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I Used This DIY Kit to Screen In My Deck, and It Was a Brilliant Decision

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

My wife and I live in an urban area where outdoor space is at a premium, so I consider our home's second floor roof deck one of its standout features. It’s sunny and relatively private—and, crucially, it’s outdoor space in a city where a Juliet balcony is often the best you can do.

There are two downsides to the space, however. One is that it is plagued by bugs, especially since one of our neighbors began hosting the dreaded spotted lanternfly like they were protecting an endangered species. The other is that our cats love being on the deck, but also love launching themselves over the fence to explore the neighborhood. (Did I mention this deck is on the second floor? You haven’t lived until you’ve hunted down a lost cat across your neighbors' roofs.)

The solution, for us, was to screen in the deck. First, I built a simple frame to extend the railings up a few feet, and created a pergola-like set of rafters going across to support a screen. Here’s what it looked like at that point:

Framing on my deck.
Framing on my deck. Credit: Jeff Somers

But how to actually enclose it? I could have just stapled screen to the framing, but that would lead to a problem in the winter, when the "roof" would be laden with snow. I’m pretty good with a power drill and some pressure-treated 2x4s, but I don’t think my screen-roof would've held several feet of New Jersey snow, so my screen needed to be easily removable (and replaceable).

The solution was a DIY screen-in kit from Screeneze

After some research, I found the solutions: A screened-in porch kit from Screeneze. It’s a simple concept: You attach an aluminum base to the perimeter of whatever opening you’re screening in, stretch your screen over the base, and lightly hammer a vinyl cap on top to secure the screen in place without staples. When you need to, you can easily pry off the caps with a flathead screwdriver and remove or replace the screen.

Once installed, the base of the kit looks like this:

Closeup of SCREENEZE base.
Closeup of SCREENEZE base. Credit: Jeff Somers

and the caps look like this:

Close up of SCREENEZE cap.
Close up of SCREENEZE cap. Credit: Jeff Somers

The aluminum base is easy to cut to size using a hacksaw or metal snippers, and the caps can be cut with a utility knife or even a decent pair of scissors, so you can customize the size of your screened area. They come in four basic colors (bronze, sand, white, and clay).

The installation process was also pretty simple: I measured the perimeter, bought the necessary number of base and caps, and cut my bases to the correct lengths. You don’t have to make them exactly as long as the space you’re screening—you can cut them into smaller, more manageable lengths and attach them end-to-end, making sure you line them up so the caps can go across seams if necessary. This is especially helpful for the caps, as I found trying to hold them in place so I could hammer them home was a challenge, as they are quite bendy. Cutting them into shorter lengths made them a lot easier to work with.

The kit comes with all the self-tapping screws you’ll need, so you can slap the aluminum base up pretty fast. Then you just need some screen—I bought an enormous roll of the stuff from Phifer BetterVue, because it’s proved to be durable, attractive, and easy to work with.

My rumpled supply of screen.
My rumpled supply of screen. Credit: Jeff Somers

I cut lengths to cover the horizontal openings, and attached the screen to the top base first. That made it easy to go back, stretch the screen down, and attach the bottom and side caps, giving me a nice, tight screen that won’t block the view (or the sun). Next, I cut two large sections of screen to cover half of the “roof,” attached them to the sides using the caps, stretched them to the center, and attached them to the front and back of the deck (it was hard to stretch the top screen tightly, especially because there’s no base or cap running down the center line, so it remains a little loose, but it still does the job.

Here’s what it looks like fully installed:

The finished screen.
The finished screen. Credit: Jeff Somers

Screening in the deck made it the ideal outdoor space

So how’d it turn out? Terrific. Screening in the porch means:

  • There are no bugs. Every once in a very long while, a winged insect makes its way into the deck area, but it’s very rare. And I haven’t seen a spotted lanternfly back there in a loooong time (though I still see them everywhere else, because, again, one of the neighbors seems determined to be a refuge for them).

  • Pets can hang out there. I no longer have to worry about cats escaping into the neighborhood, and I don’t have to feel guilty about preventing the furry idiots from enjoying our outdoor space. They can lounge around as much as they like—they enjoy climbing the screen like spidercat, too. Maybe a bit too much.

  • The screen doesn’t block the sun, so it’s still a bright, pleasant place to hang out, grill, or do whatever else.

  • It's easy to remove and reinstall. When the weather turns, I can pry off the caps and roll back the screen in about ten minutes, so I don’t have to worry about snow loads destroying everything. And when the screen gets torn, I just undo that section and pop in a fresh screen, a process that takes five minutes at most.

The Screeneze kit has lasted years, through some pretty gnarly weather, and it’s still in almost-new shape. If you’ve got a deck, pergola, or porch, screening it in can make a more enjoyable and more useful space, and this kit will make doing that a fairly simple job.

☐ ☆ ✇ L H

The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Check Out After Watching 'The Pitt'

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

The Pitt is a classic case of taking an old premise and making it feel brand new. Dramas that pivot off the life and death stakes of a hospital or emergency room have been around for decades, but The Pitt—initially conceived as a direct sequel to one of the greatest medical dramas of all time, E/R—has perfected the mix of realism, real-time pacing, and great character work. It's justifiably been a sensation since its debut in 2025.

If your whole week revolves around new episodes of the series, that leaves you with a lot of time on your hands in-between—and, soon, a long wait until the third season. To fill some of that void, you can peruse this list of other TV shows you should check out. And if you want to expand beyond TV, here are the books, movies, games, and podcasts that can deliver similar themes and vibes.

The best books like The Pitt

With its unusually long season (compared to most other modern series), focus on character, and slow-burn themes, The Pitt is pretty novelistic. Here are some of the best books that will give you the same feel.

This Is Going to Hurt, by Adam Kay

Based on Adam Kay’s personal experience working on the obstetrics and gynecology ward for the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS), the adaptation of This is Going to Hurt starring Ben Whislaw is on our list of shows like The Pitt. It’s great, but it’s also different from the source in many ways. Kay’s book is less bitter and more urgent, taken directly from his diary entries and featuring more of his sardonic voice. If you want a more unvarnished, absorbing, and powerful look at the challenges that doctors and nurses face every day of their careers, give it a read.

Five Days at Memorial, by Sheri Fink

If your favorite parts of The Pitt are the big moments like season one’s mass shooting event, you’ll find Five Days at Memorial the perfect read (its adaptation is also on our list of TV shows for Pitt fans). When Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans in 2005, the hospitals there faced a challenge beyond anything imaginable. Fink’s book dives into the experienced of people working at Memorial Medical Center, who struggled with a deluge of desperate patients, shrinking supplies, and impossible medical decisions made under the worst possible conditions.

The Emergency, by Thomas Fisher

Fisher’s memoir describes his experiences as an attending physician in the University of Chicago Medical Center, beginning in 2006. If you love the individual stories that The Pitt serves up with each episode, this is for you—Fisher details some of the cases he dealt with at, delving into fascinating maladies and how he approached diagnosing and treating them. He also makes it clear what’s wrong with our modern approach to medicine, and how it often fails the people who need it most.

The House of God, by Samuel Shem

A bit dated these days, but Shem’s 1978 semi-autobiographical novel captures the sense of competitive camaraderie among medical interns and residents, as well as the psychological damage the pressures of their training can cause. It’s a sharp and funny indictment of how residents were trained, and may have influenced reforms that have taken place since.

The Shift, by Theresa Brown, RN

The Pitt knows that the most important people in an emergency department are often not the doctors, but the nurses. In The Shift, Brown uses the same conceit as The Pitt, recounting a single 12-hour shift so you can be there at every step of a patient’s care from her perspective. The result is everything you could want in a read-a-like: A fast-paced story of professionals making life-and-death decisions under pressure, and the people whose lives depend on them.

The best movies like The Pitt

If your one complaint about The Pitt is that the episodes aren’t long enough, check out these movies that have similar themes and storylines.

Code Black (2013)

In a lot of ways, Code Black is a real-life The Pitt. Filmed in 2013 at one of the country’s busiest emergency departments (the Los Angeles General Medical Center), this documentary follows a team of young doctors as they deal with a seemingly endless stream of injured and sick people in desperate need of care. The physicians struggle with everything you see on The Pitt, from personal relationships to the scourge of charting and insurance paperwork—but everything you see really happened. Rent Code Black from Prime Video.

M*A*S*H (1970)

It might seem like an odd pairing, since M*A*S*H is set during the Korean War, but what Robert Altman’s classic film captures is the pressure-cooker environment of emergency medicine and the inventiveness of physicians struggling under less-than-ideal conditions. The characters’ disdain for their commanding officers and the bureaucracy that makes their jobs harder is clearly echoed in Dr. Robby’s attitude more than 50 years later. Rent M*A*S*H from Prime Video.

Contagion (2011)

Although Contagion is global in scope and focused on a fictional pandemic and the race to find a treatment before it’s too late, its tone of steady emergency and the capable, broken people who stand up to deal with it will resonate with fans of The Pitt. If the medical mysteries the show offers up are what keep you coming back, this movie’s horror-ish vibe is like a super-sized version of that. Rent Contagion from Prime Video.

Hospital (1970)

Without narration or any talking head interviews, Frederick Wieman’s 1970 documentary remains highly-regarded for its immersion and powerful portrayal of a broken healthcare system. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how much hasn’t changed in the 56 years since this film was produced. Sure, the technology and protocols are different, but the doctors, nurses, and patients observed here are dealing with many of the same fears and frustrations as Dr. Robby and his staff. Stream Hospital on Kanopy.

Code 3 (2025)

If you want a lighter Pitt-adjacent viewing experience, this dark comedy starring Rainn Wilson, Lil Rel Howery, and Aimee Carrero is just the ticket. Following a burned-out paramedic on what he thinks is his last shift, the film follows a similar structure to The Pitt, sticking with its characters over a single shift as they deal with a range of cases and characters. It’s funny, but there’s a deep vein of pathos in there, too. Stream Code 3 on Hulu.

The best video games like 'The Pitt'

No, there’s no first-person walking simulator where you play as Dr. Robby, but there are some games that offer similar vibes to The Pitt if you want a more active alternative.

Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues

If you want to know the stress and pressure of trying to diagnose, treat, and comfort patients quickly and efficiently, Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues will get you there. You play as a paramedic in training, and the gameplay involves successfully treating the patients you’re called to see. Since you’re not playing as a doctor in the ER, there’s a limited number of procedures you can use, but the game does a good job of goosing your adrenaline in ways we think the Pitt doctors would understand.

Platforms: Nintendo DS

Project Hospital

Project Hospital is a management sim that tries to replicate the serious business of running a hospital—treating patients and managing resources. It’s got a cartoony look, but don’t let that fool you: It can be as complex as The Pitt when it comes to figuring out how to keep people alive. In fact, one of the “gamefied” aspects of Project Hospital involves finding ways to overbill people’s insurance to maximize profits—which might be a bit too real for some folks.

Platforms: macOS, Linux, GeForce Now, PC, Steam

War Hospital

Set during World War I, War Hospital sees you playing as an administrator trying to keep a field hospital behind the front lines operational under the worst possible conditions. You not only have to manage supplies, construction, and staff morale, you also have to triage the soldiers who pour in, badly wounded and in desperate need. If you miss that hit of stress that watching The Pitt offers, this is a fine way to experience it. A lot of it.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X/S

911 Operator

If you watch The Pitt and think that charge nurse Dana Evans makes managing the chaos of an emergency department look easy, try your hand at 911 Operator. While not set in an ER, you get the same vibe of trying to put out medical fires with limited resources as you play the role of an Emergency Services Operator, deciding where to send police, firefighters, and/or paramedics as various disasters and emergencies pop up. It’s a surprisingly complex and delightfully stressful challenge that will give you fresh appreciation for what folks like Evans do on The Pitt.

Platforms: PC, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

The best podcasts like 'The Pitt'

Just because your eyes are tired doesn’t mean you can’t get more of The Pitt. Whether it’s a deep-dive into the series or a narrative with a similar feel, we got you covered.

