Steam is a wonderful thing. It’s been used to power locomotives, iron clothes, and cook all sorts of delicious food. Steam takes on a unique role in the operation of pressure cookers. Along with heat and regular old air, it allows for very high-temperature cooking in a controlled environment.

The BARF, or “bones and raw food” diet, has picked up a lot of traction in recent years. It sounds pretty disgusting (both due to the acronym and the meaning of the letters), but the participants don’t seem to care. Instead, they live happy, healthy lives while eating ground-up animal parts that you would normally discard.

I’ve got many great memories of idyllic summers spent basking in the sun with a cup of shaved ice in my hand. While future me would tell past me to wear more sunscreen, I’m eager to pass along these wonderful times to the next generation. These are my favorite shaved ice machines to use when those opportunities arise. Of course, they’re also great for enjoying shaved ice yourself, or even for making mixed drinks.