I agree, dcarch, baking soda has never done a darned thing for my refrigerator, I stopped wasting baking soda and I don't put it in there any more.

I also agree with saving threads to a Word document. 204 responses will only take five or six pages in a reasonable font, certainly lots of room in the computer for that. Those documents don't take much storage space, it's things like pictures that suck up memory.

Annie

Good idea Lou. I finally went in search for the waffle maker today. Now we'll see if it's still working!!

Okay, Lou.
If a waffle iron can do double duty as a panini maker, how about a Pizzelle iron?
That would have a nice design, too.
I just may have to try that in the next day or so. . . .

Rusty

Here is another:

I use my microwave turntable platter (ceramic or tempered glass) as my pizza baking pan.

Just the right size for me. :-)

dcarch

Lou,

As Annie says all the tips should fit easily in a Word (word processor) document. You can save all of it or edit out the repetitive thread title between each post.

Or you can cut and paste it into an email to yourself, again editing out titles or non-tip comments, before you send it to yourself.

A third thing you could try would be the 'clippings' feature of gardenweb. Next to each individual tip or post in a thread you can move the cursor to the far right and click 'clip this post'. You have to clip each tip individually but then it would be on gardenweb everytime you wanted to see it, accessible from your member page.

Annie:
Thanks, I'll try saving the Threads to a Word Document.
Denise:
I'll try the Clippings feature too.

Dcarch:
I don't use Baking Soda in the Refrig anymore for Odors.
Just a quick spray of room deodorizer.
The fan does the rest.

When fish or other odors are in the Micro,
I'll spray some Room Deodorizeer in and run it for 20 seconds.

I don't know about using the Glass Turntable for a Pizza
Baking Pan .
They cost a lot to replace. Pizza Pans are a lot cheaper!!!

Dirt Girl:
I bought my last one on sale at Macy's for $28 . It is a CusineArt, round model.
It works great. I have 2 the same size. I can bake waffles in Stereo now.
I have a good Waffle recipe if you need one.
Or you can Google " Lou's Waffles and Pancakes ".

Kate:
How do you slice a piece of the cake ??? Straight down or follow the curves. LOL! ( Sounds familiar )
Seems like I did this before, with someone else.

OH Rusty One:
I don't know if it will work in a Pizzelle Baker.
Might compress one end too much.

You didn't even make the Pizzelles yet !!!
You can make Biscotti with the same Recipe.
Just add more flour to make a Soft Dough.

I'm out a here. To think up more tips.
LOU

Lou, yes I made the Pizzelles ! !
Sorry if I forgot to post about them.

Now I can't decide which is best, the Anise or the Almond.
Next time I'm going to try them with Hazel nuts, according to your Almond recipe.

And this is another thing I have learned.
Lou's Pizzelle recipe is absolutely, without a doubt, the BEST.
I will never again bother with any other.
I also now have, thanks to your idea,
a nice, nifty handle extension for the Pizzelle iron.
So I don't burn my fingers anymore.
Thank you again for that idea!

Dcarch, I was glad to read about the baking soda.
Like annie1992, I haven't used it in years, never could tell that it did any good.
So now I know it wasn't just me.

By the way.
I have found the 'clippings' to be not very useful.
You are only allowed so many,
then it won't let you save anymore.
So I copy and paste into "Word Pad".

You can save many MANY things that way.
And organize how you want to store them.
Also not possible with 'clippings'.

Rusty

I haven't used it yet but to leave the cream out of cream soups so it freezes well, then add in the cream after thawing.
Trying to use that concept on vinegrette too with moderate success. Make the vinegar and spice part and put in fridge, take out some and whisk in oil just before using so my oil and vinegrette doesn't have the oil all half solid.

Rusty One:
Thank You !!! I've made the Biscotti with everything you can think of, but !!!
They seem to like the plain Anise better.
So, I'm sticking with the Anise Pizzelles and Biscotti.

Now you will have to try the Biscotti. They are easier than the Pizzelles.
For the recipe, Google " Lou's Pizzelles and Biscotti "

Dcarch:
I do use Baking Soda to keep my toilet Water Tank clean.
It would get a coating of rust from the well water.

