Archive for General
Poisonous Verdigris
Posted by: | CommentsPoisonous Verdigris – Precaution and Tips in Taking Care of Brass
Amidst all the types of cookware coming out in the market, copper cookware is still one of the best. It has been tried and tested already for many generations already. Even if newer models are coming out made of aluminum or titanium, many users still prefer copper cookware. Copper cookware is not only considered classic, it is also popular for its beauty and excellent heat qualities. Most of these pots and pans feature copper and brass exteriors as well as stainless steel interiors. The combined materials make the cookware easy to clean and use. You can simply wash and rinse this using warm sudsy water to prevent food from sticking. Then wash with a copper/brass cleaner afterwards. Dry immediately to prevent discolorations and hard water stains.
Even if some copper and brass brands are deemed dishwasher safe, it still has parts that can discolor and tarnish. Handwash them to prevent this problem.
To clean, you can try using a homemade cleaning solution. This is a mixture of salt, flour, ammonia and lemon juice. This can be applied on copper cookware with a soft scrubbing brush. Make sure that you polish for a dry, clean luster.
Avoid using the following materials because they will scrape off the copper and brass material: alcohol, steel wool, bleach, abrasive cleaners, metal implements and oven cleaners. For burnt copper and brass pans and pots, clean them with cold water. It lessens the burnt taste and drastically reduces temperature after being heated in high temperature.
If you see cake-on, burnt-on coatings or films of food, you can boil it and add 1 tsp baking or washing soda. You can also use cream of tartar. Add 1 tsp for every cup of water. You will see the food flood within 20 minutes. After this, you can wash it the usual way.
Another option is to cover the inner burnt bottom with washing or baking soda. Then, add enough water to cover the soda. Soda will dissolve the stickiness of the food, releasing stuck food in even layers. However, sometimes this procedure takes overnight.
Wash cookware immediately after use. Never place most of your pans and pots inside the dishwasher. It is extremely important also not to boil your copper and brass cookware dry. This will melt the tin lining. Use wooden utensils when cooking with brass or copper cookware. Metal utensils can scrape off and scratch the tin lining.
Most copper and brass cookware are tin-lined because these two substances are known to develop verdigris. It is a highly poisonous substance that can contaminate food. Stop using your cookware when you see greenish discoloration already.
It is important to note that any material has a certain degree of harmfulness. Whatever we choose, precautions are always our first guards. Always keep cooking materials clean because these come in first contact with the food we eat. Dry these well after washing to prevent moisture. Wet surfaces are good environments for germs and other bacteria to grow.
When properly cleaned and maintained well, copper and brass still remain as two of the best materials used in cookware.
All-Clad Stainless 6-Piece Cookware Set with Nonstick Fry Pan
For cleaning of the Cop-R-Chef exterior, simply use a brass/copper cleaner. If your water has a high iron content, you may notice a rusty discoloration. Use Bar Keeper s Friend to remove verdigris.
Healthy Home Cleaning Recipes
Brass or bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking-soda solution, or vinegar and salt solution. chrome: polish with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny side out.
150 Tips and Tricks on Cleaning Almost Anything
Chewing Gum Removal Tips; Chocolate Stain Removal Hints; Chrome Cleaning Care and Repair; Clean Golf Club Heads; Clean Water Hardness Buildup; Cleaning Brass: Care and Repair
From Brass to Tin: How to Care for Your Antique Metals
For your outdoor copperware: left untended it develops an appealing green patina, yet people do tend to polish their copper cookware. A timeless homemade remedy continues to be a popular cleaning solution.
How To Clean Everything In Your Kitchen
Posted by: | CommentsHow To Clean Everything In Your Kitchen
The kitchen should be kept clean at all times. This is particularly difficult if your kitchen double as a laundry room, try to sort your dirty washing on the worktops as this could be unhygienic. If your pets ever walk on the surfaces in the kitchen, always prepared food on chopping boards.
Bakeware
As a general rule the less you wash bakeware the better it performs. Ideally, just wipe with kitchen paper after use. Always follow any special care instructions, some non-stick bakeware, for example, should be washed in clear water only, without washing up liquid. Burnt deposits can be loosened by soaking in boiling solution of washing soda; do not try scraping deposits off non stick items with a knife. Bakeware made from tin should be dried immediately after washing to prevent rusting.
