Ep 2. Cheese Graters, Hot Sauce, Silver Jewelry, Traditional Mexican Chairs

How It's Made season 10 episode 2 offers a diverse range of products, examining the processes that go into making cheese graters, hot sauce, silver jewelry, and traditional Mexican chairs.

The episode begins with an in-depth look at cheese graters, exploring the different types of graters available on the market and the manufacturing processes involved. We see how sheets of stainless steel are cut into specific sizes and shapes before being pressed to create the teeth of the grater. We also learn about the different types of punches and dies used to cut the holes. After the grater teeth are punched out, the shape is then formed and polished. We witness the final touches applied to the cheese graters, such as adding rubber feet or packaging them for retail.

Next up is hot sauce, a popular condiment found in many households across the world. The episode takes us on a journey from the kitchen to the factory floor, where we learn about how peppers are harvested and processed into sauces. We get to see how different types of peppers produce different heat levels and how ingredients such as vinegar and salt are added to help preserve the sauce. The episode also explores different hot sauce flavors and packaging methods—from traditional glass bottles to miniature single-use packets.

The third segment features silver jewelry, which is made up of one of the most precious metals in the world. We see how silver is mined and extracted from the earth before it is refined and made into different shapes. The episode also delves into the different jewelry-making techniques used to create intricate patterns and designs, such as wire wrapping and lost-wax casting. We learn about the role of heat in jewelry making, including soldering and annealing.

Finally, the episode showcases traditional Mexican chairs. We learn about the history of the design, which dates back to the 16th century. Through a visit to a factory, we see how the chairs are made using traditional methods. Skilled artisans hand-weave the chairs using long strips of durable material, such as palm leaves or nylon. The episode also explores how the chairs are finished with different types of varnish to help protect and preserve them for long-term use.

As with other episodes of the series, How It's Made season 10 episode 2 offers an intriguing and educational look into the manufacturing processes involved in different products. The audience is given a behind-the-scenes look at how everyday items are made, from the raw materials to the finished product. The episode also touches on the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship in the face of modern technology and mass production.

Overall, this episode of How It's Made provides a diverse range of topics that are sure to appeal to a broad audience. From foodies and home cooks to those interested in the jewelry-making process or traditional crafts, there is something for everyone in this episode. The show demonstrates how innovation and creativity are combined with traditional techniques to produce unique products that we see and use in our daily lives.