| How to Be Open Minded Posted: 24 Jun 2021 05:00 PM PDT If you're tired of looking at the world in the same old way, it might be time to broaden your horizons. Becoming more open-minded can help you live an exciting, inquisitive life in which you never stop learning or growing. By making just a few changes to your daily routine, you can open up your mind and say goodbye to your old close-minded ways. [Edit]Embrace the unknown. - You can't be in charge of everything in your life. Sure, this may sound a bit broad, but the unknown can really mean something as simple as taking a different route to work, finally accepting that coffee date with your neighbor, or seeing a movie by a director you've never heard of.[1] If you want to be more open-minded, then the first thing you have to do is embrace something that is completely foreign to you.[2]
- Have you never checked out that new restaurant in town because you don't know what it's like there? Now's the time to check it out.
- Have you avoided signing up for that English class you're interested in because you don't know anything about Romantic poetry? Go for it.
- Have you avoided the Barre classes at your yoga studio because you're afraid you won't know what you're doing? Take a beginner's class to dip your feet in.
[Edit]Don't knock anything before you try it. - Keep an open mind about things you've never done before. Close-minded people are famous for forming negative opinions of things they've never even tried. They may hate the other pizza place in town without even setting foot in the door, or they think the vegan movement is completely silly without ever trying it themselves. So, the next time you catch yourself espousing a negative opinion about something, ask yourself what evidence you have to support your ideas.[3]
- Try researching a subject to learn more about it. If, for example, you aren't sure why people are vegans, try searching online or checking out a book about it.
- If you find that there is absolutely no evidence to prove your case, then you should try that thing yourself before you say anything else.
[Edit]Accept more invitations. - Head out to a party or lunch with a new friend. Though you don't have to say yes to every invitation, you can make a habit of saying yes 50% more and going to parties or places where you never thought you'd end up. It could be a potluck at your neighbor's house, your aunt's yearly barbecue that you always skip, or even a poetry reading your friend has been trying to get you to go to for months. Exposing yourself to a wide variety of events will make you more open-minded.[4]
- Try to accept invitations to different types of events. Just saying yes to party invitations may not necessarily broaden your horizons if you say no to everything else.
- The next time you say no to something, ask yourself what lies behind this impulse: is this fear of the unknown? An unwillingness to step out of your comfort zone? The desire to be hanging out in bed in your pyjamas instead of meeting new people? Face the feeling and find a way to fight it.[5]
[Edit]See things from multiple perspectives. - Acknowledge that other people have opinions too. You could do this with almost anything in your life: politics, religion, education, personal beliefs, etc. You don't have to change your mind or bend any of your morals, but try to see things from the other side. You'll become more open-minded and learn how to put yourself in someone else's shoes.[6]
- Let's say you're a very devout Christian. Can you try reading up on other religions, or understanding the reasons why someone might not believe in God at all? Make a list of these reasons and see if it makes it easier for you to understand your differing perspectives. This doesn't mean you have to change your mind, but it will help you have a more open-minded outlook.
[Edit]Focus on the positives. - Many close-minded people view things in a negative light. The next time you catch a negative thought crossing your brain—or even the next time one escapes your lips—counter it with a positive thought.[7] It might help to think of 3 positive things for every 1 negative thought you have.[8]
- Let's say you catch yourself saying, "It's freezing today. This weather sucks." Can you think of anything good about the cold day? Try: "But there's nothing like drinking a pumpkin spice latte in your favorite café when it's cold outside." Or: "Maybe it'll snow later. I love snow."
- You can find the good in almost any situation. Maybe you hate your 2-hour commute, but you love the alone time you get to listen to your favorite audiobook.
[Edit]Mix up your routine. - Try something new and break your old habits. It doesn't have to be anything huge: maybe you have a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast instead of eggs and toast. Maybe you ride your bike to work instead of taking the subway. Getting out of a rut can really help open up your mind and help you start new habits.[9]
- Routines are a good way to bring order and stability to your life, and there's nothing wrong with them. But if you want to be more open-minded, mixing it up once in a while will show you that there's more than one way to live your life.
- Let's say you planned to stay in all weekend and watch that ''Law & Order'' marathon you've been craving. Your friend invites you to her beach house at the last minute—if you want to start changing your life for the better and to be more open to new experiences, then you might want to say yes.
[Edit]Read more. - Pick a variety of things to read and just dive in. You should read widely: non-fiction, literary fiction, magazines, newspapers, blogs, or anything in between. Read a book about a country you've never been to, or a book about a political movement you don't know much about. The more you know, the more power you'll have to make educated decisions and to be more open-minded.[10]
- Start a Goodreads account and try to tackle at least 3 books a month. See what other people are reading and get inspired.
- Spend hours at a bookshop or the library perusing the shelves until you find a book that speaks out to you. Then, make a goal of finishing it by the weekend.
- Join a book club by looking for one online or in your area. This will make you even more open to a wide variety of literature and will expose you to a number of new opinions.
[Edit]Travel as much as you can. - Open your mind to new experiences and cultures.[11] Though many people have a limited budget, you should make a habit of traveling when you find the money. If you only have a little bit of money to spare, just travel to a fun destination a few hours away from your hometown and try to learn something new. If you have more money to work with, go look at the Mayan ruins in Mexico, check out the plethora of museums in Paris, or spend a weekend in Montreal.[12]
- If you can't afford to travel, watch the Travel Network. Though it won't be as exciting as the real thing, it will give you more perspective into how people live in other countries.
