6 people, independently
Buy frozen fruit at the dollar store if available, as it offers a great deal for smoothies and snacks.
4 people, independently
Store frozen meat packages flat or stacked vertically in the freezer to save room.
This method occupies less space and avoids obstruction.
4 people, independently
Filter grease through a coffee filter before pouring it into a storage jar to remove sediment and bits.
This removes unwanted particles so you don't need to worry about them.
3 people, independently
Cut bananas into chunks before freezing for easier blending and thawing.
This is very handy for smoothies and improves their texture.
3 people, independently
- Freeze banana pieces on a parchment-lined tray before bagging them to stop them sticking together.3
Cap a squeeze bottle tightly, point it away from you, and swing your arm to use centrifugal force to push the contents toward the opening.
3 people, independently
Make pancakes by whisking a mashed overripe banana with an egg, oatmeal, cinnamon, and salt, then cooking the mixture in oil on medium heat.
3 people, independently
Slice blocks of parmesan or cheddar cheese very thinly with a potato peeler.
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Use a rubber spatula to scrape sticky ingredients out of measuring cups.
Avoids adding unnecessary oil.
3 people, independently
Keep bananas away from apples and other bruised fruits to slow ripening.
3 people, independently