What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.

nb

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
> I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>
> nb


Vinegar is the cheapest.

Robert

On 26 Nov 2012 16:29:57 GMT, notbob > wrote:

>What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
>I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.

Vinegar. If you're in a rush muriatic acid from the paint section
of the hardware store. [remember-- add acid to water, not water to
acid]

Jim

On 26 Nov 2012 16:29:57 GMT, notbob > wrote:

>What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
>I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.

Hardware store... get a bottle of the same liquid used for descaling
shower heads and the like.. it's cheap and since you have hard water
you'll find lots of uses. Some people use white vinegar, same as when
descalling a coffee maker.

On 2012-11-26, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> shower heads and the like.. it's cheap and since you have hard water

No hard water, here. Jes a lotta boiling water. Now CA, that was
hard water.

nb

Brillo?

On 26/11/2012 11:29 AM, notbob wrote:
> What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
> I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>
>

The best is CLR or citric acid. The cheapest is white vinegar.

On Monday, November 26, 2012 9:29:59 AM UTC-7, notbob wrote:
> What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
>
> I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>
> scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>
>
>
> nb

A real cheap de-scaler can be made by boiling rhubarb leaves. The oxalic acid contained in these leaves is rather dilute but it will work. Even cooking the root end of the stalks will release the oxalic acid.

You can buy oxalic acids crystals at a chemists as well. Caution is advised...do not inhale the fumes or get the acid in your eyes. Concentrated oxalic acid is corrosive and poisonous. Wear rubber gloves.

On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:13:49 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> On 26/11/2012 11:29 AM, notbob wrote:
> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
> >
> >
>
> The best is CLR or citric acid. The cheapest is white vinegar.

Do you think CLR would work on glass too? I have a white deposit on
the inside of flower vases and candle holders where I floated candles
in water.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 26/11/2012 3:08 PM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:13:49 -0500, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> On 26/11/2012 11:29 AM, notbob wrote:
>>> What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
>>> I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>>> scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> The best is CLR or citric acid. The cheapest is white vinegar.
>
> Do you think CLR would work on glass too? I have a white deposit on
> the inside of flower vases and candle holders where I floated candles
> in water.
>


It sure will. Just make sure that it is very well rinsed when you are
finished. I have used CLR to clean out coffee makers and have to put 4-5
pots of water through to rinse it before all the bubbles disappear. The
inside of the coffee pot is sparkling clean after the machine is
cleaned, and without any scrubbing. I wipe a little on the outside and
it too is sparking.

On 2012-11-26, l not -l > wrote:

> Distilled white vinegar; if you don't already have it around the house,
> buy a gallon - it has a wide variety of cleaning and cooking uses.
>
> Fill pan with 50-50 mix of vinegar and water and bring to a boil. After
> a couple of minutes, remove from heat and let sit until it reaches room
> temperature. If the scale isn't all gone, let it sit a little longer.
> Dump the vinegar and water; fill with water, bring to a boil, let sit
> 'til cool, dump water and it will be clean.

Waaay cool! I jes happen to have 3/4 gal white vin. Thnx.

nb

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
> I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.

I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as opposed
to an electric kettle/jug?

Farm1 > wrote:

>"notbob" > wrote in message

>> What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
>> I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>> scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.

>I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as opposed
>to an electric kettle/jug?

So that you can see the buildup of mineral slime?


Steve

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:13:49 -0500, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> On 26/11/2012 11:29 AM, notbob wrote:
>> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS
>> > pan.
>> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>> >
>> >
>>
>> The best is CLR or citric acid. The cheapest is white vinegar.
>
> Do you think CLR would work on glass too? I have a white deposit on
> the inside of flower vases and candle holders where I floated candles
> in water.

If you think it is from the candles (as opposed to deposit from hard water)
then it is likely to be from the grease in the candles. You could try
diswashing machine detergent dissolved in hot water and left to soak in it
for a while. I use that a lot for removing stains from china and glass and
that, plus the old rice grains swirled aroun in water inside vessels with
narrow necks, have always removed stains/marks.