I cleaned it about 3 months ago and started putting in 3 tablespoons of Baking Soda, about every 10 days.
It is still clean, never got the coating again.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now for my Tip of the night:

Do your SOS Pads get Rusty ???

After I use an SOS PAD I place it on my electric range burner, on a piece of Alluminum Foil,
Turn the burner on for about 10 seconds and leave it dry, so it won't rust.
Give it another 10 second jolt if it needs it.

Don't walk away and leave the burner on. It will catch on fire.
If you use a Gas Range, put it in a Cast Iron Skillet on a piece of Foil.

Maybe the oven would work, while baking but I never tried that. Might give off an odor.
Lou

"Posted by hawk307 ----
Dcarch:
I do use Baking Soda to keep my toilet Water Tank clean.
It would get a coating of rust from the well water.

I cleaned it about 3 months ago and started putting in 3 tablespoons of Baking Soda, about every 10 days.
It is still clean, never got the coating again. "------

But why? Do you cook with toilet tank water?

dcarch

(Lou, I know I can do it to you. A sense of humor is difficult to find nowadays. LOL, LOL)

LOL but what use are all these tips if you don't ELABORATE.

Foodsaver with Mason Jars?? How do you do that?

The recipe for really, really no-stick homemade Pam... where is it?
And thanks for the links to last year's threads. I need to check them out

Homemade Pam
If you bake and cook everyday then this is a must to have in your cupboard, it's so much cheaper than using cooking spray and works even better than Pam cooking spray, no chemical fumes and will not leave burnt on black residue on the edges of your pans like cooking spray will and will keep forever in your cupboard --- for baking recipes using chocolate you may use 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder in place of white flour or 1/4 cup each cocoa powder and flour --- this may be increased or decreased successfully just make certain that *all* three ingredients are the same amounts or the mixture will not work as well ;-)
5 min : 5 min prep
1 1/2 cups (or depends on how much you make)
 1/2 cup corn oil or canola oil or vegetable oil
 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature (Crisco shortening is good)
 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Here is a link that might be useful: Food Saver for Mason Jars

dcarch:
No!!! I don't use Toilet Water to cook with BUT
everything we eat winds up there.

So I thought it might be FOOD RELATED !!!

LOL !!! LOU

I've learned to check here first for neat tips.

Lou you can also freeze the SOS pads and they won't rust or burn. (grin)
I use SS pads like Chore Boy pads and just add dish soap.
They never rust and are always soapy :-)

Where is the link that Jessy posted for the rest of last years tips?

When you are outdoors, try not to drink soda and other sweetened drinks from a pull-tap can.

A bee can get inside the can when you are not looking, and sting you inside your mouth and get you in bigtime trouble.

dcarch

Mustangs I am going to try that "Pam" recipe. I bake a LOT so if that is as wonderful as you say, then joining CF will be worth it's weight in GOLD!

Off to check out youtube

MIKE:
Go to Denise's Thread. About 15 down from the top.
Click on the Link at the bottom.

When it opens, you will see Jessy's Thread, with another link.

Jessy's is the second Thread down.

LOU

Mike:
Forgot to mention. I knew about, putting the SOS Pads in the freezer.
Don't know if anyone tried to set the kitchen on fire.

I use SOS to clean my auto windshield. Gets rid of the tree sap.
This was food related!!! I use the auto to run to the food market.
- - - - - - - - - -
OK:
So I'll put in another tip.
I use a Mellon Baller with a trigger release, to measure and compact, Small or Swedish Meatballs.
- - - - - - - - - -

Here is another:

I sometimes use Swedish or Small Meatballs to make a beef stew.
Lou

Further to dcarch's tip about not drinking soda outdoors from a pull-top can because of bees, a friend of mine was stung in the mouth from a bee who crawled into her straw in a covered cold cup (we were golfing). We all now put golf tees in our straws which seems to have solved the problem.

The thread about wine cork opener reminds me of one thing: Cap opener.
There are hundreds on tips of how to open a cap. This one you can see can really open a large stuck-on cap.

