The Crock Pot

IF you are staying in America for any length of time, you are most likely going to enjoy having a crock pot.  It is a large pot that you plug in and put your food in, and when you get home that evening you meal is ready.  It is a convenience that most American homes have.

I will show you a couple different kinds and also post some links to some great recipes for the crock pot.

This is an old style crock pot.  They have come a long way.  Be sure to get one where the crock or inner bowl lifts out.  These old ones are really hard to clean, you can not get the cord wet and it doesn't come off.

This is one of the newer ones.  Imagine coming home to smell your meal already done and ready for you to just dig in!!!

This one is a bit extravagant!  I think of myself as being simple and not needing anything so grand.  

This is more like the one that I own.  Has an "off", "low", "high" setting.  Just what I need!

I have a friend that uses these crock pot bags.

Open the bag, place it into the crock pot and fold it over the outside.  Put your food in, turn it on and put the lid on.

Come home and eat!!!

Then, put a twist tie around the top and put it in the refrigerator.  It is one of the easiest ways to cook.

I just posted on facebook and asked my friends to post some recipes for me to post here for you.  IF you don't know what these items are, then write them down and have someone at the grocery store help you find the items.

---RECIPES---

One Pork Loin Roast

1 Jar of Picante Sauce (any kind)

Put roast in crock pot. Pour sauce over it and cook on high all day.  Makes a lot.  You can freeze it and use it later for salads, tacos, chips,...

------

Chicken Dinner

3 medium potatoes

1/2 pound of baby carrots

2 chicken breast or 4 chicken thighs

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

Clean your carrots and potatoes and put them in the bottom of the crock pot. Add the chicken. Combine the soup and seasonings together and pour over the top.

Cook for 4 to 6 hours.

------

How do you use the Shower or Water Controls

Some people may think this a strange subject, but the water spouts and controls are very different around the world.

Look at this first one.  Pretty standard for America.  Nothing fancy, but it works fine.  You would turn that middle knob, for on and off.  But, once you have turned it, you can lift it to the right and left to adjust the temperature.  I always adjust my temperature before I get in and sometimes it takes a few minutes to get the hot going.  Then, you have to pull up on that knob on the top of the faucet to make that blocked off so that the water comes through the shower head.  

This is another view of the knob on top of the tub faucet.  And then below that, you can see the round metal with a lever, you would turn that to close the tub to hold water.

This one is a bit unusual.  There are three knobs.  The ones on the outside control the water temperature to come out of the tub.  The one in the center will then control how fast that water comes out of the shower faucet.

This just shows another style of control.  You turn to the left and right to control the temperature and then you pull and push to turn it on and off.

Please feel free to ask any questions related to the topic of the WATER CONTROLS or to post suggestions for what we can explain next.  We will try to update the main post often if we can think of anything else.

Getting the Dishes Clean

Let us take a look at the dishwasher.  First, let me just state that it is sometimes a lot more water efficient to just wash the dishes in the sink if there are just a few items.  Also, those towels and rags that you use in the kitchen can be added to your regular laundry!

Dishwashers come in about as many different varieties as the washing machine, if not more.  The symbols below will help you to understand what items can be put in the dishwasher.  When you are not sure of an item, wash it by hand.  I put almost all plastic items in the top rack of the dishwasher, if they melt ... then I didn't need it that bad or I would have washed it by hand.

Speaking of melting.  See that black coil thingy that wraps around the bottom of the dishwasher?  It gets very hot and anything that touches is will most likely melt or burn.  Should you ever smell something burning in the dishwasher, it is most likely down in there and you can just take it out once the load has completed.  I use a pair of tongues to get those items lose.  I do speak from experience!  You must put heavier glass items over handles of measuring cups to keep them from flying all over the place during the wash and rinse cycles. 

These are the type tongues that I use to get stuff out of the bottom.  I will also talk about these when we discuss the garbage disposal.

Let us look at this style of dishwasher.  Turn the inner knob to the desired setting and then close the door and lock it.  The most used cycle will be "Normal Wash".  Sometimes if you had a party and want to wash everything after the guests have gone, maybe the food is stuck on and you should use the "Heavy Wash" cycle, but be careful about what plastics you are putting in there.  Let's say that you do not have enough to run the dishwasher, but you just want to rise everything off, use the "Rinse/Hold" cycle.