[Edit]Get out of your comfort zone. - Pick something you're afraid of and try it out. Maybe you're afraid of heights. Go stand on the roof of a building (if it's allowed). Hate going to noisy restaurants? Make a dinner date and see how it goes. Afraid of meeting new people? Go to a singles' mixer or a meet-and-greet in your town or let your friend drag you to a party. Make a habit of doing this as often as you can and you'll slowly feel your mind opening up.[13]
- Write down 5 things that make you really uncomfortable. Find a way to do as many as you can. This will take time and courage, but you'll feel better for it!
[Edit]Don't judge a person until you know them. - Pre-judging someone can close off a relationship before it starts. Try to keep your opinion neutral until you actually chat with someone and get to know them more. Even if you've heard about them from a friend, you don't actually know much about them until you talk to them yourself.[14]
- The next time you meet a new person, try to really understand where they're coming from before you form any kind of an opinion. If they talk loudly, maybe they're used to being ignored or looked over. If they seem standoffish, they might just be anxious or shy.
- When you're meeting a friend of a friend, try to see it like this: if your friend likes this person, then there must be something good about them. Try to seek it out.
[Edit]Ask people lots of questions. - Learn something new from everyone you meet. You can do this with an old friend or someone you've never met before. Ask them what they've been up to, if they've read anything good lately, or how their last vacation was. The more interested you are in other people's lives, the more you'll learn from them.[15]
- If you know the person well, ask them about what their childhood was like. You may hear some really interesting details and will learn something new.
- For example, you might ask, "How are your parents doing?" "How's the city life treating you?" "What do you do for fun?" "Did you like growing up around here?"
[Edit]Make friends with people from different walks of life. - Broaden your friendship horizons to get different perspectives. It's fine to keep your close friends that you've known for 10 years, but you should also try to branch out a little. Make friends from work, your ceramics class, your favorite neighborhood bar, or from different classes in school as well.[16]
- Though you shouldn't hand pick your friends based on their diversity, try to hang out with people that have a variety of jobs, interests, and backgrounds.
- Try teaching other people about your ideas instead of arguing about them.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Clean Metal Posted: 24 Jun 2021 09:00 AM PDT Chances are there are several different types of metal in your home. Like anything else, metal accumulates dust and gets dirty over time. Luckily, you can use products you already have at home to clean most metals—there's no need to buy fancy specialty cleaners to get the job done. Here, we've gathered answers to some of your most common questions about how to clean the various types of metal you likely have around your home. [Edit]What products clean metal the best? - Acids, like lemon or vinegar, usually work best. While there are plenty of commercial cleaners out there, many of these include harmful or toxic chemicals. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with salt, and rub it on the metal. The lemon dissolves the salt so it won't scratch the metal. You can also use a lint-free cloth soaked in vinegar or lemon juice.[1]
- Avoid abrasive cleansers and scrubbers, which can scratch the metal and damage the finish. If the metal is really dirty, soak it for a while, then wipe the dirt away.
- For burned-on food, fill the pot or pan with water and of lemon juice or white vinegar. Boil the mixture for 15 minutes, then empty it out and dry the item with a lint-free cloth.
[Edit]How do you make aluminum shine? - Try white vinegar or a lemon after cleaning with dish soap. Regular dish soap and warm water will clean off any of the surface dirt or grime. After that, rub a lemon over the surface to restore the shine. A soft cloth soaked in white vinegar will also do the trick! Just make sure you rinse the vinegar off with some warm water when you're done.[2]
- To make aluminum pots sparkle, add 1 tablespoon (14.79 milliliters) of white vinegar per quart (946.3 milliliters) of warm water and bring it to a boil. Let it boil for 15 minutes, then rinse out the pot and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
- You can also mix white vinegar and cream of tartar to form a paste. Rub the paste onto the surface of the metal and let it dry. Once it's dry, wash it off with warm water, then dry the metal with a lint-free cloth.
[Edit]Can you use vinegar on stainless steel? - No, the acid in vinegar can corrode stainless steel. Stainless steel is a lot easier to clean than other metals—regular dish soap and water should do the trick. Window cleaner is also good for cleaning larger stainless steel items, such as a refrigerator. Just make sure the ammonia doesn't come into contact with any food.[3]
- Wipe stainless steel in the direction of the metal's grain for a streak-free shine.
- Cleaners and wipes made specifically for stainless steel, which you can find wherever cleaning products are sold, are your best bet to keep your stainless steel looking like new.
[Edit]Can you wash a cast-iron skillet? - No, don't use dish soap on a cast-iron skillet except when you first buy it. Wash a cast-iron skillet with soap and warm water when it's brand new. Preheat your oven to and rub in vegetable oil so that it evenly covers the entire surface. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil on your oven rack, then put your skillet upside-down on top of it. Bake it for about an hour, then turn off the heat and let the metal cool.[4]
- After seasoning, your cast iron is ready to use. Whenever you cook something, simply rinse it with water and wipe it out with a soft cloth or paper towel. Never wash it with soap or put it in the dishwasher—the seasoning will strip away and you'll have to start all over again.
