2 tablespoons ammonia 5 tablespoons turpentine 1 pint mineral oil 1/2 cup vegetable oil Mix in a jar. To use, add 1 cup mixture to 1 quart warm water in a bucket. Mop the floor, following the grain. Wipe completely Read More …
Wooden Floor Cleaner
Category: Hints, Tips and Tricks
Wooden Floor Cleaner (for floors with a hard-coat finish only)
4 teabags 1 quart water Boil teabags in water, then let cool. Clean small areas of the floor at a time. Wipe dry to prevent water-spotting and warping. OR Few drops mild dish soap 1 gallon warm water Clean small Read More …
Silver Polish
1 cup water 1/4 cup soap flakes 2-1/2 tablespoons whiting 1 tablespoon isopropyl alcohol (70%) Boil water and remove from heat. Add soap flakes and stir to dissolve. Beat mixture by hand or with electric mixture at medium speed until Read More …
Spot Remover
This is especially good for removing spots from delicate fabrics. 3 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide 1 tablespoon ammonia Mix ingredients and dab on the stained area. Leave on for up to 1 hour, then rinse off. Reapply if necessary. CAUTION: Fumes Read More …
Starch (for crocheted baskets and favors)
1/2 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup water Boil sugar in water for three minutes. Cool slightly; dip basket, stretch on jar, vase or other object. Place on heavy cardboard or several layers of paper. Pull and stretch to desired shape Read More …
Shower Curtain Wash
1/2 cup detergent 1/2 cup baking soda Fill the washing machine with warm water and add 2 large bath towels. Add detergent and baking soda. Put the shower curtain into the washing machine. Run through the entire wash cycle; however, Read More …
Star Anise
A star-shaped, dark brown pod that contains a pea-sized seed in each of its eight segments. Native to China, star anise comes from a small evergreen tree. Although the flavor of its seeds is derived from anethol (the same oil Read More …
Soft Soap (jellied soap)
Several bits, slivers, and pieces of used soap - enough to make 1 cup, dried out, or 1 cup soap flakes 1 cup boiling water If using soap bits, grind them in a food processor blender until they are fine. Read More …
Splenda
Splenda has been available in Canada for several years and is now available in the United States. Splenda (sucralose) is chemically inert and does not break down as it passes through the body. It can be used more or less Read More …
Tough Hand Cleaner
1/4 cup grated naphtha soap ends 2 tablespoons mason’s sand or pumice 1 cup water Place soap and water in a saucepan. Place over low heat; stir until soap is melted. After mixture cools, add mason’s sand or pumice. Store Read More …
Vanilla Room Spray
1 (4 ounce) clean spray bottle with a fine mist setting 1-1/2 ounces distilled water 1-1/2 ounces clear vanilla extract Fill the spray bottle with vanilla extract and distilled water. Let the bottle sit for one day before use. Shake Read More …
Sugar Starch
This is the old-fashioned starch used for lacy doilies. 1/4 cup water 3/4 cup granulated sugar Mix water and sugar in a small pan. Stir the mixture over low heat (do not boil) until clear and not sugary. Remove pan Read More …
Shower Wall and Glass Door Cleaner
White vinegar, heated Dry borax To clean hard water spots and scum off shower walls and glass doors, use undiluted, heated white vinegar. Put heated vinegar into a spray bottle, spray on and let soak 15 minutes. Using a nylon-covered Read More …
Wild Life Repellent
1 whole Spanish onion 1 jalapeno pepper 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper Chop up the onion and the pepper. Mix together and boil in 2 quarts of water for about 20 min. Let cool, and strain the water through a cheesecloth. Read More …
Wooden Floor Polish (non-slip)
1/2 cup orange shellac 2 tablespoons turpentine 2 tablespoons gum Arabic 1 pint denatured alcohol 2 tablespoons gum Arabic 1 pint denatured alcohol Mix shellac, gum Arabic and turpentine until the gum Arabic dissolves. Store in covered jars. Apply with Read More …
Starch (basic)
1/2 cup starch 2-1/2 quarts boiling water 1/2 cup cold water Mix starch with the cold water and stir to a smooth paste. Add the boiling water gradually to the creamed mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes Read More …
