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I shouldn’t be posting about food when I’m so hungry, but it’s too late now. (Damn, that bacon looks so good…)

The interesting part in the image is not the bacon, though. The clever device they’re hanging onto is called a Bacon Genie, and it does look like a genius idea.

What do all those yummy greasy foods have in common? A lot of mess left behind. Not fun. The Bacon Genie offers a simple solution: a bacon stand with a reservoir underneath that collects all the dripping fat, ready to pop in the microwave without worrying about what comes later.

From the point of view of someone very lazy and quite messy, this seems like a life (and time) saver.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.98 on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe

If you spend your day in front of a computer, reading blogs like this, odds are you’re not a kitchen wizz. And if you’re dealing with more intricate things, then a simple dilemma can turn into a mystery.

I, for one, had no idea you had to do anything special to melt chocolate… But the Chocolate Spatula Thermometer has to have some reason to exist, right?

Proper melted chocolate apparently needs a certain temperature that needs to be carefully monitored, and a thermometer right on the spatula does just that. You can just stir and know if you’re doing it right… in theory.

Then again, don’t imagine this will make you a French chef in no time. No, sorry, you need to learn that on your own.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.95 on Amazon.com.

Via ubergizmo

Apparently there is such thing as a “perfect s’more”… and apparently you need a special device for it. Allow me to be a bit skeptical…

The Microwavable S’Mores Maker looks like a little robot and all it does is press the marshmallow between the crackers so they don’t expand too much. The chocolate and marshmallow are supposed to melt at the same time, thus making said perfect s’more. All fine, unless you prefer the “non-perfect” ones you get on a real camping trip.

Do microwaved s’mores taste as good as their campire counterparts? Probably not. But since you’re using the microwave because there’s no fire around, you could give it a go and see what happens.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $8.95 on Amazon.com.

Via Gizmodo

Ever tried to cut a sheet of paper in a straight line and failed miserably? I say the best way of doing it is using a ruler and pencil, but maybe if you have to do this on a daily basis you could invest in a special gadget.

The Laser Scissors project a laser line on the paper or fabric you have to cut, supposedly making it easier to follow a straight line.

However, if you need precision you also need an implement that’s easy to manipulate, and the added compartment with the laser and batteries may impede usage, so keep that in mind. This seems like a good idea, but looks too cheap for me (and that product picture is baaad). I’m sorry to say, I’ll stick with my old scissors and a pencil.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.99 on Amazon.com.

Via ChipChick

How rich are you? Rich enough to light cigars with dollars? Right enough to light your grill with dollars?

Hmm, if you see someone doing it, don’t be quick to envy him. There’s such things as Money to Burn Fire Starters. They look like rolls of 100 dollar bills, but of course they’re not. What they are is covered in slow-burning wax so they stay lit until your fire catches.

Each set gets you 6 rolls of “money”, enough to impress more than one round of friends.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.95 on Amazon.com.

Via UberGizmo

Once in a while I run into a gizmo that’s not exactly to die for, but it’s so cheap that it’s difficult to pass by.

The Grip and Tip Holder isn’t a must for doing your nails, but it might make things a bit easier. It’s not the fact that you won’t need to hold the bottle anymore - that’s never a problem, since you just need to dip the tip in and you can set it down. But if you’re trying to reach the bottom trust me, tipping it and setting it straight over and over again can really get on your nerves, especially if you do your nails often.

So, at 8 dollars… you don’t need it, but it won’t hurt to have it. It also comes in other colors than pink, so men won’t feel embarassed if they use it for painting plane models or similar things.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $7.98 on Amazon.com.

Via bookofjoe

The kind of presents I like to receive are functional. Oh yes, they have to have an interesting design, but they should also do something. And I assume (maybe mistakenly?) that people also share my point of view.

If I were a Beatles fan I’d love the Beatles Playing Zippo Lighter. It’s a Zippo, so you know it’s high quality, but it’s not another boring chrome lighter. The Beatles cartoon on the side will attract attention on every use (and maybe a little envy, too).

Too bad I don’t know any Beatles fans… And they don’t seem to make these with black metal bands.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $18.63 on Amazon.com.

Three Men in a Boat is a classic… and one of the funniest books I’ve ever read (and it’s available for free, so there’s no excuse not to read it too). What does it have to do with the screws in the photo? Well, one of the episodes in the novel concerns a certain uncle Podger who tries to nail a picture on a wall and proceeds to drop the picture, lose the the nail and the hammer and get mad at everyone except himself.

The story would have been much more boring with the MagWear Magnetic Wristband. A simple wristband holds a tray with a powerful embedded magnet which can hold nails, screws, needles and other metallic bits and pieces, making it virtually impossible to drop and lose anything. Although it can be put to good use in all situations, it can be a life saver for people working on ladders or under crawlspaces - or for hanging up pictures.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $16.99 on Amazon.com.

Via Fosfor

Lighting fires or cigarettes in the wind is at best difficult and at worst impossible. Or maybe I’ve just had really crappy lighters…

It might just be my lack of skills in the end, but a bad lighter doesn’t help. And something you get at the corner store for $1 is definitely not high quality. Now, a Zippo… The Zippo “Outdoor Utility” OUL Lighter, with a wind-resistant dual flame and water-resistant cap, sounds like the perfect tool for the job. It’s also got a LED light (which can be useful if you’re trying to get a fire going at night), a lanyard and it’s child proof.

It’s got pretty much everything covered, you only need a camping trip to test it out.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.95 on Amazon.com.

Via uncrate

I hope you were a nice son or daughter and already have a present ready for your dad. But, in case you don’t, here’s some suggestions you might find useful. It’s a bit late to be ordering online, but read on and you might get some last minute ideas.

5. If your father is into DYI and swears he can fix anything around the house, get him a Voice Recording Tape Measure. He won’t need to carry around that pen and paper (which he always loses anyway), because he’ll be able to record himself.

4. For the dad who is always in a bad mood in the morning, a Throw Alarm Clock. This clock requires physical violence to be turned off; it must be very satisfying to throw the troublesome noise making device to the floor. There’s 4 ball styles to choose from, so make sure you get the one for his favorite sport.

3. The Grilling Tool Light is perfect if your father likes barbecues. If he’s happily grilling something in the back yard and it gets dark, it might be a problem. Burnt meat and well done meat look the same at night. This flashlight for the grill makes sure dad - and all the guests - get to eat proper food.

2. Again for the fixer-dad. The Lil Guppie Multi-tool is a many-in-one tool for the crafty person, and it won’t make you stoop under its weight (have you ever tried carrying your whole toolbox with you, just in case?).

1. I don’t know about other people’s parents, but once every two days our house would get turned upside down: dad lost his remote. Now I moved out, so it doesn’t get on my nerves anymore, but I should’ve got him the Find One Find All key finder and remote locator. Any two devices from the range can find each other, so you can find your keys with your remote, or your remote with your keys, and so on. Just as long as you keep at least one of them in a place you can actually find it.