- When the surface of your cast-iron skillet starts to get dull and sticky, that's a sign that you need to season it again.
[Edit]What's the best way to clean copper? - Scrub copper with salt and vinegar to get rid of all the tarnish. Copper can be tricky to clean, but these common home products make it a piece of cake! Simply sprinkle salt on your copper object, then scrub it with a lint-free towel you've soaked in vinegar. Expect your towel to get dirty as you go—that means it's working![5]
- Grab a toothbrush dipped in vinegar and use that to get into tiny cracks and crevices where tarnish can easily build up.
[Edit]What gets rid of water spots on chrome? - Wipe chrome fixtures with a mix of equal parts vinegar and water. Soak a lint-free cloth in your mixture and gently rub the chrome. If it's especially dirty, wrap the cloth around the metal to let it soak for 10-15 minutes, then wipe it clean with another dry cloth.[6]
- Chrome is a soft metal, so avoid using any harsh abrasive cleaners or scrub brushes. They could scratch the metal and ruin the shine.
- For everyday cleaning, regular dish soap and water will keep your chrome looking its sparkly best.
[Edit]How can you clean pewter pieces? - Use dish soap and hot water to easily clean your pewter. Fill a bucket or large bowl with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Swirl it around, then dip a sponge in it and use it to clean gently clean the pewter. After that, all you have to do is rinse it off with warm water and dry it with a lint-free cloth.[7]
- Pewter is a soft metal, frequently used for picture frames and other decorative objects. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrub brushes, which can scratch the surface.
- If you have polished pewter, use any all-purpose metal polish to make it shine when you're done cleaning it. If your pewter has more of a matte finish, there's no need to polish it.
[Edit]Do I need a special polish for brass? - No, you can restore brass with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Get a teaspoon (4.8 grams) of baking soda and stir in the juice from about half a lemon until you get a smooth paste. Apply the paste to your brass item with a soft cloth, then rinse with water and dry it off.[8]
- If your brass is heavily tarnished, let the paste sit for about 30 minutes before you rinse it off. You might also have to repeat the process more than once.
- Believe it or not, you can also clean brass with ketchup, tomato sauce, or tomato paste! Just smear it on the brass with a lint-free cloth and leave it on for an hour. Then, rinse with warm water and dish soap and you're good to go.
- Commercial cleaners and polishes designed specifically for brass are easy to find wherever cleaning products are sold and will typically do the job faster.
[Edit]Is gold or silver polish necessary? - No, you can normally clean gold and silver without commercial polishes. Dish soap will work just as well as a commercial polish for cleaning gold and silver. Commercial polishes tend to work faster than other cleaning methods and can be more convenient to use. At the same time, some brands are also pretty toxic. Wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area if you're using a commercial polish.[9]
- Soak gold in a mix of warm water and 2 to 3 drops of dish soap. Stir the mixture together until the water is sudsy, then drop your gold into the water for 15-30 minutes. Use a clean, soft brush (a toothbrush works well) to dislodge any dirt in crevices. Rinse the gold off under cold water—put small jewelry in a colander so you don't lose it. Then, all that's left to do is dry it off with a lint-free cloth.[10]
[Edit]How do you restore tarnished silverware? - Remove the tarnish with baking soda and water. Line a pot with aluminum foil and fill it with of water. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 grams) of baking soda and bring it to a boil. Put your silver in the boiling water and continue to let it boil until the foil turns black. Use tongs to take your silver out of the water, then dry it off with a lint-free towel.[11]
- If you're not happy with the results, set up your water and baking soda mix and do it again. Extremely tarnished silverware might need a couple of rounds.
- For more ornate designs, use a soft toothbrush to gently brush away the tarnish in grooves and crevices before you dry it off.
[Edit]How do you clean old rusted metal? - Soak dirty, rusty metal in white vinegar overnight. This will get rid of most of the surface dirt and rust. After soaking, scrub the metal with steel wool or a wire brush to get more of the rust off. If you're satisfied with the metal's appearance, wash it off with dish soap and warm water, then dry it with a lint-free cloth.[12]
- If the metal still looks rusty or dirty, let it soak in white vinegar overnight again. For really dirty metals, you may need to leave them soaking for a couple of days.
- If the item is too large to soak, mix baking soda and water to form a paste, then apply the paste with a lint-free cloth. Let the paste dry, then use a cloth soaked in warm water to wash it off. Keep in mind you may have to do this several times before the item starts looking like new.
- To prevent metal items from getting rusty, use a soft cloth to apply a small amount of mineral oil 2-3 times a year. And always keep your metal items clean and dry—if you need to wash them, dry them off as quickly as possible, and don't leave them soaking in water.
- Sometimes metal items, particularly antiques, are prettier with a tarnished, aged patina. If you've got a decorative object, consider leaving it alone rather than trying to restore it to a like-new state.[13]
[Edit]Warnings - When using commercial chemical cleaners, work in a well-ventilated area and always wear rubber gloves.
