| How to Use a Gas Stove Posted: 07 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT Gas stoves are valued for their quick heating response and simple temperature adjustment. If you've never used a gas stove, however, you may feel a little confused when first operating one. But once you get the hang of using a gas stove, they are just as easy to use and maintain as their electric counterparts. As long as you take good care of your gas stove and use safety precautions while cooking, you should be able to use it with ease. EditTurning on a Gas Stove - Do a body safety check before turning on your gas stove. To prevent any fires while using your gas stove, roll up your shirt sleeves above the elbow and tie back long hair with a rubber band. If you have any jewelry on, remove it before starting the stove.[1]
- If you're wearing footwear, make sure it is nonslip to prevent cooking accidents.
- Turn the stove dial on to light the stove. Most gas stoves are equipped with a dial that lights the burner. You can usually adjust the heat to low, medium, and high depending on what you're using the stove for. Twist the dial and wait for the burner to light, then adjust it to your desired heat setting.
- In some cases, the fire may not light right away. This is common in old stoves and is nothing to worry about—try turning the stove dial on again until the burner lights.
- Try cleaning your burner holes and igniter if it does not light immediately. If your burner is clogged with food residue, it may not light automatically. Clean the burner and the igniter with a stiff toothbrush (without water or cleaning solutions) to remove any grease or crumbs.[2]
- Use a needle to get food out of hard-to-reach places, like the burner holes.
- Call a home repairman if cleaning your burner does not seem to help. Your igniter may be broken and need replacement.
- Light the gas stove manually as an alternative. If your gas stove igniter is broken, most gas stoves can be lit with a match or lighter. Turn the gas dial to medium, then ignite your match or lighter. Hold the match or lighter close to the center of the burner, then wait 3-5 seconds until the burner ignites. Remove your hand quickly to prevent getting burned.[3]
- For the safest option, use a long-handled lighter. Long-handled lighters can be found at most craft or hardware stores.
- If you have never lit a gas stove before or seen someone else do it, you may not want to do it on your own. Lighting a gas stove manually can be dangerous if you have never done it before.
EditUsing Gas Stoves Safely - Check your stove's pilot light if it is an older model. Most older gas stoves are equipped with pilot lights, which stay on constantly even if the stove is off. Check with your stove manufacturer to see if your stove has a pilot light. For models with a pilot light, remove the burner grates from your stove and open the cooktop panel. The pilot light should be a small flame located directly below the stove panels.
- If the pilot light is out and you can smell sulfur, leave your home and call emergency services, as your stove may be leaking gas into the home.[4]
- Always keep your stove attended when it's on. When cooking with your gas stove, never leave the room. A fire can start within seconds if your food is left unattended, and it is important to keep your burners in sight at all times.[5]
- Use your gas stove for cooking only. Gas stoves are made to be used only for cooking food. Never use your stove for heating your home, as keeping the stove lit for extended amounts of time increases the likelihood of a gas leak.[6]
- If you have a gas oven, it also should not be used for heating rooms.
- Watch for a hissing sound or the smell of natural gas. If you smell a sulfurous, "rotten egg" odor or hear a hissing sound coming from your stove, exit your home immediately and call emergency services. Your stove may be leaking natural gas, which can be deadly if it is not fixed immediately.[7]
- Do not light a match, use a flashlight, or turn any electric switches on or off if you suspect your stove might be leaking gas.
- Stock your kitchen with a fire extinguisher in case of emergency. Keep a fire extinguisher in a cabinet near your gas stove in case of grease fires. Store baking soda in the same cabinet as well, as pouring baking soda on the flames can stop small grease fires.[8]
- Never throw water on a grease fire. Grease fires flare up and may spread if they come in contact with water.
- Avoid placing flammable materials near your stove. Flammable items, like low-hanging towels or curtains, can cause accidents if placed too near your stove. Keep flammable materials away from your stove, and avoid using flammable items like cigarettes while cooking.
- Turn the stove off after every use. To prevent fires or burns, remember to switch the stove dial to "off" after you use it. If you have trouble remembering to turn the stove off, try placing a sticky note reminder on your fridge or a cabinet near your stove so you don't forget.
EditCleaning a Gas Stove Routinely - Remove your stove's burner grates and clean them separately. Take your burner grates off of the stove and place them in the sink. Then, fill the sink with hot, soapy water. Let your burner grates soak for several minutes, then clean them off with a wet sponge or dishcloth.[9]
- Place your burner caps in the water as well and wash them in the hot, soapy water.
