milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Mar 8, 2022 11:34:32 GMT -6
I believe we had a similar thread a while (years?) ago. This is the thread where you can ask for tips or volunteer hacks and tips that you have figured out.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Mar 8, 2022 11:35:40 GMT -6
To start. How do you all make oatmeal? I cannot seem to microwave oatmeal without it overflowing and making a mess of my microwave. I have tried large bowls, small bowls, saran wrap, it all fails and I nearly hulk smashed my microwave tray this morning because I'm fed up with it. Please help.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Mar 8, 2022 11:38:24 GMT -6
Also, I am struggling to find a way to clean my engineered hardwood floors. I have tried Bona, damp microfiber, a steam mop. None are great. They get dirty instantly after they are cleaned thanks to dogs and children but I would like to clean them like once a week. My floors seem very sensitive to any water and there is some minor warping in some areas so the thought of using an actual mop scares me. I have stopped the steam mopping too because I think that was causing issues. Please help.
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Post by charlotte on Mar 8, 2022 11:53:51 GMT -6
Oatmeal— I heat the water on its own, then mix it into the dry oatmeal. Tada! (There are probably better ways)
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piratecat
Diamond
Posts: 36,003 Likes: 143,827
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Post by piratecat on Mar 8, 2022 11:59:34 GMT -6
To start. How do you all make oatmeal? I cannot seem to microwave oatmeal without it overflowing and making a mess of my microwave. I have tried large bowls, small bowls, saran wrap, it all fails and I nearly hulk smashed my microwave tray this morning because I'm fed up with it. Please help. Do you use regular oats or quick oats? One minute in the microwave in a large-ish bowl works well for me and my kid eats oatmeal almost daily. If I only have regular oats I have to break up the time, like 1.5 minutes twice.
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piratecat
Diamond
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Post by piratecat on Mar 8, 2022 12:00:26 GMT -6
But also, maybe overnight oats instead milano?
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Post by mintyblueair on Mar 8, 2022 12:40:48 GMT -6
To start. How do you all make oatmeal? I cannot seem to microwave oatmeal without it overflowing and making a mess of my microwave. I have tried large bowls, small bowls, saran wrap, it all fails and I nearly hulk smashed my microwave tray this morning because I'm fed up with it. Please help. Have you tried reducing the microwave power to like half? That might help.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Mar 8, 2022 13:15:20 GMT -6
They are always quick oats and I usually do like 4 packets worth and put it in for like 4 min... maybe I'm just overcooking them?!
If both kids want oatmeal I usually put in one packet of instant flavored oatmeal and then add 3 more packets' worth of plain quick oats from the big container- which dilutes the sugar and also saves $ from buying so many packets. I also sometimes mix in frozen fruit after it cooks which adds flavor and turns it a fun color, plus cools it so my kids can eat it right away. I guess I gave my own oatmeal hacks too, I just need to figure out how to cook it 🤪
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piratecat
Diamond
Posts: 36,003 Likes: 143,827
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Post by piratecat on Mar 8, 2022 13:35:16 GMT -6
They are always quick oats and I usually do like 4 packets worth and put it in for like 4 min... maybe I'm just overcooking them?! If both kids want oatmeal I usually put in one packet of instant flavored oatmeal and then add 3 more packets' worth of plain quick oats from the big container- which dilutes the sugar and also saves $ from buying so many packets. I also sometimes mix in frozen fruit after it cooks which adds flavor and turns it a fun color, plus cools it so my kids can eat it right away. I guess I gave my own oatmeal hacks too, I just need to figure out how to cook it 🤪 I used to do the same with packet oatmeal but eventually was able to him off it completely. I probably make equivalent to maybe 3 packets at a time and still only cook for 1 minute, then add a gallon of frozen blueberries.
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Speedy
Sapphire
Posts: 4,613 Likes: 8,575
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Post by Speedy on Mar 8, 2022 14:03:07 GMT -6
I usually only cook my oatmeal for like 2 minutes, with less water. I do like a chunky oatmeal though.
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stringy
Opal
Posts: 8,306 Likes: 22,157
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Post by stringy on Mar 8, 2022 14:16:53 GMT -6
I cook our quick oats for like 35 seconds.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,085 Likes: 10,330
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Post by sarenu on Mar 8, 2022 14:51:42 GMT -6
To start. How do you all make oatmeal? I cannot seem to microwave oatmeal without it overflowing and making a mess of my microwave. I have tried large bowls, small bowls, saran wrap, it all fails and I nearly hulk smashed my microwave tray this morning because I'm fed up with it. Please help. Have you tried reducing the microwave power to like half? That might help. Step one: buy a cheap microwave from Walmart (700 or less watts) Step two: microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Perfect oatmeal.
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tj
Moderator
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Post by tj on Mar 8, 2022 15:07:01 GMT -6
Have you tried reducing the microwave power to like half? That might help. Step one: buy a cheap microwave from Walmart (700 or less watts) Step two: microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Perfect oatmeal. For some reason I thought this was about milano’s broke dryer and I was like who microwaves their undies to dry them but also toasty undies so maybe…
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Post by mintyblueair on Mar 8, 2022 15:33:40 GMT -6
They are always quick oats and I usually do like 4 packets worth and put it in for like 4 min... maybe I'm just overcooking them?! If both kids want oatmeal I usually put in one packet of instant flavored oatmeal and then add 3 more packets' worth of plain quick oats from the big container- which dilutes the sugar and also saves $ from buying so many packets. I also sometimes mix in frozen fruit after it cooks which adds flavor and turns it a fun color, plus cools it so my kids can eat it right away. I guess I gave my own oatmeal hacks too, I just need to figure out how to cook it 🤪 I think 4 minutes is probably way too long! Try 2 (and reducing the power lol).