- Never use white vinegar on knives. The acid can damage both the finish and the exposed edge.[14]
[Edit]References |
| How to Find True North Without a Compass Posted: 24 Jun 2021 01:00 AM PDT If you're trying to find your way around in the wilderness and you don't have a compass, don't worry! There are ways to figure out which direction is true north during the day time and at night. By using the sun, shadows, and the stars, you won't have any trouble finding true north and heading in the right direction. [Edit]Using the Shadow-Stick Method During the Day - Find a straight stick that is long. If you're in a wilderness situation, there are likely branches all around you. A straight stick at least long will cast a clean, visible shadow so you can find your direction. Generally the longer the stick, the longer the shadow will be. This helps make the shadow more visible.[1]
- The thickness of the stick can vary, but something around should work in most situations. If the sky is overcast, a thicker stick can help cast a more visible shadow.
- Poke the stick into flat, clean ground. Insert the stick so it's standing straight up. If the ground is hard, poke a hole with a knife or other tool you may have. Notice how the stick casts a shadow—that's the shadow you'll use to find your direction.[2]
- Use rocks or dirt to keep the stick standing up straight.
- It's important that the shadow is cast on flat ground, free of grass and other vegetation. If the ground is uneven or grassy, the shadow will be distorted. Clear some ground if you have to.
- Put a rock at the end of the shadow. This rock marks the shadow's original location. Mark the original location because as the sun moves across the sky, the shadow will move too.[3]
- Since the sun moves across the sky east to west, it's casting a shadow on the opposite side. This means that the shadow's original location is your western-most point.
- Wait 20 minutes. This allows enough time for the sun to move across the sky. If the shadow hasn't visibly moved enough after 20 minutes, wait another 10.[4]
- If you have no way to keep time, then just keep an eye on the shadow. When you see that it's moved, you can mark the new location and proceed.
- Mark the shadow's new location. As the sun moves, the shadow will move east. Put either a rock or stick at the end of the shadow to mark it's new location.[5]
- Remember, use something that won't blow away. If you lose both shadow locations, you'll have to start over.
- Draw a straight line between the rocks. Since the sun is moving west across the sky, the shadow's new location will be further east. Connecting these 2 rocks creates an east-west line, the first step in finding which way north is.[6]
- To connect the 2 rocks, you can either draw a straight line in the dirt or lay a straight stick between them.
- Mark a 'W' on the original location and an 'E' on the new location. This creates a compass so you don't forget which side is which.[7]
- Remember that the directions on a compass are North, East, South, and West in a clockwise direction. If you forget the order of the directions on a compass, remember the phrase "Never Eat Soggy Watermelon," a memory device to remember the directions.
- Put your left foot on 'W' and your right foot on the 'E' to find north. When you're in this position, your front will be facing north and your back will be facing south. This completes the compass. The north you're facing is true north, because you've used the sun rather than the Earth's magnetic field.[8]
- If you want to keep track of these directions, mark an 'N' where your front is facing and an 'S' where your back is facing to keep track.
- This method works the same in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The only difference is that in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will be at your back, and in the Southern Hemisphere the sun will be in front of you.[9]
[Edit]Using an Analog Watch and the Sun - Remove your analog watch and hold it in front of you. Get a good view of the watch face and where the hour and minute hands are pointing.[10]
- For this method, use an analog watch with an hour and minute hand. A digital watch won't work.
- Point the hour hand toward the sun if you're in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun points toward the south. Line up your watch's hour hand with the sun as the first step to discovering the north-south line.[11]
- Find the halfway mark between the hour hand and 12 o'clock. In the Northern Hemisphere, this halfway point marks the north-south line. True north is the side pointing away from the sun.[12]
- Some analog watches have an adjustable rim for direction finding. If your watch has this, you can adjust it so an arrow sits at this halfway point.
- Note that this method isn't perfect because time zones throughout the world are not always consistent. You may not be able to locate the precise point of true north, but it will give you its general location.
- Point the 12 o'clock mark towards the sun if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. Then find the halfway mark between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock point to locate the north-south line.[13]
- In the Southern Hemisphere, true north is the side pointing towards the sun.
- Use 1 o'clock instead of 12 during Daylight Savings. Depending on the time of year and area of the world, Daylight Savings time could be in effect. The method works the same, but use since there is a 1-hour time difference, use 1 o'clock instead of 12.[14]
- Remember that Daylight Savings is between March and November in participating areas.
[Edit]Finding the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere - Locate the Big Dipper constellation. This constellation, also known as Ursa Major, is the key to finding the North Star (Polaris), the star that shows you where true north is in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a large constellation, and finding it on a clear night is easy.[15]
- The Big Dipper gets its name because it looks like a large spoon and is made up of some of the brightest stars in the sky. Look up and find the collection of stars that look like this.
- Contrary to popular belief, the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. Use these constellations to locate it.
- Find the outer edge of the Big Dipper. The outer edge, what looks like the end of a spoon, is made up of 2 stars. These 2 stars are known as "pointers," because they literally point towards the North Star.[16]
- Draw an imaginary line outward from the pointer stars. This line should extend through the top of the spoon. The North Star sits at the end of this line.[17]
- The North Star forms the end of the handle on the Little Dipper and is the brightest star in that constellation. When you think you've found the North Star, look around it and see if it's part of a small, spoon-shaped constellation. If so, then you've located it.
- Stand facing the North Star. When you're facing the North Star, you're facing true north. You can now use this knowledge to figure out the other directions.[18]
- Remember if you're facing north, the other directions from right to left are east, south, and west.