- Brush any crumbs off of the stovetop with a dry cloth. After all of the crumbs are brushed away, spray your stovetop with a spray bottle filled with a 1:1 water-white vinegar ratio. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a wet sponge or dishcloth.[10]
- Put the grates and burner caps back on. After wiping off any crumbs and stains from the stovetop, dry off burner grates and caps. Place the grates and caps back in place to reassemble the stove and make it ready for use again.[11]
- Clean the stove knobs and back panels, if needed. Wipe off the stove knobs and back panel with a wet washcloth to remove any dust or minor stains. If there are larger food stains on your knobs or panels, spray them with the vinegar-water mixture and let it sit for several minutes before wiping them off again.[12]
- Use the back burners instead of the front ones as much as possible to prevent nudging your pans over the edge.[13]
- Inspect your smoke alarm and install a carbon monoxide detector so you can use your gas stove safely.
- To keep your stove in its best condition, clean it at least 1-2 times a month.
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| How to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike Posted: 07 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT Learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage for children around the world, as it is for the parents or other adults who teach them. While you may have learned by adding training wheels, experts now usually advise removing the pedals instead and working on balanced gliding. No matter the training technique you choose, remember that your job is to guide them, not hold or push them; and to encourage them, not intimidate them. Keep it fun and reward them (and yourself) with ice cream afterward! EditEquipping Your Child and Their Bike - Start training when your child is physically and emotionally ready. Some kids have the balance and physical skills to ride a bike by age 4, and most do by age 6. But each child is different, so wait until your kid seems physically agile enough to handle balancing on a bike.[1]
- Some kids may take a bit longer to be emotionally ready to teeter along on a bike, and that's okay as well. Don't rush or force them; encourage them instead, and start training when the time is right.
- Use a bicycle that lets them place their feet on the ground. For most kids around age 5, a bike with wheels is ideal. When they straddle the seat, their feet should be flat on the ground with their legs straight.[2]
- Training on a bike that's too big or too small will only delay the process.
- Remove the pedals from the bicycle. This may sound a bit strange at first, but taking off the pedals lets kids focus first on balancing on the bike during forward movement. They'll just push off and stop by using their feet on the ground.[3]
- You'll typically just need a wrench to take the pedals off, but follow the instructions that come with your bike.
- You can also buy "coasting" or "balance" bikes that come without pedals, but this is typically an unnecessary expense.
- Work with training wheels sparingly if at all. When you add training wheels, kids learn the components that tend to be easier for them first — pedaling, steering, and braking. But this leaves the hard part — balancing — for them to learn all of a sudden right at the end.[4]
- If you work on balancing first, the other elements will seem like a piece of cake later on.
- If you really prefer to use training wheels, however, try not to use them for more than a week or two. Otherwise, the child will learn riding habits that they'll have to unlearn to ride without training wheels.
- Choose a flat, open, paved training area. Sidewalks and streets offer too many distractions and potential dangers to make ideal training grounds. Instead, look for an empty parking lot on flat ground.[5]
- A level grass field may seem tempting because it will cushion falls, but grass is usually too difficult for smaller kids to get moving in — either by foot or pedal power. The ground is also much bumpier than a typical parking lot.
- Use a properly-fitted helmet and other safety gear. Choose a helmet that is designed for biking and for a child's head. It should fit snugly, and there should be no more than 2 finger widths' distance from the child's eyebrows to the front brim of the helmet.[6]
- Also use knee pads and elbow pads designed for kids. Bicycling gloves can help prevent scrapes from falls as well.
EditStarting with Balance Training - Lower the seat a little so your kid can push off the ground. For typical riding, you want the seat high enough that their legs are straight when their feet are flat on the ground. For pedal-less training, though, their knees should be slightly bent when their feet are flat.[7]
- You'll usually use a wrench to loosen the seat for adjusting, but your bike may come with a quick-release seat latch instead.
- Support them, not the bike, without holding too tight. Lay your hand(s) on their shoulders, back, or neck without gripping tightly. If they need a bit more support, place your hands beneath their armpits.[8]
- Your goal is to steady them, not hold them upright or push them forward.
- Support them instead of holding onto the bike's handlebars or seat.
- Let them push off and glide with your gentle assistance. Instruct them to use both feet to propel themselves forward. They'll probably be very wobbly at first, so guide their body in a balanced position. Let them manage the handlebars so they can get used to controlling them while moving.[9]
- Catch them and guide them down whenever they start to fall, instead of holding them upright. Otherwise, you are simply replacing what training wheels do.
- Once they get the hang of coasting, tell them to use their feet to stop when they begin to slow down.
- Instruct them to look ahead, not down. Their instinct will probably be to look down at their handlebars or front wheel, and possibly even the pedals later on. Practice having them look out ahead as they coast forward.[10]
- If you have a second person available, have them stand several feet/meters in front of the bike and back up as the kid coasts forward. Tell the child to watch that person.
