The Giz Wiz, Week of July 31st 2014, Show # 1479

Back when I was a kid my mother bought a fun gadget called ToasTite. It made toasted bread sandwiches that are like the forerunner of today’s Panini. Before I tell you how to make one, here’s a little background info. It seems two sisters who grew up in Chicago also remembered the ToasTite and those great tasting and fun-to-make sandwiches. They did a little research and discovered that not only had the company gone out of business, but also that patent had expired. So they bought a ToasTite on eBay and figured out how to start producing them again. Now it’s made overseas, but it looks and works just like the original. They even reproduced the original now-retro-looking packaging.  As you’ll see in the video, making a ToasTite sandwich is easy. First grease both sides of the cast-aluminum bra-like pieces. I found using spray Pam is the quickest and easiest. Then place a slice of bread in each cup, and add a filling, which can be almost anything you like. When you close the ToasTite, it automatically cuts off the bread that hangs over the edges of the device. Now you grill it for about a minute over a medium heat on the stove. Flip it over, grill for another minute and you have created an official ToasTite sandwich. As you’ll see in the video, you can make both sandwiches and desserts. ToasTite is $29.95 at the company website and Bed, Bath and Beyond, but cheaper on Amazon at about $24. And it’s Amazon Prime, so free shipping if you’re a Prime member.

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/At96HE7hQWI

Amazon link: Toas-Tite Sandwich Grill As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Company website: toastite.biz

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1479 

Invite the BBQ Dragon to your next BBQ.

I usually try each gadget I talk about on The Giz Wiz. But not having a BBQ, and living in the middle of New York City, I wasn't able to personally use the BBQ Dragon. However, according to Amazon, it's one of 2014's biggest summer sellers and it's getting great reviews. The company says their BBQ Dragon can start charcoal grills in under 10 minutes! No more fanning your fire with a plate or newspaper. No more waiting up to 45 minutes for the grill to be ready. This device starts a charcoal grill faster than chimneys, electric starters, or even chemical starters! It works by blowing large amounts of low-velocity, cool air at the fire. It's battery-powered, hands-free and micro-USB rechargeable (if you're using rechargeable batteries.) The variable speed motor allows you to infinitely control the amount of air, and thus oxygen, delivered to a fire. This enables fast fire starting, as well as perfect temperature control for grilling. The stainless steel body stays cool and stands up to tough use. A versatile heavy-duty spring-loaded clamp opens wide and attaches to anything - grills, fire pits, fireplaces, and smokers. You can buy a rechargeable battery kit at the company website for $29.99 which will let you charge it via AC, cigarette lighter or USB. $59.99 with free shipping at the company website.

More info, company website: www.bbqdragon.com 

BBQ Dragon company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNrqBx850AU 

Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/nry9dr6 As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1479 

Stop those tears!

Here’s what Amazon says about the Onion Goggles: “Say goodbye to tearing, stinging, irritated eyes when chopping, mincing, dicing and slicing onions and their relatives—leeks, scallions and chives. Wearing the stylish and comfortable Onion Goggles will protect the eyes from irritating onion vapors. The soft foam seal keeps out the nasty onion vapors. Kitchen folklore remedies such as burning candles or matches, slicing onions under water and freezing the onions before cutting are not effective.” And the Giz Wiz’s reaction: I think they really do work. But the foam in the frame has to be tight against your face, so you can’t wear them over glasses. Check out the Onion Goggles in use in the video. They’re about $20 at Amazon and they come in many colors. 

Giz Wiz Video:  http://youtu.be/Iiv-CI4e-jU 

Amazon link: RSVP International Onion Goggles, Black As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1479 

Chad's Crappy Corner & his 5th and final "drinking gadget"!

This is Chad’s fifth and final gadget using his theme for July, drinking gadgets, as voted by fans of The Giz Wiz Show.  