The Pitt Podcast

The Pitt Podcast
Credit: Podcast logo

The official companion podcast is hosted by Dr. Alok Patel and Hunter Harris, perfectly blending real medical analysis and experience with episode recapping, interviews with actors, crew, and creators, and other insider tidbits. If you’re a Pitt obsessive, this is a must-have in your earbuds.

The Pitt Crew

The Pitt Crew
Credit: Podcast logo

If you want a less corporate, more fan-oriented podcast analyzing The Pitt, here you go. The hosts of The Pitt Crew (Camille, Mal, and Robert) bring terrific regular person energy to their discussions, so it’s the next best thing if you lack real people who share your love of The Pitt and resist your desire to talk endlessly about why Joy’s sarcasm and misanthropy is okay but Ogilvie has got to go.

The Nocturnists

The Nocturnists
Credit: Podcast logo

One reason The Pitt resonates is the deep research behind its stories—the cases and their resolutions are based on actual medical emergencies treated by real doctors. The Nocturnists is the real version of that: Actual doctors and other healthcare professionals telling stories drawn from their real-life experiences. It’s just as dramatic and fascinating as the show, with the added weight of knowing that it all really happened.

The Mind Doctor

The Mind Doctor
Credit: Podcast logo

If you really love when the doctors on The Pitt have to figure out a medical mystery, check out The Mind Doctor. The podcast offers up compelling, twisty medical mystery stories that are based on actual experiences and cases. Basically, if you wish The Pitt would bring Dr. Gregory House on staff, this is the podcast for you (also, Noah Wyle, get on that idea, it’s genius).

☐ ☆ ✇ L H

The Best Power Tools on Sale During the Amazon Big Spring Sale

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

If you need to build out your DIY toolkit, or if your existing power tools are worn out, rusted, or just plain old, the Amazon Big Spring Sale provides the perfect opportunity to upgrade and replace your sad tool collection with the latest and greatest. Whatever tool you need, there’s a deal out there for you, from drills and driver, to sanders, to saw, to multitools. Here are the best deals on offer right now.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on cordless drills and drivers

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale power saw deals

  • Dewalt 20V MAX circular saw: On sale for $99 (normally $159), this tool-only deal gets you a solid saw that’s comfortable to use and ideal for any DIY project.

  • Craftsman V20 reciprocating saw: Reciprocating saws make so many projects easier, and this one is 35% off right now.

  • Dewalt 20V Max XR jig saw: Every tool box or shed needs a jig saw, and this compact-but-powerful model from Dewalt is a whopping 45% off right now.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on sanders, multitools, and grinders

  • Dewalt 20V Max angle grinder: With a brushless motor and a kickback brake, this grinder was a deal before at $249—at its sale price of $159.95, it’s a steal.

  • Flex 24V 5-inch orbital sander: With a half hour of runtime and a comfortable grip, this sander is a joy to use, and it’s more than 30% off for the Spring Sale.

  • Flex 24V cordless multi-tool: Considering this multi-tool comes with a battery and charger, it’s a great deal at $179 (down from $219).

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on combo tool kits

  • Dewalt 5-tool combo kit: Featuring an impact driver, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw, a multi-tool, and batteries, this kit will get you up and running at 30% off.

  • Black & Decker 20V Max combo kit: Sporting a compact circular saw, cordless drill, reciprocating saw, work light, and batteries, this kit lets you get to work instantly while saving 31%.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on cordless ratchets and screwdrivers

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on power nailers

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on outdoor tools

Greenworks G-MAX 40V Cordless String Trimmer and Leaf Blower Combo Pack
$124.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $65.00
Greenworks G-MAX 40V Cordless String Trimmer and Leaf Blower Combo Pack
$124.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $65.00
CEEPUY Mini Chainsaw Cordless,6 Inch Portable Electric Chainsaw with Automatic Oiler/Security Lock/Battery Powered Small Handheld Saw for Trees Branches Trimming,Wood Cutting,2 Batteries 3 Chains 2025
$43.99 at Amazon
$68.99 Save $25.00
CEEPUY Mini Chainsaw Cordless,6 Inch Portable Electric Chainsaw with Automatic Oiler/Security Lock/Battery Powered Small Handheld Saw for Trees Branches Trimming,Wood Cutting,2 Batteries 3 Chains 2025
$43.99 at Amazon
$68.99 Save $25.00
Greenworks 40V 150 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower
$89.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $60.00
Greenworks 40V 150 MPH Variable Speed Cordless Leaf Blower
$89.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $60.00
Greenworks 60V 10" Brushless Cordless Pole Saw, 14.5 Ft. Reach, 2.0Ah Battery & Charger
$215.99 at Amazon
$289.99 Save $74.00
Greenworks 60V 10" Brushless Cordless Pole Saw, 14.5 Ft. Reach, 2.0Ah Battery & Charger
$215.99 at Amazon
$289.99 Save $74.00
☐ ☆ ✇ L H

The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Check Out After Watching 'Severance'

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

From the moment Mark Scout (Adam Scott) first rode an elevator down to his office and became a totally different person, we’ve been obsessed with Severance. Over two spectacular seasons, Ben Stiller’s sci-fi satire has explored the banality of corporate culture (and corporate cults), the impact of trauma, and the power of memory—or lack thereof. The story of a group of people who undergo the severance procedure, creating a separate workplace persona called an “Innie” who is essentially a separate individual lacking their outside memories, delivered one of the best finales of all time with its second-season ender “Cold Harbor.”

But it’s been a year since then, and there’s no official word on when we'll see season three. If you’re jonesing for more of that bleak corporate vibe, mysterious and important work, and surprisingly nuanced commentary on the human condition—and you've already explored our list of streamalike shows—allow me to suggest some equally terrific books, movies, video games, and podcasts that will fill that empty space in your head.

The best books like 'Severance'

Severance packs a lot of literary references into its scripts, adding a dense layer of subtext that makes every storyline richer (and more challenging). Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of choices if you’re looking for a reading experience that will give you similar vibes.

Tell Me an Ending, by Jo Harkin

One reason Severance is so compelling is the question raised by its basic premise: We are the sum of our experiences, so what would we be like if we didn’t have some (or most) of them? In Tell Me an Ending, a corporation offers a revolutionary memory-erasing procedure, and customers can choose to either be aware that they had a memory deleted—or not. Around the globe, people struggle with the consequences of removing crucial memories, including one character who slowly realizes he’s deleted the majority of his existence from his own brain.

The Room, by Jonas Karlsson

If you miss the wonderfully creepy vibe of the Macrodata Refinement Department at Lumon Industries, The Room is the story for you. Björn is a government worker who strives to be the perfect employee, driven by an almost cultish desire to do everything required of him. When he discovers a strange room in the office—one his coworkers scrupulously pretend isn’t there—he begins spending time in it, apparently staring off into space, talking to himself. The more he does it, the harder his peers try to get him fired—but Björn has a plan to defend himself. And it involves what he’s discovered in the room.

The Fold, by Peter Clines

The dual nature of the characters is a major aspect of Severance’s appeal—the Innies and Outies share a body, but have diverging personalities and desires that become more and more pronounced (and tragic) as time goes on. In The Fold, a man with a photographic memory is asked to investigate a series of odd events around a secret project that appears to have invented teleportation by folding dimensions—with strange side effects for those who walk through the “perfectly safe” portal, including one team member who was apparently driven insane by his experience. It’s a dark sci-fi story about mysterious and important work that is not at all what it seems.

Several People Are Typing, by Calvin Kasulke

If you love Severance’s off-kilter take on corporate life (and its sly, often laugh-out-loud sense of humor), Several People Are Typing is the book for you. Told entirely in Slack messages (and if you experienced a full-body chill upon reading that sentence, this is definitely the book for you), this is the story of a man who somehow uploads his consciousness into his company’s Slack channel. As he tries to figure out what’s happened, his coworkers carry on as if nothing’s unusual, creating a wonderfully absurd scenario crammed with emojis, Slack-speak, and deep observations on the dual nature of our online/offline lives.

The Echo Wife, by Sarah Gailey

Evelyn Caldwell is a renowned scientist and happy spouse—until Martine, her clone, arrives on the scene. Martine was intended to be a distillation of everything good about Evelyn—kind, gentle, and subservient. But everything goes off the rails when Martine has an affair with Evelyn’s husband, who soon winds up dead. Like Severance, The Echo Wife pivots into an exploration of the nature of identity as the two wives team up to conceal the crime, turning to the cloning technology that created Martine to pull it off.

The best movies like 'Severance'

Severance has a unique and finely-detailed visual look and feel. The transition from the “Outie” world (which is relatively normal, and resembles our own reality) to the “Innie” world of primary colors, old-school computer systems, and terrifyingly empty, white corridors, is always startling. If you want more of that kind of unnerving visual experience, here are some films to check out.

Playtime (1967)

This brilliant comedy from French legend Jacques Tati is an acknowledged influence on the show’s aesthetic and mood. In the largely dialog-free story of Playtime, Tati’s silent character Monsieur Hulot moves through a midcentury Paris that is depicted not as the beautiful City of Lights, but a modern maze of office cubes, sterile buildings, and apartments that resemble museum displays. It’s hilarious, but there’s a darkness underneath the slapstick that resonates sixty years later. Stream Playtime on The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video.

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Charlie Kaufman’s masterpiece predicts Severance’s examination of identity, and the way our physical surroundings affect us even when they’re artificial (or maybe especially when they’re artificial). In Synecdoche, New York, the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a director who responds to a life crisis by staging an immense work of theater involving a replica of New York City built in a massive soundstage, populated by actors who basically live their entire fictional lives within it. As time goes on, the replica becomes more real than the city outside, and doubles are brought in to play the actors who are portraying the characters—leading to a grimly hilarious ending you won’t soon forget. Stream Synecdoche, New York on The Roku Channel or rent it from Prime Video.

Sorry to Bother You (2018)

If it’s the biting satire of modern-day employment that makes you love Severance, you have to check out Sorry to Bother You. Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfield) is a Black man struggling in his telemarketing job until he learns to use a “white” voice on the phone. As his numbers skyrocket, he’s pulled deeper into the corporation, discovering some very weird vibes indeed. Visually inventive and offering an extremely low opinion of what it’s like to be employed in modern America, this is a perfect complement to our beloved Apple TV series. Stream Sorry to Bother You on Kanopy or rent it from Fandango at Home.

The Truman Show (1998)

The Innies working at Lumon Industry are part of an experiment they don’t understand (or even know about, initially); the mysterious and important work they’re doing has a purpose they only begin to understand in the second season. In The Truman Show, the same can be said for Truman Burbank, who is basically like an Innie who never leaves the office, his entire life a lie crafted around him so he can be filmed, his life the ultimate reality TV show. And like the Lumon Innies, Truman slowly realizes that something is off—and takes dramatic steps to find the truth. Stream The Truman Show on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Another sci-fi story that considers the role of memory in making us who we are, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind syncs up with Severance thematically—and when Joel (Jim Carrey) begins fighting to stop his memories of his failed romance with Clementine (Kate Winslet) from being erased in a controversial medical procedure, it syncs up in terms of vibes as well. The haunting and often hilarious sequences where Joel attempts to hide Clementine in his other memories have the uncanny energy of Lumon’s weirdest melon-themed parties. Stream Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.

Coming soon: Backrooms

If you’ve been online at all in the last few years, you’ve probably encountered The Backrooms, a creepy image of an eerie, infinite liminal space that just doesn’t feel right. Plenty of memes and games (see below) have been adapted from the concept, and A24 is set to release a Backrooms movie on May 29, 2026. The tone of ominous unreality is likely going to be perfect for Severance fans.

The best video games like 'Severance'

There’s a definite “secret level” vibe to Severance, with many of the Lumon teams’ adventures feeling like deranged video game speedruns. Why not lean into that by playing some of these off-kilter games with a similar tone?