Bins
Kitchen bins should be emptied as soon as the contents start to smell, even if the bin liner is not full, and cleaned once a week with a solution of bleach or disinfectant. Drain the bin well after washing and if necessary wipe dry with kitchen paper.
Bread Bins
These should be washed out and dried once a week. If mould develops, wash and wipe the interior with neat white vinegar allow to dry.
Chopping Boards
Chopping Boards should be washed immediately after use. Wooden boards should be washed under hot running water and scrubbed with washing up liquid. Wipe over the surface with a sterilising solution and stand the board on its long edge to dry naturally. Never soak a wooden board as this can cause warping. Plastic boards can usually be washed in dishwasher.
Cupboards
Kitchen cupboards should be cleaned out regularly several times a year. Remove the food from each cupboard before starting any throw away any items that are out of date. Wash out the interior with mild detergent solution, then rinse with warm water and dry with kitchen paper.
Dishwashers
Wipe the exterior with mild detergent solution and apply aerosol cleaner or polish. The interior should be cleaned when smells build up by running an empty cycle with a proprietary dishwasher cleaner.
Extractor Fans
It’s important that these are kept clean or they will not function properly. If you have them follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning, if not, use following method.
Switch off at the mains, remove the flex socket from the main part of the fan and unscrew the front louvered grill. Clean the grill in a solution of washing up liquid. Allow to drain, then wipe with kitchen paper or a clean cloth to ensure it is toughly dry. To clean the fan blades, either use an anti static brush or unscrew the blade unit and wash in soapy water. Use a teapot brush to reach into any crannies in the motor and its support.
Re- assemble all parts of fan and give it a trail run to ensure it is working properly.
Freezers
Defrosting, Unless your freezer is of the frost free variety, it will need defrosting when the ice has grown to a thickness of approximately 5mm. The more often you open the door, The more often you will need to defrost.
Unplug the freezer. Put on gloves to remove frozen food and place it either in cool boxes or in the refrigerator. Cover with towels of blankets to increase insulation.
Leave the freezer door open and the place old towels on the freezer floor if it is a chest freezer or just in front of the freezer if it is an upright model.
Place bowels of hot water on the shelves and in the shelves and in the bottom of the chest, keep renewing the water as it cools, or use hair dryer, take with the heat around seals.
Use a wooden or plastic spatula to loosen and scrape off the ice as it thawing gets under way. Replace towels with new one when wet.
When defrosting is finished, first dry the interior with clean towel, then rinse with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, 15ml to 1lt water, then dry.
After defrosting your freezer, paint a thin coating of glycerine over interior to prevent frost building up and make it easier to clean the next time. If you get any smells lingering, use a proprietary fridge/ freezer cleaner or solution of sterilising fluid for babies. Alternatively, fill the freezer with crumpled newspaper and leave it switched off with the door slightly ajar for a couple of days. The newspaper will absorb the smells
Microwave Ovens
Wipe out the interior with a damp cloth if any spills occur. Keep the inside of the door and the seal scrupulously clean. If smells build up, place a bowel of water containing 15ml lemon juice in the oven and run on high power for one minute. Remove the bowel and wipe round the oven cavity with a cloth.
Refrigerators
Most modern fridges have an automatic defrosting device. If yours is an older model, switch off at the socket and defrost manually.
Remove all food. Transfer perishable goods into a cool box. When defrosting is complete, remove the drip tray and empty out the water.
It is important not to damage the fridge while defrosting. You can speed up the process by use a hair dryer. Take care as not to keep water away from hair drier.
The fridge interior should be cleaned from time to time with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, 15ml to 1lt warm water. Then dry well with soft cloth.
If your fridge develops smells because of rotten food or because the power supply has been turned off, clear out all food and wash the interior several times with bicarbonate of soda solution. Leave the fridge door open between washes until the smell has gone.
Sinks
When washing up in a sink, use a plastic bowel to protect the surface. Swill out the sink before putting in the bowel, as any trapped dirt or grit could scratch the surface of the sink.
Keep the plughole clean at all times using a bottle brush. Pour a little bleach down the plughole once a week, taking care to avoid the surface on the sink. Leave for a couple of minutes, then rinse away.
Acrylic sinks, these should be cared for with a cream cleaner, and an application of white vinegar or lemon juice should remove stains
Fireclay sinks, vitreous enamel sinks, should be cleaned with a bath cleaning product approved by the vitreous enamel association.
