How to Turn Your Grill into a Smoker

With the temps warming up, it is most certainly time to get mouths a-watering for barbecue season. Whether gas or charcoal, most of us have a backyard grill, but a dedicated smoker can be a luxury. They take up space, can cost a lot, and while they make sense for true smoked food fans, might not be necessary for the average grill fan.
 

In fact, they're not necessary at all. Cause with a little creativity and DIY ingenuity, you can turn the grill you already own in a smoker that can turn out tender, fall apart food fused with the flavor of fire. 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4244-how-to-turn-your-grill-into-a-smoker

Ten Great Uses for a Handkerchief...Other Than Blowing Your Nose

A few years ago I was driving to a lunch meeting with a publisher for a book project and the conversation turned to old stuff making a comeback. I took her by surprise when I mentioned handkerchiefs, and even more so when I produced one from my back pocket. I had never really thought much of it, because carrying handkerchiefs is my way of classing up a serious problem with allergies, where my sinuses go DEFCON 1 and launch sneezing attacks at a moment's notice. (Like my man Sneezy says... "When you gotta, you gotta.") 

But I'm not the only one looking to supplement tissues with fabric. The resurgence of handkerchiefs is part of the larger picture of kids born in the 80's reaching back into Grandpa's closet and workshop for a feeling of concreteness and authenticity. Regardless of your position on reaching for retro, I'd argue that the handkerchief, far from being a relic relegated to nostalgic millennials, is a useful tool... and not just for catching sneezes.

Here's a list of some of the things you can use handkerchiefs for in your everyday life.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4811-ten-great-uses-for-a-handkerchief-other-than-blowing-your-nose

ManMade Guide: How To Make the Best Cold Brew Coffee at Home

You can buy cold brew coffee at a coffee shop. But, if it happens to be from a certain Seattle-based java-serving monolith named after a Melville character, or an pink and orange East Coast chain known for selling fried rings of dough for, uh, "placing" into your coffee, then what you're actually getting is cold coffee...that is, hot coffee that's been iced down.

Cold brew is an entirely different beast altogether. And with the weather warming up, it's time to cool our coffee down. Or, more accurately, never heat it up to begin with. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/2534-manmade-guide-how-to-make-the-best-cold-brew-coffee-at-home

The Process: Making a Pen on the Lathe

I know it's a small thing, but your choice in writing implements can say a lot about you. Do you carry a simple plastic tube with cheap ink, or do you hold a solid, well-made piece that makes an impression? Or do you not carry anything at all? A pen holds stories and signatures, words and dreams, and you can make one that leaves an impression every time you put some words to that page.

That's why you should carry something impressive, and why you definitely should make your own.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4606-the-process-making-a-pen-on-the-lathe

Weekend Project: Make a Wooden Chair from One Board (for $8!)

At its core, a chair is simply a seat with a back. And while they often have legs and arms and complex joinery for strength, sometimes, a little physics can accomplish the same thing.    … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/3482-weekend-project-make-a-wooden-chair-from-one-board-for-8

This is Probably the Best $50 I've Ever Spent in My Life

In college, my roommate Adam returned from the holiday break with a new alarm clock he'd received as a Christmas gift. (My dorm days were a bit before the smartphone era and we all still used actual bedside clocks to wake up for our 8:00am classes). This particular alarm clock was special; it featured a… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4604-this-is-probably-the-best-50-i-ve-ever-spent-in-my-life

9 Awesome Podcasts for Makers, Crafters, Artists, and Designers

Podcasts. You know 'em. You listen to 'em. You're moved by them. You laugh and are entertained by them. But are you inspired by them? Do they light a fire under your butt and make you want to get into your work space as fast as possible? Do they… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4254-9-awesome-podcasts-for-makers-crafters-artists-and-designers

Five Shakespearean Speeches Every Man Should Know

So, I'm gonna throw down and get controversial for a sec: William Shakespeare was the greatest playwright and poet who ever spoke English, and I'd relish a comment-fight-to-the-death in the comments anyone who disagrees (not really, but I encourage the conversation).

