| How to Peel a Difficult Hard Boiled Egg Posted: 07 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT If you are having trouble peeling your hard-boiled eggs, you can easily use water to help remove the shell. Try storing your eggs in cold water for about 1 hour, and hold your egg under running water when you peel it. To prevent shells from sticking in the future, try using either vinegar and salt or baking soda when boiling your eggs. With a bit of lubrication, you can easily remove even the most stubborn egg shells. EditStoring Boiled Eggs in Water - Fill 2/3 of a plastic container with cold water. Turn on your faucet and make sure your water is cool. Place a plastic container under the faucet until it is about ⅔ of the way full. Then, turn off your water.[1]
- Eggs peel easily when they are cold because the whites of the eggs constrict away from the shell.
- Place your eggs in the water so they are totally submerged. After you boil your eggs and let them cool for about 30 minutes - 1 hour, you can store them in water so the shell easily peels off. You can fill your plastic container up with your eggs, or grab another if you have too many eggs for 1 container. No need to put a lid on the eggs! They will cool fine without a lid.[2]
- You can pour out some of water if it is close to overflowing.
- Store your eggs in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. The cool temperature of the refrigerator will chill your water, making it easy to peel even difficult eggs. They should easily peel off after about 1 hour. You can leave them in your fridge for up to 3-4 days.[3]
- Storing eggs in cold water helps the egg separate from the shell, so you can easily peel it away.
- Peel your eggs using your hands and remove the shell entirely. After your eggs sit in cold water for a bit, take them out of the fridge and pour out the water from your container. Tap the egg with a spoon or on your counter to break the shell, and chip away the pieces using your fingers.[4]
- Once you peel off some of the shell, you can easily remove the remaining layer.
EditPeeling Under Running Water - Turn on your faucet and let cold water run for about 15 seconds. Putting your eggs in the cold constrict the whites of the eggs, making it easier to remove the shell. To use the cold water, let your water run for a few seconds so the temperature can adjust.[5]
- Your water does not have to be ice cold, but the colder the water, the easier it may be to peel away the shell.
- It is helpful to wash any dishes in your sink and wipe your sink with a soapy sponge.
- Hold your egg under running water for 5-15 seconds. Cup your hand around your hard-boiled egg, and place it under the running water. Let the water run over your egg for 5-15 seconds or so.[6]
- You can leave it under the running water for more or less time if you'd like. Holding it under the water helps the egg adjust to the new temperature.
- Tap the bottom of your egg 1-3 times on your sink to start your peel. After your egg soaks under the running water for a few seconds, tap it a few times on your sink. It is best to tap your egg at the bottom for best results. This breaks the shell so you can easily peel it away.[7]
- Alternatively, you can tap it on the side of your faucet instead. Take it out from under the water, and tap the bottom of your egg on the top of your faucet.
- Peel the egg starting from the bottom. The base of the egg is slightly wider than the tip, and it is easier to peel since there is more surface area. Remove the shell where you made your dents, and pull back on the shell using your finger. Do this as running water pours on your egg.[8]
- Since the shell should easily slip off in the water, you should be able to easily peel even difficult hard boiled eggs.
- Collect the shells and dispose of them in your compost bin or trash can. Turn off your water, and place your egg on a plate or in a bowl. Then, scoop up the eggshell pieces from your sink. Eggshells make great compost, so toss them in your bin! If you don't have a compost bin, you can simply throw them in the trash.
- It is best to use a collector at the bottom of your sink so the shells do not go down your drain.
- If you have a garbage disposal, you can turn it on to get rid of any shells that fall down your drain.
EditPreventing Peeling Problems - Boil your eggs in vinegar and salt. Use medium heat to bring your water to a boil, and pour in your vinegar and salt. You can pour in your ingredients when the water starts to bubble.[9]
- These ingredients help separate the shell from the egg so you can easily remove them, even from difficult eggs.
- Try adding baking soda to your boiling water if you don't have vinegar. Rather than using vinegar and salt, you can also use baking soda to make it easier to peel your eggs. Fill your pot up with about 1 quart (0.95 L) of water, and add of baking soda once the water starts to boil.[10]
- The baking soda gets absorbed into your eggs, loosening the bond between the egg white and membrane of the shell.
