Hasta La Gadget!

This is only a how-to in the loosest sense. The step-by-step instructions would read thus:

1. buy a zip-loc bag and a business-card stand from the stationary store

2. Put the iPad inside

But the surprise is just how amazingly well this combination works, alone or apart. Here’s the video:

The first surprise is that the iPad’s screen will still accept touch input through the plastic when otherwise isolated from the steam, spills and oily haze of your late-night burger-frying sessions. This will let you read, play music or do pretty much anything else as your patties sear and then rest to achieve a perfect medium-rare pink (yes, I’ve become obsessed with Serious Eats’ A Hamburger Today column, okay?)

The bag I used is a little dimply, but you could use a thinner, smoother (and free-er) invoice bag from FedEx and you’d get a better contact with the screen. At 70 cents for two, though, I’m not complaining about the ones I have.

A bigger surprise is that the sound is actually better when the iPad is safely ensconced within the bag. Well, louder at least. There is a small but easily perceptible volume boost, presumably caused by the sound booming around in the bag. This is very handy when trying to hear an audiobook over the hiss fresh-ground chuck steak sizzling in a cast-iron skillet.

As you can see in the clip, the bag is waterproof. Although I wouldn’t trust the zip-loc enough to actually submerge the package, it is clearly able to cope with spilled beverages and spitting pans (if you’re wondering, the video playing is the un-aired and frankly quite creepy pilot for Big Bang Theory).

The acrylic business-card holder cost me a little more – €7, or just shy of $9 – but it is sturdy and makes a very good and very tough iPad stand. I use it without the zip-loc bag as a desk-stand. Despite the sturdiness of its support, it has a small footprint, ideal for my little kitchen.

There’s certainly something about the iPad which encourages this kind of DIY approach to accessories, like our good friend John C Abell’s doorstop hack. Perhaps it’s that nobody has quite figured out a use for it yet, so we’re forced into custom solutions.

If you use your iPad in the kitchen, try out the zip-loc solution. No longer will you fear damaging your tablet as you melt creamy, sharp Cheddar-cheese onto a juicy pink hamburger and crack open an ice-cold bottle of beer. Is anyone else feeling hungry?

See Also:

• Wired Bureau Chief Builds iPad Stand from $6 Doorstops
• The $5 iPad Dock
• Video: Neo Keyboard Hooked up to iPad