Stainless steel sinks, These should be rinsed and dried at the end of each day to prevent water spotting. Remove grease and surface soiling with undiluted washing up liquid. Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads. Polish with a proprietary sink cleaner or stainless steel polish rinse and dry.
Untreated wooden kitchen doors.
These will attract grease and dust, so wipe over regularly with a solution of washing up liquid and apply a light coat of cleaner/polish. If dirt becomes a serious problem, clean the units thoroughly with cream cleaner. Rinse, allow to dry and apply a coating of polyurethane seal. This will alter the appearance slightly but will make cleaning easier in future.
Waste disposal units.
An electrical waste disposal unit is good for getting rid of food d 1ff8 ebris and is particularly useful if you live in an upstairs flat or anywhere that poses problems with disposing of rubbish.
Keep it clean, do not drop teaspoons down it and get rid of any smells by grinding up waste citrus peel from grapefruit, lemons and oranges.
Worktops
Kitchen surfaces should be kept clean and dry at all times. Wash them after preparing food, using a cleaner containing bactericide, and dry with a kitchen towel.
Corian. This should be washed and dried as recommended above. Marks can be removed with a household cleaner applied on an abrasive pad. Bad marks such as scorching can be sanded out with fine steel wool.
Laminated surfaces. These are fairly tough but you should not chop food or put hot dishes down on them. Wash and dry as recommended above and remove stains with undiluted washing up liquid. Or non abrasive household cleaner. Use abrasive creams only on very persistent stains. Smeary surfaces can be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in white vinegar.
Textured finished laminated surface. These attract dirt and need frequent cleaning. Do not scrape at ingrained dirt but use a solution of washing up liquid and a washing up brush to remove it.
Tiled surface. On heavily stained tiles use neat vinegar or a solution of household cleaner. Rinse and wipe dry. Watch out for food deposits which lodge in grouting. Clean regularly with old toothbrush dipped in a solution of household bleach.
Dutch Ovens – Seasoning Cast Iron Cookware
M.A. Luke is and independent writer for ioVentures, Inc. If your dutch oven was ruined by improper cleaning, go now to dutchovenpro.com.
A Chef’s View On The Pros and Cons Of Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless is also dent and scratch resistant. It is practically impossible to destroy. This makes it very easy to clean, generally. This cookware is generally dishwasher safe, can handle it well.
Black Iron Dude: Easy Cast Iron Skillet Reconditioning
The purpose of this post is to demonstrate how one can recondition a piece of cast iron cookware using items you probably have in your house or apartment. This process uses no specialized equipment.
Dishwasher safe cookware
If I were designing something for public use I would need to encompass all aspects of what is best for the product. I can see what some folks would put in a dishwasher.
Kitchen Pot Rack
Posted by: | CommentsKitchen Pot Rack – Who’s Back Hurts?
Earlier in the week I had just finished washing the dishes and I was putting them away in my cabinets. It felt like I was playing Russian roulette with my pots and pans. I had just stacked and unstacked the last pot when a shearing pain tore through my back. That made me realize I had enough. There must be a better way of storing these essential items. After I called my husband to come and help me up, I started my research.
I am now the proud owner of a stainless steel wall mounted pot rack. My kitchen is now the room that I love to enter. It makes me feel organized, professional and most of all comfortable. It has enhanced every element of my kitchen. My kitchen seems friendlier and I have more free time to prepare my meals. It has become the focal point and wow factor of my room.
We all need more space and less clutter in the kitchen. It makes our lives run smoother and gives us a peaceful disposition. The pot rack helps upgrade and update the room that we spend so much time in. It is not only functional but eye catching to anyone that beholds it. These little details make the difference between an impersonal kitchen and the room that you never want to leave.
There are some questions you must ask yourself before you go out and buy a kitchen pot rack. Your first questions should be where you will put this in your kitchen. The options are hanging, wall mounted, lighted or stand alone. Hanging pot racks are generally placed over kitchen islands or peninsulas. Wall mounted pot racks are usually positioned below or between cabinets. If you have more then enough space, a stand alone can be very attractive. For additional lighting, a pot rack that comes with downlights illuminates the kitchen and will add ambience to your working space. Ceiling pot racks come with grids which allow you to adjust the hooks for hanging your pots and pans in a way that will be most convenient for your reach.
The wall mounted pot rack that I choose had an extra shelf for storage for my cookbooks and decorations.
Some of the shapes that are available are rectangular, oval, bookshelf, round, dome and square. There are also various materials. You can find them in black, copper, silver, brass, stainless steel, bronze, chrome, wrought iron and wood.