It's an inexpensive automobile oil filter wrench.

dcarch

And I have found that a toothbrush and a Clorox Gel pen work to keep the grout in my tile counter tops clean and sanitary.....

Another idea come to my mind:

I use a lot of towels in the kitchen. They all get dirty quickly.

I just wash them with some soap, they put them in the microwave for two to three minutes. The heat sanitizes and helps to dry the towels quickly.

Don't over "cook" the towels, or you can burn them.

dcarch

Some good tips still coming in !!!

I don't know if I put this in Tips.

When reheating Waffles, that are slightly overbaked,
I use a Water Sprayer for plants, to slightly dampen them.

I also use it for Baking Pizza and Bread, on spots that are baking faster.
Lou

PS: Mike did you find the Link ???

Another very easy and useful one, I am sure many of you have been doing it for years:

Put a small container of starch or flour next to your rubber gloves. Before you put on your gloves, spread a little flour on your hands and fingers, makes it so much easier to put on and take off your gloves.

dcarch

I get sticky/gluey if I use flour in my gloves. I just turn the gloves inside out after use and let the gloves dry...works for me!

Tip I learned today!

We live in a very humid climate and I hate to turn the oven on for a self clean cycle because of the heat it generates. So, when I clean my tile countertops, anywhere in the house, I also use a paste of oxy clean and water to clean the surrounding countertops and quicl;y wipe out the oven. Works like a charm every time!

LindaC, I also use a toothbrush to get the grout! Maggie even helps me clean the base boards with vinegar and water! LOL!

LOL!!....Yep, my hands sweat in gloves....and flour or cornstarch only makes the mess worse!
I do have a box of surgical powdered gloves, but they are one use.
Linda c

" Posted by lindac ----LOL!!....Yep, my hands sweat in gloves....and flour or cornstarch only makes the mess worse!
I do have a box of surgical powdered gloves, but they are one use.
Linda c "

Exactly. The powder is corn starch or some form of starch. I don't throw these gloves away. Reverse them, put some starch on you hands and use them again.

Just be careful if you are alergic to glutten to use powder-free gloves.

dcarch

Heck, I don't even HAVE kitchen gloves. I buy disposable ones only for chopping hot peppers.

Annie

Here's a tip I learned from my son who learned it from my mother years ago!

To open a new jar of something, the easiest way is to use the rounded (not pointy) end of a church key to release the pressure. Once the pressure is released, the lid screws off quite easily.

OK, I know what a church key is (I learned it from my grandmother!) but does everyone else know?

Of course I do, shall I tell?

Annie

I use one frequently but not as intended.

oh! Sorry, I guess I thought everyone knew.

Dcarch:
I've used Cornstarch, it never got gooey.
Then I started using Baby Powder. Carried it in my toolbox.

Also used it on my hands, when doing Suspended Ceilings,
so I wouldn't leave finger prints, on the tile.

One woman asked what I did with the Powder. Before I could answer , my helper said,
" He dumps it down his pants when you're not looking "
Lou

I did not know that type of can opener was called a church key! Thanks!

Carmen:
Your Corn tip worked I had Corn on the Cob tonight.

Carmen said to freeze the Corn with the husks on.

I peeled a few pieces off and wrapped them indivually,
in Plastic Wrap, then in a Quart Zip Lock.
Still have about 6 left.

Nice to eat fresh corn on the cob in Winter.
LOU

"Posted by hawk307 (My Page) on Tue, Jan 19, 10 at 20:27

Dcarch:
I've used Cornstarch, it never got gooey.
Then I started using Baby Powder. Carried it in my toolbox.
Also used it on my hands, when doing Suspended Ceilings,
so I wouldn't leave finger prints, on the tile. "

I should have said that is not my tip. A lot of people know that trick.

I also did not want to say baby powder, which a lot of people use, because some people believe that talcum powder is like asbestos.

dcarch

Dcarch: OK ! I'll say it " that was not your tip " lol !