Here are two more styles of dishwashers, these have buttons.  Again, just look for the one with "Normal" and go from there.

Here is the inside of a dishwasher that has the utensil basket in the bottom rack, most dishwashers are like this.  When you put in your silverware, check to be sure that they don't fall out the holes in the bottom.  Chopsticks will need to be laid across the top rack or just washed by hand.

Here is another style, the silverware baskets are usually removable to make it easier to take the silverware to the drawer and put them all away.  

Also, note on the picture above... there is a long piece with holes in it that spins around between the two racks.  Be that nothing blocks that!  Also, there might be one connected to the top inside the dishwasher.  Also, at the center bottom, there might be a round plastic piece that can shoot up from the bottom.  These are all water sprayers, the more there are ... the better your dishes will get clean.  Again, do NOT block any of these.

The above picture show you where the water sprays are at, then it shows that the silverware basket is attached to the door, and there is an area for both spot remover and soap.  Spot removers are not necessary, I do not use any.  IF you live in an area where your glasses are coming out with spots or a haze on them, then you should use it.  You can get a liquid and just unscrew the cap, pour it in and screw the cap back on.  You will not have to add this all the time.

On this model, the screw on area is on the left.  Then the triangle and the circle are both for soap.  You use the same soap for both areas, one is a pre-wash compartment.  The triangle gets filled and will fall out when you shut the door, it is ok.  Then, the circle one gets filled and you twist it shut.  What happens is the triangle soap is used first.  The little round door will twist open by itself and the second wash will use that soap.

Some dishwashers have doors over both compartments like this one.  Just fill them both and close the door.  This one shows a powder that is pre-measured and made into a pod or disk.

All dishwasher soaps are NOT the same, some do work better than others with different machines.  This is a good brand, Cascade.  Like with the washing machine, I like the liquid best.  It seems to dissolve easily.  I also get the ones that are pre-measured so that I can just grab two and put them in the containers and be finished with it.

These two pictures show two styles of locks.  The dishwasher won't start unless it is locked.  There might even be a switch on the wall that must be flipped on to get it to work.  The one above, you move the latch from one side to the other to lock and unlock.  The one below, you have to click the handle to unlock.  I think that most of this style will lock by just by pushing it all the way closed til you hear a click, and then push the appropriate buttons as discussed above.

One last note... It is ok for steam to come out of the dishwasher when it is running.  It should not leak water though.  Do not empty it until it has had time to cool off.  

IF you should chose to do your dishes in the sink, you will need a different soap!  I do keep both soaps on hand, and find myself doing a few things in the sink from time to time.

Again, why we have so many different brands, colors, scents,...  I have no idea.  Just be sure that it says for "dishes" on the bottle.  You should only been a couple of tablespoons or a cap full.  You will get to where you can just squeeze it out and be fine.  Do NOT put this soap in your dishwasher or clothes washing maching!

Look for one of these near your sink, or maybe someone stored it in a drawer or under the sink.  

Some of the "stoppers" have a plug on the bottom that will only fit in the sink one way.  Work it into position and then put in a bit of water to make sure it is holding the water good.  Next, add your soap and fill the sink about half to two thirds full of nice warm water.  The hotter the better, but be sure you can put your hands in it and not burn yourself.

Put your dishes in and get started washing them with a rag or sponge.  Then, rinse them in hot water to get the soap off and lay them on a fresh dry towel or drain rack.

There are some people that don't like to put their dishes in the sink to wash, but would prefer a separate tub or container for washing them.  That is fine, and in that case you won't need the stopper.

When not in use, both the tub and the drain rack can be stored under the sink.  The wash by hand method is great for small items that would fall through the rack in the dishwasher.

Please feel free to ask any questions related to the topic of the DISHWASHER or to post suggestions for what we can explain next.  We will try to update the main post often if we can think of anything else.

How to use the Garbage Disposal

First of all, do NOT put your hand in the garbage disposal!!!  You can lose a finger or worse, a hand.  It is very sharp and will work great for you if you take care of it.