You can purchase pot racks that compliment your existing kitchen colors, or you can make a statement with highly contrasting finishes. You could also consider mixing the finishes for a more stunning dramatic effect.
The pot rack serves three main purposes all at the same time. They are decorative, add much needed space and keep your pots and pans handy and protected.
Hanging your pots and pans prevents wear and tear from storing them inside each other. It is also an added attraction. If you own beautiful cook wear why not display it?
It is always wise to strictly follow the installation instructions specified by the manufacturer. Pot racks can get very heavy when weighed down with all your pots and pans. The amount of weight a pot rack can hold depends on how it is hung from your wall or ceiling. If you have any questions or concerns, I would suggest you consult a professional in your area.
Most kitchen pot racks are easy to maintain and clean. They extend the life of your cook wear while at the same time helps reduce the cook’s frustration.
Do yourself a favor and move your cookware out of those back bending lower cabinets. Keep them at an arms reach in your innovative dream kitchen.
Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com) in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.
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Swedish Designs – American Made Wooden Cookware Racks
Swedish Designs makes solid hardwood cookware racks right here in America. The design styles are European, but the materials – maple and beech – are very common and sustainable woods.
Bakers Racks Add Flair And Style To Your Kitchen
Bakers racks sound this statement nicely. This kitchen furnishings has been seen in homes for decades and their popularity is crescendo every the time.
Product Review: Swedish Designs Cookware Racks
We put a large metal rack into our kitchen and use hooks to hang them from the sides, with a few large pots on top, but that isn’t the most visually elegant solution.
Cookware Holders: Cuisinart CRHC-22B Half Circle Wall Cookware Rack
Keep pots and pans out of curious toddlers’ reach by hanging them from this half-circle, wall cookware rack from Cuisinart.
Advantages of Glass Cutting Boards
Posted by: | CommentsAdvantages of Glass Cutting Boards
Whether you’re a TOP CHEF, an everyday mom and dad cooking for yourself and family, or you’re just a hardcore health conscious individual, having the right cutting board is essential.
Whether you’re a TOP CHEF, an everyday mom and dad cooking for yourself and family, or you’re just a hardcore health conscious individual, having the right cutting board is essential.
Let’s focus on the positives:
Glass or tempered cutting boards depending on the brand you choose are virtually indestructible. For instance, the brand Tuftop is made with highly tempered glass that will look like new for years in your kitchen without cracks, chips, scratches, or cut marks. This brand of cutting board has a cut-proof surface so bacteria, stains, and odors cannot be harbored as they are in other cutting boards. Sanitary-wise, there is no need for harsh chemicals to prevent cross-contamination. Simply wash in warm sudsy water! And it’s dishwasher safe. The other benefit of TufTop glass cutting boards is that they are HEAT RESISTANT!!! TufTop cutting boards are trivets for hot dishes such as casseroles and counter savers for hot-off-the-stove pots and pans.
Artwork for The Kitchen:
Tuftop glass cutting boards can add sparkle to any table as an elegant serving platter or dazzling centerpiece with candles. Colorful designs are mounted between shimmering textured glass and a protective vinyl backing. The uses are endless.
Why I Should not buy a Plastic Cutting Board?
The softer surface of plastic boards is scored by knives, and the resulting grooves and cuts in the surface harbor bacteria even after being well washed. However, plastic boards do allow rinsing with harsher cleaning chemicals such as bleach and other disinfectants without damages to the board or retention of the chemical to later contaminate food. But who wants to feel as though they’re doing laundry in your master-kitchen feeling like a MASTER CHEF!
Suzette owns and runs a family business that includes the website:
http://www.glassandwoodcuttingboards.com
| By Suzette Sargeant Published: 9/28/2008 |
One Scary Vegetable: Cutting Board "Health"
The plastic boards had endured one too many trips in the dishwasher, overnights in the sink with heavy things and party shenanigans. I’m not a fan of glass cutting boards either.
Chef Knife Safety
Always use a cutting board. Don’t cut on your countertop. Not only is cutting on your countertop bad for your countertop, it’s bad for the blade of your knife too.
APPLE red GLASS CUTTING BOARD Kitchen HOME Decor NEW
Serve your guests in style with this elegant tempered glass cutting board. Makes an excellent hostess gift. Great for cutting OR serving Made of all purpose tempered Glass.
