Skip to main content
The Manual

The Manual

Author/Co-Author of 109 articles

The Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. Whether it be fashion, food, drink, travel, grooming, or the outdoors, we bring authenticity and understanding to it all. As our name, The Manual, implies, we offer a suite of expert guides on a wide range of topics, from how to tie a bow-tie to how to cook a steak.

Freeze-dried strawberries on a slate counter

How to freeze-dry food: 4 easy methods to preserve your produce

Freeze-drying is a great way to preserve all sorts of foods. So, how do you freeze-dry food? Here is what you need to know.
People wearing The North Face gear

Gear Up for Winter Fun: The North Face Has the Gear You Need—On Sale Now

Most of The North Face's best apparel and accessories are on sale right now.
Vimergy wellness nettle liquid benefits with man outdoors

These Vimergy wellness deals are just in time for the holidays

Thanks to Vimergy's wellness options, you can Mix and Save a bunch of different bundles and pick up energy boosters and more. Come check them out.
nicotine pouch vape vaporizer deal mipod october 2024 on pouches  vapes vaporizers

Exclusive deal: Save 30% on nicotine pouches, vapes or vaporizers at Mipod

For a limited time, save on vapes, vaporizers, and nicotine pouches from ZIMO and ZYM at Mipod.com with this exclusive coupon code for The Manual readers.
A bartender stirs a cocktail in a mixing glass.

How to make a classic Manhattan (and several variations)

The Manhattan is a cocktail that's been around over 100 years. Here's how to make this classic drink.
Freshly made pizza being taken out from the oven.

How To Clean a Pizza Stone in 5 Easy Steps

The pizza stone must be cleaned to maintain its natural finish. Here's everything you need to know -- from the must-haves to the step-by-step process.
Pina Colada stand in Puerto Rico

The Piña Colada Should Be Your Summer Cocktail

The piña colada has become something of a tourist trap as of late but it's time to revive the fantastic tropical cocktail, and re-learn how to make it right.
A whole roasted chicken served on a plate

How To Perfectly Roast a Chicken at Home

Want to learn how to roast a chicken at home like a pro chef? We got you covered!
A man making a smoked cocktail.

Smoke ‘Em if You Got ‘Em: Tips on How to Add Smoke to Cocktails

Drinks and a show? Learn how to achieve impressive effects and flavors by turning classic drinks into smoked cocktails with a few simple gadgets and techniques.
several varieties of summer squash in a bowl

The 9 Best Summer Squashes to Cook With This Summer

These are the best summer squashes you need to cook with this season. Learn what they are and how to cook with them.
Roasted salmon with potatoes and salad

The Best Air Fryer Salmon Recipes in Less Than 20 Minutes

Is there anything you haven't cooked in your air fryer yet? You should test out these great air fryer salmon recipes. You won't regret it.

How to Grind Meat With a KitchenAid Stand Mixer

We walk you through the meat-grinding process with your KitchenAid stand mixer and attachment. It's easier than you think.
Man cleaning his stovetop

How to clean a stovetop: A step-by-step guide

Your kitchen is spotless, but your stovetop? It seems impossible to clean completely. Good thing we have the secret to cleaning your stovetop once and for all.
Pantry full of jarred food

How to organize your pantry so it actually makes sense

Keeping an organized pantry is way to save yourself time, eliminated frustration, and not waste food and money.
Dashlane credential management tool for teams featured image

No matter your team’s size, Dashlane makes credential management simple

Dashlane is a zero-knowledge credential management tool that allows you to share accounts and passwords without actually giving anyone the info.
Gluten Free Grooming for men organic vegan paraben free chemical no sulfates

What is Gluten Free Grooming?

Gluten free grooming is a thing. But should it be your thing?
Hims discreet shared mints in action with case on chest.

