Keep the refrigerator temperature at or below 40° F (4° C). The freezer temperature should be 0° F (-18° C). Check temperatures periodically. Appliance thermometers are the best way of knowing these temperatures and are generally inexpensive. The fridge temperatures below are a good guide to keeping food safe. Fresh…
Rectangular tiles are common and have several possible layouts; a traditional layout uses an offset horizontal orientation. But consider for a minute whether a vertical layout might work better for your particular room. Laying your tile in a vertical direction adds a subtle design touch. When people select rectangular tiles…
There are lots of factors that affect whether spawn develops: it may be to do with the frogs, it may be to do with the pond. The most common cause of spawn failure is lack of light and late frosts. Frog spawn needs a lot of light and a lot…
There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one…
It’s more common for mold and mildew to develop in front-loading washers, but Better Homes and Gardens says it can happen in top-loaders, too — especially in warm, humid climates. For this reason, Consumer Reports recommends leaving the door or lid open in between loads to give the machine time…
There is no reasonable reason to ever put drywall on the floor: It is NOT a waterproof, wear-resistant, nor strong enough material for anything but the light cover of interior walls for fire-resistance, looks, and sound dampening. How far should drywall be off the floor? The framing for the drywall…
Answer: Yes — as the U.S. Department of Agriculture points out, you can cook frozen meat, including ham, in the oven without defrosting it first. You’ll need to allow for some extra cooking time, though. It generally takes about 50 percent longer to cook a frozen ham than the time…
The best way to make planting beds is to keep the soil at or below the original level. Beside the sidewalk it should be 3 inches below the level of the sidewalk so that mulch can be added. Being lower than the lawn grass also works better than being too…
Tiny microcrystals in fudge are what give it its firm texture. The crystals are small enough, however, that they don’t feel grainy on your tongue, but smooth. While you ultimately want crystals to form, it’s important that they don’t form too early. Another reason for your grainy fudge could have…
You should keep it completely open until the fire is out all the way. When you aren’t using the fireplace, closing the flue will keep hot or cooled air in the home. An open flue is similar to opening a window, so keep it closed. However, if you leave it…