Double Double

The scientist cackled maniacally as the mixture began to bubble. Lowering his goggles and straightening his stain-splattered lab coat, he donned protective gloves before replacing the containment vessel lid.

He stepped over to the next hotplate. Observing that the matter phase change had commenced, he rapidly adjusted the dials controlling the thermal transfer. Several stirs of the mixture later he gave it one last piercing stare, grunted, and returned to the other vessel. The clear window showed the consistency to be almost right, so he deftly deactivated its heat source and stepped back.

Looking at the complex apparatus chugging along in harmony, he doffed the gloves, smiled, and sat down at the table.

This rice and stir fry were going to be great.

A saying or two I think should be.

For juxtaposition and oddness of imagery:
She survived the disease only by the light of death's candle.
Alternately:
Her sojourn close to death was lit only by Death's flickering candle.

For dissonance with the familiar and my lack of ability to say it:
How much wood would Chuck chuck if Chuck could chuck wood?

:)