Edinburgher gets cracking!

edinburgher

The pizza was delicious - we got a great big baking tray sized pizza from the dough - maybe equivalent to two medium pizzas? Dough was nice (crunchy and thick, but quite light) and I improvised a pizza sauce from passata, tomato puree, cayenne pepper, black pepper, parsley and soy sauce that worked well

Better than any supermarket pizza, as good as most takeaway pizzas :T

Lots of cooking projects on the go today:

• PC chicken and poultry stock
• Mrs E is learning to use the bread maker (wholemeal methinks)
• Marinade giant pork shoulder joint to make pulled pork tomorrow (thanks to MCI for sharing recipe)

I've already done the week's shopping, taken out rubbish and recycling and have done the usual money shuffle.

• £2 to Freedom Fund
• £1.50 to Remortgage Pot
• £1.68 to Kitchen Pot
• Mrs E got a couple of £ cashback buying a frock

In her 3rd MSE moment of the weekend, Mrs E has been exploring the drafts from our windows and has ascertained that the majority of them actually come from the small gaps between the frames and the wooden windows. It would appear that a clear silicone sealant will provide a very cheap solution to this (not bad for about a fiver). So I might be off to Homeb@se at some point.

southerndave

Just be aware that you cannot overpaint silicone and it is a pig to remove if you need to later. Second, if you are going with silicone and not a painters caulk, choose a good brand and not shop own brand and ensure it is flexible. Cheap silicone/filler is a false eonomy as you will be re-doing it all again in a few months. Expect to pay £8+ a tube of decent silicone. Wood/walls need to move in heat and cold. Non flexing filler will crack. You can over paint decorators caulk, but you may need to re-caulk again in the spring depending in the ranges of temperature and movement.

edinburgher

Eek! Now you've got me worried SD.

I was going to go for clear silicone. I know it's not transparent proper, but the milky sheen won't look too odd with our white gloss surrounds.

Not planning on removing it, I doubt we'll decorate again before we move out. I'm fairly confident that the gaps are due to historical subsidence (we have a ski slope in our hall!) Isn't silicone flexible? I thought it was like rubber?

southerndave

Yes mate, silicone is flexible but not all makes are alike! Get a decent brand like Unibond. Clear is fine, but white would be better if going over white gloss paint. Get sealant suitable for use in bathrooms/kitchen as it will dry shiny.

Apply a smooth smaller than you think you'll need bead. Wet finger thoroughly with saliva and run over the bead in a smooth even pressured motion. Will push the silicone into the gap and leave a smooth smart finish. Wipe finger on rag or kitchen roll, wet again before touching again. The saliva stops the silicone trying to stick to your finger and allows you to work it. Keep wiping your fingers between touches and re-wet. Tips applied by me having learned the hard way......

edinburgher

Thanks SD - top tips!

Will white look odd next to dark wooden window frames, or is that largely dependant on how clean a finish I manage?

southerndave

Ah, thought the frames where white too. Yes, go for clear then. Same application applies. You can always add more, but its jolly hard to take some away - thin beads for discrete jobs. Have you also looked outside? A draught has to come in....perhaps the outside seal is not so good too? Clear again, makes sure its rated for exterior use and normally you can apply a thicker bead. I normally get smooth enough on the initial application with the nozzle outdoors so don't bother with smoothing.

edinburgher

Have you also looked outside? A draught has to come in....perhaps the outside seal is not so good too?

We're on the 3rd floor! :eek:

Prudent

Thanks all for the tips on the silicone This is one of the jobs I have lined up for the coming week as I am on holiday.

southerndave

edinburgher wrote: »

We're on the 3rd floor! :eek:

:rotfl: You'll need a long ladder then!! Obvisouly if its impractical, then you can't. I they are the type of window you can safely lean oout of you can often reach all corners of the frame to see, but don't risk a 30' fall to prevent a draught.

Let us know how you get on. If it all goes horribly worng, do not try an wipe all the silicone away, let it go off and post and I'll explain the method I have found best for removing it. Wiping it merely makes a mess and spreads it around. Think photocopier toner.....:eek::D

misscousinitt

Hope the pulled pork goes well. If its a giant shoulder, it may take longer than the 4-5 hours - not sure as only done smallish pieces.

Doing same method with brisket for down MILs for Sunday tea.

MCI