- Pierce your egg with a pin before you boil it so it is easier to peel. Before you boil your eggs, poke a hole in them so more water can absorb into the egg, making them easier to peel. You can use a push pin or a sewing pin to make your holes. Hold your egg in 1 hand, and insert your pin with gentle pressure to pierce through the shell. Then, gently place them inside your boiling water.[11]
- Extra water in your eggs helps separate the egg white from the shell membrane.
- Poke your hole with care to prevent shattering the eggshell.
- Run the eggs under cool water to prevent them from overcooking. Eggs can continue cooking even after you remove them from the heat. To stop their cooking, place them in cold water immediately after you boil your eggs. If you overcook your egg, the egg will start to expand from excess water, making it more difficult to remove the shell.[12]
- Alternatively, fill a bowl with ice and place your eggs inside the bowl. Then, place the bowl inside the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Be careful of sharp pieces when handling your eggs. Sometimes the sharp corners can scratch your hands or poke your fingers.
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| How to Keep Hydrangeas Alive Posted: 06 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering plants that come in a variety of colors and sizes. If you want to keep your outdoor hydrangea plants looking nice, be sure to water them and prune them regularly. For cut hydrangea stems, try dipping the tips in alum spice powder, changing the vase water regularly, and dunking the hydrangea blooms in lukewarm water. EditMaking Cut Hydrangeas Live Longer - Cut the stems at an angle. Give your hydrangea stems a deep diagonal cut across the bottoms. A diagonal cut will help minimize damage to the stem ends[1]
- Cutting the stems under warm running water will help prevent potentially damaging air bubbles from forming on the stem.
- Dip the hydrangea stems in alum spice powder after cutting the stems. Place a bit of alum powder on a plate, about deep. Once your hydrangea stems are cut, dip each individual stem in the alum powder. Then place the stem in a vase with water and arrange the flowers. This will help the blooms thrive for a longer period of time.[2]
- You should be able to find alum in the spice section of any grocery store.
- Place the cut stems in lukewarm water immediately after cutting. Once you've cut the stems, you'll need to get your hydrangea in water as quickly as you can. Fill a clean vase up with to of lukewarm or room temperature water.[3]
- Do not crush the stem ends, as this can prevent your hydrangea from hydrating.
- Mist the petals with water once a day. Hydrangeas actually absorb more water from their petals than through their roots and stems. If you have cut hydrangeas that you want to keep looking nice, you'll need to gently mist the petals with water each day to keep them hydrated.[4]
- Use a spray bottle with a gentle misting stream so as not to damage the delicate petals.
- Replace the vase water every day. Fresh water will help your hydrangea blooms stay properly hydrated, and prevent them from wilting as quickly. Remove your cut hydrangeas from the vase and discard the old water. Refill the vase with fresh room-temperature water.[5]
- Rinse out the vase to remove any debris before adding the fresh water.
- Add ice to the vase if your hydrangeas wilt when exposed to high temperatures. For hydrangeas that have begun to wilt, fill the vase with 2 parts ice and 1 part water. This will help cool the plants down if they are overheated.[6]
- You should start to see improvements after one day. Feel free to continue the ice/water treatment for several days in an attempt to revive your hydrangeas.
- Dunk the flower heads in warm water if they start to wilt. If your hydrangea blooms begin wilting, you can give them a bit of life support by submerging them in a bowl of warm water for up to 30 minutes.[7]
- Be careful when lifting the hydrangea back up, as the water can make them quite heavy.
EditCaring for Planted Hydrangeas - Plant your hydrangeas with sun exposure and protection from the wind. Hydrangeas need direct sunlight to thrive, so plant them in a spot that has either full or partial sun exposure. Your hydrangea should also be planted away from the wind.[8]
- Winds can actively dry your hydrangea plants even further, so be sure to protect your plant from the wind and hydrate it frequently.
- Plant hydrangeas in moderate climates. Hydrangeas thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3-9. The ideal temperature is around during the daytime and just under at night. If it is hotter than this, the blooms might wilt. And in colder temperatures, the foliage may suffer from frost.[9]
- In the fall, hydrangeas are making buds that will bloom the following year. During this time, hydrangeas need a 6-week period of temperatures below for the buds to set.
- Use standard potting soil or compost to plant your hydrangeas. If you plant your hydrangeas in the ground (instead of in a pot), make sure to add some potting soil or bagged compost to the potting hole to help the plant handle the transition. But remember that the color of the hydrangea flowers is determined by the soil's pH level.[10]
- A high number of aluminum ions in the soil will produce blue hydrangea blooms.
