Get a nice digital timer for about $10.  
It's accurate, set it for 3 minutes and
every time you fill a batch you just hit "start".
No messing around with setting the time for every batch.

Buy a battery powered sifter on the Internet.
You must sift your flour mixture.  They're very
inexpensive ($10 - $15) and will save time and
your wrists.  Great addition to any kitchen.

Get a strong electric mixer.  In the mixer bowl
cream the sugar and the lard.  In a 2nd bowl
sift the dry ingredients.  In a 3rd bowl beat the
eggs and then add the buttermilk, stir.  Then
with the mixer running alternatively add the
dry and wet bowls.

Use large (gallon) ziploc FREEZER bags to hold the
batter, then cut off a corner and squeeze to fill
the machine. Cleanup is so easy!  It helps to fold
the top of the bag over when scooping the batter
into the bag and/or put the empty bag into a large bowl.

Preheat the machine with the top open.  Otherwise
the machine overheats and the first few batches
will come out burned or splotchy.

Be sure to set the machine on HIGH. The low setting
was only used if you were going to let the machine
sit idle for an extended period of time.  It's best
to turn the switch on HIGH and leave it there.
Just plug in and unplug the machine, don't 
use the switch.  It's 75 years old and fragile and
you don't want it to break! 

Use Pam spray on the griddle in between batches.

Keep a damp paper towel handy to wipe any
batter which overflows.

Use a pair of scissors to trim the edges
after the Brown Bobbys have cooled.

Never use S.O.S pads or anything abrasive
to clean the griddle after, just wipe clean
with paper towels while machine is still hot.
Be careful!!!