Thanks, Cornelius, for posting the link to such a useful article on the composition of UCGs. I also agree that sociability and showing some understanding of others' needs goes a long way to building a mutually satisfying relationship... After reading about their corporate commitment to give grounds away, I called my local Starbucks ahead of time, spoke with the manager and introduced myself. I work across the street two days a week and we agreed that I would bring in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid, in the morning and pick it up at the end of the day. I went to a local paint shop that supplies contractors (Sherwin-Williams) and they happily sold me 3 super solid plain grey 5 gallon buckets with very tight fitting lids for $3.50 CAD each (this could be a problem if closed by accident by SB people as they have to be pried open with a screwdriver... so far, I have just kept the lids in my car and no-one at SB has asked for one). I drop off the bucket in the morning and pick it up on my way home after work. People are friendly, even excited about seeing the grounds go to good use and usually offer to help me carry it out, which I decline. I want this to be easy as pie and a full bucket weighs about 30 lbs I think, so quite manageable for me to carry. It takes about 10 minutes total to make two stops and this makes it clear that they won't have grounds in the shop overnight. So far, I'm getting 5 gallons a day and I think I could probably leave two buckets if I wanted to. I bought some green spray paint and made a stencil of a leafy plant and sprayed it on the sides of the buckets just as a visual reminder. Right now I'm dumping the UCGs in a pile next to my woodshed (I live just outside the city) and when the snow goes, I plan to build progressive compost bins using free skids and coat hangers and start turning into a compost whacko! Now if I could only convince my husband about the Nubian goats...

Any kind of silicone mat will do. Silpats or off brand. Anything thin and grippy that doesn't interfere with the magnets will do. Re paper towels catching fire, anything is possible. I use Viva, which suffer no ill effects. I try to use few paper towels, though, so did buy a silicone mat. Paper burns great when it's lit (it's wood and perhaps rag), but it's very hard to ignite, especially whole, in the center. Perhaps if it gets really oily, the oil could catch fire if it then got between the magnets and the pot and got hot enough. You'd have to try really hard. But, of course, you shouldn't leave things cooking untended even on induction. You can also use newspaper or parchment paper to contain a spattery mess. You'll see a scorch mark long before it ignites. It really is very hard to burn paper. My guess? People may be reusing the same paper towel and it's the crud in the towel catching fire. I wouldn't reuse paper on the induction. Use the nearly clean paper towel for another job, and dispose of it. Use the newspaper and trash it if it's cruddy, recycle if it's clean. Or get a silicone mat and sponge it after using. Crud, expecially crystalline crud like salt or sugar, can scratch the glass surface of your unit, so do clean up thoroughly every time. Cleaning up is so easy, it shouldn't be any bother.

It works great with cable. It works great - period. You can talk in real time with excellent sound quality computer to computer, you can send files and photos while you talk to each other. You can write a short note which will be delivered the next time the recipient logs on. You can call any cell or land line phone in most places in the world for a modest fee. The fee is 10 Euros which equal $14 to $16 and gives you 10 hours of calling time. much like cell phones the money is good for 180 days but is added to new credits if you buy again. For best rtesults you need a headset, this is because if you use the old desktop mike with the speakers set back it causes lousy feedback and is useless. Mine is set so I talk into the headset but the sound is from my speakers so both my wife and I can hear the other person. Should my wife be watching the idiot box I simply plug the earphone plug in to stop the sound reaching the speakers. It is very useful when fixing a computer, with my sister in Scotland I take control of her computer while talking and explaining what I am doing. That adds a measure of comfort to nervous folks, haha. The webcam can be good but if I am here at 7a.m. in my dressing gown family members in the UK where they are 5 hours ahead of us think it is hilarious. Webcams are good for grand kids to see the grand parents and visa versa. Go for it, at the very worst you can soon remove it if you are unhappy - but you will not be dissatisfied I am sure

Oldryder, I am confused. I know that you own a stone shop, and I am a mere dilettante. However, I was under the impression that the negative reveal that you suggest is actually easier, not harder, for the fabricator to perform. I was also under the impression that it was (accordingly) a little more standard. My Elkay sink was designed, they said, so that a positive reveal (i.e., some of sink showing) was more aesthetically pleasing. The instructions directed the installer, in bold letters in multiple places, to make sure the homeowner knew that the installation would have a positive reveal; presumably, Elkay regarded this as the unusual situation. By the way, we have had many threads on sink reveals. The first one is my favorite due to Circuspeanut's artwork: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0920592124293.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0701230626695.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0414122722861.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1123372129047.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0517201412743.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg080902291020.html http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0116500717929.html