The Stanley Parable

Severance co-creator Dan Erickson confirmed that The Stanley Parable was an inspiration for the show, and it’s easy to see why: You play as employee 427, aka Stanley, who discovers that all the other employees in his office have vanished. As you investigate, a dry-witted voice narrates your actions—and not-so-subtly tells you what to do. You can choose to follow directions or not, with the story splitting off into many different and unexpected directions that subvert just about every video game trope you can imagine.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, macOS, PC, Xbox

Portal & Portal 2

A more full-blown science fiction story than Severance, the Portal games share the same absurdist tone when it comes to working in a strange, hauntingly empty office space. In both games, you’re forced to run a series of increasingly deadly gauntlets using a portal gun that lets you teleport between different flat surfaces, making each room you enter a devious puzzle of warped physics. But it’s the slowly-unfurling story and the secrets you uncover as you move through the ancient, crumbling labs and office spaces, that really nail the Severance vibe.

Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Steam

The Exit 8

One of the weird pleasures of Severance is the slow doling out of details and atmosphere that feel “off,” coalescing into the nightmarish reveal of what’s actually happening down there in Macrodata Refinement. The Exit 8 offers a similar experience, though it rapidly descends into overt horror much, much more quickly. Your goal is to exit a subway station—but the corridor leading to the exit seems to repeat forever, and when you notice “anomalies” you must turn and flee immediately or suffer the consequences. The sense of liminal dislocation is perfect for Severance fans.

Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox

Limbo & Inside

These two games are both set in worlds that initially seem familiar, only to slowly become increasingly strange and threatening—similar to how the underground world of the Innies seems like any outdated office at first. Both games offer a creepy, suffocatingly ominous vibe as the unnamed young boy you control makes his way past enormous spiders, brain-controlling slugs, and an entire economy seemingly powered by zombies.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, macOS, PC, Xbox One

Escape the Backrooms

It feels like the Lumon Industries offices were built in a place like The Backrooms, bizarre and off-putting spaces filled with unnerving wallpaper and oatmeal carpeting. Where the memes were unsettling, Escape the Backrooms adds more overtly horror elements, like the various deadly entities you can encounter while wandering these weird, empty spaces. It’s that vibe of moving through a space that shouldn’t exist, maybe, that makes it a great pairing with the show.

Platforms: GeForce Now, PC, Steam

The best podcasts like 'Severance'

One of the great things about Severance is how deep the discussion about it can be, and how it can inspire similar narratives that explore the same themes. If you’re a podcast fiend as well as a Severance fan, here are some to check out.

Homecoming

Homecoming podcast
Credit: Podcast logo

If you love the slow-burn mystery aspect of Severance, this hit narrative podcast will be your cup of tea. Set at an experimental facility designed to help veterans return to civilian life that’s run by a mysterious organization, Homecoming offers similarly creepy vibes. It’s told in a masterful melange of voicemails, overheard conversations, and therapy sessions, all voiced by some of the best actors working today—and once you've listened through, you can watch the Julia Roberts-starring adaptation on Prime Video.

The Severance Podcast With Ben Stiller and Adam Scott

The Severance Podcast with Ben Stiller and Adam Scott podcast
Credit: Podcast logo

If what you really want is a deep, deep dive into the behind-the-scenes world of Severance, why not go straight to the source? Star Adam Scott and writer/director Ben Stiller have done episode-by-episode breakdowns, giving you all the Innie-side info you could want, and they’ve also done one-offs exploring the influences and inspirations that shaped the scripts and performances. It’s the perfect companion for a rewatch.

Illumination Above All

Illumination Above All podcast
Credit: Podcast logo

For an outsider perspective on Severance, including episode breakdowns as well as broader discussions about themes and references, Illumination Above All is a stellar podcast to dive into. If you don’t have friends who share your obsession with the show, this is probably going to be the next best thing.

Within the Wires

Within the Wires podcast
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A series of standalone stories set in a shared alternate history universe, Within the Wires is all about subtle worldbuilding—just like Severance, which lets the visual and audio clues do a lot of the work. In this universe, the world was drastically altered after World War I, with much of the population wiped out and most of the old traditions and social structures lost. You learn everything from a series of in-universe recordings—relaxation guides, museum audio tours, for example—that slowly build up the details of what’s going on. It’s a deep dive into the weird any Severance fan will appreciate.

SAYER

SAYER podcast
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A near extinction-level event, a secretive and nefarious corporation, a self-aware and unreliable AI—SAYER has it all. After an asteroid impact decimates Earth, Ærolith Dynamics builds an artificial moon called Typhon, where its employees are also its research subjects. Filled with pitch-black humor and inventive storytelling this might just get you through the long months until Severance season three drops.

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12 Inexpensive Weekend Projects That Will Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

If you own a home, it's never a bad time to be thinking about its curb appeal. That's a given when it's time to sell, but making a series of smaller upgrades over time will leave you with less to worry about once it comes time to list it, at which point you'll probably be more focused on interior renovations. Plus, that way you'll get to enjoy coming home to a prettier, well-kept exterior every single day until then.

The math around the cost of improvements and their potential return on investment is always complex, but less so when the upgrades don't cost much to begin with. You can handle a lot of projects yourself in a few hours on the weekend, and with modest budgets (often less than $100). Here are a dozen of the best ways to boost your home’s curb appeal without draining your bank account.

Add a coat of paint or stain to beautify your front door

The front door of your house is one of the first things people see, and it has a huge impact on the home’s perceived value. Installing a new front door can have an ROI of almost 200%, but if the average cost of about $2,300 is a bit too rich for your blood, simply painting or staining the door can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value at a cost of less than $100 in materials, and a few hours of your time.

Add an awning over the front door

Installing an awning over your front door or other entrances isn’t an expensive or difficult project, and it can add both beauty and practicality to the exterior of your house, protecting you from rain and drips from your roof line. It also makes your front door more welcoming to guests, who won’t have to stand in the elements waiting for you to answer their knock.

Patch and seal your driveway before small cracks become a big problem

Your driveway should be considered part of your landscaping, because its condition is part of the first impression people form about your house. A cracked, crumbling, stained driveway says all the wrong things (and is a warning of a big repair bill coming sooner rather than later), so cleaning it up and sealing it will go a long way.

  1. Sweep away dirt and debris

  2. Clean thoroughly with a power wash (you can use dish soap and your garden hose in a pinch)

  3. Fill in cracks with a quality crack filler product for asphalt or concrete.

  4. Seal the concrete or asphalt with an appropriate product.

The total cost will be around $300.

Hang exterior art to make your home stand out

An easy, affordable way to make the exterior of your home stand out is to hang some outside wall art. For just a few bucks (this dog-themed piece is just $16, for example) you can give the exterior of your home a bit of your personality, eliminate boring blank space, and make your outdoor spaces more visually interesting. That will prompt guests or potential buyers to think of those spaces as finished, and invite them to imagine themselves using those spaces.

Plant some trees to increase your property value

An easy way to spruce up the exterior of your home is to plant some trees—and trees definitely add to your home’s curb appeal and property value. Trees provide shade, which makes outdoor spaces more comfortable (and can even help keep your interior cooler by blocking some of the sun), and they make an outdoor space feel organic and comfortable. It can even be a $0 investment, because many cities and towns offer free tree programs, so if you’re willing to put in the sweat equity, the project doesn’t have to cost you a thing.

Upgrade your mailbox

If your house has a mailbox on the edge of your property, upgrading it has a lot of advantages. For one, a larger mailbox can accommodate packages, meaning fewer crushed items and “we missed you” slips. And a new, stylish mailbox will be a little boost to the overall curb appeal of the house.

While you’re at it, consider creating a mailbox garden, if there’s space for it. Building a simple raised garden bed around the mailbox and filling it with native flowers or spreading plants will enhance the mailbox and extend the influence of your landscaping.

Refresh your garage door with new hardware and paint

Your garage door is literally a huge aspect of your home’s curb appeal—typically anywhere from 50 to several hundred square feet of exterior space. If it’s looking a bit dingy, no amount of landscaping or other tricks will make your house look good. Luckily, upgrading your garage door doesn’t require an expensive replacement, as long as the door is in good physical shape. A coat of good-quality exterior paint can do a world of good. And you can also give your garage door a more lux look by adding some faux hardware whether permanently attached or using magnetic versions. Doing both will come in under $100.

Add or replace your exterior lighting

If your front door is a dark and gloomy place, adding some lighting (or replacing what's there) will make your home seem a lot more inviting. You don’t need to spend hundreds of bucks and hire an electrician, either—you can pick up a battery- or solar-powered exterior light that installs with a few screws. Not only will this make your exterior a little nicer, it also means not fumbling with your phone’s flashlight when you get home late and can’t quite see your keys.

Replace your house numbers with something stylish

If your home’s address is difficult to read, it can be hard to find. And if your home’s address numbers are faded or rusted, it reflects poorly on the rest of the home’s curb appeal. Replacing those numbers is pretty easy—and you have an incredibly wide range of styles to choose from, so you can really match or augment your home’s exterior style. You can get custom address plates made, of course, but you can find address numbers that attach via screws or adhesive if you’re not in the mood to break out the power drill.

Install window plant boxes to hide your outdated windows

Whether your windows are brand new or a bit weathered, you can easily upgrade their look (and thus the look of the whole house) with the addition of window garden boxes. They extend your landscaping up onto the vertical space, creating a unified, cohesive look, and they help frame your windows with color and architectural interest. You can just place freestanding boxes on the sill if there’s room, or install something more permanent for a more upscale look.

Install ornamental shutters to add visual interest

Just like wall art, shutters can fill up the empty space on your exterior walls and create visual interest. They also imply a certain fanciness (that’s a technical real estate term) that can make the whole house look and feel a bit more expensive. But, secretly, they’re an inexpensive and easy upgrade: You can buy a pair of durable, paintable vinyl shutters for under $100, and they install easily, instantly transforming your exterior look and feel.

Paint your gutters to make them pop

If your gutters are the standard white, they’re an opportunity to make your home’s exterior pop a little more—because you can paint your gutters as easily as anything else. Choose a strong accent color, pick an exterior paint that’s appropriate for your gutter material (plastic or metal, typically), and transform them by spending a few hours painting (being super careful if you’re on a ladder, of course).

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Five Ways Unscrupulous Home Sellers Can Trick You

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

When selling a home, it’s natural for folks to want to get as much money as possible for their property. That’s why people often put money into repairs and upgrades right before listing their house, and why people hire stagers to make the place look its best. But not all home-selling tactics are above board: Some unscrupulous home sellers resort to dirty tricks to convince you to overpay for their homes. Here are some of the tricks you should watch for on your next open-house tour.

Home sellers might try to hide the true age of an appliance

A key consideration when buying a home is the condition and age of everything in it, and unscrupulous home sellers might try to hide how old their stuff actually is in order to avoid giving you a credit or being forced to replace aging infrastructure like the furnace or HVAC system. They can always claim they don’t know when something was installed and try to dance around the units’ actual ages, but, typically, a competent home inspector can take one look at the serial number on every appliance and determine when it was manufactured and likely installed.

Which is why some home sellers might try to deter this by simply removing serial number stickers or plates from appliances, or scratching them to make them unreadable. Sometimes they might even use a marker to try to change installation dates, if they’re marked on the unit. If you can’t easily locate and read the serial numbers on appliances, be suspicious at the very least and insist on finding out how old the units actually are.

Sellers could try to re-label appliances with high-end brand badges

Most people aren’t experts in kitchen appliances, but most people are aware of the hierarchy of brands, and that certain brands—like Viking—are extremely expensive and high-end. So if you walk into a kitchen and the shiny, stainless-steel appliances have Viking badges on them, you might be thrilled to think you’re about to buy the most luxurious kitchen you’ve ever had. You might even be okay with paying a bit more if the appliances are included.