Wood Cleaner/Reviver
1/3 cup boiled linseed oil 1/3 cup WHITE vinegar 1/3 cup turpentine Mix together and shake well. Apply with a wad of steel wool and lightly scrub the surface. Stir the formula, as needed, to keep the vinegar suspended. Wipe Read More …
Wooden Floor Paste Wax
9 tablespoons carnauba wax 1 tablespoon pine oil 5 tablespoons ceresin wax 1 pint mineral spirits 2-1/2 tablespoons montan wax 1/4 cup turpentine 2 tablespoons yellow beeswax Melt all waxes in a double boiler. Add pine oil and blend well. Read More …
Wood Stain (All Purpose oil-based)
1 part boiled linseed oil 2 ounces Japan drier 2 parts turpentine Up to 1/2 pound dry artist’s pigment Wearing rubber gloves, mix linseed oil, Japan drier, and turpentine in a sealable container, then stir in artist’s pigment to get Read More …
Stuck Glass Stopper Remedy
1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon glycerin 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol Mix. Dribble the mixture around the top of the bottle, a little at a time, until it works its way down around the neck of the bottle, inside the stopper. Read More …
Searing
Searing is a cooking method that uses high heat to capture the natural juices and flavor of a cut of meat or fish. It can be used on its own or in combination with other cooking methods, such as roasting Read More …
Making your own charcoal
Making your own charcoal Using a cold chisel prepare the drum by making five 50mm (2in) holes in one end and completely removing the other. Knock-up the cut edge of the open end to form a ledge (Note, the lid Read More …
Sous Vide
Chef Anthony Susi of Sage – Boston, MA Sous vide is a great technique for slow cooking proteins while infusing flavors. The process originated in France over 30 years ago and literally translates as "under vacuum." In the US, sous Read More …
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Caramel Sauce For safety reasons, heating the unopened can (an old cooking method) is NOT recommended. 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk Oven Method Pour sweetened condensed milk into 9-inch pie plate. Cover with aluminum foil; place in larger Read More …
Turn Your Grill Into A Smoker!
Be sure to soak wood chips in water for 30 – 60 minutes before putting on the grill. When using gas grills it’s best to put presoaked wood chips in a smoker box or wrap them in a piece of Read More …
Stucco, Brick and Block Cleaner
1 gallon hot water 1 cup washing soda 1/2 cup heavy-duty floor cleaner Double, triple or otherwise multiply the formula depending on the amount needed for the job. Brush the walls before you begin cleaning. Mix all the ingredients in Read More …
Table of Egg Equivalents
FRESH WHOLE EGGS (SHELLED) DEHYDRATED EGG MIX Medium Size Weight Volume Weight Volume (Approx.) Water to be Added 1 egg 1.6 oz 3 tbsp 1/2 oz 2 tbsp 2-1/2 tbsp 2 eggs 3.2 oz 6 tbsp 1 oz 1/4 cup Read More …
The Rules of the Chef
Found on the bulletin board of the Chefs Office aboard the Queen Elizabeth II. 1906 1. The Chef is right 2. The Chef is always right 3. The Chef does not sleep, he rests. 4. The Chef does not drink, Read More …
Sizes of Dishes and Baking Pans
4-cup baking dish 9-inch pie plate 8 x 1 1/4-inch layer cake pan 7 3/8 x 3 5/8 x 2 1/4-inch loaf pan 6-cup baking dish 8 or 9 x 1 1/2-inch layer cake pan 10-inch pie plate 8-1/2 x Read More …
Scouring Cleanser
This is mildly abrasive. To make it more abrasive, add additional whiting, a tablespoon at a time. 1/2 cup soap flakes or Soft Soap 2 teaspoons borax 1-1/2 cups hot water 2 to 5 teaspoons whiting Mix soap flakes, borax Read More …
Wine Pronunciation Guide
BARBERA Bar-BAIR-ah BLANC DE PINOT NOIR BlaN duh PEA-know NWAHR BURGUNDY BURR-gun-dee CABERNET SAUVIGNON Cah-bear-NAY. So-vin-YONH CARIGNANE KARE-in-yawn CHABLIS Sha-BLEE CHARDONNAY Shar-doe-NAY CHENIN BLANC Shay-naN BlaN CHIANTI Key-auntie FUMÉ BLANC FOO-may BlaN GAMAY BEAUJOLAIS Ga-MAY Boo-jo-LAY GEWÃœRZTRAMINER Guh-VERTZ-truh-mean-er GRENACHE Gren-AHSH Read More …
Starch (for doilies)
1/2 cup starch 1-1/4 cups water 1/2 cup cold water Dissolve starch in cold water. Boil the 1-1/4 cups water, stirring constantly. Remove from flame, then slowly stir the starch mixture into boiling water, stirring constantly. Place back on flame Read More …