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nikkipal
Sapphire
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Post by nikkipal on Mar 8, 2022 16:51:41 GMT -6
milano, that happens to my oats every time too.
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Post by charlotte on Mar 8, 2022 16:53:39 GMT -6
Step one: buy a cheap microwave from Walmart (700 or less watts) Step two: microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Perfect oatmeal. For some reason I thought this was about milano’s broke dryer and I was like who microwaves their undies to dry them but also toasty undies so maybe… Try it and report back
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Post by ovenrack on Mar 8, 2022 17:35:01 GMT -6
I’ve never even considered microwaving oatmeal. With instant oats, the packets, I just add boiling water?
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tj
Moderator
Posts: 9,912 Likes: 24,842
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Post by tj on Mar 8, 2022 17:52:47 GMT -6
For some reason I thought this was about milano’s broke dryer and I was like who microwaves their undies to dry them but also toasty undies so maybe… Try it and report back Mh got me a towel warmer for my bday. And it’s one of my greatest joy in life and I can’t imagine ever going back to cold towels. I would just toss my undies in there. Except a warm piece of string between my crack doesn’t sound appealing. But now I want to put my PJs in there.
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on Mar 8, 2022 17:53:09 GMT -6
We eat Coach's Oats (texture somewhere between steel cut and regular rolled. I find them perfect). Larger bowl, 4 minutes at 70% power. milano I would reduce the power on your microwave to see if that helps
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Mar 8, 2022 18:32:26 GMT -6
I’ve never even considered microwaving oatmeal. With instant oats, the packets, I just add boiling water? I don't have a quicker way of boiling water than the microwave. I guess I could use the tea kettle? It's pretty quick. Definitely sounds less messy than my current method.
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Post by ovenrack on Mar 8, 2022 18:44:18 GMT -6
I’ve never even considered microwaving oatmeal. With instant oats, the packets, I just add boiling water? I don't have a quicker way of boiling water than the microwave. I guess I could use the tea kettle? It's pretty quick. Definitely sounds less messy than my current method. I use my tea kettle! I’ve never even considered using a microwave to boil water. I also hate my microwave though. I need a whole new kitchen, guys. How can I do it before under 10k?
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Post by charlotte on Mar 8, 2022 20:20:07 GMT -6
We don’t have a tea kettle currently but I’ve got this one on my wish list. It’s out-of-budget, but maybe for my birthday.
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sarenu
Amethyst
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Post by sarenu on Mar 8, 2022 21:34:41 GMT -6
I don't have a quicker way of boiling water than the microwave. I guess I could use the tea kettle? It's pretty quick. Definitely sounds less messy than my current method. I use my tea kettle! I’ve never even considered using a microwave to boil water. I also hate my microwave though. I need a whole new kitchen, guys. How can I do it before under 10k? As someone who just went to an appliance store, you can replace your appliance or your cabinets. But not both. Or you could spend $10k on an ultra cool fridge that is big enough for a grown man to fit into.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,085 Likes: 10,330
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Post by sarenu on Mar 9, 2022 8:33:20 GMT -6
My only house hack would be to realistically look at stuff you have acquired. And toss/donate items that you have no plans to use.
My linen closet is so much cleaner after doing this 2 weeks ago.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,085 Likes: 10,330
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Post by sarenu on Mar 9, 2022 8:34:47 GMT -6
I want to get an upright deep freezer when we remodel, but I doubt it will be in our budget the next few years.
Does anyone use baskets to organize your chest freezer? Or tips for this?
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mc13
Sapphire
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Post by mc13 on Mar 9, 2022 11:56:53 GMT -6
I want to get an upright deep freezer when we remodel, but I doubt it will be in our budget the next few years. Does anyone use baskets to organize your chest freezer? Or tips for this? We got a small one at Costco for about $150 last summer. No help for organization. We just have all the different meats stacked in piles. Using baskets sounds like a good idea. I did recently do an inventory and taped it to the door.
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Mar 10, 2022 12:56:40 GMT -6
I want to get an upright deep freezer when we remodel, but I doubt it will be in our budget the next few years. Does anyone use baskets to organize your chest freezer? Or tips for this? Besides opening my chest freezer and yelling "what is even IN here?!", I have no tips 😆. I do have one plastic bin in there that stores dog food but it frequently gets buried and I'm still digging through to find it. Chest freezers are frustrating.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,085 Likes: 10,330
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Post by sarenu on Mar 10, 2022 14:49:18 GMT -6
I want to get an upright deep freezer when we remodel, but I doubt it will be in our budget the next few years. Does anyone use baskets to organize your chest freezer? Or tips for this? Besides opening my chest freezer and yelling "what is even IN here?!", I have no tips 😆. I do have one plastic bin in there that stores dog food but it frequently gets buried and I'm still digging through to find it. Chest freezers are frustrating.
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Post by ovenrack on Mar 10, 2022 17:35:19 GMT -6
We have an old upright freezer from my FILs house that we only plug in and use during maple sap season (storing before we boil) and beekeeping offseason - storing frames of honey or wax. It’s so old it must be inefficient.
I’d like to get a new chest freezer instead, since I don’t need to access either things much except fully taking them in/out.
Sounds like maybe I can get one cheap! Time to start looking.
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