And it might be a ruse. You can actually buy appliance badges for brands like Viking online, adhere them on your mid-range appliances (covering or removing the real emblem), and hope buyers don’t know what the actual high-end models look like. This obviously won’t work on anyone who knows their way around appliances (or who has used high-end models in the past), but for a few bucks, it’s an easy way to make a kitchen look way more upgraded than it is. It’s only slightly less terrible than folks who leave brand-new appliances in place for the open house, then swap them for old, beat-up versions after closing—taking the good stuff with them.

Sellers might use these tricks to make old appliances look newer and more expensive

Appliances can make or break a kitchen—and a sale price. A kitchen that looks new and recently remodeled can boost the sale price of a house significantly. This inspires some cash-strapped sellers to try to make the kitchen look as new as possible with some cheap tricks.

There’s nothing wrong with sprucing up a tired old kitchen using some of these techniques, of course—as long as you’re open about it. It becomes problematic when a seller lets you assume things are newer and in better condition than they are and does nothing to disabuse you of the notion. A few common tricks include:

  • Fake stainless steel. People love the look of stainless steel, and tend to assume that stainless steel appliances are higher-end than white or black versions. It’s pretty easy and cheap to apply decals, contact paper, or vinyl wrap that will give an appliance a stainless steel look, making it just as easy for a buyer to assume those shiny appliances are newer and higher-end than they really are. Always check serial numbers—and be wary if they’re obscured or missing.

  • Upgraded oven grates, knobs, and hardware. Combined with a stainless steel decal, swapping out old, crusty burner grates for fancier new ones and replacing plastic knobs with metal versions can make an old oven look brand new. Again: If disclosed, there’s nothing wrong with this.

  • Dishwasher cabinet panel. One easy way to obscure the condition of an old dishwasher is to add a cabinet panel that matches the rest of the cabinetry. This gives it a high-end, built-in look that might cause buyers to overlook the actual age and functionality of the appliance. This can be a DIY job for anyone who’s reasonably handy—and might even be considered a nice upgrade, as long as you know what’s lurking beneath that panel.

Home sellers could make isolated upgrades to high bigger problems

Everyone does some work to get a house ready for sale. Deep cleaning, fresh paint, and necessary repairs get done shortly before the listing goes live so the house looks its best and looks well-maintained. But sometimes those necessary repairs are hiding a chronic problem the seller is hoping no one will notice because they’ve fixed it “for now” and covered up the damage.

The tell-tale sign is an isolated upgrade—a single wall painted in a room, a spot of new shingle on the roof, brand new carpet in the third bedroom but nowhere else, for example. A single, lonely upgrade or renovation, no matter how nicely done, might be a sign that something happened in that spot that the seller doesn’t want you to know about. At the very least, isolated upgrades should be pointed out to your home inspector for extra attention.

Sellers can stage furniture and decor to hide defects in the home

Another way home sellers try to trick potential buyers and hide problems is probably the oldest trick in the book: Simply hiding the problem under something else. If the house is being shown furnished and possibly staged, the clutter and interior design can distract you from checking out the bones of the place—and, after all, we don’t often move furniture around when checking out an open house. A few common tricks to watch for include:

  • Oddly-placed furniture. If a room has way too much furniture in it, or the couches and chairs are placed in strange ways that make the room uncomfortable, it’s time to look underneath and behind to see if there’s damage to walls and floors the seller doesn’t want you to see.

  • For-show drapes and curtains. If you see voluminous, floor-to-ceiling drapes and curtains in a room, pause to ask yourself if there’s actually a window behind them. They may have been added to hide a water-damaged wall or other problem.

  • Brand new area rug or carpet. If there’s a brand-new area rug or carpet in one area of the house but the flooring is tired and worn everywhere else, take a peek under it, if you can. It may have been added to quickly hide a problem.

  • Door propping. Did the seller helpfully prop open all the doors so you could move freely through the open house? That’s nice. Now remove the doorstops and make sure the doors actually close properly.

  • The freshest air. Making a house smell nice is an old technique when selling a home. A fresh batch of cookies or a quick airing-out is fine, of course, but if the house smells like someone splashed a gallon of Febreze everywhere they might be hiding an ominous smell—like mold, or cigarette smoke.

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10 Items to Help You Better Organize Your Fridge

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

A lot of us spend significant time and energy organizing our closets, home offices, and even our kitchen cabinets, but we toss our weekly groceries and daily leftovers into the fridge with little thought. Soon enough, we can't find the ranch dressing behind all the plastic containers filled with food that looks more like a science experiment.

Even if you don’t let your fridge situation get quite that bad, a lack of organization in there will make it harder to keep it clean and find and grab what you need. If you want to get serious about organizing your fridge, you have to go beyond the standard drawers and shelves most models offer. Here are the products I recommend to turn your chaotic fridge into something more manageable.

Add extra drawers to your fridge

Many refrigerators come with just a few drawers for storing produce or other foods, and that may not be enough to keep things separated. These under-shelf drawers clip into place and provide extra pull-out storage that won’t eat up precious shelf space (though they do, admittedly, reduce the vertical space you can use, so you have to be thoughtful about where to place them).

Use fridge drink organizers

My wife buys a lot of soda. A lot. She used to just shove those cardboard sleeves into the fridge and take cans as she needed them, but the cans would sometimes just roll out onto the floor, the cardboard often got soggy, and it was just ugly. The better choice is to install a can holder—either a stand-up version like this one, or a plastic dispenser like this. Either choice will keep those cans organized and in place, and will make your fridge look neater.

Stackable pull-out drawer bins make use of vertical fridge space

The key to fridge organization is a modular approach, dividing those vast shelf spaces into tidy, stackable components. These plastic bins are a good choice here: They can be stacked up so you can actually use the vertical space in your fridge, and their contents can be accessed via a pull-out drawer, so you don’t need to un-stack them to get to what you need.

Add storage bins with removable colanders for your produce

A great option for folks who eat a lot of produce that needs washing before use, these sturdy, airtight plastic containers stack up in your fridge for maximum neatness and have a built-in colander for quick and easy rinsing before use.

Organize your condiments with a Lazy Susan

A Lazy Susan—a rotating turntable—is an amazing addition to your refrigerator’s interior. It allows you to keep all those condiments and jars of leftover sauce in one place so you can easily access them without excavating the entirety of your refrigerator’s contents.

Use peel and stick fridge organizers to save shelf space

Another way to maximize the vertical space in your fridge is to get those yogurt containers currently eating up so much real estate off the shelves. These peel-and-stick organizers fit four standard yogurt containers—or any similarly sized plastic containers. They can be mounted under shelves or even sideways on the walls of the fridge, keeping them out of the way but easily accessible.

Use shelf dividers to make better use of your fridge door space

The door shelves on your refrigerator are loaded with condiments, milk cartons, and anything else, all of it crammed together. The solution is to divide up the space. These adjustable dividers allow you to corral your bottles and jars, and they can be moved and removed to create different storage solutions as your grocery list changes over time.

Organize your freezer too

If you’ve got packs of meat, frozen meals, vegetables, and/or boxed items stacked up in the freezer, this organizer rack is an easy way to keep everything tidy and easily accessible. It’s designed with built-in handles, so you can easily pull the whole thing out if you need to, or just pluck that one box to defrost for dinner tonight.

Use an egg storage tray to stack a few dozen

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who enjoy an egg every now and then, and those who fuel their entire life on a steady supply of them. If you fall into the latter category, consider picking up a stackable egg holder or two. They are a far more efficient system than foam egg cartons for storing your eggs.

Use an under-the-shelf bottle rack to free up shelf space

Another way to keep your shelf spaces clear is to get those bottles of soda, beer, wine, or water off of them. This under-the-shelf bottle holder is a great solution. It not only clears up shelf space, it makes it easy to grab your favorite beverage without rooting around in the depths of your refrigerator.

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These Collapsible Tools Are Perfect for Homes With Limited Storage

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

An immutable law of the universe is that no matter how big your house is, you eventually fill it up with stuff. And if you’re starting off with a small house to begin with, you hit maximum storage pretty quickly. That can make DIY home maintenance and other projects a challenge, because so many of the tools you need are kind of enormous and awkwardly-shaped, making their storage problematic even in spacious homes.

While hand tools like hammers and screwdrivers can usually be stashed creatively, larger items eat up your spare room pretty quickly—unless you opt for a folding or collapsible version. These tools do the same job, but shrink down when not in use so they can squeeze into tight spots or unexpected locations, solving your storage problems.

A folding ladder is easy to store in a garage or shed

Ladders can be some of the biggest storage challenges because they are, by their very nature, extremely large and rigid. If you don’t have enough vertical or horizontal space to store a ladder, it can wind up just sort of standing in an odd place, collecting dust in between uses and making your home look like a perpetual job site.

You have two small-space options to solve for this, though. The most common is a telescoping ladder, which collapses down to a portion of its height when not in use. This can make it a lot easier to find storage space in a closet or other location, and it can even be hidden behind furniture. Another option is a folding ladder like this one from DuoSaftey, which folds into a stick-like form when not in use, minimizing its horizontal footprint instead of its vertical footprint.

This wheeled cart can be store in a laundry room or closet

A sturdy, wheeled cart is incredibly useful in a lot of maintenance and repair jobs, making it easy to transport tools and materials around the area. But who has the space to have a whole cart just sitting around until it’s needed? A folding cart is the answer: It folds flat for easy storage, but snaps into a sturdy full-sized cart that can handle up to 300 pounds of weight when it’s needed.

Get a collapsible bubble level that folds around corners

A bubble level is a necessity if you want your home projects to look like a sane, rational person performed the work. But a full-size level is often difficult to find space for, and smaller levels aren’t as useful for larger projects.

This folding level not only collapses into a tiny form factor for storage, it can be bent and used to check level around corners, which is one of those DIY superpowers you don’t realize you need until you learn about its existence.

This folding saw is great for the occasional DIY project

Saws are another rigid tool that can be problematic to store. Hanging them on a wall is a good solution that gets them out of the way, but if you need to pack your tools out of sight, you need to consider a folding saw like this one. If you saw wood every day of your life, you might not want this, but if you need a saw for the occasional quick project around the house and don’t have storage space to spare, this will get the job done and fold up and away when not needed.

Store this pop-up workbench in the garage

Like rolling carts, workbenches are incredibly useful when you need a flat surface to work on, but become a real pain when it’s time to store them away. Luckily, you can pick up a folding workbench like this one from DeWalt. It’s a sturdy work surface that can support up to 1,000 pounds, but when the job is done, it folds up to be slid into the tightest spot you have available.

This collapsible bucket fits under the sink or in a utility closet

Everyone needs a job bucket in the house, but the traditional five-gallon bucket not only takes up more space than you realize, it also becomes a place to store stuff in, making it a chore to unpack every time you need to use it. A folding bucket like this one isn’t quite as large (it’s only three gallons), but it collapses into an easily-stored flat configuration when you’re not using it, preventing it from tempting you with all that empty space.

A folding hand truck can transport heavy stuff and then get tucked away in a closet

For years, I had a hand truck stored in my crawl space, because a hand truck was an incredibly useful thing. Any time I had to move bags of cement or large items around, I’d have to climb down into that nightmarish crawl space and retrieve the hand truck, which was a pain in the butt. Now I have this folding handtruck, which does the same job (it can handle more than 300 pounds) but can be tucked away in a closet when not in use.

Use this folding shovel for gardening and clearing out snow

Every house needs a shovel. You either have a garden or backyard where digging will occasionally be needed, or you’ll need to clear snow from your sidewalks and driveway. Or both! Shovels tend to be left in garages or outside when not in use, but if you need to store yours in a small space inside, a folding option is a real space-saver. It collapses into a compact square that will squeeze into any space, but it’s sturdy enough for the toughest jobs you can throw at it.

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Eight Gadgets That Can Turn Your Microwave Into a More Versatile Appliance

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Just about everyone has a microwave. You might not know its wattage, vintage, or what in the heck half the buttons actually do, but you know that if you pop something in there and cook it for a while, you get hot food back for your trouble. Some intrepid souls actually learn how to use a microwave properly, expertly timing out defrostings, reheatings, and popcorn by the bucket. They really are incredibly useful and powerful appliances.