Hims already helped hundreds of thousands of men, now it wants to help you

Hims ED treatments are 100% available online, and can be shipped right to your door, with no insurance required. Find out all about it here.
sunset palm tree beach

Face the Sun: 5 Essential Summer Accessories for Men

Combat the heat, burn, and harmful rays of the sun with these essential men's accessories that are both stylish and protective. Whether hiking outdoors or adventure traveling, don’t forget these products.
Xyon topical gel held by a doctor during product demo.

How XYON’s hair loss solutions combat common side effects and psychological pain

Xyon's hair loss products provide an excellent, reliable path towards hair regrowth, but thanks to proprietary technology they also reduce common side effects.
best canned soups vegetable soup

The Best Store-Bought Soups That Taste Homemade

Good soup should be a plan A meal, not just a last-minute plan B. Here are the nourishing cans to look for.
Stubby Strip Original

10 Cool Beer Accessories for Some Extra Drinking Fun

These nifty beer accessories range from light-hearted to serious. Each one serves a unique purpose, whether it be to hide your booze or cut your bottle.
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus Face

Luxury Skincare That’s Totally Worth the Splurge

Some grooming products are top-shelf, the best of the best — the holy grails within their league.These nine luxury skincare brands are worth every penny.
molekule air purifier pro giveaway 2021

Enter to Win a Free Molekule Air Purifier Pro

There are a number of air purifiers out there, but few are as design-forward as products from Molekule. Enter our giveaway to win a free Molekule Air Pro.
manual awards 2018 the featured image

The Manual Awards 2018

Each year, The Manual Awards are given to the best restaurant, bar, barbershop, brewery, local brand, shop, coffee shop, and outdoor experience in a variety of up-and-coming cities. This year, Boston, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Athens, Louisville, & Houston are all on top.
faherty heritage motif cardigan review

Why You’ll Want To Wear Faherty’s Gorgeous Cardigan

This is a closet staple that undoubtedly belongs in every man’s closet.

The 9 Best Air Purifiers for Your Home in 2022

Air purifiers are important but often ugly. These are the best air purifiers to keep your space breathable without making you want to shove them in a corner.

8 Best Inflatable Christmas Decorations for 2021

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite inflatable Christmas decorations so you can narrow down your search.
The Manual Japan Series Feature, japan travel guide

The Essential Japan Travel Guide

We hope our essential Japan Travel guide will not only inform, but inspire you to take your own trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.
WP Standard Vintage Leather Messenger Bag

The Best Messenger Bags for Men to Lug Around Your Stuff in Style

While it's perfectly fine to carry a few essentials around in your pockets, the technological necessities of the modern day render pockets alone pretty useless. The solution? A good old-fashioned messenger bag, the ideal everyday carry for toting around all the things you need.
best weed accessories 420 round up featured image gettyimages 925826100

The Dopest Weed Gear to Help Get You High

Whether your a hardcore stoner or a casual cannabis consumer, you'll need a good device to smoke it out of (unless your into edibles, in which case, read no further). From electric induction dag rigs to Honey Bear bowls, here are the best weed accessories and paraphernalia to get you high.
instagram releases boomerang because gifs are taking over the world

Instagram releases Boomerang because GIFs are taking over the world

If you're inexplicably hypnotized by one-second videos played on loop ad nauseam, Instagram has a present for you, and it's called Boomerang.
Outdoor Retailer Summer 2017, The Best of Show Manual Outdoor Retailer Awards

Outdoor Retailer Summer 2017: The Best Gear On The Planet

We spent the entire Outdoor Retailer Summer 2017 show scouring the floor for the absolute latest and greatest new outdoors gear to fuel your next adventure.
summer cocktails

Bartender’s Choice: Summer Cocktails to Beat the Heat

Some say the cocktail is on the comeback but did it ever really go away? Yes, beer and wine are all the rage currently but what’s better than a classic drink redefined using organic and local ingredients? In the fall and winter, drinks tend to center on darker spirits such as bourbon and whiskey. In the lazy […]
worn out wednesdays brenner thomas