On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:19:25 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> It sure will. Just make sure that it is very well rinsed when you are
> finished. I have used CLR to clean out coffee makers and have to put 4-5
> pots of water through to rinse it before all the bubbles disappear. The
> inside of the coffee pot is sparkling clean after the machine is
> cleaned, and without any scrubbing. I wipe a little on the outside and
> it too is sparking.

Thanks, I think I'll buy some CLR.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 2012-11-26, Farm1 > wrote:

> I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as opposed
> to an electric kettle/jug?

My guess would be cuz I have a microwave and a stove and I don't have an
electric kettle/jug. duh....

nb

On 26/11/2012 4:43 PM, notbob wrote:
> On 2012-11-26, l not -l > wrote:
>
>> Distilled white vinegar; if you don't already have it around the house,
>> buy a gallon - it has a wide variety of cleaning and cooking uses.
>>
>> Fill pan with 50-50 mix of vinegar and water and bring to a boil. After
>> a couple of minutes, remove from heat and let sit until it reaches room
>> temperature. If the scale isn't all gone, let it sit a little longer.
>> Dump the vinegar and water; fill with water, bring to a boil, let sit
>> 'til cool, dump water and it will be clean.
>
> Waaay cool! I jes happen to have 3/4 gal white vin. Thnx.
>


I have stainless Panderno pots. I screwed up ome of the first times I
used them I I burned a honey garlic sauce in the one of the sauce pans.
I had a nasty layer of burned honey and soy sauce that would not budge
with anything. I poured in some cheap white vinegar and let it sit for a
couple days. It dissolved the mess and the pan was clean.

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:00:08 +1100, "Farm1" >
wrote:

> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:13:49 -0500, Dave Smith
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> On 26/11/2012 11:29 AM, notbob wrote:
> >> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS
> >> > pan.
> >> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> >> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> The best is CLR or citric acid. The cheapest is white vinegar.
> >
> > Do you think CLR would work on glass too? I have a white deposit on
> > the inside of flower vases and candle holders where I floated candles
> > in water.
>
> If you think it is from the candles (as opposed to deposit from hard water)
> then it is likely to be from the grease in the candles. You could try
> diswashing machine detergent dissolved in hot water and left to soak in it
> for a while. I use that a lot for removing stains from china and glass and
> that, plus the old rice grains swirled aroun in water inside vessels with
> narrow necks, have always removed stains/marks.
>
It's the water. I allowed the water to evaporate and replenished the
evaporated water instead of throwing it out and refilling with fresh.


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 26/11/2012 5:05 PM, sf wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:19:25 -0500, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>> It sure will. Just make sure that it is very well rinsed when you are
>> finished. I have used CLR to clean out coffee makers and have to put 4-5
>> pots of water through to rinse it before all the bubbles disappear. The
>> inside of the coffee pot is sparkling clean after the machine is
>> cleaned, and without any scrubbing. I wipe a little on the outside and
>> it too is sparking.
>
> Thanks, I think I'll buy some CLR.
>

FWIW, a couple years ago my wife was on my case about having dumped some
blue-green pain into the sink in our downstairs bathroom. My denial and
the fact that I had never used paint that colour didn't seem to convince
her. One day put plugged it, poured about an ounce of CLR into it and
then added water to just above the discoloration and let it sit for a
couple minutes. Then I swished it around and added some more water to
eliminate any sharp borders. The sink looked like new. The "paint" was
nothing more than some sort of mineral buildup and a reaction with the
metal at the plug.