To argue the man's merits feels redundant; the work speaks for itself. The Bard's plays are so influential that he's taught us how we understand storytelling and character development in the modern and post-modern world. His words have become so ubiquitous that I'd bet good money everyone reading this knows unique phrases from at least 4 of the 5 speeches below (also lots of movies take their titles from his phrases). I challenge any man considering himself an educated member of our society read these speeches and attempt committing them to memory. You'll find them helpful in more than a few settings. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4120-five-shakespearean-speeches-every-man-should-know

The No Bullshit Way to Bake Your Own Bread

Want to make no knead bread in a Dutch oven? It's not nearly as hard as it sounds. 

Gluten is my homeboy. I don't care what the fad-diets say (and apologies to those of you who are truly gluten-intolerant). Paleo-be-damned, I'm grateful our… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/no-knead-bread-dutch-oven

10 Essential Gin Cocktails You Should Try This Spring

Any time of year, gin is a favorite spirit. It mixes well while retaining its character, and its aromatics complement a great range of flavors. But there's something so special, so obvious, about gin and springtime. If flavors had colors, gin's would be green, and it's a perfect chance to start putting ice back in our cocktails because the external temperatures are finally bearable.   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/2967-10-essential-gin-cocktails-you-should-try-this-spring

How to Make Head Tea: The Greatest Cold Remedy Known to Man

I live in an area of the country that experiences four traditional seasons. Of those four, my favorites are Spring and Fall. I love everything about these transitional seasons—the mild weather, the changing light, the start of garden season on one end and the height of its bounty at the other. (Even if they do only seem to last for about a week here in eastern North Carolina.)

That is, I love these seasons, but my sinuses do not. I've got horrendous seasonal allergies that flood my head with histamines twice a year, to the point where I really should invest in a giant hypoallergenic vinyl bubble to seal myself off in from April to July. Also, the change of seasons seems to kick the butts of everyone's immune systems, and I always inevitably catch what everyone's passing around.

Are you in the same club? I got something for what ails you, and it goes by the name of Head Tea.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4784-how-to-make-head-tea-the-greatest-cold-remedy-known-to-man

How to Hack Your Aeropress to Make an Even Better Cup of Coffee

I recently posted a photo of my Aeropress setup to Instagram and had a buddy comment with questions about my process. I've only been using my press casually for the last couple of years, so I didn't feel comfortable saying anything authoritative. That begged the question: who would be considered an authority on the subject of Aeropress recipes? Which led me to: if not the victors of the World Aeropress Championship, then who? 

If you're unfamiliar to the world of Aeropress, if you own one and have no idea what to do with it, or if you're looking to tweak your current routine: read on, friends.… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4781-how-to-hack-your-aeropress-to-make-an-even-better-cup-of-coffee

Pickle Everything. Or, How to Make All Your Vegetables as Interesting as Possible

I knew I had a problem with pickles when I was a kid and the jar of Claussen's or Batampte's in our fridge wouldn't last a week without me finishing it. Something about the perfection of cucumber plus garlic plus the salty-sour of the brine made for something refreshing, savory and just perfect. I craved pickles as the accompaniment to a sandwich, but I also ate them straight out of the fridge, getting through at least a spear or two before the door closed shut. Pickles are, simply put, one of my favorite ways to eat vegetables.  … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4770-pickle-everything-or-how-to-make-all-your-vegetables-as-interesting-as-possible

​How to Build Your Own Altoids Tin Survival Kit

I'm sure the original makers of Altoids had no concept of survivalism, let alone having any inkling that they were providing a vessel for emergency lifesaving tools. Yet here we are: this humble, yet curiously strong, breath mint has inspired scores of tutorials for intrepid would-be wilderness warriors.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, we at ManMadDIY have scoured the tutorials, and we've honed in on what we think are the best basics for that quintessential Internet favorite, the Altoids tin survival kit.

Let's dig in!