As amazing as your microwave is, it could be better—it just needs a little help. If you really want to get the most out of your appliance, you’ll need to pick up a few microwave gadgets that will expand its capabilities and take out some of the guesswork.

This plate stacker can double your microwave's cooking capacity

First and foremost, we all know one of the main frustrations with microwaves: You can typically only cook/heat one dish at a time. If you’re warming up some leftovers for yourself and a partner, someone’s plate is going to sit on the counter for a bit, cooling off, while the second one cooks. And if you’re trying to actually cook an entire meal with your microwave, you’re going to have a heck of a time serving everything up at a consistent temperature.

Unless you invest in a microwave-safe plate stacker. It’s a simple idea that instantly makes your microwave more useful, because you can now cook or heat up several things at once.

These microwave-safe egg cookers make perfectly poached, scrambled, or boiled eggs

Can you cook eggs in the microwave without a cool gadget? Sure—as long as you’re not terribly picky about how your eggs turn out. If you’d prefer to enjoy eating the eggs you cook in there, you should pick up an egg boiler to make hard- or soft-boiled eggs, and an egg cooker that can poach or scramble an egg perfectly (it can also make adorable mini-omelets). These little tools ensure your eggs come out fluffy and delicious instead of rubbery and weird-looking.

Use the microwave to make melty, crispy sandwiches

Entire restaurant chains have been built on our collective love of toasted sandwiches, but they’re impossible to make in a microwave ... unless you have one of these sandwich maker gadgets. With one, you can make grilled cheese sandwiches, panini, or even quesadillas to your heart’s content without firing up your burner.

This gadget helps microwave bacon come out crispy

You can cook anything in a microwave, as long as your working definition of “cooked” is just “hot.” As anyone who’s ever tried in desperation to cook bacon in their microwave knows, what you get is a soggy mass of bacon-esque stuff. Unless you have this microwaveable bacon grill, which makes it possible to cook up crispy bacon without dealing with a greasy pan that spits pain at you, or the lengthy cleanup it requires.

A microwave rice cooker can make fluffy, delicious rice in a jiffy

A rice cooker is a terrific appliance if you make a lot of rice, but sometimes you don’t have room for one more countertop or stovetop appliance, and not everyone makes rice often enough to need one. This cheap microwave rice cooker makes it dead simple to cook a batch of rice in your microwave in a little over 10 minutes, and the rice comes out fluffy, slightly sticky, and delicious.

Use this device to make al dente pasta in the microwave

Cooking dry pasta isn’t exactly rocket science. Even if you don’t bother reading directions or don’t really care about al dente pasta, it’s just a matter of boiling water, dumping in pasta, and cooking until it’s soft and edible.

But if you need to cut some corners and skip the time it takes to boil water, you can cook pasta to a very acceptable level of al dente-ness in the microwave with the Fasta Pasta Microwave Cooker. It’s only usable with dry pasta—fresh pasta will still have to be boiled, sorry—but it ensures perfect pasta every time in just a few minutes, without any boiling necessary. It even has pre-measured cutouts in the lid so you can easily portion out your meals.

This device can help you microwave a cake in five minutes

It happens: You’re craving cake, and you have no cake. You have all the ingredients for cake, but you lack the most important thing: The will to pull it all together, fire up the oven, and wait.

Enter the Rapid Cake Maker. Put your mix, eggs, and other ingredients into the appropriate (and pre-measured) container, combine in the pan and mix, then microwave for 5-6 minutes. That’s right, that’s all that stands between you and a warm, moist cake. We are truly living in the future.

Try a microwave steamer for easy vegetable prep

Steaming is a nice method to cook fresh-tasting vegetables and fish. Steaming on a stovetop can produce a fair amount of dirty dishes, though—or maybe you're just low on stovetop space. Steaming in your microwave using one of these, on the other hand, is a fast and easy alternative. Add water to the bottom, adjust the vents, cover, and in a few minutes your food is cooked perfectly. It can be used with fresh or frozen veggies or anything else you would normally steam cook.

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Eight Useful Tool Accessories Every DIYer Should Own

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

I love getting things done around the house. I’m not the greatest carpenter, electrician, or plumber, but I like learning how things work and even enjoy learning from my mistakes (sometimes). And most of all, I like saving a bucket of money on home maintenance and repairs. None of this means that DIY isn't an incredible amount of work, however.

Luckily, living in a consumption-based society means companies are always inventing new gadgets for me to buy, and some of them are incredibly useful for DIYers. The eight tool accessories below are ones I truly recommend. Each can help make your next project a little faster, easier, and/or safer.

A multipail makes painting and cleaning neater

This is one of those simple ideas that seems so obvious it’s hard to believe it took this long to be invented. The Multipail is a simple concept: A standard five-gallon bucket with a dustpan built in. It can also be used with a paint roller as a tray replacement, and has a drip-proof spout for pouring liquids without making a mess. You need a five-gallon bucket anyway, so why not use one that has these useful features molded in, instead of buying two or three wonky attachments?

Flashlight gloves are a super convenient way to shed light on your work

There are a lot of ways to illuminate your work site, from standard flashlights to headband lamps to bendable LED lights. But sometimes you need to get light into a small space, and you need to be able to illuminate what you’re doing just by pointing at things. These flashlight gloves are cheap, waterproof, and make it easy to see what you’re doing without having to hold a separate light.

An attachable bit holder will keep all your drill bits at hand

Cordless drills are one of the most commonly-used tools in DIY projects, but they come with one major frustration: All those damn bits. If you’re constantly swapping out different-size drill bits and different screwdriver bits, you know how hard it can be to keep them organized (and how hard it is to not lose them).

Enter this nifty drill bit holder that attaches to the bottom of your drill’s battery. It holds not just bits, but just about anything, from utility blades to fasteners. Designed to work with just about any manufacturer, it attaches to the bottom of the battery and lets you carry whatever you need right there on the tool.

The Backsaver will eliminate the strain from low-down drilling

This drill attachment is probably overkill for most DIYers (and it isn’t cheap!), but if you’ve got a job requiring a lot of drilling down low, it might be the difference between a pleasant day of work and a broken back. Instead of getting on your hands and knees or even lying down in order to see what you’re drilling into, the Backsaver lets you work in a comfortable standing position while drilling at foot-level. It takes a bit of practice before you can just dive in, but your back will definitely thank you for taking the time.

A panel carrier can help you lug around drywall and plywood

Carrying large sheets or panels like drywall or plywood can be challenging. It’s hard to maintain your grip and your balance, and navigating around corners and tight spaces often results in dropped items or scraped knuckles.

This panel carrier from Gator Lift just clamps onto whatever you’re hauling around (up to two sheets at a time) and makes it very easy to carry it one-handed—which means you can actually open doors and easily maneuver while carrying these awkward, heavy sheets around.

A ladder hook could save your neck

I don’t know about you, but whenever I have to climb up to my roof to inspect or repair something (or clean out the gutters), there’s always at least one terrifying moment when the ladder shakes and shimmies, and I think I’m about to die. Ladders are always incredibly dangerous, but they’re especially dangerous when you’re working on your roof. This ladder hook from Lock Jaw clamps onto the roof and ensures the ladder doesn’t move, giving you an extra boost of safety.

A clamping outlet will keep your power running safely

Running power to wherever you’re working is sometimes a logistical challenge. There are plenty of ways to run a power strip to your project, but ensuring that you have easy, safe access to the strip sometimes involve some seriously janky engineering involving zipties, duct tape, or precariously balanced equipment.

This clamping power strip is a lot more civilized. It ensures you’ll have plenty of outlets no matter where you’re working. It can clamp to a ladder, to a joist or rafter, a table, railing—literally anywhere. Power will always be nearby, and you won’t have to remember to plug in your corded tools before you climb up the ladder ever again.

A ladder leveler will help you reach new heights without the risk

If you’ve got a standard extending ladder, you know that your greatest enemy is uneven ground. An unbalanced ladder is a disaster waiting to happen, but most DIYers have climbed onto a shaking, leaning ladder at least once in their life, hoping their luck holds out long enough to get some quick bit of work done.

Instead, invest in a ladder stabilizer. Install it on your ladder and it automatically adjusts the legs on each side so you have a perfectly balanced, perfectly stable ladder to climb no matter how uneven the ground might be. Considering that half a million people go to the ER for ladder-related injuries every year, everyone should probably have this installed on their ladder.

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How to Choose the Right Backup Generator for Your Home

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

The U.S. power grid is suffering more outages than ever—about 45% of utility customers experienced one in the first half of 2025—and the resultant blackouts are lasting longer. As our aging electrical grid struggles to keep up with increasing air conditioner use due to a hotter planet, not to mention artificial intelligence’s insatiable thirst for power, the problem will likely get worse: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates the risk of power outages will increase a mere 100 times over the next few years.

If you're looking to stave off the worst of the fallout from our shaky power grid, you might be looking to purchase a backup generator (not to be confused with a rechargeable power station) to ensure you can ride out an outage in relative comfort. But you really shouldn’t just roll up to the hardware store and buy whatever generator is on sale. Choosing the right generator for your home and your circumstances is essential. Here are the factors to consider.

How much power does your backup generator need to supply?

The first step in determining the right generator for your home is to determine how much power you’re going to need. This requires three data points: How long you’ll need generator power, how many things you’ll want to run off the generator during a power outage, and the wattage those appliances and systems will need.

  • Duration. You can’t predict the future, but you can glean some information from your neighbors (or your own memory) about past power outages. Did they last for several uncomfortable days, or were they relatively brief? If the latter, you might not need a lot of backup power, unless you want to be prepared for any eventuality.

  • Number of appliances. Think about what you’ll need to run off a generator. Will it be just a few lights and some phone chargers, or will you want to keep the heat on, run the refrigerator, and run a sump pump during a storm? Everything you add to the list will increase the capacity of the generator you’ll need.

  • Wattage. Once you know all the things you’ll need to run, you’ll need to add up the wattage a generator will have to produce. Most appliances will have that information on a label somewhere; if not, the information’s usually in a user manual or online. If the label only provides amps, you can usually multiply that number by 120 (the standard voltage in most homes) to get a rough idea.

    Add all those watts up, and you have a baseline of your power needs during a blackout. Some appliances, like a sump pump, will pull more power when they start up (called starting watts) before settling into a lower power draw (running watts), so it’s a good idea to multiply your baseline by 1.5 to ensure you have enough capacity for surges when the pump or fridge compressor cycles on and off.

    For example, let’s say I want to run my fridge (600 watts), a sump pump (1,000 watts), my computer, and a few lights (400 watts combined). That’s a baseline of 2,000 watts, so I probably want a generator capable of producing at least 3,000 watts of power.

Should you choose a portable, inverter, or standby backup generator?

Next, you need to consider what kind of generator you’re looking for: A standby generator, a portable generator, or an inverter generator.

  • Standby generators are the most expensive, but also the most comprehensive solution. These are typically fueled by natural gas directly from your home’s supply line (though you can buy models that use propane), and are designed to turn on whenever there’s a power loss. They’re big generators that are capable of running the whole house, often generating as much as 20,000 watts. They’re ideal if you anticipate frequent and lengthy power outages, or if you just want the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll enjoy uninterrupted power even if a storm knocks out your whole neighborhood. Typical cost: $8,000 to $16,000, usually requiring professional installation, and you’ll need outdoor space where it can sit.

  • Portable generators are the most common and typically the most affordable. They have wheels and are designed to be moved around as needed, and range from as little as 1,000 watts of output to behemoths that can generate 20,000 watts (though the word “portable” starts to get a bit squishy with a generator that large—this model, for example, weighs 557 pounds). These are ideal for most people who just want a power option, and for folks who might use a generator at other times, like camping trips or when doing DIY projects around the house. Typical cost: Anywhere from $300 to about $4,000, depending on the specifications.

