Wait, you've used the same cheap airlocks for years? @rodriguez.mia that's wild. Mine always get gross and sticky. Maybe I'm just messy.

My grandma's trick was a double paper towel layer, really press down. That first dry is key, but you gotta get the oil hot enough too, like 325 before you drop them. I messed up a whole batch last week rushing it. Cold fries plus not-hot-enough oil equals a glued-on disaster every single time.

Funny how @ericw93 mentioned the first scar, but for me it's the first time you fix it yourself. That epoxy patch or homemade wedge changes the whole relationship.

Yeah, totally. I mean, it's like that with most big life advice, right? People want to give you a universal rule, but the timing is always different for everyone.

That's a solid fix, and it's true for a lot of things, not just grout.