Worn Out Wednesdays – Brenner Thomas

The ubiquitous PR men of Manhattan! Always on the go, never without their (often times multiple) phones and always smiling while putting out fires. Brenner Thomas is one such man, although the way he handles clients, rarely is there a fire to put out unless it is part of their store opening. An Account Supervisor […]
basketball sneakers

5 Best Basketball Sneakers on Sale Now From NBA Superstars

With the newest NBA season starting in just a few weeks, you can expect to see a blitz of last year's best basketball sneakers getting price cuts. Nike and Adidas shoes from Lebron, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook are all on sale right now.
cycle for survival

Feel Good Friday: Cycle for Survival

We're big fans of Cycle for Survival -- a nonprofit organization that raises funds for cancer research via indoor cycling events.
garden gnome shark

Anti-Gift Guide: The Pathetic Presents No Man Wants

Just to help out your spouses, mothers, sisters, & daughters, here's an anti-gift guide no man wants for the holidays. Learn it and live by it. Thank you.
working from home laptop phone dog

13 Tips for Working From Home, According to Our Writers

To help everyone in this time of transition, we've tapped our collective experience to find the best tips for working from home.
Rum old fashioned

How to Make a Rum Old Fashioned

We went to Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston, South Carolina, to learn how to make a Rum Old Fashioned. General manager Marc Hudacsko walks us through the recipe in this step-by-step video.
how to get rid of fruit flies on

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Here are the best ways to get rid of fruit flies in your home and keep them out once and for all.
turkey sandwich holiday leftovers

6 Ways to Transform Your Christmas Leftovers

It's boring to rehash the same plate, so try transforming some of your Christmas leftovers into mouthwatering recipes.
kiss virtual new years eve concert 2020 40th anniversary world tour

Why Kiss’ Virtual New Year’s Eve Concert Is the Perfect Way To Kiss 2020 Goodbye

Say goodbye to a tumultuous 2020 with one of the greatest rock bands of all time, streamed right into your living room.
how to use a big green egg being used grill

How to Use a Big Green Egg for Everything

Although it's traditionally used for smoking and barbecue, there's not much the Big Green Egg can't do. Chef Erik Niel, chef/owner of Easy Bistro & Bar in Chattanooga, Tennessee, teaches us how to use a Big Green Egg for everything from steak to chocolate.
how to care for cutting board oil before and after

Keep Your Cutting Board in Good Condition with 2 Simple Tools

if you're the kind of guy who has dropped any amount of money over $30 on a cutting board, you're going to want to learn how to properly care for your board so that it lasts as long as necessary to make it a worth investment in the first place. All it takes is two inexpensive tools.
kentucky derby 2018

How to Bet on Horses: A Primer for Playing the Ponies

Learning how to bet on horses can be daunting if you've never done tried before. Here's a guide to making the most common wagers at the racetrack.
press release sam slaughter are you afraid of the dark rum 90s cocktails book cover feature

Sam Slaughter, Food and Drink Editor of The Manual, Brings Us a Cocktail Recipe Book With a Splash of ’90s Nostalgia

PORTLAND, Ore., June 4, 2019 -- Now that the children of the 1990s are old enough to buy their own drinks, they’re old enough to make them too. And Sam Slaughter’s new book, Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum?: and Other Cocktails for ‘90s Kids, is just for them.
Man putting on a face mask

Uncover Better Skin With These Top-Notch Sheet and Liquid Masks for Your Face

Treat acne, blemishes, and wrinkles with these top-notch face masks for men.
Strongwater

The Best Cocktail Mixers

Whether you’re short on ingredients or simply lack the patience, sometimes it’s best to have a good ready-made option on hand.
Man applying sunscreen to face with straw hat

The Best Sunscreen for Outdoor Fun

Whether you're napping in your backyard or playing at the beach, these are the best sunscreen options.
best child carrier backpacks on amazon l  ll baby pursuit pro six position customizable

The Best Child Carrier Backpacks

The best child carrier backpacks do two major things: provide peace of mind and security as well as an easy-to-wear build.