Cheese Cake !!!
I cut mine when frozen and place a piece of Parchment Paper, in between the slices.
Lou

I learned have a hotter pan and let the meat actually sit still in order to sear (and scallops!). And how to test for doneness for scallops.

To not roll out crusts, cookies, etc. to the edge. Doh! I felt dumb, but now my stuff rolls out right. Amazing how the little things make all the difference.

Rob:
I think that was a song." Little things mean a lot "
Doris Day ???
Lou
- - - - - - - -
Scissors Tip !!!

Don't know if I put this in before ?

You can touch up Scissors by running it on your knife steel, or a hard piece of Steel.
Just open them and put it against the steel as if trying to cut it in half.
Cut down and pull back at the same time.
Do this a few times.

Scrape you thumb across the inside cutting edge, before you start and then again after.
Is there a difference ?

Old Paperhanging tip !!!
Lou

"Making hashbrowns with a waffle iron (that's another new one today)"

Can someone explain how to do this? And could you use a panini grill too?

Thank you!

Val

Val:
Guess you saw in the thread above , that I use The Waffle Baker to make Panini.
Here is a photo. Better if it was centered but it was good.

In fact I'm going to make one now !!!

A Belgium Waffle Baker might be better ???

Maybe someone can tell you about the Hash Browns in the Panini Maker.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tip !!! Separating egg whites:
Guess everyone does this.

When I separate a number of egg whites, I break them into a small bowl first, one at a time,
to be sure there is none of the yoke in with the whites.

Then put the whites into a mixing bowl, as I go and dump the Yokes in another bowl.
Lou

Here's where I heard about the hashbrowns in waffle iron (have since seen it several places):

Hashbrown Waffles by Waffleizer.com
Directions:
1. Wash and peel the potatoes. Shred them and squeeze them dry with a towel. (This ensures that your potatoes brown nicely.)

2. In a mixing bowl, add the potatoes, followed by salt and pepper to taste.

3. Spread about a teaspoon of butter on the waffle iron. (A silicone pastry brush works well; neither you nor the brush will melt while you spread the butter around the extremely hot waffle iron, and any nonstick finish on your waffle iron will be spared.)

4. Pile the shredded potatoes into the waffle iron and close the lid.

5. After a few minutes, you may wish to squeeze down the lid a bit. Check the potatoes after 10 minutes. In my waffle iron on the medium heat setting, the potatoes showed golden-brown highlights after about 15 minutes. But yours will vary, possibly by quite a bit.

6. Carefully remove the potatoes from the waffle iron.
Serve them with grated cheese or sour cream.

You could also serve waffled hash browns with ketchup, alongside a waffleburger. But that takes serious commitment to the concept. And I would worry about you a little.

I used mine as the base for a fried egg, topped with shavings of three-year Gouda.

It took me about two minutes to clean my plate.
And, no, I did not waffle the egg. Not that one, anyway.

Cooking bacon came from Alton Brown's show.

A comment on the toaster oven thread just reminded me of another one that's priceless..

Can't remember where I saw this, but you warm up leftover pizza in your skillet on top of the stove.

It works fantastic and keeps the crust really crispy.

Thank you!

Never tried the Hash Browns. Sounds good !!!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Here is the Panini I baked tonight.

Made a sandwich usuing sliced Tomatoes, Provolone, Cooked Salami and Ham, on Wheat Bread.
Buttered both sides and into the Waffle Baker, for about a minute +.
Tasted like a Pizza.
Lou

An onion can make people cry but you can't find a vegetable that can make people laugh.

Desserts are good for the stressed, STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelled backward.

DonÂt fry bacon in the nude.

dcarch :-)

dcarch:
Does this count,for Veggies that make you smile ???
LOU

I've started using Wondra to fry chunks of chicken thighs or breasts instead of plain flour in our Asian-style cooking. It gives a different texture and we love it.

Judi

Here is a link that might be useful: Korean fried chicken wings

OMG! I've got to make one of those potatoes for Beau's dinner tomorrow night! He hates potatoes, he gags when he has to do the one bite or no dessert thing, and I have tried very thing, even french fries. Thanks.