- Estimate the distance if the sky is cloudy. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate with this method. In this case, you can still find the Big Dipper and estimate the distance to the North Star.[19]
- The North Star is approximately 6 times the distance between the 2 pointer stars. Look at the space between those 2 stars and then multiply that distance by 6. This gives you the approximate location for the North Star.
[Edit]Navigating with Stars in the Southern Hemisphere - Locate the Southern Cross constellation. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, the North Star won't help you navigate. Instead, find true south using the Southern Cross constellation. This constellation is always visible in the Southern Hemisphere.[20]
- The constellation is made up of 4 bright stars that form a kite shape if you trace the border around them.
- Find the pointer stars. Outside the Southern Cross are 2 more bright stars known as the pointers. These are roughly parallel with the 2 stars in the Southern Cross that are closest together.[21]
- The pointer stars are some of the brightest in the Southern Hemisphere. If you're having trouble finding the Southern Cross, locating the pointer stars is a good starting point.
- Draw an imaginary line down from the longest angle in the Southern Cross. Two stars in the Southern Cross, Gacrux and Acrux, are the furthest apart in the constellation. Starting at the top, imagine a line extending between these 2 stars, and then continuing at the same angle outward.[22]
- Hold a strong or a straight stick out in front of you to help envision a straight line.
- Depending on the time of year, this line may hit the ground since the constellation rotates along with Earth.
- Draw an imaginary line from the midpoint between the pointers. The same way you drew an imaginary line from the Southern Cross, now find the midpoint between the pointers and extend a line outward. This line should intersect with the line you drew from the Southern Cross. That intersection point is true south.[23]
- Use a natural landmark as a reference point. For instance, a tall tree in the distance could mark the intersection between the 2 lines, indicating where true south is.
- Turn around 180 degrees with your back facing south to find true north. When you locate true south, it's simply a matter of turning around to find true north. Make sure you rotate exactly 180 degrees, or you'll be off-center and not facing true north.[24]
- Remember, if you're lost in the wilderness, the best survival tip is to stay put. This helps rescuers find your location and get you to safety. If you keep moving, rescuers will have to track you, delaying their work.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Name Your Sounds on TikTok Posted: 23 Jun 2021 05:00 PM PDT When you upload a video to TikTok without using any of the app's built-in sounds, TikTok creates an audio file in addition to your video file. If you give your TikTok audio file a creative name, other TikTok users may come across it and want to use it in their own videos. This can help make both your sound and your TikTok account more popular. This wikiHow will show you how to name your own sounds on TikTok. - Open the TikTok app. It's the black icon with a white music note inside. You can find it on your home screen, in your app list, or by searching.
- Upload a TikTok video containing the sound you want to use. Use the video recorder to record the sound you want to use on TikTok. Once the video is uploaded, you'll be able to change the name of the sound.
- Make sure not to apply any of TikTok's sounds to the video when uploading.
- If TikTok is able to identify any music playing in the background, your video will be categorized with the other videos with the same music, and you will not be able to name the audio.
- When you upload the video/sound, you may want to set it to private so that others can't see what you are working on until you are finished.
- Tap the profile icon. It's the outline of a person at the bottom-right corner. This displays your uploaded videos.
- Tap the video with the sound you want to rename. This plays the video.
- Tap the record icon. It's at the bottom-right corner of the video—look for the record icon containing your profile photo that's surrounded by musical notes.
- If you just uploaded the video, you may have to wait a couple of minutes for the icon to appear.
- Tap the pencil icon next to "original sound." Your sound is called "original sound" by default, and you'll see that at the top of the page. Tapping the pencil icon allows you to change the sound's name to something else.
- You will only be able to change the name of your sound once, so make sure you choose something you'll want to keep.
- Type a name for your sound. Tap the typing area to open the keyboard. Be sure not to use a title that violates someone else's intellectual property rights—for example, you wouldn't want to name your sound after a popular artist and song title.
- Tap . It's at the top-right corner. This saves the name of your audio file. You can now use this audio file in any of your videos.
- If you want other people to be able to use your sound in their own videos, the sound's original video will need to be public.
[Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Boil Lobster Tails Posted: 23 Jun 2021 09:00 AM PDT Boiled lobster tail might just be one of the most delicious meals out there. Topped with fresh herbs and lemon juice and served with melted butter, boiled lobster tail is savory, buttery perfection. It's also really easy to make at home. With just a couple quick snips through the shell and a few minutes of boiling, you'll have a delicious lobster dinner in no time. [Edit]Ingredients - Water
- Butter
- Salt
- Parsley or Basil
- Lobster tails
[Edit]Thawing the Lobster Tails - Find fresh or frozen lobster tails at a grocery or seafood store. Unless you live in a place where freshly caught lobster can be purchased at supermarkets, your local specialty market or a quality grocery store will have the best lobster for you to use. The fresher the better, but frozen lobster tails work too.