  • Inverter generators are similar to portable generators, but run much more efficiently and quietly because they don’t run flat-out like most portable generators, they throttle up and down depending on the draw. They use less fuel and run longer, and are also usually mounted on wheels for portability—and their quieter operation also generates less interference for electronics like computers and routers. Many can produce enough power to run an entire house (typically around 5,000 watts), but they’re also typically much more expensive for the power they deliver. If you have the extra cash, an inverter is probably your best bet. Typical cost: About $350 to $4,500, depending on specifications.

  • Power stations. Although sometimes referred to as “solar generators” because they can charge using solar power, these aren’t really generators—they’re large batteries that store power for later use. You can buy portable power stations that generate sufficient wattage for a whole house, and you can have larger systems installed that can take you off the grid entirely. They tend to be more expensive to purchase but cheaper to re-charge. But their main limitation is time: Once a power station is drained, it can be difficult (and slow) to recharge them using solar power alone.

What fuel will your backup generator use?

Another consideration for portable and inverter generators is the fuel type. As noted, large standby generators will usually run off of natural gas or propane. Smaller portable and inverter generators offer a few more options:

  • Gasoline is the most common fuel type for portable and inverter generators. Gas is usually easy to buy, but gasoline goes bad, so you can’t just leave it in the tank or have a bunch stored in the garage indefinitely. You’ll have to drain the fuel tank when you’re not using the generator regularly, and make sure you stock up on fuel (or know how to siphon it from your car) when you think the power might go out.

  • Propane. You can buy generators that hook up to a standard propane tank. Propane can be stored much longer than gasoline, and you don’t have to worry about draining a tank. But propane can be more challenging to acquire, depending on where you live. If your house already uses propane and you have a large tank on the property that gets refilled regularly, this might be the perfect choice.

  • Diesel. Diesel generators usually require less maintenance because of their simpler design and the self-lubricating properties of the fuel. As a result, these generators can last longer than other models and require less attention. On the other hand, diesel fuel generates a lot of smoke and bad odors, and might not be convenient if you don’t live near a source.

  • Dual and tri-fuel. If you want as many options as possible, you can buy dual fuel generators that can run on either gas or propane, or tri-fuel generators that can also use natural gas. These generators tend to be more expensive, of course.

Other backup generator features to consider

Finally, a few things you might want to pay extra for:

  • Electric start. Most generators use the old-school pull-cord to start the engine. If you have trouble getting those going or have a physical limitation that makes that difficult, you can find models with a car-style push-button starter that can make life a lot easier. Keep in mind this will require a battery to be hooked up to your generator.

  • Automatic shutdown. Generators are engines, and as such they generate pollution—you should never run a generator inside the house, or even too close to the house. Having a generator with a carbon monoxide detector that shuts down if it detects too much exhaust is an extra safety feature you might want to consider. Generators typically use oil for lubrication, too, so having a low-oil detection feature that shuts the generator down before it can damage itself is another feature you might want.

  • Receptacles (aka spots to plug things in). All the wattage in the world won’t do you much good if you don’t have enough receptacles to plug into, so make sure you do a count before you buy.

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Seven Products to Protect Your House From Snow and Ice Damage

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

When the cold weather arrives, there’s a tendency among homeowners to focus on the interior—namely, our personal comfort and the utility bills. That’s perfectly sensible—no one wants to shiver in their own house, and no one wants to be slammed with an enormous utility bill, either. But the exterior of your house is just as important.

Heavy snow and icy buildup during extended periods of severe cold can really take a toll on your house. Snow and ice combined with melt/freeze cycles during sunny periods can do some serious (and often completely silent) damage to your home in a variety of ways, from water intrusion through your roof to ice-heavy tree branches crashing into the house. If you live somewhere where you can expect to be buried in snow and ice at some point this winter, here are the products you need to protect your house.

Clear snow with a roof rake

Snow is heavy, and your roof is designed to handle only so much of it. The chances that your roof is going to collapse are probably pretty minimal, but that doesn’t mean letting a ton of snow and ice sit on it for weeks at a time is good for your roof or the structure under it. At the same time, climbing up onto your roof to shovel or sweep snow off is not the safest thing to do. Instead, keep a snow rake on hand. Designed to be used from the ground, a snow rake is a simple tool that lets you scrape a lot of snow off your roof safely, easing the snow load and minimizing the chances that water will infiltrate the house. Just keep in mind that if you install roof cable to prevent ice dams (see below), you’ll need to be super careful using a roof rake, as you can easily snag the cable and yank it loose.

Use a sewer skewer to melt snow and ice in vents

One often-overlooked problem caused by cold, snowy weather is ice buildup in roof and furnace vents. Sewer vents on the roof and furnace vents that draw in clean air and expel exhaust from your heating system can get clogged with ice, which can cause your heat to malfunction and pose a severe health hazard if fumes build up inside the home. A sewer skewer is a simple solution. It’s just a hunk of copper, really, but copper is an excellent conductor, so it absorbs heat from the sun (and your home’s own gases as they rise up) and radiates that heat back out, melting any snow and ice that form in the vent. It’s shaped to move the melting water away from the vent so it doesn’t just drip down and re-freeze. It’s incredibly simple to install (be careful on your roof, though) and can save you from disaster.

Install heated roof cables

Ice dams are layers of ice that form at the edge of your roof, preventing proper drainage. Unchecked, ice dams can really do a number on your roof and even the structure of your house. Preventing ice dams can be relatively easy, however—just install some heated roof cables. Attached to the edge of your roof in a zig-zag pattern, roof cables ensure that ice dams can’t form, and melting snow and ice can drain properly into your gutters.

Use covers on exterior faucets

A common way ice and freezing temperatures can damage your house is through exterior faucets and spigots. Because they extend outside the insulated interior of the house, they’re very susceptible to freezing, and that ice can make its way into the pipe behind it, leading to a burst pipe and a very expensive problem. The solution, though, is not expensive—for about $11, a faucet cover will keep your exterior faucets ice-free and water safely inside your pipes where it belongs. Affix one to every exposed faucet or spigot around the house and you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

Cut back problem tree branches with a mini chainsaw

If you have trees near your home, heavy ice and snow can snap off branches, which then smack into your roof or walls—and those ice-laden branches will be heavy when they hit your house. Being a little proactive and trimming back branches—especially old, dead ones—is the best way to prevent that from happening. If you don’t want to call a professional to trim back a few branches, pick up a mini-chainsaw to get the job done. If your branches are a little more than a mini can handle, a full-size chainsaw might be needed—but be sure you know how to handle it, especially if you’re going to be climbing a ladder to use it.

Prevent ice clogs with gutter heaters

Like ice dams on your roof, your gutters can become clogged with snow and ice, preventing proper drainage and leading to rot and water intrusion. Gutter heaters are an easy solution that prevents ice and snow buildup, ensuring everything drains away from your roof and your house as intended.

Use a filler sealer on hardscapes

The freeze/melt cycle can be particularly hard on your hardscapes, including driveways and patios. Meltwater gets into small cracks and then freezes, expanding and widening those cracks. After a while, your pavement or asphalt is chewed up and needs replacing. You can do a few things to prevent (or at least slow down) this destruction. Filling cracks in asphalt or concrete as they form with a filler sealer means water can’t get into them in the first place. And sealing your asphalt or concrete surfaces will protect them during those weeks when ice is sitting there, melting and freezing over and over again as temperatures fluctuate.

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There's Actually a Way to Mix and Match Your Cordless Tool Batteries

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

When shopping for cordless power tools, you'd think you could simply purchase the best option of each to fit your needs. But there's a big problem that makes this a lot harder (and more expensive) than it should be: battery incompatibility. By design, you can’t simply pop a Ryobi battery into a DeWalt tool and expect it to work. Engineering decisions aside, using proprietary batteries allows companies to create a sort of obligatory brand loyalty, forcing you to stick with their line of tools unless you want to invest in a whole new set of batteries for every new tool you buy.

If you've been building your cordless tool collection for some time, you may wind up with four or five different chargers and multiple batteries cluttering your workspace. And that clutter can be expensive, because you wind up buying more chargers and batteries than you might not need if batteries were interchangeable.

But it turns out they are, sort of. You can actually swap batteries between brands—you just need the right adapters.

Adapters let you swap tool batteries between brands

There are two kinds of battery adapters to consider:

These adapters are a fairly simple solution to the problem of incompatible battery systems. If you have a lot of DeWalt tools, for example, you can purchase a Milwaukee tool without a battery (which will be cheaper) and just use an adapter to plug in one of the DeWalt batteries you already have.

Of course, these batteries weren’t specifically designed for these tools, so there can be some trade-offs. While tool performance has been found to be broadly similar (and some tools even performed better when using batteries from different brands), for some tools (like grinders and some circular saws) there’s a dropoff in power and performance when using an adapter. That said, you might not notice it if you're just looking to tackling simple DIY projects around the house.

Another caveat to consider: You might lose some features. Some tools are designed to communicate with the battery to modulate power draw in order to extend the life of the battery, and using an adapter will remove this functionality. But again, if you’re simply using a power drill for basic maintenance tasks, this might not be a huge issue for you.

Universal adapters are a good solution if you own a bunch of brands

If you’ve got a bunch of disparate tool brands, of course, buying multiple adapters might not seem like much of an improvement over your collection of batteries and chargers. If this is you, consider something like the Ceenr PDNation Universal Battery System, which provides an 18-volt battery and a series of adapters that allow it to be used in a wide range of power tools, including major brands like Ryobi, Milwaukee, and DeWalt.

For example, you can buy a battery with an adapter for DeWalt tools, then buy a second adapter for the same battery that will work with Makita tools. This means you can standardize on one battery system for pretty much any tool you buy (it’s not a truly universal system, since you’re dependent on the range of adapters they offer, but it’s probably close enough for most people).

As with other adapters, there can be some performance loss using a universal adapter, but by and large, it’s probably not a big issue if you’re doing work around the house, as opposed to working professionally on a job site.

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Four Ways to Keep Your House Warm When the Heat Goes Out

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Living in a comfortable, heated house is something a lot of us take for granted. When the cold weather hits, we just put on thick socks, turn up the thermostat (or take other steps), and go about our business. But most modern homes rely on the electrical grid to keep that heat flowing. Even if your home is heated by natural gas or heating oil, there’s most likely an electric component to your heating system.

That means that when the power goes out—say, in the middle of a fierce blizzard—so does your heat. Even recently built homes can lose interior heat pretty quickly, dropping to uncomfortable (and even unsafe) temperatures within a day at most. If you’re not sure when power will be restored, you’ll need to find a way to keep the place as warm as possible if you and your property are going to come out of the experience unscathed. Here are are four ways to keep your house warm if your heat goes out.

Pre-heat your home before a storm

If you have some warning that a power loss is possible during the cold months—a winter storm warning, for example—it’s a good idea to “pre-heat” your home. The warmer your house is when the power goes out, the longer it will remain at a safe and/or comfortable temperature. You don’t necessarily want to make it tropical, but a few degrees higher than usual will buy you some time if the power goes out. Combined with sealing the house as tightly as possible—by hanging thermal curtains or blankets over windows, applying plastic insulation kits to windows, and deploying draft stoppers under doorways and anywhere else cold air is getting in—this strategy can be very effective.

Isolate your family to a single room

Trying to keep a large house warm without an active heating system is a fool’s errand. Instead, focus on a single room where everyone in the house can gather, because a small room is a lot easier to warm up. A few considerations about which room to choose:

  • Since heat rises, rooms on upper floors will be warmer than rooms on the main floor.

  • A room that gets a lot of sunlight can be warmed during the day by opening up the curtains and letting that solar energy do its thing.

  • Smaller rooms will be easier to heat up, but consider how many people will need to live and sleep in there.

  • Rooms near bathrooms (or with en-suite baths) offer a bit more convenience, especially if you’re going to be hunkering down for a while.

Once you’ve selected the room you’ll be using, try to keep it closed up as much as possible (covering windows, stopping up drafts, keeping the door closed). Introducing an indoor-safe heater is a good idea if you have one (or you can make one; see below).

