Man, that story is a gut punch. You see that smoke and your heart just drops. Good on you for changing your whole routine because of it. That extra two minutes is nothing compared to the guilt and the mess. It's just basic respect for the homeowner and the job.

My buddy at the foundry in Dayton said the same thing, their yield went way up after they made the switch.

Honestly, that trick works great on lamb shoulder too.

Totally get that time save, but the edge banding is an extra step. Takes a minute to iron on right. Still way better than sanding everything after, though.

My aunt's mocha cake recipe was my first clue about coffee in desserts. I avoided it for years thinking it would ruin the sweet flavor. That pie your friend made sounds exactly like what won me over. Adding coffee to brownies is a smart move, it deepens the chocolate without overpowering it.