Yeah, that's a solid trick. I've done something similar but I'll separate the point and flat completely once the flat hits about 160. I put the flat in a foil pan with some beef broth and cover it tight, letting it steam while the point keeps smoking. It pretty much guarantees a tender flat.

Wait, a steel rule? How did that even get close enough for the magnet to grab it? That's some wild bad luck right there.

That's the worst kind of Tuesday surprise. Good on you for having that emergency fund ready to go, though. It still stings to see that money leave for something so basic.

Wondering if the real problem is putting that stuff in a rental at all. It's basically a homeowner grade material in a place where nobody has a long term stake. Tenants can't reseal it properly, landlords won't pay for the upkeep. Saw the same thing with cheap laminate floors, they buckle and then it's just a blame game forever.

Holy cow @keithroberts, a whole quart of brine? That's insane... I can't even picture the mess that must have made. My worst was just a little bubble over, but a full geyser sounds like a nightmare. Bet you were finding kraut juice in weird places for weeks after that. Yeah, I'd be checking that airlock every single day too... no way I'd want a repeat.