- Avoid lobster tails that are packaged with sodium triphosphate. The chemical weighs down the lobster tails, making them more expensive by weight.[1]
- Thaw frozen tails in the refrigerator 8-10 hours before cooking. You can keep the tails in the packaging they came in. They need time to fully defrost to prevent any sticking between the meat and the shell, as well as to improve the evenness of the cooking when you boil them.[2]
- If you don't have time to thaw the tails in the fridge overnight, thaw them in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse the tails in cool water. Hold them under the tap with your hands or tongs, trying to rinse every surface of the tail. When you have cleaned the tail, you can dry it with a paper towel or let it air dry before you trim it.[3]
- This prevents any unclean substances that may have been on the lobster tails from contaminating your food. Lobsters live at the bottom of the sea, and can have quite a bit of debris on them.
- Use shears or a knife to cut the lobster tail along the middle. You should cut the lobster all the way back to the very tip of the fin. Try to avoid cutting into the meat, so that it does not break apart during the boiling. Instead, keep the shears well above the meat by pulling up on the shell as you cut.
- Kitchen shears are a safer choice than a knife, since the knife has to face upwards to cut the shell.
- Use your thumps to pull apart the tail along the incision. The incision you made allows you to easily break apart the shell all the way along the middle. Keep the meat inside the shell for boiling and serving.
[Edit]Cooking the Lobster - Place a large pot filled with water on the stove. Fill the pot 2/3 full with water to help prevent boiling over. The size of the pot you need depends upon the number of tails you plan to boil. For tails, a good rule of thumb is to use of water per tail.
- You can also boil lobster tails in batches, instead of all at once.
- You may salt the water with to of salt to raise the boiling point of the water and help it reach a gentler boil.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil. Set the heat to high in order to reach a fast-paced boil. While you will later turn down the heat, as you begin to place the lobsters in the pot, the bubbles should be rapidly reaching the surface.
- Place the lobster tails in the water. Use kitchen tongs to gently submerge the tails, being sure that each of them is fully submerged below the surface. Check that the tails have room between one another.[4]
- Be careful not to splash the boiling water on yourself or anyone near you. Adding the tails one at a time can help keep the water in the pot.
- Turn the burner down to medium or medium high. While the tails are cooking, maintain a boil just above simmer, rather than a rolling boil. This helps the tails cook all the way through before separating from the shell.
- Boil the lobster for 1 minute per . Most lobster tails require between 5 and 12 minutes to cook all the way through. Depending on the heat level and how full the pot is, it may begin to boil over. Turn down the heat if this happens.
- Poke the lobster meat with a fork. The lobster tails are ready when the meat is white and has a tender texture. The shells should have a bright red hue to them, and appear nearly separate from the meat.
- If the lobster is not ready, do not remove from the water. It is important to cook the lobster all the way through.
- Set the lobster tails in a colander or strainer. You can use a number of kitchen tools to pull the tails out of the water, including a slotted spoon or tongs. Anything that can gently remove the tails without separating the meat from the shell works.
- You can drain the tails in a colander if you wish.
[Edit]Serving the Lobster Tails - Slice the meat lengthwise all the way through for ease, if desired. Lobster meat is easier to eat if it has been pre-sliced down the middle. If you made an incision earlier, it will most likely be enough for the average diner, but cutting all the way through makes using a fork much easier.[5]
- Butter the lobster tails. One classic choice for enhancing the flavor of lobster is to serve it with melted butter, either on the side or already melted on the tail. Use a basting brush or a fork to spread around enough butter to lightly coat the top of each tail.
- One option is to make clarified butter, which is melted butter strained through cheesecloth or scraped for excess fats. It is a very common dipping sauce for seafood like lobster.
- Squeeze lemon over the tail. Lemon juice adds a pleasant acidic taste to the creamy lobster meat. If you plant to serve your tails with lemon, you can choose to squeeze the juice over them yourself, or cut up lemon slices for your guests to use themselves.
- Choose herbs for the dish. Parsley and basil are classic choices for serving with lobster. Garnish the meat and the plate with herbs if you plan to use them. Combining butter, lemon, and herbs creates a tried-and-true, delicious flavor combination
- Cut up the meat for use in another recipe. Now that the lobster has been cooked in a simple fashion, the meat can be used in nearly any recipe calling for lobster meat. If you plan to use the meat in another recipe, do so immediately, as the cooked lobster tails won't keep as well as frozen ones.[6]
- You can also "piggyback" lobster tails for serving. Use a pair of kitchen shears to cut through the middle top of the shell. Slice the lobster meat halfway through along the center line. Lift the tail through the slit in the shell and rest it on the top of the shell.[7]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Pot
- Fork
- Knife or kitchen shears
- Colander
- Slotted spoon or tongs
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Tell if Gold Is Real Posted: 23 Jun 2021 01:00 AM PDT Gold is a valuable metal, so it is often imitated in fake jewelry and metal blends. By most international standards, anything consisting of less than 41.7%, or 10 karats of gold is considered to be fake. If you're wondering whether your gold is real, the most reliable test is to take it to a certified jeweler. If you aren't ready to do that yet, you can form an opinion by inspecting the gold and testing its basic properties. You could also try doing a density test or nitric acid test for more accuracy. Go through several tests and, if they all come out well, you can rest assured knowing that your item is the real deal. [Edit]Doing a Visual Inspection - Look for an official number marking on the gold. The marking, or hallmark, tells you what percentage of gold an item consists of. The hallmark is often printed on jewelry clasps or the inner bands of rings. It is usually visible on the surface of coins and bullion. The stamp is a number from 1 to 999 or 0K to 24K depending on what kind of grading system was used.[1]
- Use a magnifying glass to help you identify the hallmark. It can be tough to make out by eye, especially on smaller pieces of gold such as rings.