- A pH level of 6.0 and above will produce pink hydrangea blooms.
- White hydrangea blooms are not affected by the pH level of the soil.
- Water the hydrangeas each day so that the soil remains moist. Hydrangeas need to stay hydrated to survive, especially during the first couple of years. If the soil is too dry, the leaves and petals will start wilting. Try watering your hydrangea plants each day – just enough water to keep the soil moist – and see how they do. At a minimum, water your hydrangea plant at least 3 times per week.[11]
- You may want to water less if you live in a particularly rainy climate, or more if you live in a very dry climate.
- If the leaves start wilting, try watering more. If the plant starts looking sticky or wet, consider watering it less frequently.
- Keep your hydrangea plant pruned. While it may seem counterproductive to cut off some of the plant to improve health and growth, this is actually a very common practice. Prune away any older stems or shoots that seem to be wilting or fading.[12]
- Always cut above a node on the stem.
- Removing old growth will make room for new growth!
- Cover the plant with leaves or mulch in the fall to protect it from frost. If you want your hydrangeas to survive the cold season, it's a good idea to cover them from the fall season until the spring when the weather starts warming up again. This will protect them from the cold weather and ward off any damage caused by frost. Cover the plant with of bark mulch, pine needles, leaves, or straw.[13]
- You may want to cover the entire plant by making a loose cage of chicken wire and placing it over the plant. Fill the inside of the cage with leaves and mulch to keep the plant insulated from the cold.
- Don't use maple leaves for this project, as they deteriorate too quickly.
- Prevent gray mold by trimming the affected area and spraying with fungicide. Botrytis blight, also called gray mold, is a fungal disease that commonly affects hydrangea plants. If you see a fuzzy gray spot on your hydrangea plant, you need to trim it off immediately. Cut off the affected area and discard it. Then spray your hydrangea plant with an organic fungicide that will help protect it from further infection.[14]
- Be sure to disinfect your pruning shears with household disinfectant between each cut to prevent the fungal spores from spreading.
- You can use sulfur (liquid spray or wettable powder) as a fungicide. Just be sure to stop using the sulfur when the temperature rises above , as sulfur can damage the plant in hot weather.
- Try to water from beneath the branches to prevent the leaves from getting too wet. This will help prevent gray mold.
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| How to Drive a Van Posted: 06 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT Larger than cars and smaller than semi trucks, vans are a perfect solution for people who need to transport a lot of things but still want to use a relatively cheap and compact vehicle. Whether you're renting a van or using your own, knowing some simple rules of the road will help keep you and everyone around you safe. EditGetting Ready to Drive - Adjust your seat and mirrors. Move your seat until you can reach the pedals comfortably while still seeing all your mirrors. Adjust your mirrors so that you can clearly view the adjacent roads and just a small amount of the van's edge. Since they're designed to hold cargo, many vans do not include a rear-view mirror, making your side mirrors more important.[1]
- Some vans have extendable side mirrors designed for people carrying trailers. When using this feature, adjust the mirrors so that when the van and trailer are perfectly aligned, you can see a tiny bit of the trailer.
- Familiarize yourself with the dashboard. Unlike semi trucks, most modern vans have similar dashboards to cars. However, the gauges and icons may look or be arranged differently, so take some time to learn their design and placement. Keep an eye out for features specific to larger vehicles, like multiple gas tanks, or modern vehicles, like dashboard cameras.
- If you have trouble figuring out what different gauges or icons represent, consult your user manual.
- Load your cargo evenly and secure it with bungee cords. Many vans, especially cargo vans, are built to accommodate large packages and bulky furniture. When packing multiple items, distribute weight as evenly as possible between the front, rear, left, and right sides of the van. To keep items from shifting during transit, hold them in place with bungee cords strapped to the van's interior hook holes.