Does a glass cutting board = dull knives
I hate glass cutting boards–the sound, slipperiness, accompanyment of dull knives, and the high propensity for cutting oneself because of the combination.
A New Dutch Oven
Posted by: | CommentsA New Dutch Oven
What is the best part about camping? The food. That is, if you do it right. Learn the best tricks to keeping everyone’s stomachs happy in this article with Dutch Ovens.
It is getting hotter outside, and the sun sets much later, the children are all on vacation. This means that perhaps the most favorite season has begun: summer. Summer means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for me and my relatives, summer means its time to go camping! Where to? The mountains, high up in the thin air, away from any kind of civilization is where we go. What is it about camping and the mountains that is so pleasing and attracting? Could it be that all our cares are put aside for a few memorable moments as we reflect on the beauty of God’s creations? Or perhaps it is the thrill we get by being adventurous and doing things such as taking cold showers, sleeping on the ground by large cliffs, and biking down our favorite trail. There are so many fun and exciting activities that we can do in the mountains, which makes it hard to plan just what we will do. There is one activity though that we must always do; eating, and there is no better way to do that while camping then to bring a few dutch ovens to get that sweet flavor that only a dutch oven stove can give.
If you’re looking for the most tasty food, cook it outside. I really can’t relate to you what it is that makes it so particular. Something about the refreshing air gives your food new flavor. Cooking with fire and charcoal give a flavor to food that cannot be duplicated. No matter how many outdoor cookouts you have attended, you have not experienced the greatest in outdoor cooking unless you have cooked your food in a dutch oven. A cast iron dutch oven used to cook your meal very slow creates a very desirable flavor.
Dutch ovens are used for every type of food: lunch, dessert, and every other meal can be made. Meat, casserole, soup: you name it, if it’s edible, it can probably be cooked in a dutch oven. Since dutch ovens are stackable, a three or four course meal can be prepared all at the same time.
Besides versatility and variety, a wonderful thing about dutch ovens is that once the food is prepared and on the charcoal to cook, your work is done and you are free to enjoy your time in the wild outdoors. Go fishing, take a hike, play cards, take a nap. Let the dutch oven do the work while you dedicate your vacation to recreation, the way it should be.
When checking to see how much longer the food needs to be cooked in a dutch oven, be cautious or you will sprinkle your dinner with a very different salt and pepper. My family refers to it as "mountain salt and pepper." This tasty kind of salt and pepper is really ash that can slide off the lid of the dutch oven as it is being removed from the dutch oven stove. It really doesn’t hurt anyone, and it can’t be tasted. Although it does leave a nice texture.
Now we have come to the best part: Dessert. Dessert is a very cherished meal and is becoming more popular every day. Actually, who am I kidding? Dessert has always been popular and will continue to be so unless the world’s supply of sugar is suddenly cut off. Dutch oven dessert has to be my most favorite meal while camping. It is not like cooking it in your stove, there is a special flavor that comes from cooking it outdoors and if you haven’t experienced it, I would highly recommend you do so soon. (You never know if sugar really will become extinct.)
Larissa Luke is an independent writer for ioVentures, Inc. For the most tasty dutch oven recipes, go now to dutchovenpro.com. They have a large selection of cast iron dutch ovens and the most popular camping stoves.
| By Jason Luke Published: 6/19/2007 |
Lodge Logic Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Aah, cast iron. It is really heartening to see that the durable cookware that fed the pioneers is still with us. You can thank the Lodge company for that. This Dutch Oven is the perfect vessel for chilis, casseroles, soups and the like. Forget the discount calphalon cookware set and problems with calphalon.
Bread Boule- Pro Kitchen Style- Dutch Oven recipe
Bread Boule- Pro Kitchen Style- Dutch Oven recipe: my most favorite bread recipe. You don’t have to have your discount calphalon cookware set or paula dean cookware for this.
Coffee & Tea Books: Doin Dutch Oven Inside and Out or Vineyard Cuisine
This book is an exciting collection of more than a hundred delectable recipes and menus for Dutch oven cooking. Those acquainted with this type of cookery know that Dutch ovens lend special tastes to food which aren’t otherwise that good.
Low Fat Vichyssoise Leek Salad Recipes For Supper
Heat oil in a medium size Dutch oven (about 4 to 5 quart). Cook sliced leeks in hot oil for 2 minutes or until they turn tender. With the help of a slotted spoon remove approximately half of the leeks from the Dutch oven and transfer them.