- Older pieces of jewelry may not have visible hallmarks. Sometimes the hallmark wears off over time, while in other cases the jewelry never got a stamp. Hallmarking became common in the 1950s in some areas, but in India for instance, it only became mandatory in the year 2000.[2]
- Use the number marking to determine how much gold is in your piece. Most coins and jewelry are not pure gold, so they have other metals mixed in. There are 2 different scales used to indicate this through the hallmark. The number rating system used in Europe runs from 1 to 999 with 999 meaning pure gold. The U.S. uses a scale from 0 to 24K, where 24K is pure gold.[3]
- The number rating system is easier to read than the karat rating system. For example, a rating of 375 means your item consists of 37.5% gold.
- What number means gold depends on the country you are in. In the U.S., for example, anything 9K and under is not considered to be gold, even though a 9K bracelet consists of 37.5% gold.
- Counterfeit pieces may have markings making them look authentic, so don't go solely on the hallmark unless you're certain you are holding gold.
- Check for a letter marking indicating that the gold isn't pure. Some of the common letters you may see are GP, GF, and GEP. These letters indicate that your gold piece is plated, which means the maker put a thin layer of gold over another metal, such as copper or silver. Your item has some gold in it, but it isn't considered to be real gold.[4]
- GP stands for gold plated, GF means gold filled, and GEP means gold electroplate.
- The markings vary a little depending on where the gold is from. For instance, gold from India contains a small triangle symbol indicating the government council responsible for the rating system. It then has a number rating and a letter code, such as K, for the jeweler.
- Find any noticeable discolorations where the gold has worn away. Gold is pretty soft for a metal, so plated gold often rubs away over time. The best places to check are around the edges of jewelry and coins. These spots often rub up against your skin and clothing throughout the day. If you see a different metal underneath the gold, you know your item is plated and not considered real gold.[5]
- For example, a silver coloring might indicate silver or titanium. A red coloring could mean copper or brass.
- Note any discolorations on your skin from wearing or holding the gold. Pure gold doesn't react with sweat or oil from your skin, so if you see black or green marks, they are from other metals. Silver leaves behind black marks and copper leaves behind green marks. If you see a lot of these marks on your skin, your gold may be less pure than you expect.[6]
- Keep in mind that most gold items are blends of gold and other metals. Even something like a 14K piece of jewelry, 58.3% gold, can leave these marks. Use other tests as well to ensure your gold is authentic.
[Edit]Testing Magnetism and Other Basic Properties - Drop gold into a jug of water to see if it sinks. Get container big enough to hold both the water and the gold you wish to test. The water temperature you use doesn't really matter, so lukewarm water is fine. Real gold is a dense metal, so it falls directly to the bottom of the jug. Imitation gold is much lighter and floats.[7]
- Real gold also doesn't rust or tarnish when wet, so if you see a discoloration, you probably have plated gold.
- Hold a strong magnet up to see if the gold sticks to it. For this test, you need a strong magnet capable of pulling even metal blends. Move the magnet over the gold and observe how it reacts. Gold isn't magnetic, so don't be fooled by anything that sticks. If the magnet pulls the gold toward it, your item is either impure or a fake.[8]
- Regular kitchen magnets won't do. Buy a powerful neodymium magnet from a home improvement store.
- The magnet test isn't foolproof, since counterfeit gold can be made with non-magnetic metal like stainless steel. Also, some genuine gold items are made with magnetic metals such as iron.
- Rub the gold on a unglazed ceramic to see if it leaves a streak. Make sure you're using an unglazed piece of ceramic since anything with a glaze could affect the test results. Drag your item across the plate until you see some fragments coming off the gold. If you see a black streak, that means your gold is not real. A gold streak usually indicates authentic gold.[9]
- Try getting an unglazed ceramic tile or a plate online or from your local home improvement store.
- This test scratches the gold a little bit but doesn't typically leave much noticeable damage. It is much safer than other tests involving scratches or acid.
- Another way to do this is by spreading some cosmetic foundation on your skin and dragging the gold across it after it dries. Fake gold usually reacts with the foundation, leaving a green or black streak in it.
[Edit]Performing a Density Test - Weigh your piece of gold on a scale. If you have a decent kitchen scale, place the gold on it. Otherwise, jewelers and appraisers often can do it for you for free. Call around to different jewelry or appraisal stores to see which ones offer this service. Make sure you get the weight in grams rather than ounces.[10]
- You need the weight in grams to use in a calculation later. If the weight is in ounces, you won't get an accurate result.
- Fill a graduated cylinder halfway full with water. Choose a cylinder that is big enough to hold the gold. It needs to have measurement markings in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc). If you don't have a regular graduated cylinder, you could try using a kitchen measuring cup.[11]
- Vials with frequent millimeter markings on the side are useful for getting a more accurate measurement during the test.
- The amount of water you use doesn't matter that much as long as you leave plenty of space for the gold. If you fill the vial to the top, dropping the gold into it causes the water to spill.