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/3105-how-to-build-your-own-altoids-tin-survival-kit

How to: 3 Ways to Punch a Hole in a Leather Belt

Get out your leather hole punch, 'cause sooner or later, you're gonna have to do it. It may be because you lost a little weight, and now it's time to notch over one more, and you're plumb out of holes. Maybe it'll be due to the fact that different pairs of pants sit on your body at different places. Or it may be that you'll simply had that belt for a little while, and the leather has stretched a bit. But, at some point, you're gonna have to make a hole in a belt. And if you do it right, it can look perfectly in line with the others, like it's been there the entire time.

  … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/how-to-make-a-hole-in-a-belt-with-leather-hole-punch

What to Do During Down Times Instead of Staring at Your Phone

Downtime. Or, in same cases, dead times: waiting rooms, lines, traffic, the moments in between appointments. Those places where you get nowhere quickly, but live in effective purgatory, embracing neither productivity or relaxation. To the overly ambitious (or those suffering from some form of adult ADHD), these are the times that try your soul in that special kind of slow-drip water torture way.

Sure, you could kill your dead time by scrolling through Instagram. You may even decide to do something useful with your phone, like one-liner email replies or clearing out your old voicemail. But what if you want to occasionally limit your exposure to the little blue screen that wasn’t a crucial part of human existence before 2007?

In lieu of time-killers, here are four suggestions for time-fillers that you can perform with absolutely no equipment other than your mind and your body (as well as one that requires a simple piece of string). These are especially helpful if you’re stuck in a situation where you really shouldn’t be using your phone, like stop-and-go traffic.
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4772-what-to-do-during-down-times-instead-of-staring-at-your-phone

How to: Make a Proper Cup of Builder's Tea

If you were to ask an American to picture drinking a cup of tea, it's safe to assume that the mental image wouldn't include work boots, hardhats, bricks, and lumber. But while coffee is standard in the U.S., for thousands of construction workers in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as numerous tradesmen like electricians, welders, and plumbers, a strong cup of tea is the preferred fuel for a day filled with labor.

Here's a basic rundown of how to fortify your work day with the strength of a bricklayer.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4775-how-to-make-a-proper-cup-of-builder-s-tea

How to: Start a Minimalist Bullet Journal and Get Better at Everything

Search “bullet journal” in Instagram or Pinterest and you’ll see a cornucopia of tricked-out notebooks. The Esteemed Society of Crafters on the Internet has truly created a thing of beauty. But if you’re one of the “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That” (ANGTFT) set, don’t be fooled by the washi tape, calligraphy, and rococo calendar ornaments: a minimalist bullet journal is, hands down, the most efficient and robust planning tool in your productivity kit.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4760-how-to-start-a-minimalist-bullet-journal-and-get-better-at-everything

This is the Cocktail Every Couple Should be Drinking on Valentine's Day

To be honest, we're firmly in the "don't make dinner reservations for Valentine's Day" camp. Save the special evenings for anniversaries, celebrations of achievements or special events, or heck, any random Friday night. Those are guaranteed to be more "romantic," memorable, and special.  

So, if you wanna do something fun on the 14th, make this cocktail...
… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/3467-this-is-the-cocktail-every-couple-should-be-drinking-on-valentine-s-day

How to: Make a Custom, Heavy Duty Tool Roll to Carry Your Tools Anywhere

95% of the time, a tool box is overkill. Whether taking some items to help a friend with a project, or just working on something in my own home two floors above my basement shop, the act of dragging out the toolbox, selecting the items from the pegboard and arranging them appropriately, and then lugging the whole thing around is simply unnecessary. 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/2927-how-to-make-a-custom-heavy-duty-tool-roll-to-carry-your-tools-anywhere

10 Ways to Dress Up and Improve a Frozen Pizza

When I'm just cooking for myself (i.e. if my special someone is out of town), I can certainly fend for myself nutritionally, but, I'm probably not going to get too culinarily ambitious. I find I either want to cook for lots and lots of folks (hence my two dinner parties over the weekend), or not really mess with it. I mean, who I am gonna impress and treat? Myself? Nah. Plus, I gotta do all the cleanup myself.

So, while I don't like to get take out every night, I'm prolly not gonna make a big mess in the kitchen with fancy fixings. And, probably at least once, when spending an evening huddled away in the basement working on a project, I'll resort to that single-guy staple: the frozen pizza.