Your Kitchen and Feng Shui
Posted by: | CommentsYour Kitchen, Your Health and Feng Shui
A well thought out Feng Shui Kitchen can play an important role in our long term health. This article discusses the proper uses of Feng Shui color, Feng Shui cookware and Feng Shui layout as ways to achieve greater harmony in our kitchen, home and ultimately our everyday lives.
When applying the principles of Feng Shui to a home, people often think of ways to improve the home’s entrance, living room or bedroom. Did you ever wonder what other rooms of your home might benefit from the art of Feng Shui? One of my favorite rooms in the house is the kitchen, yet it is often overlooked when it comes to the application of Feng Shui methodology. The kitchen is also one area of the home where Feng Shui can potentially have a direct benefit to your long term physical health. In this article I will discuss what you can do to your kitchen that will help create more positive Qi (energy or life force) and in doing so improve your overall health and the health of your family.
Feng Shui Color
In my articles, I often discuss the important role color plays in the Feng Shui thought process. This concept is also important in the kitchen where some colors are not only aesthetically pleasing but, believe it or not, can improve the home owner’s digestive cycle. Proper digestion is considered one of the basic tenants which helps determine a person’s ability to live a long and healthy life. Our knowledge of Feng Shui colors is a useful tool which can be used to help support this goal.
So, what are these magical Feng Shui colors? The most auspicious colors you can paint your kitchen, in the order of importance, are:
This stimulates digestion in the intestinal tract.
Is a soothing or healing balm for the nervous system.
Is a relaxing color that promotes calmness and inner peace.
These colors have various effects on the brain and its many functions due to the way the brain is stimulated through the visual cortex. Whether you are stimulated by yellow or sedated by greens and blues, Feng Shui colors have a profound effect on our everyday health.
Please keep in mind; you do not have to choose a bright color for it to have a positive effect on your digestive tract. Various hues of yellow, green or blue will still have a beneficial Feng Shui effect.
Feng Shui Cookware and Appliances
Proper Feng Shui cookware is also a critical element in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is best not to have metal cookware. However, many western societies prefer to use stainless steel or aluminum pots and pans. Unfortunately, scientific data supports the belief that exposure to aluminum may have negative effects on the human nervous system and potential links to Alzheimer’s disease. If not metal, what is the proper Feng Shui choice for cookware?
You will notice many fine restaurants use copper base pot and pans. Professional cooks prefer copper because the heat conducts more rapidly and it is easier to control. Copper is the choice of Feng Shui practitioners because it does not have the toxicity of aluminum and it is a magnet for
positive Qi. Some people prefer to use glass. Although glass cookware eliminates the toxicity issues, it will not create good Feng Shui Qi for you or your kitchen.
If it is practical, try to choose a gas range for your kitchen. A live flame not only allows you to cook more precisely, but the flame represents the Feng Shui element of Fire. Fire has played an important role in human development and it represents expansion. Using fire will symbolize growth in your own life and as a result you will become more open to change and opportunity.
Feng Shui Kitchen Layout
The layout of your kitchen is also vitally important. So, if at all feasible, try to keep in mind the following Feng Shui principles and scenarios:
1. Never turn your back on the entrance to the kitchen!
While you are cooking, you should never have your back face the entrance of your kitchen. This is due to the fact that Qi will come through the doorway and attack you from behind. Whether in the kitchen, or any other room, we should always attempt to face the oncoming Qi.
Feng Shui Cure
The best Feng Shui cure for this particular affliction is to hang a faceted crystal above the stove or in the center of your kitchen’s ceiling. The crystal will help distribute the Qi more evenly throughout your cooking environment.
2. You should never be able to see the bathroom from the kitchen!
The position of the bathroom in relationship to your kitchen is critically important. The bathroom is a place where much of the health Qi can potentially be "flushed" down the toilet. If you can see the commode from the kitchen, when the bathroom door is open, then you will need to immediately institute the following cures.
Feng Shui Cure #1
Place a small dish or shot glass on the commode and fill it with raw white rice. The rice will prevent the Qi, or more importantly, the health aspect of your Qi from being literally flushed down the toilet. Rice is grown in a paddy field and its semi-aquatic nature will symbolically deflect the Qi away from the commode and up towards the wall and ceiling.
Qi will get flushed away every time someone forgets to put down the lid before flushing. Yes, men are notorious for this particular Feng Shui disaster in the making! So make sure to take time for a refresher course on bathroom etiquette.