If none of the rooms in your house are ideal, you could also consider setting up a tent indoors. Tents are designed to hold in heat, and can create a small, controllable environment that will be easier to keep warm in a pinch.

Make your own DIY heater with candles and clay pots

If you’ve planned ahead and have an indoor-safe propane or kerosene heater (or even a solar-powered portable heater), that will obviously help to keep your home warm (just be certain to follow all the instructions for ventilating whatever space you’re heating up). If you haven’t, or you discover that your propane tanks have leaked and you have no fuel, don’t despair. You can still generate heat by building a candle-pot heater, which is an old-school way of generating some quick heat.

A candle-pot heater is pretty easy to set up: You’ll need 1-3 clay flower pots (or similar ceramic containers) in different sizes, some non-flammable materials to set up on (bricks or stone tiles will work), and some candles. Then arrange everything:

  • Set up your bricks or other materials to create a raised platform, with plenty of airflow.

  • Place your smallest pot upside down on the bricks and cover the hole in the bottom (if it’s a flowerpot).

  • Place the larger pot on top, and then the largest on top of that if you have three pots.

  • Place your candles underneath and light them.

The candles don’t produce much heat, but the clay pots will absorb that heat and slowly start to radiate out. Instead of the candles’ heat just rising up to your ceiling and being cooled by the frigid air already in the room, the pots capture it and intensify it.

Will this replace your home’s heating system, or even a portable propane heater? Not by a mile. But it will make a difference, especially in a small space.

A few things to keep in mind here:

  • Candles are open flames, so never leave your heater unattended, and always be conscious of fire hazards.

  • You can place a foil-covered panel behind the heater to help reflect the heat in a specific direction (say, toward the chair you’re sitting in).

Get a furnace battery backup

If you have a gas furnace, it’s not that hard to keep it running even during a blackout if you have an alternative power source like a generator or even a power bank. The furnace needs electricity to run the ignition, the blower, and communication between the thermostat and the furnace or boiler. A decent generator or robust battery can definitely keep your furnace running for a while—and those extra hours or days could be crucial in an extended cold-weather blackout.

If you can see an obvious on/off switch on your furnace, you can pretty easily install a transfer switch like this one (here’s a video demonstrating how it’s done). This allows you to plug in a generator or power bank and keep your furnace running even when the power’s out—all you have to do is plug it in and flip the switch. If you’re not entirely comfortable with electrical wiring, you can hire a licensed electrician to install it as well, of course. Once it’s done, you’ll never have to worry about a cold house again—as long as you pair the switch with a generator or battery solution of sufficient power to keep things running.

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The Most Fun Snowball Fight Tech Money Can Buy

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Winter weather can be miserable, but there is one huge perk: snowball fights. Any time a deep carpet of snow gets dumped on us, you can count on a bunch of kids (or young-at-heart adults) engaging in epic snowball fights, sometimes involving surprisingly well-engineered snow forts and sophisticated tactics.

This is the 21st century, however—if you’re still fighting your snowball fights with nothing but your bare hands and a sense of determination, you’re missing out. We can’t all be Buddy the Elf, shotgunning perfectly made snowballs like some sort of winter weather Terminator—but we can invest in some of the most fun snowball tech money can buy. If you’re looking to dominate your neighborhood’s winter wars (or put some snowball-tossing whippersnappers in their place), here’s what to buy.

Snowball makers

Your first step is to up your snowball-making game. A cosmetically pleasing, perfectly spherical snowball is your first step toward snowball fight dominance. This set of simple snowball forms will make it easy to stockpile perfect snowballs in just a few minutes. If you don’t have a few minutes because you’re already under attack, you might turn to this 5-in-1 snowball maker that will let you quickly amass some serious firepower.

If you want to get a little more whimsical, you can also pick up snowball-making sets that include other shapes, like ducks or hearts, if that’s your jam.

Snow throwers

Once you have your snowballs assembled, you’ll need something to augment your throwing power. This Snow Trac Ball (or these) can launch snowballs a lot further than you can with just your arm—up to 150 feet away. They also come with built-in snowball makers, so when you run out of your initial supply, you can quickly make and deploy fresh snowballs without missing a beat.

Snowball launchers

Throwing snowballs either bare-knuckled or using an implement is all well and good, but what if your opponents are serious about their snowball fighting? If you need more firepower, this Snowball Blaster is just what you need—load a snowball into the front, pull back the firing mechanism, take aim, and destroy your enemies. Want to keep things a little more primitive? This snowball slingshot keeps it simple—load a snowball, take aim, and launch for victory (this kit even comes with dye to color-code your snowballs in case you’re trying to keep score). Or go medieval on your enemies with this very cool Snow Crossbow, which even comes with a target so you can practice decimating your enemies.

Defense

No one wants a snowball to the face, so having a snowball shield on hand can keep you dry and unscathed while you rain snowballs on your opponents. Of course, this doesn’t have to be a snowball-specific shield—just about any plastic shield will help protect you from the snowballs being thrown your way.

Bonus: Indoor

Itching to have a snowball fight, but you live in a warm-weather area that hasn’t seen snow in decades? Or there just hasn’t been enough snowfall? Or it’s summer? Get yourself an indoor snowball fight kit and go to town. While you won’t get the visceral joy of smashing snow into someone’s head from a distance, you can replicate just about everything else that’s fun about snowball fights without the cold, damp, or, you know, snow. Throw in some couch-cushion forts and you have a guaranteed good time.

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Seven Clever Ways to Use C-Clamps Around the House

By: Jeff Somers —

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

If you’ve been doing any kind of work around any kind of house for a while, you probably have a few trusty old-school C-Clamps on hand. The C-Clamp has been in use for thousands of years. It’s one of those dead-simple tools that just works. It’s also one of those tools you tend to collect multiple examples of, in different sizes.

Typically, you use a C-Clamp to, uh, clamp stuff together, like two pieces of wood, or to clamp something into place while you work on it (I use them a lot to cut lumber so I can have both hands on the saw, as I am allergic to emergency rooms.) But the C-Clamp is actually a very versatile tool that can be deployed in a number of creative—but useful!—ways. Here are some of my favorite ways to repurpose those old C-Clamps.

A carrying handle

If you need to carry something that’s bulky, heavy, and awkward, having some temporary handles always makes the job easier. If you have a few C-Clamps, you’re golden: Just clamp a couple onto whatever you’re transporting and you have instant handles to make the haul a little easier. They can also be used as handles for rolled-up materials, like rugs or mats—just thread the roll through a pair of C-Clamps, tighten them closed, and carry on.

A quiet hammer

It’s happened to all of us: You need to drive a nail somewhere, but there’s no room to swing a hammer, or for some reason you’re reluctant to make a lot of banging noise. The solution is your trusty C-Clamp: Just place the clamp over the nail head and tighten. The clamping action will inexorably (and silently) drive that nail into place. This isn’t an efficient way to drive a lot of nails, of course, but in a tight spot, it’s brilliant.

An emergency wrench

Need to tighten or loosen a connector, but you don’t have a wrench at hand? Tighten a C-Lamp around the bolt, cuff, or connection point so that it’s gripping tightly, then slowly turn it in the direction you need. Make sure the clamp is tight enough to prevent slippage, and you might want to use something (a handy piece of cloth works) to protect the connection from damage as you work.

A cord organizer

Whether it’s corralling all those extension and power cords on a workbench or work site, or organizing computer cables on your desk with an industrial vibe, C-Clamps can keep all those wires under control and out of your way in a pinch. Just gather the cords at the edge of the desk or table and clamp them down. This is a perfect temporary solution, as the cords can pass freely through the clamps without risk of damage, and the clamps can be removed when the job is done.

Bookends

Need a couple of bookends to hold stuff in place on a shelf? A pair of C-Clamps attached to the outer edge and clamped in as deep as possible will work. This could even be a permanent design choice if your taste runs toward the rustic or industrial.

Anchors

C-Clamps are ideal devices when anchor points are needed, but you don’t want to attach anything permanent that would require fasteners and drilling into a structure. Need a clothesline to dry your laundry when the dryer breaks? Two C-Clamps and some rope or twine are all you need. Need to hang tools, clothes, or anything else? C-Clamps attached to a shelf of any kind, combined with a hook, will work a charm. Need to hold a tablecloth or other covering in place? Nothing clamps stuff down to a horizontal surface better than C-Clamps.

Spool holder

Whether you’re spooling filament to your 3D-printer or feeding twine or wire to yourself as you work on a project, sliding the spool over a C-Clamp and then clamping it into place gives you a sturdy holder that you can pull from. This means you won’t have to juggle your spool every time you need more slack, and you can easily unclamp and reposition the spool if you’re on the move as you work.

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So, I Tried an AI Shopping Cart

By: Jeff Somers —

The first supermarket, the Piggly Wiggly in Memphis, opened its doors in 1916. It was the first time people could wander around a store and pick their items from a shelf instead of handing a list to a clerk who would gather everything for them—typically without any choice of brand or style. Grocery shopping remains a daily or weekly ritual for most people, and it can be a real chore—especially if you’re shopping for a large family. My own grocery lists aren’t all that long, but I still find myself juggling my phone and a scrap of paper as I walk around the store, checking for digital coupons and trying to do quick math. So when I read that one of the local grocery stores (a ShopRite) was rolling out Smart Shopping Carts powered by artificial intelligence (AI), I was intrigued.

I’m naturally dubious about a lot of AI tools, but grocery shopping seemed like a place where a little digital help might come in handy. So I headed out to see whether these fancy new carts would offer real benefits or just a lot of targeted advertisements.

What are caper carts?

The carts in question are Caper Carts, which is owned by Instacart. They’re pretty large and tank-like, and kind of heavy to push.

A Caper Cart
The Caper Carts are pretty big and heavy. Credit: Jeff Somers

You need to have an account with ShopRite in order to use these carts, as they use your phone number to track your purchases; you can choose to store a credit card or other form of payment in there for convenience, but it’s not required. When you walk in the store, the Caper Carts are right there in the entrance area. When you pull one out, the screen lets you enter your phone number, then offers you a (mercifully brief) tutorial.

The Caper Cart screen
The welcome screen on the AI shopping cart. Credit: Jeff Somers
The log-in screen
The log-in screen Credit: Jeff Somers

The carts have barcode scanners mounted on both sides of the back of the cart, and the cart itself is a scale, which is both how it ensures you’ve scanned everything in the cart and how it calculates the cost of loose produce. If you’ve ever used a self-checkout in a grocery store, it’s kind of similar: You hold items up to the scanners and then drop them into your cart. For produce, you look up what you’re buying and then drop it into the cart, where it’s weighed and added to the total. Along the way, the cart will look for potential coupons or deals you might be interested in. The carts can import your shopping lists from the store’s app, if you want, and will keep track of your loyalty points and rewards as well.

How to use a Caper Cart

The first Caper Cart I selected didn’t work; nothing would scan no matter how I held things up to the scanners. This wasn’t a big deal—I let the store folks know, logged out of the cart, and grabbed another. The second cart worked perfectly.

The Caper Cart screen while shopping
The Caper Cart screen while shopping Credit: Jeff Somers

These carts are pretty heavy, and the second cart I used had a loose wheel which made it rumble loudly as I walked the aisles—you aren’t going to be racing these carts and jumping on for a quick glide. When I dropped an item in the cart without scanning it, the cart politely showed me a video of me placing the item (creepy) and asked if I wanted to fess up to adding something to the cart. It did, however, give me the option to declare a “personal item,” which is a solid feature.

A video pops up if you try putting an un-scanned item in the cart
A video pops up if you try putting an un-scanned item in the cart Credit: Jeff Somers

I forgot to put my shopping bags in the cart, because I am frequently dumb. You’re supposed to bag as you go, which saves you time; I had to bag after checkout, which did not save me time. On the other hand, I don’t always shop in bagging order, so bagging as I go might result in some of my items getting crushed under heavier groceries, or me having to re-arrange everything in the middle of the shopping experience. I kind of like bagging at the end, when I can make decisions about how to arrange everything optimally.