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:55:57 +1100, "Farm1" >
wrote:

> "notbob" > wrote in message
> ...
> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS pan.
> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>
> I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as opposed
> to an electric kettle/jug?
>

When this microwave dies, I'll think long and hard about replacing it
and buy an electric tea kettle if it's not replaced. As it is,
heating water is one of only two things my microwave is used for.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 26/11/2012 5:40 PM, sf wrote:

>
> When this microwave dies, I'll think long and hard about replacing it
> and buy an electric tea kettle if it's not replaced. As it is,
> heating water is one of only two things my microwave is used for.
>


Me too. I don't know what possessed me to replace the old microwave
after the spring in the timer knob broke. Yep... it wasn't even digital.
I rarely use the microwave. I recently had to move it because our new
stove had the electrical plug on the right instead of the left, so we
would have to use beaters and stuff I needed the counter space. That
was several weeks ago and I used it today for the first time since it
was moved.... to soften some butter. We have an electric kettle that
boils water even faster than the microwave and it takes up a small
fraction of the counter space.

notbob wrote:
>Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>
>> shower heads and the like.. it's cheap and since you have hard water
>
>No hard water, here. Jes a lotta boiling water. Now CA, that was
>hard water.

If there's scale build up on your cookware you have hard water... that
CA water is harder is of no consequence, water hardness occurs by
degree. Straight from the tap most people have hard water.

On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:58:34 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> On 26/11/2012 5:40 PM, sf wrote:
>
> >
> > When this microwave dies, I'll think long and hard about replacing it
> > and buy an electric tea kettle if it's not replaced. As it is,
> > heating water is one of only two things my microwave is used for.
> >
>
>
> Me too. I don't know what possessed me to replace the old microwave
> after the spring in the timer knob broke. Yep... it wasn't even digital.
> I rarely use the microwave. I recently had to move it because our new
> stove had the electrical plug on the right instead of the left, so we
> would have to use beaters and stuff I needed the counter space. That
> was several weeks ago and I used it today for the first time since it
> was moved.... to soften some butter. We have an electric kettle that
> boils water even faster than the microwave and it takes up a small
> fraction of the counter space.

The reason why we bought another one was because we (read hubby) got
tired of reheating leftovers the old fashioned way for his lunch. Not
only was it slower, there was more to wash afterward. The leftovers
thing is the only bug in the ointment. Otherwise, I'd get rid of it
tomorrow because I'd love to reclaim the counter space (and it's a
smaller than usual microwave anyway).

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"notbob" > wrote in message
> On 2012-11-26, Farm1 > wrote:
>
>> I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as
>> opposed
>> to an electric kettle/jug?
>
> My guess would be cuz I have a microwave and a stove and I don't have an
> electric kettle/jug. duh....

Is not owning an electric kettle/jug common in the US? I know the French
tend to use pots and don't own electric kettles/jugs, but they'd choose not
to use a microwave to heat up water. I've seen a few Americans mention
using a microwave to heat water so I've often wondered why.

Farm1 > wrote:

>Is not owning an electric kettle/jug common in the US?

A lot less common in the US than in the UK. Everywhere I
have lived, I always boil water on the gas stove.

Steve

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 03:36:39 +0000 (UTC),
(Steve Pope) wrote:

>Farm1 > wrote:
>
>>Is not owning an electric kettle/jug common in the US?
>
>A lot less common in the US than in the UK. Everywhere I
>have lived, I always boil water on the gas stove.

Most folks in the US nowadays have replaced the stovetop teakettle
with the electric kettle, far, FAR more efficient.

"l not -l" > wrote in message
> On 26-Nov-2012, "Farm1" > wrote:
>> "notbob" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS
>> > pan.
>> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense,
>> > please.
>>
>> I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as
>> opposed
>> to an electric kettle/jug?

> I'm not notbob; but, the double negative doesn't make me bob either. >
> However, I have my own answer to the question. A pan can just as
> effectively heat water and an electric kettle

Indeed it can.

doesn't solve the scaling
> problem; you have to periodically clean a kettle, just as notbob is
> having to clean his pan.

Well no you don't have to descale a kettle if you use rainwater. But it's
not because of any cleaning need that I was curious.

> Not everyone has the space or the desire to buy a single purpose
> appliance for every task in the kitchen. Some folks live in small
> apartments or RVs or just have small kitchens.

True but in that case the use of a microwave for heating water would be even
more bizarre than just using a pot.