Feng Shui Cure #2
Keep the bathroom door shut at all times, and keep the drain of the sink open only when in use. A closed bathroom door will keep the Qi from entering room and the closed drain will keep it from escaping through the sink.
Even though the kitchen is probably one of the most popular rooms in the house, we often forget the role it plays in our Feng Shui life. If you implement our understanding of Feng Shui color, cookware and layout with respect to your kitchen, you will see a marked improvement in your health. Of course this should not be used as a justification for eating poorly and avoiding exercise.
San Dan Yi
Feng Shui Colors
A brief description of various Feng shui colors and their effects.
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Cookware as Gifts: Money Spent for All the Right Reasons
Posted by: | Comments
Cookware as Gifts: Money Spent for All the Right Reasons
We are coming up on spring holidays and family time that will create memories that will last long into the future. Now is a very good time to think of gifts that will be around as long as or longer than those memories. Quality cookware, flatware, bake ware and cutlery are some great ideas to consider.
As I sit here on Passover weekend and write this article, spring is here and summer is just around the corner. We are coming up on Holidays and family time that will create memories that will last long into the future. Now is a very good time to think of gifts that will be around as long as or longer than those memories. Quality cookware, flatware, bake ware and cutlery are some great ideas to consider.
May is only two weeks away with its’ three holiday/family times upon us. First is Cinco de Mayo followed by Mothers Day, (Fathers Day will only be a month later), and at the end of month is Memorial Day, the beginning of summer and picnics for most people. Most of us will also have an additional reason to celebrate this year due to receiving a stimulus check from our Uncle Sam. In the hard times we are going through we need to buy or invest our money wisely. If gift purchases are to be included in these holiday/family times please read on.
If you look at the past, the cook in most families was the Mom. This does not hold true in these modern times. Most of us are on the go from morning to evening without stop. The cook in the family can be any member in the family that has time. This is all the more reason for the pots and pans used to be quality utensils. There are several ways to tell the quality of cookware, with modern manufacturing processes and metallurgy, just looking does not tell the whole story.
The most reliable way to purchase quality cookware is to do what we were taught early in life. Purchase brand name products and/or purchase products with the best guarantees, (beware of flashy or celebrity names, if you did not know of the name 10 years ago, you are most likely paying for the name not necessarily the quality). Companies that have been in business for some time means they are providing a product that justifies the cost. Some manufacturers have been in business for many years and their products are just now being offered in the United States. Take a moment to see if they are a creditable company. Check the guarantee. Pay for quality not just the name.
Consider quality cookware, bake ware and cutlery as a gift. This would not only be a great gift, but money spent on a product that will last a lifetime. The key is you don’t have to spend a great deal of money to purchase a cookware gift. Purchase an individual pot or pan that would match an existing set that can go from range top to tabletop, or purchase a color cast iron pan or a heavy aluminum roaster that can go from oven to the tabletop. With the cost of gas, a trip to the mall to shop and look for a gift can cost more than the gift itself.
| By Dale Crouse Published: 4/22/2008 |
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Cookware Longevity
Posted by: | CommentsCookware Longevity, Proper Care for Extended Life
Cookware is a household item we all use almost every day. No matter how good or expensive the utensil might be, proper care will not only prolong its useful life it will also provide you with better cooking results. We will list the most popular cookware metals and the best cleaning and care procedures. We will also list some don’ts along the way.
Copper- Purchase one of the commercial copper cleaners on the market. I also read that a soft cloth or sponge that is soaked with lemon juice or vinegar and sprinkled with salt will work to remove slight stains. Never use a metal scrubber or steel wool that will scratch the surface. If the pot is lined, never use utensils that will chip or scratch the lining. Never use copper pots when cooking acidic foods such as tomatoes or other fruits. Copper is a relatively soft metal, so take care when storing not to dent or damage the outside or the lining, also be careful not to get the utensil out of round from stacking.
Aluminum- This metal does have some reaction with air or water with high iron content; the result will be the utensil will look dull and slightly dark. A good way to brighten up this utensil is to cook apples, tomatoes or another high acid food. A good way to achieve the same effect is to add 1 to 2 teaspoons cream of tartar per quart of water or 2 tablespoons vinegar per quart of water for 15 minutes in the pan. You will find that vinegar is a very good cleaner of this metal especially for lime build up. As with cooper cookware do not use any abrasive cleaners or pads to scrub, this will scratch the surface (the only time you may have to use a soap filled steel wool pad is if burnt on food is a problem), try to soak in hot water first and scrap with a wooden spoon. Never quench an aluminum pan in water, make sure it cools to the touch first or it may warp.