- Return the pedals and seat to their proper positions. Once the child is able to coast in a balanced position for as far as their foot-on-ground power will propel them, they're ready for pedaling. Put the pedals back on as per the bike's instructions, and raise the seat so that they are flat-footed and straight-legged when straddling it.[11]
EditGuiding Them as They Pedal Off - Teach them the "ready position" for starting. Spin the pedals so that one is slightly above and forward of the other. Looking from the side with the front wheel to your left, the pedals should be roughly in the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions.[12]
- If they're right-handed, the right pedal should be forward, and vice versa.
- Let them build their own forward momentum. While supporting them but not gripping tight, have them put their dominant foot on the forward pedal. Tell them to push on it as they lift their other foot onto its pedal. Remind them to control the handlebars and look ahead as they do so.[13]
- Don't push on them or the bike to "get them started." Practice with them until they can build up their own forward momentum.
- Loosen your contact but remain alongside them. Your kid's first attempts at pedaling forward will likely be short-lived. Eventually though, they'll be able to sustain forward motion. As they improve, reduce your contact with them steadily while walking or jogging beside and slightly behind them.[14]
- As before, catch them and guide them down during a fall instead of holding them up.
- Make sure they know how to steer and stop. Practice making slight balance corrections and gentle turns with the handlebars both before and while they're in motion. If they turn too sharply and begin to fall, guide them down and try again.[15]
- Likewise, practice how to use the brakes — whether they're pedal or hand brakes — both before and while the child is in motion.
- Stay close by until they are confident riding solo. Some kids will want to take off and leave you in the dust, while others will feel better with you right beside them even after they've mastered pedaling forward. Act as a source of confidence, not as a crutch that holds them up and keeps them pointed straight.[16]
- Accept that they'll fall a few times. Even when they're ready to ride without you by their side, they will almost certainly "wipe out" here and there. If they're on a flat surface, going at a low speed, and — most importantly — wearing the proper safety equipment, their chances of serious injury are minimal.[17]
- Check that they're okay, but don't go overboard with coddling or consoling them.
- Say something like "Whoops! Are you okay? Everything seems alright, so let's get back on the bike and give it another try — you're doing great!"
- Learning that you can fall and get back up is a valuable biking lesson and life lesson!
EditKeeping It Fun - End a training session when it stops being fun. Some kids will master biking in an hour, but it will take several sessions for others. If they're losing confidence or interest during a training session, call it quits for now and try again later in the day or the next day.[18]
- Some kids may be eager to practice for hours on end until they get the hang of it, but most often you should plan for single sessions to last for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Don't set artificial deadlines or exert undue pressure. Help your kid learn to ride at the pace that's right for them. Trying to force them or shame them into learning quickly may turn them against the entire notion of learning to ride. Don't say things like:[19]
- "All your friends ride bikes, so it's time you learned too."
- "Your sister learned to ride in an hour, and so can you."
- "We're going to stay out here all day until you learn this."
- "You want to be a big kid, right? Well, big kids ride bikes."
- Be positive and encouraging at all times. Learning to ride a bike should be fun, not a chore. Praise them every time they achieve a new milestone along the way, and offer a pick-me-up whenever they struggle or fall. Say things like:[20]
- "That's the way to hold the bike steady — good job!"
- "Wow, you really coasted a long way that time — and straight ahead!"
- "You did a good job catching yourself from falling off the bike that time. Try not to turn the handlebars so sharply next time."
- "We'll be ready to bike together to the ice cream shop soon!"
- Let someone else do the teaching, if necessary. Some kids simply respond better to a teacher who isn't a parent. If they're close with a relative or family friend who'd be happy to help out, let them give it a try. [21]
- Don't feel bad — remember that the goal is to get them riding. Once they do that, you can go on lots of bike rides together!
- Don't force your child to ride a bike if they don't want to. If they aren't interested, they won't learn no matter how much you force them to try.
- Instead of removing the pedals, consider buying a pre-bike. This is a lightweight two-wheeler without the complication of pedals, etc. The child learns to balance, scoot, and then glide along, potentially from a very young age. When you child is ready you can then introduce a bike with pedals.
- Make sure that the brakes are working properly and tires are in good conditions.
- Always make sure your child wears a helmet when riding their bike.
EditThings You'll Need - Correctly-sized bike
- Safety helmet
- Knee and elbow pads
- Biking gloves
- Patience and a good attitude!
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| How to Peel a Difficult Hard Boiled Egg Posted: 07 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT If you are having trouble peeling your hard-boiled eggs, you can easily use water to help remove the shell. Try storing your eggs in cold water for about 1 hour, and hold your egg under running water when you peel it. To prevent shells from sticking in the future, try using either vinegar and salt or baking soda when boiling your eggs. With a bit of lubrication, you can easily remove even the most stubborn egg shells. EditStoring Boiled Eggs in Water - Fill 2/3 of a plastic container with cold water. Turn on your faucet and make sure your water is cool. Place a plastic container under the faucet until it is about ⅔ of the way full. Then, turn off your water.[1]
- Eggs peel easily when they are cold because the whites of the eggs constrict away from the shell.