Here is a great link if you wanna read more about garbage disposal usage.  http://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-a-Garbage-Disposal

It is really quite easy to use and can be very helpful.  Use it to put small things down the sink.  Things means food items only!  Make sure that anything you put down the sink has been cut into small enough pieces that it fits down the sink easily.  Do not put down any egg shells, banana peels, bones, ...

Not sure if you have a garbage disposal?  IF you have something under your sink that looks like this, then you have a garbage disposal.

Look around on the wall for a switch that will turn the garbage disposal on and off.  Be sure that the COLD water is running before you start the disposal.  The cold water will help to clean the garbage away.  Do not use hot water, it actually causes things to stick to the warmed pipes down in the drain.

The disposal is most often used for fruit peelings and if your disposal gets smelling, putting these down the disposal with make it smell better.  IF you do not use your disposal, still run some fruit peeling down it once a month to keep it smelling nice.

Turn on the cold water, drop in your peelings, and after you have all hands away ... then you flip the switch.  Turn off the switch when the grinding if complete, and then turn off the water.

To be honest with you, I use this little screen in my sink to collect most garbage and then just dump it into the trash can.  It is just so much easier.  I also keep those plastic bags from the produce at the grocery store and put old food in there and then tie it off.

Take your trash out often or you will get gnats and they are hard to get rid of.  Also, do not put a pot of food on your porch or your bagged trash on the porch, go find the dumpster.  

You can pour most kitchen liquid food down your disposal.  Do NOT pour grease down your garbage disposal.

IF something should go down the sink, use the tongues to get it out.  NOT your hand!

IF you should hear something that is in the disposal after you turned on the water and flipped the wall switch, turn off the wall switch, then turn off the water.  Wait for a few seconds and then reach in with your tongues and pull out whatever was down in there.

Yes, this really happens!  I pulled a spoon out once.  Now, I keep my strainer screen in the sink almost all the time.  IF you do not use your disposal, just put some regular kitchen soap down it from time to time with it running to keep it smelling fresh.

Please feel free to ask any questions related to the topic of the GARBAGE DISPOSAL or to post suggestions for what we can explain next.  We will try to update the main post often if we can think of anything else.

Washing Labels and Size Charts

Let us talk about washing instructions and size charts.

This first chart shows you what the symbols in your clothes are for.  Wash and Dry are the most important here.  If there were an X through the wash or dry, that would mean that item can NOT be put into your washing machine.

This is just another type of chart and shows a lot of the same basic information.

Let us look at a tag from a garment and see what we can tell from it.  See the "40"?  That means that we want to wash it in the cold or cool water setting.  The X through the "triangle" and "iron" tells us that we can not bleach or iron this item.  The "circle with the dot" tells us to set the dryer on a low setting or to not leave it in too long and over dry the item.  Then, the last symbol, the "circle with the P" tells us this item could be dry cleaned also.

Here is another label.  This one is from a company out of New York City.  It tells us to wash in warm water, by itself as it will fade, and to not wash it very often.  It also tells us that it will fade in different areas at different times.  It may be ironed, but not bleached.

One more label.  This one says to wash by hand.  You must put some detergent into the sink and wash this garment by hand.  It may NOT go in the dry, but must be lay flat to dry.  I would lay it on a special drying mesh screen for drying this type of clothing.  It is made of wool and will stretch out of shape if you were to hang it up to dry.  Sometimes know what something is made out of, the type of fabric, can be most helpful.

This is a chart that will show you some of the common measurements for men and women sizes.  There are many different charts put out by many different companies.  They are not all the same, and sometimes it is best to try on the garment.

Chart for Men's Dress Shirts.  The main thing here is to make sure that it buttons around his neck if he is to wear a tie.

Shoes Sizes around the world, and again, I try mine on before purchasing. 

This chart will show you the recyclable codes and what they mean.  As we as Americans do not recycle as much as we should, this chart should help.  Personally, I feel that we have entirely too much trash.

Please feel free to ask any questions related to the topic of the LABEL and SIZE CHARTS or to post suggestions for what we can explain next.  We will try to update the main post often if we can think of anything else.

In the Laundry Room

Let us start with getting your CLOTHES CLEAN. 

---Washing Machines--- 

Most American washers will have a knob or button that you turn to change the water temperature (how hot or cold the water is).  It is best to just put it on COLD/COLD for most things.

