I HaveThisPattern a lot. When going over some code I'l use RenameVariable, RenameField or RenameMethod a lot (thanks EclipseIde) and to a lesser extent AddMethodComment.
I like it as it makes it very clear which code I have seen/read before and it makes my misunderstandings very clear (for example when a variable boolean back that seems to echo the value of a Search Backwards checkbox , that I just renamed to "isSearchingBackwards" is actually used so that true means search forwards). Then another refactoring occurs...
AddMethodComment helps me a lot keeping me from needing to hold information in my head as I find it. Also it makes the CodeSmell that is there so much easier to see and fix afterwards.
This occurs a lot to me - though I shy away from doing other refactorings for grokking, as I fear breaking things (no tests around usually...)
These are the only refactorings I use for grokking I'd like to know if some of you use more or different ones. Perhaps I'm missing something?
I ExtractMethods. Then extract methods some more. This really works on legacy procedural stuff. It may be less effective on code where LotsOfShortMethods are already the norm.
See also TipsForReadingCode