- Stay under the weight limit. If you're hauling cargo, make sure whatever you pack stays within your van's hauling limit. This will prevent potential auto damage and ensure the van drives correctly. This number is typically listed in your van's user manual. If you cannot find the number, search the van's model online or contact the dealership you purchased or rented it from.[2]
- Acquire van insurance or certification if necessary. If you are borrowing or renting a van, make sure you purchase temporary insurance for the time you intend to use it. Depending on your area and the size of the van, you may need to apply for local or state certification before legally driving the vehicle. To check if your area requires such certification, contact your local branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles.[3]
- Practice driving the van in empty parking lots and small streets. Vans can be difficult to adjust to, so take some time to practice your driving skills before actually heading out on the road. Empty parking lots and small, unoccupied streets are perfect places to test how the van accelerates, brakes, and turns without putting yourself and others in unnecessary danger.[4]
EditDriving Safely - Drive with 2 hands firmly on the wheel. No matter what vehicle you're using, it's important to keep 2 hands on the wheel at all times. To give yourself maximum control, imagine that your steering wheel is a clock and keep your hands at the 9-o'clock and 3-o'clock positions. This is particularly important for vans because, if you don't keep a firm grasp on the wheel, you could lose control of the vehicle and cause a rollover.[5]
- Leave extra space between you and other vehicles. Vans are heavier and bulkier than normal cars, meaning they take longer to brake. To account for this, leave more space than normal between yourself and other cars. As a general rule, leave at least 4 seconds of distance between you and the car in front of you.[6]
- To calculate how far behind a car you are, wait until the car passes a clear object or road marker. As soon as it does, count how many seconds it takes until you pass that same object.
- Obey van specific speed limits. Depending on the area and the exact size of the vehicle, your van may be subject to special speed restrictions different from the posted speed limit. In most cases, this will be per hour lower than the max for standard cars. To see if an area you're traveling in enforces van-specific speed limits, contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles or search online for local driving regulations.[7]
- Slow down more than normal when approaching turns. Vans are tall and narrow, which means they're more prone to tipping over. Though not usually a problem on straight paths, this can make turning more precarious. To minimize the risk of tipping, slow down to around per hour before making sharp turns.[8]
- Make wide turns. To avoid colliding with curbs, road signs, and other vehicles, make sure your van is positioned in the left or right-most lane, depending on which direction you need to turn. Make sure other vehicles are far enough away from the van that you won't side sweep them when turning. Then, make your turn, waiting until you are far enough into the intersection that your vehicle's back end won't hit other cars.[9]
- Check your mirrors before backing up or changing lanes. Before changing lanes or backing up, put on your blinkers to indicate your intentions. Then, check all your mirrors for other cars and pedestrians. If your cargo van has a clear back window, turn your head and look through it to make sure there are no cars in your blind spot.[10]
- If necessary, get out of your van to check the surroundings before backing up.
- Be cautious before going under bridges and other low ledges. Though vans are not as large as semi trucks, they are significantly taller than normal cars, meaning they may not be able to go under bridges and ledges other vehicles can. Before going under a low ledge, check the clearance sign on top to see if your van is short enough to fit underneath. Do not go under ledges that are lower than your vehicle.[11]
- Most major bridges are tall enough to accomodate semi trucks, so look out primarily for old, small-town bridges and clearance poles at places like gas stations and fast food restaurants.
EditParking Properly - Park in large, open spots and designated areas. Vans are typically longer than standard cars and require more room to park. When pulling into traditional parking lots, look for areas on the side of the lot where you can parallel park, open areas with multiple spots you can occupy, or areas sectioned off for large vehicles. If none of these areas are available, use your best judgement and either park carefully, wait for an opening, or find another lot.
- Back into parking spots to make getting out easier. Whenever possible, you should back into parking spots instead of pulling into them. To do this, pull in front of the parking spot, brake, and put your car in reverse. Scan your mirrors to make sure the area is clear, then turn your wheel toward the spot and gently release your brake pedal. Slowly back your van into the parking spot, readjusting your vehicle as necessary.[12]
- Place a spotter or traffic cone behind the vehicle to make backing up easier.
- Parallel park when normal spots aren't available. Find a space large enough for your van and park next to the car in front of it. Then, put your van in reverse and release the brakes. When your side window is lined up with the car's back bumper, turn your steering wheel toward the parking space and back into it. Once your car is at a 45-degree angle, turn your steering wheel away from the parking space and back up until you're completely in the parking spot.[13]
- Apply your parking brake. Vans are far larger and heavier than most vehicles, meaning they're more prone to rolling while parked. To avoid this, make sure to apply your parking brake whenever you're not inside the vehicle. Most parking brakes are controlled via a pedal below the steering wheel or a lever near the shift controls. If you have trouble finding the parking brake, consult the van's user manual.[14]
- To avoid damaging the vehicle, only apply the brake when the van is in park.
- Remember to release the parking brake before driving.
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