If you change your mind about an item, you just remove it from the cart. The Caper system will notice and remove the item from your bill.

When you’re done, you just tap “Checkout” and head to the Checkout Area.

Checking out with a Caper Cart
Checking out with a Caper Cart Credit: Jeff Somers

This will be different depending on the specific store you’re in—some stores don’t have checkout lanes for the Caper Carts, but this ShopRite did. There was only one lane for Caper Carts, and I had to wait behind someone as they checked themselves out. Then I scanned a barcode on my screen with a gun and tapped my card to pay while a security guard loomed nearby, presumably to discourage folks from making a run for it.

Barcode for checking out with a Caper Cart
Barcode for checking out with a Caper Cart Credit: Jeff Somers
Scanning the checkout barcode on a Caper Cart
Scanning the checkout barcode on a Caper Cart Credit: Jeff Somers

The pros and cons of AI shopping carts

Overall, the AI shopping cart experience was a slight upgrade from typical grocery shopping. Bagging as you go is convenient, and checkout is a little easier because you scan a single barcode instead of two dozen. I didn’t receive many personalized coupons or recipe suggestions because this was my first time using the system, but I can see how that could become very useful if the cart is able to dig up coupons or offers that I missed.

A few specific notes:

  • The cart can accidentally scan a barcode if you get close to a shelf, which can cause confusion, though the cart will quickly delete it if the weight doesn’t change.

  • As noted above, the carts are pretty heavy. If you’re going to be buying a lot of groceries all at once, this could become a real workout.

  • Adding produce can be a little complicated: You have to locate the “price look up” (PLU) code for the specific produce you’re adding, then scan or type it into the screen before dropping it into the cart. That means sometimes hunting for those little stickers and tapping a bunch of numbers into your cart over and over again.

  • Seeing your total spend add up in real time is useful, especially if you’re tracking costs. If an item costs more than expected, you see it immediately, and if the overall cost is more than anticipated you have time to adjust your selections before you hit the checkout.

  • Because you have to go through a checkout lane as usual (and there was only one dedicated lane for Caper Carts), during busy times you might wind up waiting a long time to get out of the store, which kind of cancels out the convenience factor. Of course, as more people use these carts, ShopRite might add more dedicated Caper lanes.

Depending on how you shop for groceries, these AI shopping carts might be worth a try—but don’t expect a revolutionary experience.

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The Seven Best Combo Tools for Your DIY Projects

By: Jeff Somers —

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There are two universal truths about tools: They’re expensive, and they take up a lot of space. If you’re trying to maintain a home or perform some DIY work in a small space or on a small budget, stacking up all the tools you might need to get the job done can strain your wallet and simultaneously pose a storage challenge.

The solution is actually pretty easy: Buy tools that combine more than one function into a single item. While having the specific tool you need for every job will always be your best choice, if you lack space and/or cash, combination tools like these give you all the capability you need without eating up all your storage space—or draining your bank account.

The universal wrench is a great multi-purpose tool

Having a wide range of wrenches on hand means you can tackle any job—but it also means you’ve got to figure out how to store those wrenches so they don’t take over your life. Enter the universal wrench, which can be every wrench and ratchet you need. It will fit spline bolts, six- and 12-point bolts, torx, and square bolts. It also handles damaged bolts and all standard sizes.

This multipurpose screwdriver combines 17 tools into one

You might already have a multitool, but that’s nothing compared to this useful combination tool. This combines 17 standard tools into one hand-sized unit, including a screwdriver, tape measure, level, flashlight, and hammer. You’re not going to be doing major renovation projects with this, but if you need a complete toolbox for everyday DIY and have no space or budget for real tools, this will get just about every job done.

This five-in-one drill packs a lot of power into a small unit

This five-in-one drill from Dewalt is a terrific combination tool for two reasons: It’s multifunctional, and it combines a small size with a lot of power so it can be used in just about any situation. It comes with four attachments: an offset adapter, a quick-release bit holder, right-angle adapter, and a ratcheting chuck. You can bore holes and drive fasteners while easily changing the angle and position of your bit—the right-angle and offset attachments plus its small size means you don’t need any other drill to get your jobs done.

This hammer is also a prybar (and more)

Two of the most useful items in a tool box are a hammer and a prybar. If you’re looking to save some space, combining the two is a great solution. The Vaughan Rage model also works as a sledgehammer/demolition tool, and offers a nail-puller as well as the prybar function, making it incredibly useful for such a small and affordable tool.

This eight-in-one hand saw has swappable blades

Having the right saw for the job is essential—trying to use a wood saw when a hacksaw would be a better choice is never going to work. This eight-in-one hand saw offers swappable blades for wood, drywall, metal, and plastic, allowing you to cut a wide range of materials without having to collect and swap out multiple saws. It also features a quick-change mechanism, so if you’re working with multiple materials, you can quickly switch between them.

This adjustable wrench is much more

If you’re going to fix things, you’ll need a wrench, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver—and this tool combines them all, as well as a wire cutter and a knife. The adjustable wrench will fit most standard bolts, and it also provides multiple screwdriver bits so you’re not stuck with just the standard Phillips head. Instead of four or five tools taking up space, this one small piece will do it all for you.

This 10-in-one painter’s tool fits in your back pocket

You don’t have to be a professional painter to use this nifty 10-in-one tool to make your painting projects easier and your toolbox a bit lighter. This thing is a paint, caulk, and adhesive scraper, can (and bottle) opener, roller cleaner, spot hammer—it can even drive a flathead screw in a pinch if you need it to. In other words, instead of carrying a bunch of tools to deal with the usual irritations and challenges of painting a wall, you can slip this into your back pocket and get to work.

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10 Hacks Every Car Owner Should Know

By: Jeff Somers —

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America is a car-centric culture—more than 90% of U.S. households have at least one vehicle. There are a lot of different kinds of cars, from old classics being maintained with love, to snazzy new electric rides, or luxury cruisers filled with cutting-edge tech. Whichever kind you drive, getting the most out of your vehicle demands regular maintenance and sensible driving practices, but you can also goose just a bit more out of any vehicle with these universal car hacks.

Throw some anti-seize lubricant in your trunk

If you’ve been driving for a while, you know that flat tires only come at the worst possible times. Sunny days when you have plenty of time? Those tires are infallible. Whiteout conditions and you’re racing to a job interview? Guaranteed flat—and you will discover that your lug nuts have fused and become absolutely impossible to shift.

One way to prevent this is the judicious use of a little anti-seize lubricant, which is designed to prevent rust and other corrosion. Mechanics argue about this, to be fair—some professionals believe that using anti-seize on lug nuts changes the required torque, which can loosen them over time. But plenty of folks have used a small amount of anti-seize lubricant to make changing or rotating tires a lot easier without any adverse effects. The key is to use a very small amount—just enough to protect the threads.

Add silicone lubricant to your door gaskets

The seals around your car’s doors help to insulate the interior. Over time, these seals can become stiff and begin to fall apart, which makes your vehicle unattractive and less comfortable to ride in. You can prevent this with a simple hack: Grab some silicon lubricant and apply thin layer onto the rubber gaskets around your doors, trunk, and windows. It’ll save you a bit of frustrating maintenance in the future—and can prevent doors from freezing closed in winter. (An oft-repeated version of this hack is to use petroleum jelly, which is OK in a pinch, but it can cause rubber to degrade over time, which silicone lubricants won't.)

Track your tire tread wear with a quarter

Tire tread is essential for the safe and efficient operation of your car. Bald tires not only make it more likely you’ll hydroplane or otherwise lose control of the vehicle, they also make your car burn more fuel to overcome their rolling resistance, lowering your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Tire tread is measured in 32nds of an inch—new tires typically have a tread depth of 10/32” or 11/32”, and you should replace your tires when the tread is eroded to about 4/32” or less. You can track this easily with a quarter—find the most worn-down spot on your tire, slide an upside-down quarter into the tread. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, you should replace the tire. You can also use a penny to see if you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, but this measures 2/32” of tire tread, which means you should replace the tire immediately. The quarter test warns you to replace your tire before it’s a dangerous situation.

Prevent small window cracks from spreading with nail polish

A cracked windshield is ugly, and even a tiny crack will probably spread, slowly but inexorably, until you have no choice but to replace the glass entirely. If you have a noticeable crack in your windshield, you should replace it—but if that’s not possible right away, there’s a short-term hack you can use: Nail polish.

This isn’t a permanent repair, but it will buy you some time by slowing down the crack’s spread. Clean the damaged area thoroughly, then coat the exterior and interior of the cracked area with clear nail polish. Let it dry, and go about your business. You'll still eventually need to replace the windshield (or have a more permanent repair job done to it), but this hack will let you plan for the work instead of having to deal with it as an emergency.

Stop stuff from falling between the seats with pipe insulation

Have you ever lost your keys, phone, or anything else between the seats in your car? If so, you know it’s like Mission: Impossible to reclaim your property. Those spaces were just not designed for human beings to get into.

An easy hack to prevent the situation from happening in the first place is to close off those gaps (this also prevents crumbs and other dirt from filling those spaces). Pipe insulation is the perfect material for this: Cut a piece to length and jam it between the seats (or the seats and the console), and never lose anything ever again. In a pinch, the ever-useful pool noodle could be used as well. Alternatively, you can buy storage organizers designed to fit in those gaps, which solve the problem while giving you some extra space for stuff.

Use a plunger to fix minor dents

A dent in your car is annoying—and potentially expensive to fix. For minor cosmetic dents, you don’t need any special tools or professional help. All you need is a heat source and a common bathroom plunger.

For the heat source, you can boil some water, pour it over the dent, then use the plunger to pull the dent out. You can also use a heat gun or a hair dryer, though the water might help the plunger get a nice seal on the car body.

Put socks on your wiper blades

Nothing’s more fun than fighting your way through frigid cold to your car, only to discover that the wiper blades have frozen to your windshield. Sure, your car will eventually heat up enough to free the wipers, but if you’d prefer not to have to wait for that miracle to happen, keep an old pair of tube socks in the glove compartment. On cold nights when frozen wipers are a good probability, cover your wiper blades with the socks. This will protect them from damage as well as prevent them from freezing onto your windshield.

Try to always turn right to save money on gas

This is one of those amazing tricks that people have difficulty believing, but it actually works: To save money on gas, always make right turns unless a left turn is absolutely necessary—yes, even if that makes your trip longer.

UPS put this policy into its vehicle routing software, instructing their drivers to avoid left turns as much as algorithmically possible, and it claims to use about 10 million fewer gallons of gas every year as a result. In fact, our greatest repository of scientific knowledge, Mythbusters, once did a segment proving that they used about 3% less fuel by avoiding as many left turns as possible while driving a fake delivery truck.

Note, this doesn’t mean never making a left turn. It means prioritizing right turns when planning your route, even if it makes your trip longer. Whether the extra time involved is worth saving a little gas money is a whole other decision.

Use hand sanitizer on frozen locks

Another annoyance on cold winter mornings? Frozen car locks and doors. While most newer cars have keyless entry these days, you can still find yourself dealing with a frozen door, and if your battery has died due to the cold, you might need to use a physical key to gain entry to the car. When that happens, a simple hack is to whip out the hand sanitizer you probably have in your coat pocket. Squirt some into the lock (or coat your physical key before you insert it) or around the edge of the door. After a few seconds, the alcohol in the sanitizer will have melted the ice and you’ll be able to easily open everything up.

Get a glovebox organizer to maximize your storage space

No one has used a car’s glovebox to store gloves in a long time. What most of us do is jam things in there on the theory that we might need them someday, then forget what’s in there and go a decade or two without actually opening it.

Instead, hack that space with an organizer. You can find some molded plastic organizers designed to fit specific models (like this one for a Toyota Tacoma, or this one for Tesla Model 3s), or you can find wallet-style organizers that will keep your documentation and other items neatly stored, making the glove box actually useful for a change.

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