| How to Fix a Shaking Washing Machine Posted: 19 Mar 2020 01:00 AM PDT A shaking washing machine can be quite concerning. It may feel like the floor is about to collapse underneath your machine, and the sound can make it seem like the entire building is falling apart. Fear not! The odds are high that your clothes aren't evenly distributed inside your drum. Outside of an improperly-loaded machine, the most common source of a shaking washer is that the legs are not level, which is an incredibly easy fix. If it won't stop shaking after you've leveled it, you may want to replace the shock absorbers, which can be a tougher fix for a non-professional. If you ever run into a problem that you can't solve, consult a repair company to see if they can solve the issue. [Edit]Performing Quick Fixes - Move your clothes around in the middle of a spin cycle. If your washer starts shaking during the spin cycle, pause the washing machine. Open the door to inspect the arrangement of your clothes. If there is an uneven pile, your drum may have simply bundled your clothes into an uneven ball. Spread your clothes out and resume your spin cycle.[1]
- If your washer continues to shake, remove some of your clothes. You may have simply overloaded it.
- If your washer consistently causes your clothes to bundle together into an uneven ball, the drum is probably absorbing weight unevenly because it isn't level.
- Use smaller loads of clothes when filling your washing machine. You may be filling the drum with too many clothes when you use your washer, even if it doesn't seem like it. Only add clothes until the drum is half-full so that the clothes have room to move when the drum spins. For a front-loading machine, pile your clothes up higher towards the back of the drum and avoid leaving them near the door.[2]
- Overfilling your machine will also keep your clothes from getting adequately clean.
- Try rocking the machine when it isn't running to see if it tilts and move it. To see if your washer isn't level, put both hands on the top of your washer. Try pushing it side-to-side. If it wobbles or gives at all, your machine isn't level and the vibration from the drum is making the legs bang repeatedly into the floor. Find a more even section of flooring and move the washer to see if the problem stops.[3]
- If your dryer is unlevel too, then it's probably your floor's fault. Try finding a flatter area of your home to set the machines or slide a sheet of plywood underneath them.
- Look for shipping bolts on the back and bottom of a new washer. Open a front-loading washer and try to press the bottom of the drum down. If it doesn't move at all, the delivery or installation crew probably forgot to remove the shipping bolts. Turn your washer on to its side. Look underneath the machine and behind it for plastic clamps that are shoved over the openings or bolts.
- The shipping bolts ensure that your drum doesn't move during delivery and installation. They will cause a machine to shake if they're left in.
- Depending on the make and model of your machine, the shipping bolts may be hiding behind the back panel. If your back panel simply slides out, lift it up to see if there are any plastic pieces latched to your drum.
- Remove the shipping bolts by hand or with a wrench. Remove the shipping bolts by squeezing the handle and pulling them. If the bolts are screwed into a panel, place a wrench over the bolt and turn it counterclockwise to loosen and remove them. Sometimes, you can simply unscrew the bolts by hand.[4]
- The shipping bolts are usually brightly-colored so that they're easy to notice. They also tend to be made from a cheap plastic. They should look really out of place on your machine.
[Edit]Levelling a Washer - Place a spirit level on top of your washer near the front. Take a spirit level and place it on the top of your washing machine along the front end. Check to see which side is tilting up by looking at the bubble in the middle of your level. The side that the bubble is leaning towards is higher than the other side.[5]
- Newer machines typically don't have adjustable legs in the back.
- It is better to raise a leg than lower one, so adjust the leg that is too high.
- Lift the washer and put a block of wood under the bottom of the front. Shut the water lines and turn the electricity off by unplugging your machine. Pull your machine away from any walls. Tilt the machine so that the front legs lift off of the floor and the slide a block of wood under the front of the machine. Let your machine back down slowly so that it rests on the block.[6]
- If your machine isn't stable as it rests on the block, add another block next to your first block to distribute the weight more evenly.
- You can use a brick or other solid object if you don't have a block of wood.
- Turn the bolts on the legs with a wrench to adjust the front legs. Start by adjusting the leg that is higher. Use a wrench or channel locks to loosen the bolt on the top of the leg by turning it counterclockwise. Then, turn the base of the leg clockwise to raise it by twisting it.[7]
- Tighten the bolt above the base of the leg to lock it in place. Use channel locks or a wrench to turn the bolt near the top of the leg clockwise. Turn it until it is tight against the base of your machine. This will lock the leg and keep it from moving when you lower it.[8]
- You can use trial and error by lowering the legs and checking the level again, or your can try to measure each leg with a measuring tape. You may not be able to visually determine if the legs are even.
- Lower your washing machine and check the spirit level again. Slide the wood block out and slowly lower the machine back down. Put your level back on top of your machine and check the air bubble to see if it is level. If it is, try wobbling your machine again. If it doesn't move, you've successfully leveled the machine. If it wobbles and the front is level, you have to adjust the legs in the back.[9]
- Place the level on the control panel at the back to check the back legs. Most modern washing machines have self-leveling legs in the back and you won't need to adjust them. If your machine is more than 10 years old though, this may not be the case. Place your level flat on top of the control panel near the back of the machine. If the bubble is centered, your back legs do not need to be readjusted.[10]
- If the back legs are level, tap each leg in the back 2-3 times with your wrench or channel locks. There may be a little rust or dirt stuck in the self-leveling joint.