- Place your eggs in the water so they are totally submerged. After you boil your eggs and let them cool for about 30 minutes - 1 hour, you can store them in water so the shell easily peels off. You can fill your plastic container up with your eggs, or grab another if you have too many eggs for 1 container. No need to put a lid on the eggs! They will cool fine without a lid.[2]
- You can pour out some of water if it is close to overflowing.
- Store your eggs in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. The cool temperature of the refrigerator will chill your water, making it easy to peel even difficult eggs. They should easily peel off after about 1 hour. You can leave them in your fridge for up to 3-4 days.[3]
- Storing eggs in cold water helps the egg separate from the shell, so you can easily peel it away.
- Peel your eggs using your hands and remove the shell entirely. After your eggs sit in cold water for a bit, take them out of the fridge and pour out the water from your container. Tap the egg with a spoon or on your counter to break the shell, and chip away the pieces using your fingers.[4]
- Once you peel off some of the shell, you can easily remove the remaining layer.
EditPeeling Under Running Water - Turn on your faucet and let cold water run for about 15 seconds. Putting your eggs in the cold constrict the whites of the eggs, making it easier to remove the shell. To use the cold water, let your water run for a few seconds so the temperature can adjust.[5]
- Your water does not have to be ice cold, but the colder the water, the easier it may be to peel away the shell.
- It is helpful to wash any dishes in your sink and wipe your sink with a soapy sponge.
- Hold your egg under running water for 5-15 seconds. Cup your hand around your hard-boiled egg, and place it under the running water. Let the water run over your egg for 5-15 seconds or so.[6]
- You can leave it under the running water for more or less time if you'd like. Holding it under the water helps the egg adjust to the new temperature.
- Tap the bottom of your egg 1-3 times on your sink to start your peel. After your egg soaks under the running water for a few seconds, tap it a few times on your sink. It is best to tap your egg at the bottom for best results. This breaks the shell so you can easily peel it away.[7]
- Alternatively, you can tap it on the side of your faucet instead. Take it out from under the water, and tap the bottom of your egg on the top of your faucet.
- Peel the egg starting from the bottom. The base of the egg is slightly wider than the tip, and it is easier to peel since there is more surface area. Remove the shell where you made your dents, and pull back on the shell using your finger. Do this as running water pours on your egg.[8]
- Since the shell should easily slip off in the water, you should be able to easily peel even difficult hard boiled eggs.
- Collect the shells and dispose of them in your compost bin or trash can. Turn off your water, and place your egg on a plate or in a bowl. Then, scoop up the eggshell pieces from your sink. Eggshells make great compost, so toss them in your bin! If you don't have a compost bin, you can simply throw them in the trash.
- It is best to use a collector at the bottom of your sink so the shells do not go down your drain.
- If you have a garbage disposal, you can turn it on to get rid of any shells that fall down your drain.
EditPreventing Peeling Problems - Boil your eggs in vinegar and salt. Use medium heat to bring your water to a boil, and pour in your vinegar and salt. You can pour in your ingredients when the water starts to bubble.[9]
- These ingredients help separate the shell from the egg so you can easily remove them, even from difficult eggs.
- Try adding baking soda to your boiling water if you don't have vinegar. Rather than using vinegar and salt, you can also use baking soda to make it easier to peel your eggs. Fill your pot up with about 1 quart (0.95 L) of water, and add of baking soda once the water starts to boil.[10]
- The baking soda gets absorbed into your eggs, loosening the bond between the egg white and membrane of the shell.
- Pierce your egg with a pin before you boil it so it is easier to peel. Before you boil your eggs, poke a hole in them so more water can absorb into the egg, making them easier to peel. You can use a push pin or a sewing pin to make your holes. Hold your egg in 1 hand, and insert your pin with gentle pressure to pierce through the shell. Then, gently place them inside your boiling water.[11]
- Extra water in your eggs helps separate the egg white from the shell membrane.
- Poke your hole with care to prevent shattering the eggshell.
- Run the eggs under cool water to prevent them from overcooking. Eggs can continue cooking even after you remove them from the heat. To stop their cooking, place them in cold water immediately after you boil your eggs. If you overcook your egg, the egg will start to expand from excess water, making it more difficult to remove the shell.[12]
- Alternatively, fill a bowl with ice and place your eggs inside the bowl. Then, place the bowl inside the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Be careful of sharp pieces when handling your eggs. Sometimes the sharp corners can scratch your hands or poke your fingers.
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