And Chad’s Pick? Well, there are two of them: 

The “As seen on TV” Wow Cup – no spill- cup.  First, the commercial:

https://www.asseenontv.com/wow-cup-no-spills-as-seen-on-tv/detail.php?p=531498 

Here’s what Amazon says: Our Wow Kids drinkware is enjoyed by toddlers starting at 12 months and to kids of all ages. The Wow Kids cups are designed to span across a wider age range than our Wow Baby cups. The clean and durable design provides for years of use as a child grows from the toddler years into pre-school and beyond to their early adolescent years. The Wow Kids® cup is a multi-function spill free cup that provides for an effective & healthy alternative to a sippy and straw cup, or a simple solution for those wanting a smoother transition to an open cup or just as an everyday fun cup. The Wow Kids® cup uses the same patented lid technology as the Wow Baby cups but is meant to act and feel more like a regular household open cup. It's small enough to be handled by those children exhibiting advanced coordination in the early toddler years and big enough to be used by older children without it feeling and looking like a baby cup. It also comes finished with a matte surface which helps the child grip the cup more firmly and a locking lid. It’s under $11.00 and it’s Amazon Prime, so free shipping if you’re a member. 

Amazon link: As Seen On TV Wow Cup For Kids The Spill Free Cup Assorted Colors 

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And the second gadget - the “As seen on TV” Slushy Magic! Here's the commercial:

http://www.asseenontv.com/slushy-magic/detail.php?p=363143 

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Amazon says: Slushy Magic is easy to use - all you have to do is freeze the magic cubes in the freezer, place them into your Slushy Magic cup, pour in your drink, and shake to make your slushy! Then you rinse the cubes in warm water when you're done and put them back in the freezer to get them ready for your next drink. It’s under $11 here: 

Slushy Magic Slush Cup As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Slushy Magic sounds a lot like the Chill Factory I demonstrated on the show in May, but I won’t know until Chad does his demo. 

Here’s the Chill Factory info and Giz Wiz video: 

http://gizwizbiz.squarespace.com/computer-america/2014/5/25/the-chillfactory-makes-a-slushy-in-minutes.html  

And Chad's take on these two gadgets? Chad liked the Wow cup. While he said it's a bit hard to get a good flow of the liquid, the fact that a kid can drop the cup, or knock it over without it spilling it, more than made up for that.

The Slushy Magic turns out to be different from the Chill Factory as you'll see in the video. And the results were different too. While I was make a decent Slushy with the Chill Factory, Chad only managed to make a cold, flat drink with the Slushy Magic. It seemed that he followed all the directions, but there was no hint of any slushyness when he was finished. So this looks like something Chad would pass on buying.  

What kind of gadgets will Chad be reviewing for August?

Here are the strawpoll results from our viewers. And the winners is:

Home Improvement.  

http://strawpoll.me/2178007/r

Toward the end of August you’ll be able to vote on Chad’s gadgets for September.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1479

Dick's Gadget Warehouse. And how to submit your video to the show.

A viewer video submission usually comes with an email like this one: 

Love the show! 

My kids and I love MAD Magazine too! 

Here's my submission, a "double feature": 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzxcYtvgjlo 

Products mentioned in the 2nd half:

Samson MK-10 Microphone Boom Stand

On Stage CM01 Video Camera/Digital Recorder Adapter

Glif Plus: A deluxe Glif package, iPhone 4 / 4S Tripod Mount & Stand 

Thanks, Matthew Scott

Springfield, Missouri 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1479 

                                        _+++++++++++ 

We’re still looking for Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show. 

Here’s what we’re looking: Your home shoot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in any of the following categories: 

I bought a piece of crap: Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies. 

I invented this! Did you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions. No professional ads please. 

My Gadget Warehouse: Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it.  

My Favorite Gadget of All Time: Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be something you just bought too.  

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jeff Needles, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long! Low production value is fine, but we should be able to hear you and see you! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and some piece of crap. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!  

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv 

Letter of the week: 

From: Wesley Deland 

Subject: Rarely used themes?

I was browsing Dan lueder’s Giz Wiz page and was reminiscing about all the old daily themes when I stumbled upon the letters themes. It seems to me that 3 of the letters themes are rarely used such as “bing,” “60s Cool,” and “Chant” I think it would be cool to bring those back to the show. Keep up the great work Dick and Chad and even Jeff. I hope the show continues for a long time and makes it to 2000 episodes. 

http://danlueders.wordpress.com/giz-wiz/

- Wes D.