Stainless Steel cookware- This cookware should be easy to keep top appearance for years. Never let it boil dry, the result will cause discoloration from the hot spots. The biggest complaint is the utensils will streak or spot when drying, or get slight heat streaks. The best way to resolve these streaks is to use olive oil, vinegar, or club soda. Just rub a small amount on and the streaks vanish. The same rules apply for all quality cookware; do not use any pad that could scratch the surface.
Cast Iron – The key to this cookware is the seasoning of the utensil. You will want to make sure you do not remove this seasoning in the process of cleaning. Never place in a dishwasher, this will over scrub with detergents and remove the non stick seasoning. Clean this cookware while it is still hot by rinsing with hot water and scraping only when necessary. Never store food in cast iron, this is bad for the seasoning of the pan and a metal taste will be given to the food. After washing dry the utensil with a cloth and if possible place in a warm oven to make sure all moisture is removed. Store the utensil with the lids off to keep from collecting moisture. If rust does appear, the pan should be re-seasoned.
General care for metal cookware would include never use a caustic cleaner such as oven cleaner. Never use metal scouring pads or steel wool on fine finishes. Never quench the utensil by placing the hot pan in water. If food sticks you should soak or add water and place the utensil on low heat until loosened. If you must use a scrubbing pad use nothing more abrasive than nylon. A hanging or wall mount pot and pan rack is a very good investment to help prevent storage damage and moisture collection during humid conditions. This will also make finding the utensils you want easy and will show off your collection.
When you purchase your cookware read the manufactures’ recommendations for cleaning, storage and use. Never use any chemical or material not listed by the manufacturer.
Dale Crouse is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Linda, his wife started a website selling quality cookware and she wanted to know how the products she sold compared to other sites. Dale will be writing articles showing how to make the best choices in purchasing cookware from his research. Visit Linda’s website here.
| By Dale Crouse Published: 9/9/2007 |
Cookware Materials and Heat Conductivity. What should you have?
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Cookware Materials and Heat Conductivity. What should you have?
Stainless steel cookware, aluminum cookware, cast aluminum cookware, glass, ceramic, there are many choices and each choice has very different coefficient of conductivity. The old idea that the best heat conductor is the best cooking utensil to use may not always be true in all cases. We will look at the most popular metals used and the different construction variations that should help you make better purchases.
The first data we will look at is the more popular materials used. We will also add a rating system on the ability of each material to conduct heat. Our rating system will be a scale from 0 to 10. The rating of 10 will be the best conductive material and a rating of 0 would be the worst. We will stay between the upper and lower scales. As we present this data remember the materials will also cool in relationship to how fast they heat.
The material list follows: Copper rating of 9, Aluminum and Cast Aluminum rating of 5, Cast Iron rating of 1.5, Stainless Steel and Steel rating of 1, Ceramic rating of 0.5 and Glass a rating of 0.25. By the ratings it is very easy to see that copper is the best conductive material listed, and glass is the least conductive. The one problem with copper utensils is that it is reactive to acidic foods. To mention all of the important materials used in cookware, the list should also include copper clad and multi-ply utensils. The reason these are not listed is the conductivity will vary depending on the thickness of the copper clad or plate and the number of plies or layers in the utensil and the materials used in the layers. The two best choices for good heat conductivity are the last two mentioned, copper clad or multiple layered bottoms. Most all of the layered cookware has at least one layer of copper for good heat conductivity.
To conclude the characteristics of quality cookware should be able to provide even distribution of heat. This can be achieved by material types, thickness and multiple ply construction. The cost of each manufacturing process will dictate the final cookware cost. Although copper cookware is the best heat conductor, copper also is the material that requires the most maintenance to remain with a great appearance. This would make the multi-layered bottom utensils best choice.
Dale Crouse is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt; he has been dealing with facts and data for the past 6 years in his work. Linda, his wife started a website selling quality cookware and she wanted to know how the products she sold compared to other "quality cookware". Dale will be writing additional articles showing how to make the best choices in purchasing cookware from his research. Visit Linda’s website for quality cookware and accessories at http://www.mypothandle.com.
| By Dale Crouse Published: 8/4/2007 |
Here is more reading for you from recent all clad blog posts:
The Missing Ingredient: An All-clad Cookware Set