Its was the mention by the OP of a pot OR a microwave that made me curious.
A pot makes sense to me as does a kettle, but the microwave made me wonder.
They are more expensive and take up more space than a kettle and I've seen a
number of people mention using their microwave to heat water and so I
wondered why that was.. I don't know anyone who does that so am interested
in a different social custom in another country and wondered what the reason
was for it (although I realise there may be no real reason for it).

"sf" > wrote in message
> On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:55:57 +1100, "Farm1" >
> wrote:
>> "notbob" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS
>> > pan.
>> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
>> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
>>
>> I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as
>> opposed
>> to an electric kettle/jug?
>>
>
> When this microwave dies, I'll think long and hard about replacing it
> and buy an electric tea kettle if it's not replaced. As it is,
> heating water is one of only two things my microwave is used for.

Thanks for the response sf. I was just curious as I have only once heated
water in a microwave after reading a post from someone who said that they
did it. I just wondered how common it was. I'd feel bereft without my
kettle.

"sf" > wrote in message

> The reason why we bought another one was because we (read hubby) got
> tired of reheating leftovers the old fashioned way for his lunch. Not
> only was it slower, there was more to wash afterward. The leftovers
> thing is the only bug in the ointment. Otherwise, I'd get rid of it
> tomorrow because I'd love to reclaim the counter space (and it's a
> smaller than usual microwave anyway).

That's easy sf fixed, make sure there are no leftovers :-))

l not -l > wrote:

>I have both microwave and Chef's Choice pot and use both for heating
>water; the microwave is much quicker for small quantities, like one cup.
> But, I wouldn't have a microwave for just heating water. I bought mine
>for about $120 at Sam's Club in 1991 and use it for defrosting,
>reheating food and cooking. It's paid for itself just in cooking fish
>over the years. It is well suited for cooking fish and most vegetables.
> Mine takes no counter space because it is mounted above my stove.

One of my issues with microwaves is they store scents and flavors
from previously heated items.

Last night I was quickly nuking some garbanzo beans to add to
some cous cous. But the microwave emitted a scent of pumpkin-pie
spice from something my wife had heated earlier in the day.

Any other utensil or cooking device you can clean out to get rid
of the old flavors, but I don't see how to do that with a microwave.
Fish is especially bad.


Steve

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:01:01 +1100, "Farm1" >
wrote:

> "sf" > wrote in message
>
> > The reason why we bought another one was because we (read hubby) got
> > tired of reheating leftovers the old fashioned way for his lunch. Not
> > only was it slower, there was more to wash afterward. The leftovers
> > thing is the only bug in the ointment. Otherwise, I'd get rid of it
> > tomorrow because I'd love to reclaim the counter space (and it's a
> > smaller than usual microwave anyway).
>
> That's easy sf fixed, make sure there are no leftovers :-))
>
I don't make much in the way of leftovers! I aim for as few as
possible = none whenever possible. Unfortunately, hubby may be trim
but he eats like a horse and wants me to make enough dinner for him to
have some for lunch for the next day. If I didn't do that, I'd be
cooking for lunch too.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:57:05 +1100, "Farm1" >
wrote:

> "sf" > wrote in message
> > On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:55:57 +1100, "Farm1" >
> > wrote:
> >> "notbob" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > What is the best CHEAP water lime de-scaler for water scale in a SS
> >> > pan.
> >> > I've been heating water by pan instead of microwave, lately, and the
> >> > scale is getting bad. No big buck espresso machine nonsense, please.
> >>
> >> I'm curious, why would you heat water in a microwave or in a pan as
> >> opposed
> >> to an electric kettle/jug?
> >>
> >
> > When this microwave dies, I'll think long and hard about replacing it
> > and buy an electric tea kettle if it's not replaced. As it is,
> > heating water is one of only two things my microwave is used for.
>
> Thanks for the response sf. I was just curious as I have only once heated
> water in a microwave after reading a post from someone who said that they
> did it. I just wondered how common it was. I'd feel bereft without my
> kettle.
>
They are quite handy, but not a mainstay for Americans. We came to
appreciate electric tea kettles when we spent a month touring China.
Every hotel room we stayed in had a tea kettle, whereas similar
American accommodations would have a coffeepot. I do know from using
so many different electric tea kettles that I'd buy a glass one and
stay away from metal because the water brewed in glass tasted better.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:52:32 +1100, "Farm1" >
wrote:

> I don't know anyone who does that so am interested
> in a different social custom in another country and wondered what the reason
> was for it (although I realise there may be no real reason for it).

