It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

ChocClare

I think it would be very slow judging by how long my woodburner takes to boil a kettle.

It would be ok for making a rice pudding or something, I expect - gentle heat for hours...

redlady_1

Mine does a cracking sausage casserole and boiled gammon and in the winter the normal kettle never goes on. But then the burner is going 24 hours a day. It is long and slow for the cooking though. Might have to invest in one just to try it. Will have a look on freecycle first.

mardatha

I think a DO would be hellish to try and get out. My stove is very deep and you'd have to try and get hold of the oven to pull it out, and I dont see how you could do that without burning your hand/arm off.

toottifrootti

scottishminnie wrote: »

If anyone remembers my boiler saga from a few weeks back I have an update - the water jacket is burst and obsolete so engineer says that means a new boiler at a cost of approx £2500 -£3000 (that doesn't include installation apparently). The insurance company I have been religously donating £100+ per year to for a policy say they will give me £500 towards a new boiler. They can't understand why I thought I would get anything more than and think it's a more than generous offer. I could run a bl**dy mile right now.

About a month ago our 3 year old lawn mower gave up the ghost and was declared "dead as a dodo" by the repairman so I now have new mower at a cost of £550 which I didn't anticipate spending as I thought the previous one may have given slightly more than 2 and a bit summers of use.

Who says you can't drink on a Monday - I'm off to have that G&T:o

scottishminnie who needs enemies with mothers that come up with those kind of bright comments - I bet she is related to mine:rotfl:

I feel for you with all that added expense - I wasnt around for the 1st saga - the insurance company is having a larf - thats appalling:eek: I suppose they say its wear and tear and therefore not actually covered.
I dont mean to offend because I dont know your circumstances but could you put the repairs/new boiler on your mortgage? it may be possible without a lot of extra expense? just igmore me if I am talking through a hole in my head - it happens:D

toots x

Uniscots97

scottishminnie wrote: »

I need a large gin and tonic and it's only Monday!!!

If anyone remembers my boiler saga from a few weeks back I have an update - the water jacket is burst and obsolete so engineer says that means a new boiler at a cost of approx £2500 -£3000 (that doesn't include installation apparently). The insurance company I have been religously donating £100+ per year to for a policy say they will give me £500 towards a new boiler. They can't understand why I thought I would get anything more than and think it's a more than generous offer. I could run a bl**dy mile right now.

About a month ago our 3 year old lawn mower gave up the ghost and was declared "dead as a dodo" by the repairman so I now have new mower at a cost of £550 which I didn't anticipate spending as I thought the previous one may have given slightly more than 2 and a bit summers of use.

My ever helpful mother has pointed out things do tend to come in three's so I have another disaster to follow soon. I bought an oven thermometer today to see how it's behaving after the scone saga - that better not be the third thing or I may just stick my head in it. On second thoughts it's not gas, it's electric so other than heatstroke I don't think it would serve any purpose:D

Who says you can't drink on a Monday - I'm off to have that G&T:o

I'd check your insurance policy as that seems pretty stingy for your boiler.

meanmarie

Have a small woodburner that will boil a small kettle very quickly.....not much room on top but I use any small pots I have to make soup etc....something like a cast iron casserole would be fine if contents were brought to a boil on my gas hob. Would be very cautious about putting anything into burner to cook directly on fire, but then mine is very small.

Cast iron ovens with small 'legs' for want of a better word were used in Ireland over turf (peat) fires for most cooking, embers were put on top to cook more evenly...they were called 'pot ovens' and I'm sure were discarded quickly as soon as gas, electric and solid fuel cookers were bought.....I can still taste the wonderful bread and scones made in them.....I am getting old.

Marie

Scottishminnie....check you insurance policy document....if it has a 'new for old' clause they should pay you the total cost, IME insurance companies will try to get away with giving you the least money they can, so read carefully and then you have your ammunition.

maryb

Just got back from holiday and have been trying to catch up (there were at least 10 pages of the old thread before I even got started on this one!!). I can feel the urge to get down to autumn preparations since we got back - it really does feel as if the summer is getting tired. went for a walk on Sunday and found some sloes. Can anyone advise me on when they are ripe for picking? Everything was very early here this year - the elderflowers were all over by late May, so it wouldn't surprise me if now is the time even though you associate sloes with autumn

At some stage someone mentioned a "nostalgia thread". I've had a look but can't see what it was - it's possibly slipped down the page. Can anyone point me in its direction?

Our local town had a few boarded up windows but comparatively tame from what I understand. We were able to catch the headlines while we were away but no details. We met an expat Brit who had been talking to family back home and who told us about Croydon being trashed and who then proceeded to alarm DD1 (who is a fretter) by saying that our part of London was also affected because they were getting trains out to the suburbs to loot and pillage. Fortunately I was able to reassure her that our local high street (it's one of London's 'villages') is a) totally lacking in electrical retailers/phone shops/off licences and is b) over a mile from the station and up a 1 in 8 hill.

I was more concerned about the convulsions in the financial markets although they seem to have settled down a bit - for now. DD1 needs to start looking for a job come next term for when she graduates next year and I was hoping that graduate recruitment would have started to pick up again. This sort of uncertainty can only make employers more cautious about the numbers they take on. I feel so sorry for the young ones starting out now. DD1 is doing a four year degree so most of her friends have graduated this summer after 3 years. Several of them have opted for masters' degrees and it's at least in part because the job market is just so tough at the moment

JIL

maryb wrote: »

At some stage someone mentioned a "nostalgia thread". I've had a look but can't see what it was - it's possibly slipped down the page. Can anyone point me in its direction?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3371020

Is it this one?

bluebag

scottishminnie,
It horrible when it all falls down at once like that. Story of my life. I am Irish, but I sure don't have the luck part.
Pure sympathy.

maryb

JIL wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3371020

Is it this one?

Brilliant, thanks