How to Clean Dirty Pan Bottoms

Dear Home-ec 101, I hang pans up above the stove and cruddy looking, stained bottoms look bad. I bought two new shiny ones and the smaller one looks like heck after just one run through the dishwasher. The packaging did NOT say to avoid the dishwasher so what happened? It said it was “professional grade” …

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Benefits of a Well Stocked Pantry

pantry

Dear Home-ec 101: I hate going to the grocery store each week and spending so much money. I’ve heard that I need to have a stocked pantry, but I don’t understand how that will help me. If I buy twice as much food so that I have some in the pantry for next week, won’t …

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How to clean and care for a coffee maker

Dear Home-ec 101: I just discovered your site – very, very cool – and wondered about easy ways to clean coffee makers. I have been doing a cycle with a few tablespoons of vinegar and the rest of the pot water about once every month or so. I have also heard you can use a …

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How to Clean Corian

Dear Home-Ec 101: I have Corian counter tops and sink. The sink is stained because my family never cleans it. I try to clean it, but even with a special Corian cleaner or bleach, I cannot get the stains out after several cleanings. The counter tops are clean, but dull. I tried a counter top …

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How to Dice an Onion

Dear Home-ec 101, I hate cooking. I make a bloody mess (literally!) everytime I have to do anything involving onions. Can you help? ~Stubby in St. Petersburg Heather says: Dicing onions shouldn’t make you cry, in pain that is. First peel off the papery layers, this is easier if you cut off the root end, …

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Recipe: How to Make Sweet Tea

Dear Home-Ec 101, My inlaws from down South are coming to town, I need help! All they do is complain about how awful the food is here and how there is no ‘sweet tea’ to be found. I’d like to make a good impression. Signed, I Like it Bitter in Minneapolis How to make sweet …

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Where to start, when you don’t have a clue

Dear Home-Ec 101, My house is a wreck. I’m scared to open the fridge, and I swear something growled at me the last time I grabbed a soda. I think a dust bunny ate the baby. Help Me! Signed,Don’t Know Where to Start. Dear Don’t Know Where to Start, When I’ve gotten off track, I …

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