Just curious. Do you even own a microwave?

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"Steve Pope" > wrote in message
> Last night I was quickly nuking some garbanzo beans to add to
> some cous cous. But the microwave emitted a scent of pumpkin-pie
> spice from something my wife had heated earlier in the day.
>
> Any other utensil or cooking device you can clean out to get rid
> of the old flavors, but I don't see how to do that with a microwave.
> Fish is especially bad.

Slice a lemon and put it in a boil of hot water and then nuke that in the
microwave. That will remove the scent and the lemony steam will also make
the microwave very easy to wipe out with a damp cloth. You can also just
save lemon skins in the freezer anduse them if you don't want to waste the
flesh/juice as a cleaning agent.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:52:32 +1100, "Farm1" >
> wrote:
>
>> I don't know anyone who does that so am interested
>> in a different social custom in another country and wondered what the
>> reason
>> was for it (although I realise there may be no real reason for it).
>
> Just curious. Do you even own a microwave?

Yep. It's rarely used though so lives in the pantry rather than in the
kitchen. I(t used to get used for making rice for the doag but the dog is
now no more. I've thought about using it solely for dyeing fibre for my
spinning, but haven't got around to moving it out.

On 2012-11-26, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> degree. Straight from the tap most people have hard water.

I will admit, it is a tad bit harder than what CO is well known
for.

I recall, as a kid, the difference in CA hard water and COs softer
water. When I was about 5, I came to CO to visit my gramdma, my mom's
mom, who lived in Colo Springs, which is about 90 mi East of us. The
first time I took a shower, I immediately noticed how much sudsier the
bath soap was. Washing my hair, I was all but lost in the bubbles.
Plus, I couldn't seem to rinse the soap film off. No matter how
hard/long I rinsed, I felt I had not gotten it all off. Anticipating
my anxiety, my grandma came in and told me all was ok, it was only the
soft water.

Up here in valley of the Arkansas R headwaters, it may not be as soft
as water in The Springs, but it's as good anything coming out of a
plastic bottle. I haven't bought a container of bottled water since I
move here.

nb

On 2012-11-27, Farm1 > wrote:

> Is not owning an electric kettle/jug common in the US? I know the French
> tend to use pots and don't own electric kettles/jugs, but they'd choose not
> to use a microwave to heat up water. I've seen a few Americans mention
> using a microwave to heat water so I've often wondered why.

The long standing joke about a microwave being the world's most
expensive coffee warmer is not far from wrong. OTOH, I was making
breakfast a couple weeks ago when we were sans microwave. Boy, did I
notice.

I'd purchased a new cheapo grill to make pancakes, cuz Mom loves her
pancakes. I do too, with a fried egg on top. As I was finishing up
Mom's serving, I realized I had no way to heat up the 2 oz serving of
cold pancake syrup I usually nuke for 30 secs. Likewise, when it came
time to plate the food, I had no way to warm the plate, short of
running the oven, but it was too late for that. I usually jes nuke
the plate for 30 secs. Soften the refrigerator cold butter? Warm my
coffee I'd neglected while cooking? Defrost some frozen bacon?

