make do and mend for tougher times

[Deleted User]

I always give them a good going over when I get them out to use, I freeze them on a baking tray so they stay separate in the freezer and most things are visible before I pack them in freezer bags, Cheers Lyn .

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE - I would tie him up somewhere while you pick, it's almost impossible to do it with one hand while being pulled backwards. You get enough thorns when you're being careful - just think how many you'd get if Alfie was 'helping'. I think the correct answer to your question is 'Carefully' Have a good one Cheers Lyn and Docky xxx.

[Deleted User]

I have been googling and halogen wins, followed by fan oven followed by conventional
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-1224816/Halogen-ovens-They-roast-chicken-30-minutes-clean-cost-just-40.html

fan ovens cook at 20-30 degrees less, so use less energy

I hardly use my big oven these days, only the mini table top in my small kitchen

Someone just gave me 2/3 bucket of cherry plums and also a big bowlful yesterday. Am eating a few, taking a bowlful down to dd`s and have slung the rest in a big pan on low to extract the juice and soften. I will mouli later (big metal mouli) with the coarse plate and that will separate the stones. No time or inclination to do more today or tomorrow but will make jam on monday, just adding sugar and pectin. It will be fine in the fridge in the meantime

Ooh was some aggro re Ben ainslie and dane yesterday but used his anger today. Very interesting final tomorrow. Olympics is great and I`m not sporty

lol re creepies, mine go straight into zip lock bags in freezer and laid flat, then just squeezed a bit when frozen which separates the fruits and by then any creepies are long dead. Anyway they aren`t from road or fieldside but a nice airy place on the allotment

jpscloud

De-lurking twice in one week :cool:

Fuddle I bought a halogen oven this time last year, to replace a full size gas cooker that came off the ark - it had three enormous pilot lights, and the gas techie that came out once to do something on the supply nearly fainted when he saw how old and doddery it was!

So out went the gas cooker, and I didn't have £300 ish to spend on a new one - researched halogens, and bought an Andrew James one which came with all the bits and a free spare bulb.

One year on, I have been absolutely delighted with it, but I don't use it for casseroles or large bakes, crumbles etc. as I find they do better either in the slow cooker or microwave and top finished in the halogen if required.

I also failed at cakes or biscuits in the halogen, but some people say they've had success so maybe I just haven't tried hard enough. I have learned to use the microwave instead, and again brown them up in the halogen if required.

One thing I love about it is that it is so easy to clean. Oh... and I have saved a very large amount of money on the gas!

I found this thread really helpful in making a decision and learning the pros and cons:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/978783

fuddle

Thanks for de-lurking jps

I'm going to read that thread now, thank you.

If you've saved loads on gas then I'm bound to notice the difference in electric.


I've been looking and surprised to find them around £30 does that sound right. There's 7 litres and 12 litres. I'm guessing the bigger the better because I might not get my casserole dishes in.

It all depends on whether DH wins his fishing tomorrow. If he wins he's said I can have it. I've been told not to get my hopes up though as he's in a bigger competition with good anglers. :cool:

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

Are halogen ovens a good way of saving money through electricity? Can you cook yorkshire puddings, fruit crumbles, lasagnes etc in a halogen oven?

I can cut the gas costs but really struggling with the electricity.

Yes and again cheaper than using the main oven though I haven't used mine yet. And mine was reduced from £89 to £39 and I got all the accessories and a spare light bulb...and they don#t all offer a spare bulb(They can be purchased fo £10. Look on Amazon for Andrew James halogen Vens they are based at Bowburn Co. Durham...

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

Can I ask another question?

I have a top oven and a main oven. Default for me for cooking is the main oven. I was wondering would it cost less to run the top oven instead. Does it cook the same?

As Quintwins suggests I think it depends on the oven/make. The last one we had the minioven was pretty good but as QT says the extra heat from the main oven helps...

A hotpot is easy and virtually the same as a casserole...

You can use foil and roasting bags in a halogen oven to help keep it clean but keep them away from the bulb.

fuddle

How long would it take a chicken to cook in a halogen oven? Any quicker than the slow cooker?

Popperwell

Pooky wrote: »

we all make clothes last as long as possible, mainly by having "in" and "out" clothes, we all change when we come in and the good clothes get hung up and we have trackies/leggings etc for round the house. Underwear is changed at least once a day, other stuff gets the sniff test.

That's me now, funnily enough I bought 4 pairs of trousers today and something a bit like track suit bottoms(at push I have gone out in them if just going to the supermarket)I don't much care now.

And I have had to repair(sew)in my ham fisted way if I had got a hole in the TSB/Lounge trousers thanks to a spring coming through the mattress.:mad:

Think I'll buy some shirts soon. Tomorrow, I think I'll buy some spare trainers and shoes. Possibly some welingtons.

I have purchased 4 pairs of trousers(£14 each, one pair reduced to £7) today and some extra lounge type trousers(£190)and a kind of water proof jacket in blue for £15.

Debating whether to wunderweb my trousers or as I can pay have them altered professionally and pay for the job to be done professionally whilst I can.


Purchased a George Forman Grill and Paper Shedder that does confetti cut today...I'd rather save the money but buy whilst I can and spend the money. I may never use what I am purchasing.

Will buy some mattresses soon(one for the single bed and one for the double...)At present I am sleeping in the double but nice to have the option...

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

I get to play all day online though as I use a netbook. Once charged I get 7 hours of battery life.

I get about 90 mins out of my laptop battery...:(:mad: