I’m sure we could all tell some stories! And that’s why noone are allowed in my kitchen!  ;D

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSHQas3Gv/

Ouch!

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSHQmrsNg/

I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven

:-) 

only small flames, still, on fire

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 3:08am:

I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven :-)  only small flames, still, on fire

I found out the other day that it's not a good idea to put asparagus in the microwave.

It sparks and catches fire, almost immediately.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 6:35am:

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 3:08am: I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven :-)  only small flames, still, on fire I found out the other day that it's not a good idea to put asparagus in the microwave. It sparks and catches fire, almost immediately.

Wow I never knew that either!!  :o
But I hardly use a microwave to do much except 30-60 seconds to soften or warm up food.
There’s such a lot of info both sides wether microwaves are save or not.

Now I pride myself making minimal errors in kitchen, especially after so many years (our 50th anniversary this month  :o)
But last month, I wanted to soften the butter for 5 seconds in the microwave, with butter on top of its wrapper….now some butters have baking paper type wrapping, this was an organic butter with foil but I thought it was just printed baking paper….bzzzz it went and within 2-3 seconds it caught alight! Scary!
Took it all out while on fire at edges of foil…threw in sink. Then cleaned up blackened mess inside microwave oven.
I showed my adult kids what happened so they would know.

I never ever leave kitchen while cooking, except necessary loo trips.

There are vids showing pressure cookers exploding, they are really not for novices and even I am wary of them. One has to study exactly how to treat it to have success. They are like pressure boiler vessels, and I’m surprised how they are not banned for there will be many unwary.

I don’t mind the young ones using air fryers, as it’s timer set, so won’t be a problem.

Sophia wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 5:21pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 6:35am: Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 3:08am: I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven :-)  only small flames, still, on fire I found out the other day that it's not a good idea to put asparagus in the microwave. It sparks and catches fire, almost immediately. Wow I never knew that either!!  :o

Give it a try.

The sparks start flying from the very first second  :)

The easiest mistake to make is over cooking high quality steak - well done -

it has to be still pink in the middle or it will be tough and have no flavor.


Solution:
start with a room temperature steak -
wait until the pan is hot -
sear both sides at high temperature to seal it  -
then turn the flame down to finish it off.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 5:48pm:

Sophia wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 5:21pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 6:35am: Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 3:08am: I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven :-)  only small flames, still, on fire I found out the other day that it's not a good idea to put asparagus in the microwave. It sparks and catches fire, almost immediately. Wow I never knew that either!!  :o Give it a try. The sparks start flying from the very first second  :)

i'll take your word on that one

My recent stuff up was last Wednesday - I was making a tray of custard tarts and while putting the biscuit base into the gararge fridge I stumbled and 70% of the pastries bounced off the tray onto the floor. The dog had a picnic. 2 hrs work gone in half a second. Only got 5 completer tarts - they were good though.

Dnarever wrote on Apr 12^th, 2026 at 11:08am:

My recent stuff up was last Wednesday - I was making a tray of custard tarts and while putting the biscuit base into the gararge fridge I stumbled and 70% of the pastries bounced off the tray onto the floor. The dog had a picnic. 2 hrs work gone in half a second. Only got 5 completer tarts - they were good though.

Dogs don't eat custard tarts.  ::)

Bobby. wrote on Apr 12^th, 2026 at 1:06pm:

Dnarever wrote on Apr 12th, 2026 at 11:08am: My recent stuff up was last Wednesday - I was making a tray of custard tarts and while putting the biscuit base into the gararge fridge I stumbled and 70% of the pastries bounced off the tray onto the floor. The dog had a picnic. 2 hrs work gone in half a second. Only got 5 completer tarts - they were good though. Dogs don't eat custard tarts.  ::)

Just the shell - the base part, Just try to stop them eating whats on the floor before you can clean it up. Obviously he didn't get it all.

Sophia wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 5:21pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 6:35am: Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 3:08am: I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven :-)  only small flames, still, on fire I found out the other day that it's not a good idea to put asparagus in the microwave. It sparks and catches fire, almost immediately. Wow I never knew that either!!  :o But I hardly use a microwave to do much except 30-60 seconds to soften or warm up food. There’s such a lot of info both sides wether microwaves are save or not. Now I pride myself making minimal errors in kitchen, especially after so many years (our 50th anniversary this month  :o) But last month, I wanted to soften the butter for 5 seconds in the microwave, with butter on top of its wrapper….now some butters have baking paper type wrapping, this was an organic butter with foil but I thought it was just printed baking paper….bzzzz it went and within 2-3 seconds it caught alight! Scary! Took it all out while on fire at edges of foil…threw in sink. Then cleaned up blackened mess inside microwave oven. I showed my adult kids what happened so they would know. I never ever leave kitchen while cooking, except necessary loo trips. There are vids showing pressure cookers exploding, they are really not for novices and even I am wary of them. One has to study exactly how to treat it to have success. They are like pressure boiler vessels, and I’m surprised how they are not banned for there will be many unwary. I don’t mind the young ones using air fryers, as it’s timer set, so won’t be a problem.

Congratulations and best wishes to you and your partner.

Dnarever wrote on Apr 12^th, 2026 at 7:37pm:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 12th, 2026 at 1:06pm: Dnarever wrote on Apr 12th, 2026 at 11:08am: My recent stuff up was last Wednesday - I was making a tray of custard tarts and while putting the biscuit base into the gararge fridge I stumbled and 70% of the pastries bounced off the tray onto the floor. The dog had a picnic. 2 hrs work gone in half a second. Only got 5 completer tarts - they were good though. Dogs don't eat custard tarts.  ::) Just the shell - the base part, Just try to stop them eating whats on the floor before you can clean it up. Obviously he didn't get it all.

Golden Retrievers eat anything.      :-[

Leroy wrote on Apr 12^th, 2026 at 7:42pm:

Sophia wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 5:21pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 6:35am: Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 11th, 2026 at 3:08am: I once had a cake I was making catch fire in the oven :-)  only small flames, still, on fire I found out the other day that it's not a good idea to put asparagus in the microwave. It sparks and catches fire, almost immediately. Wow I never knew that either!!  :o But I hardly use a microwave to do much except 30-60 seconds to soften or warm up food. There’s such a lot of info both sides wether microwaves are save or not. Now I pride myself making minimal errors in kitchen, especially after so many years (our 50th anniversary this month  :o) But last month, I wanted to soften the butter for 5 seconds in the microwave, with butter on top of its wrapper….now some butters have baking paper type wrapping, this was an organic butter with foil but I thought it was just printed baking paper….bzzzz it went and within 2-3 seconds it caught alight! Scary! Took it all out while on fire at edges of foil…threw in sink. Then cleaned up blackened mess inside microwave oven. I showed my adult kids what happened so they would know. I never ever leave kitchen while cooking, except necessary loo trips. There are vids showing pressure cookers exploding, they are really not for novices and even I am wary of them. One has to study exactly how to treat it to have success. They are like pressure boiler vessels, and I’m surprised how they are not banned for there will be many unwary. I don’t mind the young ones using air fryers, as it’s timer set, so won’t be a problem. Congratulations and best wishes to you and your partner.

Thank you BD  :) I reckon I deserve a medal….but then again he does too  ;D
I get a little depressed looking at photos from past…it feels like another life/era!
But I’ve learnt …. embrace the day because it’s all we have. Kindness or joy or love or gratitude never ages!
Yes a lot of shyte has happened, and it sometimes crowds the mind…but thinking of better memories helps.
Cheers BD  8-)

My first big in-kitchen mishap when newly married, was the knife! How I went to cut something can’t remember what, maybe pumpkin with hard skin, and knife flipped and cut a deep wound in my thumb!
Since then I’ve been extra extra wary of anything that cuts!

It still nearly happens when a knife skips sideways when cutting downwards….but the knife I use now has a flat side on top so I press down from the top with my hands away from the sharp end.

Sometimes, the knife is stuck half way in…so I grab the handle and I make it like a hammer on the cutting board …bang bang (like chopping wood) and knife frees up as pumpkin splits.

I would hate to imagine me on master chef show looking like an axe murderer   ;D

Sophia wrote on Apr 13^th, 2026 at 5:01pm:

My first big in-kitchen mishap when newly married, was the knife! How I went to cut something can’t remember what, maybe pumpkin with hard skin, and knife flipped and cut a deep wound in my thumb! Since then I’ve been extra extra wary of anything that cuts! It still nearly happens when a knife skips sideways when cutting downwards….but the knife I use now has a flat side on top so I press down from the top with my hands away from the sharp end. Sometimes, the knife is stuck half way in…so I grab the handle and I make it like a hammer on the cutting board …bang bang (like chopping wood) and knife frees up as pumpkin splits. I would hate to imagine me on master chef show looking like an axe murderer   ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s29r8XtjbF4

tallowood wrote on Apr 13^th, 2026 at 5:15pm:

Sophia wrote on Apr 13th, 2026 at 5:01pm: My first big in-kitchen mishap when newly married, was the knife! How I went to cut something can’t remember what, maybe pumpkin with hard skin, and knife flipped and cut a deep wound in my thumb! Since then I’ve been extra extra wary of anything that cuts! It still nearly happens when a knife skips sideways when cutting downwards….but the knife I use now has a flat side on top so I press down from the top with my hands away from the sharp end. Sometimes, the knife is stuck half way in…so I grab the handle and I make it like a hammer on the cutting board …bang bang (like chopping wood) and knife frees up as pumpkin splits. I would hate to imagine me on master chef show looking like an axe murderer   ;D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s29r8XtjbF4

My fave is that grey pumpkin and I have identical same knife and wooden cutting board.
Now the big difference is, he is looking about 30 years younger and a stronger male.
I’ve got little hands so it’s more struggling for moiye.
We need to see how lil ole ladies cut up a pumpkin!  8-)
There are times when the knife feels stuck, I put a tea towel over the knife and hammer it down with the meat tenderiser!

Oh my goodness! Look what I found…she uses a flexible fish fillet knife  :o

Now I must try this!!!!

https://youtu.be/DPAZIz8QfPo?si=bz-FR5_Bbra52PTo

Well…. I used to expired stuff in my mum’s  cupboards … and then, I realised I was no better!
So fess up, who gets caught out with expired food?
I now do a check every New Year’s Day to chuck stuff out!
Otherwise I’ve got my adult kids checking dates of everything  ;D

This tik Tok is a hilarious example of the elderly hoarding old food  ;D

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSHboRVTu/

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ctwenkbd3M0?si=A-7LnBGAU-zc0UAa
Aussie pan.

Frank wrote on May 22^nd, 2026 at 4:53pm:

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ctwenkbd3M0?si=A-7LnBGAU-zc0UAa Aussie pan.

That’s good  ;D

Sophia wrote on May 23^rd, 2026 at 12:13am:

Frank wrote on May 22nd, 2026 at 4:53pm: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ctwenkbd3M0?si=A-7LnBGAU-zc0UAa Aussie pan. That’s good  ;D

It should be, for $250   :o

greggerypeccary wrote on May 23^rd, 2026 at 10:38am:

Sophia wrote on May 23rd, 2026 at 12:13am: Frank wrote on May 22nd, 2026 at 4:53pm: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ctwenkbd3M0?si=A-7LnBGAU-zc0UAa Aussie pan. That’s good  ;D It should be, for $250   :o

Oh it’s for real   :o
I would pay up to $50 for a good frypan. Then that’s pushing it!
Often I go into Harris scarf and they have beautiful cookware at fantastic prices.

Sophia wrote on May 23^rd, 2026 at 5:17pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on May 23rd, 2026 at 10:38am: Sophia wrote on May 23rd, 2026 at 12:13am: Frank wrote on May 22nd, 2026 at 4:53pm: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ctwenkbd3M0?si=A-7LnBGAU-zc0UAa Aussie pan. That’s good  ;D It should be, for $250   :o Oh it’s for real   :o

Yep.

https://www.solidteknics.com/

Sophia wrote on May 23^rd, 2026 at 5:17pm:

........... Oh it’s for real   :o I would pay up to $50 for a good frypan. Then that’s pushing it! Often I go into Harris scarf and they have beautiful cookware at fantastic prices.

yes, Harris Scarf is very good.
Got our larger steamer from there, among other house items.
Pillows, quilts

greggerypeccary wrote on May 23^rd, 2026 at 10:38am:

Sophia wrote on May 23rd, 2026 at 12:13am: Frank wrote on May 22nd, 2026 at 4:53pm: https://youtube.com/shorts/Ctwenkbd3M0?si=A-7LnBGAU-zc0UAa Aussie pan. That’s good  ;D It should be, for $250   :o

Well! I came across this comparison with pans! And guess which one was in the recommended list!
Yep ^^^^ that mentioned by Frank!

I got this bottle of drops recently, and it’s to test stainless steel if it’s low grade etc if the colour goes dark brown/red it’s not good!
All my old cookware is safe.
Old cutlery good!
New shiny s/s cutlery I bought last year and used once … seems a bit low grade!

Here’s the YouTube RE: comparisons for pans.

https://youtu.be/om3w_K6cZYI?si=xy06oc4juDKJCJUk

And here’s the test drops for steel not to be used for cooking with/eating from.

https://share.google/aimode/anTOOShKXRGABqms1