Not that I like frozen pizza, of course. But, it does do in a pinch, requires little effort and clean-up, and sorta feels like a treat. But that bland blagh from a box doesn't have to be all bad. Especially if you take it up a notch with some fresh ingredients and clever techniques.   

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/1153-10-ways-to-dress-up-and-improve-a-frozen-pizza

The Three Basic Knots You Actually Need to Know

Knot tying. It’s a thing. If you read any "men's lifestyle" content, you've no doubt seen an exhaustive list of "essential knots every man needs to know." You proceed to read their list of seven, or ten, or fourteen, and by the time you get to the bottom of the list, you can't even remember the name of the first one, let alone how to tie it. 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4748-the-three-basic-knots-you-actually-need-to-know

9 Morning Routine Tips to Jumpstart Your Day and Improve Productivity

In order to be your best, you need to make the most out of your mornings. More than anything else, how you begin your day sets the template for how the rest of it will go. Here are nine things you can, and should, do every single day to be your… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4670-9-morning-routine-tips-to-jumpstart-your-day-and-improve-productivity

Weekend Project: Make a DIY Reclaimed Wood Wall Bike Hanger

There's a great adage in the home decor and organization field...you've probably heard it on one of those room makeover TV shows. The phrasing varies, of course, but the central idea, "When you run out of floor space, you've got to go up."

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/3321-weekend-project-make-a-diy-reclaimed-wood-wall-bike-hanger

How to Get Fit and Lose Weight this Year without Spending a Dime

Many will make resolutions on New Years, vowing to drop the additional pounds leftover from the holidays, and generally making more healthful choices starting January 1st. And while new beginnings can be a helpful motivation, we think the best time to actually get started on new goals is actually now:  late winter and early spring. So, while we hope you made some good progress in the first few weeks of January, the real question is: how's it going come February 1st?   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4563-how-to-get-fit-and-lose-weight-this-year-without-spending-a-dime

How to: Make Everything Taste Better this Winter with DIY Charcoal Salt

In the summer, it's easy to get those deep, blackened and charred flavors in your weeknight meals. During grill season, you simply head outside, and cook your meal over an open flame.

And then comes January, where the produce is poor, and everything lacks that certain zing that the warm sun and fire-seared foods provide.   … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4065-how-to-make-everything-taste-better-this-winter-with-diy-charcoal-salt

Staying Sharp: 9 Knives Every Man Should Own

A few months ago, in the midst of a day full of projects, I had a bit of an a-ha moment. I was in my workshop, using the table saw to slice up some Baltic birch plywood, when a timer on my phone went off, reminding me to take a break and go chop a bunch of vegetables to add to the slow cooked stock I was simmering in the kitchen. … Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/2690-staying-sharp-9-knives-every-man-should-own

It's Easier Than You Think: A Simple, Straightforward Guide to Getting Started in Leatherworking

My journey in leatherworking started with disappointment. Disappointment in a pair of leather boots. I had purchased a pair of Steve Maddens from DSW for about $100. They didn’t last long... and I mean, they really didn’t last long. After a month of pretty irregular use, the grommets had fallen out, the surface of the leather had started to rip, and the dye was already starting to rub off. And as my shoe angst built, I thought, ‘I could make something better than this.’

 

 

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/4482-it-s-easier-than-you-think-a-simple-straightforward-guide-to-getting-started-in-leatherworking

Use Benjamin Franklin's "13 Virtues" to Help You Be a Better Person this Year

If you're looking for a New Year's resolution list to help inspire your personal betterment this year, look no further than this founding father's temperance chart. Read on to see how you can print your own. 

As far as the truly great characters from U.S. History to which we might look for timeless advice, it's hard to beat Benjamin Franklin. (We still love you, Mark Twain!) Franklin was born into a family of very modest means, but he manage to use his basic education (he stopped going to school at age ten) to become a successful author, scientist, statesman, printer, politician, inventor, humorist, civic activist, diplomat, and $100 dollar bill appear-er.

… Continue reading on ManMadeDIY.com

source http://www.manmadediy.com/new-years-resolution-list-from-ben-franklin