- If your control panel is round on top or set at an angle, place your level directly in front of it.
- Use the same process you used with the front legs to adjust the back legs. Use the level to determine which leg is higher. Lift the machine up a little bit and slide a piece of wood underneath. Adjust the higher leg in the back to make it lower using the same bolt and tools that you used on the front.[11]
- Tap the self-leveling support if the rear legs aren't adjustable. If you tilt your machine and discover that your back legs are indeed self-adjusting, lint and rust may have built up on the rear legs to keep them from moving. Tap the exposed legs lightly with the back of your wrench or channel locks to shake the rust and dirt off.[12]
- You can also spray the legs with a little bit of machine or hinge lubricant. Wipe off the excess lubricant after you've applied it to the leg near the connection to the frame.
- Lower the machine and try running an empty cycle. Remove the wooden block and lower your machine back down. Slide the machine back into place and run the machine while it's empty. If the machine doesn't shake, you've successfully levelled it. If it continues to shake, you probably need to replace the shock absorbers.[13]
[Edit]Replacing the Shock Absorbers - Order replacement shock absorbers from your machine's manufacturer. Use the model number and brand listed on your machine to determine what kind of washing machine you're using. Contact your manufacturer and order some replacement shock absorbers.[14]
- The shock absorbers are small coils or pistons that absorb the vibration from your drum when it's spinning. They also connect the drum to the frame of the machine. There are either 2, 4, or 5 of them depending on your model.
- The model and brand are usually listed on the front, but they may be printed on a metal plate on the back of the machine or inside of the door.
- Some newer models require a professional to install new shock absorbers. Read your machine's manual to see if you can take the front panel off to access the shock absorbers.
- Disconnect the water and turn off the electricity. Find the supply lines for cold and hot water on the back of your machine. Twist the valve on each line so that it is closed. Turn the electricity for your machine off by unplugging it.[15]
- The water lines are usually thin and made of rubber. They often have a blue and red valve on top of them near the connection to the frame.
- Remove the front panel for a front-load washer. Ask your manufacturer or consult your machine's manual to determine how to remove your front panel. Usually this involves removing the rubber seal around your drum and unscrewing several screws under the panel before lifting it up.[16]
- Remove the bottom panel on a top-load washer. You'll have to tilt the machine on its side to do this. Keep the case from getting scratched by laying a rug or towel out before doing this.
- Unscrew the shock absorbers with a wrench or channel locks. Find the shock absorbers by looking for rods connecting the drum to the frame. Unscrew the bolts connecting each rod to the drum and frame. Remove your rods and set them aside. They may not appear to be broken, but the inner coil in one of these absorbers may be broken.[17]
- Some shock absorbers have pins locking them to the drum and the frame. If any of the pins fell out, simply slide them back in. This was probably the cause of your shaking.
- If you have 5 absorbers, 1 of them is probably in the back. You may not be able to reach this piece without professional assistance.
- Insert your new shock absorbers and tighten them. Put your replacement parts in the corresponding locations. Screw each one into place by tightening the bolt after you've slid it on to the threading. Tighten the bolts with your wrench or channel locks by turning each one clockwise until it won't turn anymore.[18]
- Reinstall the panels and run a test wash. Put your panel back and screw in the corresponding screws. Put the rubber seal back and open your water lines. Plug the machine in and set it to run a basic wash cycle. If you hear rattling inside the machine, you probably missed a bolt for a shock absorber. If the machine still wobbles but doesn't rattle, you probably need to replace the drum.[19]
- Replacing the drum in a washing machine is often not worth it, and you should consult a washing machine repair company to determine the price of the repair. It is not typically a problem that a non-professional can solve.
- Put a sheet of plywood underneath your washer and dryer if your dryer is shaking too, since this probably means that the problem is an uneven floor. Purchase a flat piece of plywood from your local hardware store. Use a level on each section of the surface before buying it to ensure that it is flat. Unplug your washer and dryer and turn the water supply lines off by turning the valves closed. Slide the plywood underneath to give the washer and dryer a firmer platform. This is really hard to do without help. Consider enlisting the help of a friend to assist you with the heavy lifting.[20]
- If your house is incredibly old and your washer isn't in the basement, it may be a weight problem. Go the floor underneath the washer and dryer to see if it buckles when the machine shakes. If they do, call a contractor—the joists in your floor probably need to be replaced.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Performing Quick Fixes [Edit]Levelling a Washer [Edit]Replacing the Shock Absorbers - Channel locks or wrench
- Replacement absorbers
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Come Out to Your Friends Posted: 18 Mar 2020 05:00 PM PDT Coming out to your friends can be scary, but it's also a really exciting time in your life. Revealing your sexuality or gender identity allows you to live the life you want, but it's normal to feel worried about how people are going to react. To make coming out to your friends easier, first decide who you feel comfortable telling. Then, plan what you want to say beforehand. Once you know what you want to say, announce your sexuality or gender identity in a way that's comfortable for you. Additionally, be prepared to handle different types of reactions. [Edit]Deciding Who to Tell - Wait until you feel ready to come out. There's no rush to come out, and you don't owe anyone an explanation about your sexuality or gender identity. Give yourself as much time as you need to get comfortable with yourself before you reveal yourself to your friends. Your coming out should be on your own terms.[1]
- In some cases, friends or family members might be asking about your sexuality or gender identity. You don't have to answer them until you're ready. You might instead say, "I'm not really worried about dating right now. Are you seeing someone?"