Now, Look at the other button.  It is for what kind of clothes you want to wash.  There are many different styles/types of washers, so these could look different.  You will be ok on most machines if you just pick NORMAL.  

On the picture below, there is an extra button for EXTRA RINSE.  On some washers, there is a knob that is for EXTRA RINSE.  I use mine on every load.  It runs the water one extra time make sure all the soap comes out of your laundry.  Some people only use this on really dirty clothes.

This washer has many buttons.  You can add fabric softeners (an extra liquid to make your clothes softer), there is a button for that.  I do not use softeners, it is a personal preference or choice.  

Also...each washer is different on how to START the washer. On some, you just push or pull the knob, but on some you have to turn the knob.

In the picture above, you have to push in the button on the bottom right corner to start the washer.  Once it is started, this one also locks!  So, if you found some more laundry to add, you must push the button again for it to unlock before you can add the other clothes.

I have personally never owned a washer with a clear front door (with a window).  I know that they lock and should not leak.  I would think that they will work about the same way.

---Laundry Detergent (soap)---

There are so many different brands, smells and concentrates of detergent/soap.  They are all about the same.  I generally use Tide, but it is personal preference or choice.

Usually the cheapest kind is lower quality, but the middle price range is okay.  If there is a "store brand" (like GREAT VALUE at Walmart), it is usually the same quality as the main brands.  You can save money buying store brand.

You will use the lid to measure the soap.  They are all different sizes, so be sure to use the one that came with your bottle of detergent.  The size of the lid matches how strong the soap is!

Do NOT just fill the cap all the way up!  Most of the caps will have marks inside to help you know how much to use.  But, you can also just make your own marks for small, medium, large and extra large loads.

You can also get soap that is already measured.  They come in these "pods".  I have never used them and do not know how you would change the amount of soap for all size loads of laundry.

Last entry for clothes detergent/soap.  You can also get a soap for clothes that is in POWDER form.  I do not use this type.  Sometimes it doesn't mix well and leaves soap on your clothes.  They usually all come with their own measuring scoop.

Oh, one last thing before we move on to the dryer.  In America, our "red" colored clothes and blue jeans seem to fade (lose some color) for the first few washes.  You should wash them in your sink until the water does not turn colors. Then, you can start washing them with your other clothes in the machine.  IF you do not know if they are going to fade... fill your kitchen sink with clean cool water, put the item in and see if the water changes colors.  If it changes, do not put it in with the other clothes yet.  Wash it BY HAND.

---Dryer---

First of all, I do not dry all my clothes.  I would rather just hang them up to dry, they seem to last longer.  I usually dry my underwear, sleeping clothes, towels, and small things.  It also saves on my electric bill.  So...

Dryers are basically all the same.  There is a button to set the kind of clothes.  Permanent Press is for your top clothes (pants, shirts, jeans, dresses).  Cotton or Normal is for the underwear and towels.  Delicate is for your special items (like a lacy dress or your bras).  I use the NORMAL the most. The little numbers around the knob tell you how long it will run for (the MINUTES).  On most dryers, you just push in the knob to start it.

LINT TRAP in the DRYER

A lint trapper is in your dryer.  It is made to collect the loose threads that come off in the dryer.  There are two different places that the lint trap might be.  The lint trapper will be very full the first few times you wash new towels and fluffy things. It can be in the the back corner on top or inside the door.  Please do not let yours get this full before you empty it! You should probably check your lint trap every time you use your dryer to be safe.  You just pull it out, take your hand and roll it all out, and put it into the trash.  Then, just slide the trap back into place.  If the lint trapper is too full, the clothes will not dry quickly.  You will waste a lot of time and electricity trying to dry some clothes.

Some dryers will make noise (like a buzz) when they are finished.  My new one does not, so I just set the timer on the microwave when I put clothes in.  Sometimes, when drying a large load of towels, I have to empty the lint trap in the middle of drying them.

Well, I hope that this helps you with getting your laundry clean and dry.  I know that it must be a challenge coming to a different country and adapt to our ways.

Please feel free to ask any questions related to the topic of the LAUNDRY ROOM or to post suggestions for what we can explain next.  We will try to update the main post often if we can think of anything else.