- Read the starting water level in the cylinder. Look at the markings on the cylinder, then record the water level. This measurement is very important for the test, so write it down. Make sure you have the vial on a flat, level surface in order to get as accurate a reading as possible.[12]
- Keep in mind that it doesn't matter if your vial is marked in milliliters or cubic centimeters. They are the same measurement, so either unit can be used in the test.
- Drop the gold into the vial and record the new water level. Gently lower the gold into the cylinder to avoid losing any of the water. Let go of it right above the water to prevent splashing or getting your fingers wet. Then, read the markings again to get the second measurement.[13]
- Write the second measurement down on a piece of paper. Note that this is the second measurement, not the initial one.
- Subtract the measurements to find the difference in the water level. Perform a simple calculation to figure out how much water the gold displaced. Subtract the initial measurement, the smaller number, from the final measurement. This gives you an answer in milliliters or cubic centimeters, depending on what measurement your vial lists.[14]
- For example, if you started with of water that rose to , that leaves a difference.
- Divide the gold's weight by the difference in the water level. The density of the gold equals its mass divided by its volume. After calculating the density, compare the result to the standard density of gold, which is 19.3 g/mL. If your number is way off, chances are you have a fake. Keep in mind, though, that some combinations of metals in fake gold can have a density similar to real gold.[15]
- For instance, you have a gold item that weighs and displaces of water. Divide 38 by 2 to get 19 g/mL, which is very close to the density of gold.
- The standard density differs a little depending on the type of gold you have. For 14k yellow gold, it's about 12.9 to 13.6 g/mL. For 14K white gold, it's around 14 g/mL.
- A piece of 18K yellow gold has an average density from 15.2 to 15.9 g/mL. A piece of 18K white gold has a density from 14.7 to 16.9 g/mL.
- Any 22K piece of gold has a density around 17.7 to 17.8 g/mL.
[Edit]Using a Nitric Acid Test - Purchase gold-testing kit to get the acid you need for the test. Testing kits include various bottles of nitric acid for different types of gold. Some tests also include a flat rock called a touchstone you can use to scratch off some of the gold on your item. You may also see needles with samples of yellow and white gold to use as a comparison to your item.[16]
- Testing kits are available online. Also, check with local jewelry stores. Most jewelers use this test for its accuracy.
- Create a small scratch on the gold using a sharp tool. Choose an inconspicuous location on the jewelry to make the scratch, such as underneath a clasp or an inner band. Then, use a sharp tool such as a jewelry engraver to dig into the gold. Scratch until you get underneath the top layer of gold. Expose a fresh layer of gold or any other metal underneath it.[17]
- Nitric acid tests require you to scratch your piece of gold. If the gold has personal value to you or you plan on keeping it, take it to a professional jeweler instead of doing the test yourself.
- Add a drop of nitric acid to the scratch. Put on latex gloves and work in a well-ventilated room to avoid any issues with the dangerous acid. When you're ready, look for the bottle of acid labeled for 18K gold. After setting the gold in a stainless steel container, place a drop of the acid directly on the scratch you made, then watch for it to turn a shade of green. If it turns green, you know right away your gold is fake.[18]
- Regular gold does not react to the acid, so your item might be gold plated or a low-purity blend of metals.
- A milk-colored reaction usually indicates gold-plated sterling silver. If the acid turns gold, you have gold-plated brass.
- Scratch the gold on a touchstone to test its purity. If you think you might have real gold, rub it along the touchstone to create a streak of gold flakes. Add a drop of 12K, 14K, 18K, and 22K nitric acid to different parts of the streak. Check back after 20 to 40 seconds. Find the spot where the acid doesn't dissolve the gold to figure out what karat rating your item is.[19]
- The acids all increase in strength, so the acid used for 22K is stronger than the 12K one. If the 18K acid dissolves the gold but the 14K one doesn't, you know your item is probably around 14K.
- Most gold tests are imperfect, so you may need to go through several tests in order to decide if your item is authentic.
- You may have heard of the bite test where gold is real if your teeth leave a mark on it. Since most gold items consist of blends of harder metals, avoid the bite test to protect your teeth.
- When jewelers say that gold is 24K, they mean that the gold is 99.9% pure with minimal traces of other metals. A piece of gold that is 22K is 22 parts gold and 2 parts another metal.[20]
- In items that are less than 24K in quality, the other metals give the gold its hardness and color. Gold on its own is very soft, so metals like silver and copper are added to make gold items more durable.
- Jewelry made with white gold, yellow gold, red gold, and rose gold are all combinations of gold and other metals.
- If you ever need help determining whether gold is real, take your item to a professional jeweler or appraiser.
[Edit]Warnings - Nitric acid is strong and can burn your skin in addition to damaging a valuable piece of gold. If you're worried about this, you can do a home test with vinegar, which is a milder acid, or you can let a professional jeweler or appraiser handle the nitric acid test.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Doing a Visual Inspection [Edit]Testing Magnetism and Other Properties - Gold
- Jug
- Water
- Neodymium magnet
- Unglazed ceramic plate or tile
[Edit]Performing a Density Test - Gold
- Scale
- Graduated cylinder or measuring cup
- Calculator
[Edit]Using a Nitric Acid Test - Gold
- Gold-testing kit
- Nitric acid
- Stainless steel container
- Touchstone
- Latex gloves
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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