>sf nobody@pipeline writes:
>
>>(PENMART01) wrote:
>>
>> Spots had nothing to do with the stainless steel, you needed a water
>softening
>> system.
>>
>Yup, we had softened water when I was a kid! So that's the
>answer? The water we get from our system is supposed to be
>superior to that kind of water (no water softerners in our
>area).

Obviously your area's water is from a municipal water company which is treated
at the plant before it is piped throughout the community, whereas you are
paying for water treatment (including hardness treatment) and since your water
is metered, ipso facto you're paying a premium price for softened water.

I have my own private well (many folks do). Actually I have two wells, one is
for agricultural use, tested at 80 gallons per minute... that water is not
treated but has been tested and is perfectly safe for human consumption. My
residence well produces in excess of 10 gallons per minute, that's about twice
the volume supplied from typical municipal water systems. I can use as much
water as I want and don't get billed by any water company, but I pay for the
electric that operates the pump and I pay for all equipment maintainence -
electric is inconsequential - well maintainence can be costly but these wells
are fairly new and I don't foresee any problems. I have various filtration
systems installed for reducing particulates, odors, chemicals, and bacteria
(UV). I have a reverse osmosis system for drinking water, that water is not
softened, not necessary nor is it advisable. All the domestic water is treated
by my water softener except the RO and for that which is connected to outside
hose bibs.... not necessary to soften garden hose water... although I do have
one hose bib at the garage door that is softened water, also that water is
tempered (draws some hot water), tepid water is great for washing cars (and
tractors), especially during winter when there is so much road salt.

Water sofeners are fairly inexpensive to maintain and operate; the fellow who
installed the system changes all the filter cartridges and the UV lamp once a
year, checks and adjusts the system's water pressure, and sterilizes all
fittings and piping as required by backwashing with bleach solution and then
flushing. The entire procedure takes about a half hour and costs $130
including parts. I pay for the salt I add to the water softener as needed,
based entirely on how many gallons of water I use... salt costs me $6 a 50
pound bag and I use one bag every two months. Therefore my total water bill
for the year runs about $200. I have excellent quality water and can use as
much as I want. I more than make up the operating cost by my cleaning product
usage being reduced by more than half. And with softend water there is zero
soap scum/calcium build up on bathroom fixtures... my tub is always sparkling
clean with just a wipe with a wet sponge and my shower curtains always look
like brand new. And anyone who hasn't experienced bathing with softened water
is missing out on one of life's great pleasures.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:58:36 GMT, Puester
> wrote:

> >
> > On the brighter side, I finally found a cleaner that makes
> > them look brand new.
> >
>
>
> Hey, don't leave us hanging like that. Which cleaner???
>
It's walled Weiman "stainless steel cleaner and polish".
Not sure where I bought it, but the tag is still on... I
paid only $1.99 for it.

www.weiman.com



Practice safe eating - always use condiments

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:48:34 +0000 (UTC),
wrote:

> In rec.food.cooking, sf > wrote:
>
> > You're right. That's why it's marble for bathrooms and
> > granite for kitchens. However, there are products available
> > to "refinish" your stone after you've done something really
> > stupid.
>
> We had something called Marble Magic which came in a spray can. I think
> that it was basically silicone which provided a shiny surface
> temporarily, until the next time you sprayed the counter with Fantastik.

You can get better products from the place that
sells/installs the stone.


Practice safe eating - always use condiments

On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 15:46:02 +0000, EskWIRE wrote:
> In rec.food.cooking, sf > wrote:
>> The only thing I can think of is that maybe they were really
>> Stainless Steal, not the brushed aluminum (which we call ss)
>> we have now.

> Brushed Aluminum? So is that what the cheap sinks at HD are made out of
> now?

No.

> I had no idea.

Neither, apparently, did the prior poster.

> I always thought that they were SS.

They were, and are.

I'd be mildly surprised if an aluminum sink (with merely marketable,
never mind adequate, durability) could be made profitably. There's
also the minor (ha!) issue of the damage and possible explosions from
use of commercial drain cleaners, and the destructive electrolytic
effect of mounting a disposal.

Martin
--
Martin Golding | Applying modern technology is simply a matter of
Dod #0236 KotLQ | finding the right wrench to pound in the correct screw.

zxcvbob > wrote in news:c1g4c0$1i08ra$1@ID-
63726.news.uni-berlin.de:

> Aileen wrote:
>> Hi all:
>> I would like to hear from those of you with marble counters. What are
>> your experiences? I presently have Brazilian Green granite and wanted to
>> compare the two for durability , cost, staining etc etc.
>> I will be building another kitchen and am trying to decide ...light
>> white/grey granite or carrera marble for counters. Island to be another
>> colour granite or material.
>> Any help appreciated, Aileen
>>
>
> I don't have marble or granite countertops, but marble is *much* less
> durable than granite. It is etched or stained by acids, and it is
> softer than granite.
>
> You might also look into "soapstone" for a countertop material.
>
> Best regards,
> Bob
>

There is a concrete product out there that actually looks nice, comes in
various shades and coloring. That is quite reasonably priced. And easily
repaired.

--
Once during Prohibition I was forced to live for days on nothing but food
and water.
--------
FIELDS, W. C.

I am about to purchase granite countertops and you say you have had goodluck with it. I want black with a bit of a sparkle to it. Do you think it will be very difficult to keep clean and shiny? Of course the salesman says it will always stay beautiful because of its natural state. Can you advise?

On Thu, 27 Oct 2005 02:24:20 +0000, JayneKG
> wrote:

>I am about to purchase granite countertops and you say you have had
>goodluck with it. I want black with a bit of a sparkle to it. Do you
>think it will be very difficult to keep clean and shiny? Of course the
>salesman says it will always stay beautiful because of its natural
>state. Can you advise?

There is some maintainence like sealing the granite finish once a
year...but have you considere quartz? Never needs sealing. We
chose Space Black nice sparkle.

http://www.zodiaq.com/zodiaq/a/en/h/...paceBlack.html

Protect your knives.....neither are gentle on blades.

"JayneKG" > wrote in message
...
>
> I am about to purchase granite countertops and you say you have had
> goodluck with it. I want black with a bit of a sparkle to it. Do you
> think it will be very difficult to keep clean and shiny? Of course the
> salesman says it will always stay beautiful because of its natural
> state. Can you advise?
>

First of all, all granite is not created equal. Aside from getting a slab
that looks the way you want, there are differences in porosity which in turn
affects how much, if at all, stains are absorbed. Basically you will pay
more for better stone and to some extent you haver to trust your supplier.
Our slab has been in daily use for 6 years and we certainly do not baby it.
We reseal it every year or two, takes about half an hour. Looks like new.
One word of advice be *SURE* to see the actual slab you will get before
buying, do not make your purchase based on a photo in a catalog.


--
Peter Aitken
Visit my recipe and kitchen myths page at www.pgacon.com/cooking.htm