Believe me, the microwave does a lot more than simply warm coffee in
this home. And when I DO want to boil a cup of water for a cup of
coffee, I do it rapidly and without waste. It takes a 1000W m/w 2.5
mins to heat 10 oz of cold water to a boil. At exactly two and a half
minutes after I hit the button, the water is boiling and the m/w is
off. That kind of precise control is not available from a pan on the
stove, nor from an electric kettle, though I'm sure the e-kettle is
closer. If used thoughtfully, a microwave is a very practical cooking
tool.

nb

On 11/27/2012 7:25 AM, notbob wrote:
>
> I recall, as a kid, the difference in CA hard water and COs softer
> water. When I was about 5, I came to CO to visit my gramdma, my mom's
> mom, who lived in Colo Springs, which is about 90 mi East of us. The
> first time I took a shower, I immediately noticed how much sudsier the
> bath soap was. Washing my hair, I was all but lost in the bubbles.
> Plus, I couldn't seem to rinse the soap film off. No matter how
> hard/long I rinsed, I felt I had not gotten it all off.
(snippety)
> nb
>
I experienced that same sort of "soap shock" when I visited my aunt and
uncle outside of Pittsburg, PA. I was 19 at the time. The water was
*very* soft and it didn't feel like the soap rinsed off. I must have
rinsed my hair under the nozzle for 5 minutes; it still felt slimy, for
lack of a better word. I was used to the water in Memphis which comes
from a natural acquifer. Artesian well water, straight from the tap.

Jill

On 27 Nov 2012 12:44:06 GMT, notbob > wrote:

>On 2012-11-27, Farm1 > wrote:
>
>> Is not owning an electric kettle/jug common in the US? I know the French
>> tend to use pots and don't own electric kettles/jugs, but they'd choose not
>> to use a microwave to heat up water. I've seen a few Americans mention
>> using a microwave to heat water so I've often wondered why.
>
>The long standing joke about a microwave being the world's most
>expensive coffee warmer is not far from wrong. OTOH, I was making
>breakfast a couple weeks ago when we were sans microwave. Boy, did I
>notice.
>
>I'd purchased a new cheapo grill to make pancakes, cuz Mom loves her
>pancakes. I do too, with a fried egg on top. As I was finishing up
>Mom's serving, I realized I had no way to heat up the 2 oz serving of
>cold pancake syrup I usually nuke for 30 secs. Likewise, when it came
>time to plate the food, I had no way to warm the plate, short of
>running the oven, but it was too late for that. I usually jes nuke
>the plate for 30 secs. Soften the refrigerator cold butter? Warm my
>coffee I'd neglected while cooking? Defrost some frozen bacon?
>
>Believe me, the microwave does a lot more than simply warm coffee in
>this home. And when I DO want to boil a cup of water for a cup of
>coffee, I do it rapidly and without waste. It takes a 1000W m/w 2.5
>mins to heat 10 oz of cold water to a boil. At exactly two and a half
>minutes after I hit the button, the water is boiling and the m/w is
>off. That kind of precise control is not available from a pan on the
>stove, nor from an electric kettle, though I'm sure the e-kettle is
>closer. If used thoughtfully, a microwave is a very practical cooking
>tool.
>
>nb

We use the microwave several time a day. We finally figured out that
keeping the coffee warm for 2 hours didn't make sense. The coffee
tasted burned after a few minutes. We no longer use the heating
element. I can warm a cup of cool coffee in 30 seconds. I use it to
heat the milk for yogurt. Seven minutes to get the milk up to the
proper temperature without having to stand and keep stirring to make
sure the milk does not stick or boil over if I turn my back for a
second.

We like leftovers. We often cook enough for 2 or 3 meals and reheat
them in the microwave.

My microwave does not take up usable counter space. It is located
across the room from the prep area. I am not sure what else I would
use the space for except to accumulate more junk.

--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:04:17 +1100, "Farm1" >
wrote:

> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:52:32 +1100, "Farm1" >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> I don't know anyone who does that so am interested
> >> in a different social custom in another country and wondered what the
> >> reason
> >> was for it (although I realise there may be no real reason for it).
> >
> > Just curious. Do you even own a microwave?
>
> Yep. It's rarely used though so lives in the pantry rather than in the
> kitchen. I(t used to get used for making rice for the doag but the dog is
> now no more. I've thought about using it solely for dyeing fibre for my
> spinning, but haven't got around to moving it out.
>

So, how do you heat up leftovers for lunch or rewarm your coffee? Not
trying to be rude, just wondering.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.