Table of Weights and Measures for Can Sizes
CAN SIZE AVERAGE NET WEIGHT OR FLUID MEASURE PER CAN (SEE NOTE) AVERAGE CUPS PER CAN APPROX. CAN PER CASE NO. CANS EQUIV. NO. 10 CN No. 10 6 lb 8 oz 12-1/2 6 1 No. 3 cyl 3 lb Read More …
Saddle Soap
3-1/2 cups water 1/4 cup neat’s-foot oil 3/4 cup soap flakes (not detergent) 1/2 cup beeswax or paraffin Heat water to the boiling point, then lower heat to simmer. Slowly add soap flakes and stir gently. Combine neat’s-foot oil and Read More …
The Pilaf Method of Cooking Grains
In the pilaf method, grains are lightly toasted in oil or butter with vegetables and seasoning before they’re simmered in stock or wine. The first step is a quick rinse right before cooking to eliminate excess starch. Next, heat up Read More …
To Roast and Peel Chiles
To roast and peel chiles, cut a small slit in the chile close to the stem end so that the steam can escape. Put chiles on a baking sheet and put directly under the broiler or on a screen on Read More …
The Kitchen Before Christmas
T’was the night before Christmas and all through the kitchen; I was cooking and baking and moanin and bitchin. I’ve been here for hours, I cant stop to rest. This rooms a disaster, just look at this mess ! Tomorrow Read More …
Why Engineers Don’t Write Recipe Books
Chocolate Chip Cookies: Ingredients: 1.) 532.35 cm3 gluten 2.) 4.9 cm3 NaHCO3 3.) 4.9 cm3 refined halite 4.) 236.6 cm3 partially hydrogenated tallow triglyceride 5.) 177.45 cm3 crystalline C12H22O11 6.) 177.45 cm3 unrefined C12H22O11 7.) 4.9 cm3 methyl ether of Read More …
The Rules of Chocolate
If you’ve got melted chocolate all over your hands, you’re eating it too slowly. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want. The problem: How to get 2 pounds Read More …
Woods for Grilling
MESQUITE: This wood produces a sweet smoke that gives a great flavor to grilled meats. When grilling with mesquite, be sure to use aged wood because the green wood is too oily. Do not use this wood for lengthy smoking Read More …
Weights and Measures
A standard cup of a dry or solid ingredient will vary in weight depending on the type of ingredient. A standard cup of liquid is the same volume for any type of liquid. The chart converts standard cup measures to Read More …
Table of Measuring Equivalents
TSP TBSP FLUIDOUNCES CUPS SCOOPS LADLES FLUIDMEASURE 3 1 1/2 1-1/2 3/4 1-No. 40 2 1 1-No. 30 Size 0 2-2/3 1-1/3 1-No. 24 Read More …
Table of Conversion Factors for Converting “Edible Portion” Weights of Foods to “As Purchased” Weights of Foods
VEGETABLES The E.P. (Edible Portion) weight of all vegetables, unless otherwise specified, is used in the recipes. This table lists raw items and easy, one-step conversion factors to determine how much A.P. (As Purchased) weight of vegetables to process. To Read More …
Quick Conversion Guide for Ozzie Measurements
These are conversions from Ozzie to US and British measurements. QUICK CONVERSION GUIDE: Wherever you live in the world, you can use Oz recipes with the help of our easy-to-follow conversions for all your cooking needs. These conversions are approximate Read More …
The Official List of Cooking Skill Levels
For Women: 0 = No Skill: You often burn water. The microwave hates you. If your husband is a better cook, he cooks in self-defense – you are, after all, still wanted in three states for starting salmonella outbreaks. If Read More …
Quick Patch Putty
Team Charter – Getting Buy In to Get Results
By Jaime Oikle How do you look at the team concept in your restaurant? Is it a conscious thought process or something that you expect to just happen? How do you go about communicating your expectations with the staff and Read More …
Raw Eggs
There have been warnings against consuming raw or lightly cooked eggs on the grounds that the egg may be contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria responsible for a type of food poisoning. With eggs and all other raw foods from animals, Read More …
Wine Glossary
Acid, Acidic A sharp or tart taste in a wine, not necessarily indicating spoilage. All wines contain some acid; too little may leave the flavor flat or dull. Often, a young wine has a somewhat acid taste that diminishes or Read More …