Comments for "A Cook's Diary" http://www.chefpla.com/blog Food, Cooking, Having fun in the kitchen Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:02:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 Comment on My Smeg Ovens by admin http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/10/20/my-smeg-ovens/#comment-86 admin Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:26:36 +0000 http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/10/20/my-smeg-ovens/#comment-86 Hi Graham, delighted you took the time to provide some professional advice here. My big problem is the enamelled top (removable, above element) and bottom (fixed) panels, where oil and protein have been baked on until rock solid. I'll make sure to keep the cleaner off the 2 self-cleaning liners and all painted surfaces. For the door glass, the only problem is that as oil spatters, the fan blows it onto the door as you must have seen a million times. We wipe it off as soon as the door is cool enough, but the glass still looks smudgy over time. I'll probably try some window or glass cleaner on a corner and see how it goes. Thankfully, no need to use a scraper thus far, though I will keep what you said in mind if the need arises. And thanks especially for the warning about taking the door apart - the manual shows how to do so for cleaning, but if there is no pressing need, no point complicating things. Hi Graham, delighted you took the time to provide some professional advice here. My big problem is the enamelled top (removable, above element) and bottom (fixed) panels, where oil and protein have been baked on until rock solid. I’ll make sure to keep the cleaner off the 2 self-cleaning liners and all painted surfaces.
For the door glass, the only problem is that as oil spatters, the fan blows it onto the door as you must have seen a million times. We wipe it off as soon as the door is cool enough, but the glass still looks smudgy over time. I’ll probably try some window or glass cleaner on a corner and see how it goes. Thankfully, no need to use a scraper thus far, though I will keep what you said in mind if the need arises. And thanks especially for the warning about taking the door apart - the manual shows how to do so for cleaning, but if there is no pressing need, no point complicating things.

]]> Comment on My Smeg Ovens by Graham Rogers http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/10/20/my-smeg-ovens/#comment-85 Graham Rogers Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:48:18 +0000 http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/10/20/my-smeg-ovens/#comment-85 Hi there, I run a professional oven cleaning company in the UK and I would like to advise you to be a little careful when using the 'Easy Off' especially on the doors of the SMEG oven as if they are like the ones here in the UK the sides of the doors are painted. That is they are not enamel like the rest of the inside. This means if you get any cleaner on these painted strips the paint comes off and they become a very unslightly white. Also if there are any 'self cleaning' bits inside the oven these can be affected by the cleaner too. I would really advise you take your friend's advise and wear protective clothing such as gloves, eye wear and make sure that any pets are well away when you are cleaning and rinsing off the cleaner. My best recommendation would be for you to discard the cleaner and use a 'microfibre' cloth with some soapy washing up liquid solution. To get the really burnt on carbon on the inside glass of the door we would use a scraper but again you need to be careful with how you use it. If you have a desire to take the door apart I would say it isn't advisable as they are very difficult to put back together! Hope this helps Graham in the UK. Hi there, I run a professional oven cleaning company in the UK and I would like to advise you to be a little careful when using the ‘Easy Off’ especially on the doors of the SMEG oven as if they are like the ones here in the UK the sides of the doors are painted. That is they are not enamel like the rest of the inside. This means if you get any cleaner on these painted strips the paint comes off and they become a very unslightly white. Also if there are any ’self cleaning’ bits inside the oven these can be affected by the cleaner too. I would really advise you take your friend’s advise and wear protective clothing such as gloves, eye wear and make sure that any pets are well away when you are cleaning and rinsing off the cleaner. My best recommendation would be for you to discard the cleaner and use a ‘microfibre’ cloth with some soapy washing up liquid solution. To get the really burnt on carbon on the inside glass of the door we would use a scraper but again you need to be careful with how you use it. If you have a desire to take the door apart I would say it isn’t advisable as they are very difficult to put back together! Hope this helps Graham in the UK.

]]> Comment on Curry Leaf Plant - Part 2 of 2 by admin http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/05/20/curry-leaf-plant-part-2-of-2/#comment-79 admin Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:16:41 +0000 http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/05/20/curry-leaf-plant-part-2-of-2/#comment-79 Climate and growing conditions there are obviously very different from my location. I did save a page some years back with advice that might help you, and I'll copy it below. Sorry, no URL as I did not think to save that. From my experience, the plant has a tap root system and does better in the ground than in a pot. Avoid over-watering. If growth is soft, try and give it more sun, it makes a world of difference. And finally, if it is in conditions it likes, it will thrive, so watch carefully and do not be afraid to experiment. I'll post some more photos when we get some decent weather here (raining seriously here lately) to show how my plant is settling in well in the new location. Taller than me now! This is what I saved, hope it helps you; CARE INSTRUCTIONS These plants like 65 degrees Farenheit and above generally. They like Direct or Diffused sunlight. Water them only when they have dried up soil. Water them throughly, and provide adequate drainage for the pot. Generally, they should not be given fertilizer during the winter and fall months. Watering alone should suffice. If the leaves start to turn yellow, then a little fertilizer can be given. But during the Spring and Summer months, they should be fed on a regular basis (approx. 2-3 times a week) The one recommended by the growers is Peters brand fertilizer with a ratio of (20-10-20). They prefer it to Miracle grow with the same ratio becaue Peters has less salt buildup. When transplanting the new plant from its greenhouse container, use a 4-inch clay pot and use potting soil. Climate and growing conditions there are obviously very different from my location. I did save a page some years back with advice that might help you, and I’ll copy it below. Sorry, no URL as I did not think to save that.

From my experience, the plant has a tap root system and does better in the ground than in a pot. Avoid over-watering. If growth is soft, try and give it more sun, it makes a world of difference. And finally, if it is in conditions it likes, it will thrive, so watch carefully and do not be afraid to experiment. I’ll post some more photos when we get some decent weather here (raining seriously here lately) to show how my plant is settling in well in the new location. Taller than me now!

This is what I saved, hope it helps you;
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
These plants like 65 degrees Farenheit and above generally. They like Direct or Diffused sunlight. Water them only when they have dried up soil. Water them throughly, and provide adequate drainage for the pot.

Generally, they should not be given fertilizer during the winter and fall months. Watering alone should suffice. If the leaves start to turn yellow, then a little fertilizer can be given. But during the Spring and Summer months, they should be fed on a regular basis (approx. 2-3 times a week)

The one recommended by the growers is Peters brand fertilizer with a ratio of (20-10-20). They prefer it to Miracle grow with the same ratio becaue Peters has less salt buildup.

When transplanting the new plant from its greenhouse container, use a 4-inch clay pot and use potting soil.

]]> Comment on Curry Leaf Plant - Part 2 of 2 by kumar http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/05/20/curry-leaf-plant-part-2-of-2/#comment-78 kumar Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:07:56 +0000 http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/05/20/curry-leaf-plant-part-2-of-2/#comment-78 I AM TRYING TO GROW CURRY LEAVES PLANT IN British Columbia CANADA. Any advice ? I AM TRYING TO GROW CURRY LEAVES PLANT
IN British Columbia CANADA.
Any advice ?

]]> Comment on A Touch of Ginger by edamame http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/04/17/a-touch-of-ginger/#comment-17 edamame Sun, 20 Apr 2008 06:29:00 +0000 http://www.chefpla.com/blog/2008/04/17/a-touch-of-ginger/#comment-17 I am interested in the food culture of your country. And I support your site. If there is time, please come in my site. From Japan http://food-soybean.blogspot.com/ I am interested in the food culture of your country. And I support your site. If there is time, please come in my site. From Japan
http://food-soybean.blogspot.com/

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