- Some of your friends might feel ready to come out before you, and that's okay! You don't need to come out just because someone else has. Your journey is different from theirs.
- Ask your friends about LGBTQ+ issues to see if they're accepting. It's normal to feel nervous about how your friends will react. Fortunately, you can test their reactions by seeing how they respond to LGBTQ+ topics. Bring up an LGBTQ+ character, news story, or issue, then ask your friends what they think about it. See if they seem supportive or possibly judgmental.[2]
- You might say, "What did you think of Love, Simon?" "Were you shocked when Cheryl came out as a lesbian on Riverdale?" or "I'm confused about this same sex wedding cake debate. What do you think?"
- If you're transgender or nonbinary, you might say, "Have you read about the transgender bathroom laws? What do you think?" or "Have you ever questioned your own gender identity?"
- Identify the friends you think will support you. Consider which of your friends seem supportive of same sex relationships, transgender people, and nonbinary people. Pick the people you think will be most supportive to tell first. As you tell more people, your supportive friends can be there for you as you come out to others.[3]
- It's possible that many of your friends will be supportive. However, it's okay if you just start with a single friend. What's important is that you feel comfortable with your coming out journey.
- Postpone telling people you think will judge or reject you. While it's not fair to you, some people may have trouble accepting your identity. This can be really painful, but it's important to remember that this has nothing to do with you. If you suspect someone will react negatively, wait to tell them until you're ready to deal with their reaction. Keep in mind that you never have to tell them if you don't want to.[4]
- For instance, you might have a friend who's very vocal about their negative opinions regarding LGBTQ+ issues. It's probably best not to tell them about your identity.
- If you're feeling hurt over losing friends who won't accept you, remind yourself that true friends love you for who you are. You don't need negative people in your life, and you will find friends who support you.
- Make new friends in the LGBTQ+ community if you don't have support. It's okay if you feel nervous about trying to make new friends. Don't worry about bonding with people right away. Just focus on meeting people through social events or online. Get to know them and try to make a connection. Soon, you'll have new friends who love you for who you are.[5]
- Go to LGBTQ+ events or Meetups in your area. Set a goal to meet people and say, "Hi." Over time, you'll make a few new friends.
[Edit]Planning What to Say - Write down what you want to tell your friends. Think about everything you'd like to say, then jot down the ideas that seem most important to you. Pour out your heart and say how you feel about your friends. Then, revise what you've written so that it's clear and concise.[6]
- You might write something like, "Lately, I've been dealing with a lot of conflict inside myself, but recently I realized something really important. You're one of my closest friends, so I want to be my true self around you. I hope that you'll accept me for who I am. I'm gay, and I'm ready to live my life out and proud."
- Use a positive tone to show that you're proud of who you are. Your sexuality or gender identity is part of you, so you have every right to be excited and proud to share it with people. Don't let worries about how people will react make you feel ashamed or like you're holding in a secret. As you plan what you want to say, keep your tone positive and celebratory.[7]
- For instance, use an upbeat tone of voice while you're speaking. Additionally, focus on how you're sharing your truth rather than thinking of this as a dark secret.
- Say only what feels comfortable to you. You are totally in control of what you say during your coming out. Don't feel pressured to provide personal details or to explain yourself. Decide what you're comfortable sharing, and stick to that.[8]
- You don't need to provide "proof" of your sexuality or gender identity. Similarly, you don't need to explain how you realized your identity unless you want to do so. What you share is totally up to you.
- Practice what you want to say so it's easier to share with your friends. State what you want to say aloud so you can hear how it sounds. You might also sit in front of a mirror so you can practice telling it to someone else. Keep practicing until you feel comfortable with what you want to say.[9]
- If something feels wrong, don't be afraid to change it.
- If you're already out to a family member or best friend, ask them to help you practice. For instance, you might tell them what you plan to say and get their feedback.
[Edit]Announcing Your Sexuality or Gender Identity - Tell your friends in person if you feel comfortable doing it face-to-face. If you're comfortable coming out in person, doing it one-on-one or in small groups is an awesome idea. Ask your friends to meet you in a comfortable, private location. Then, tell them what you practiced.[10]
- For instance, you might ask your friends out to dinner or could invite them over to your house.
- Use props if you want to make it playful and fun. You get to set the mood for your coming out. If you want it to be more playful than serious, try adding props to your announcement. You might use a large banner or give your friends small items or gifts with your LGBTQ+ announcement written on them. In addition to keeping it fun, props also break the ice for you! Here are some ideas:[11]
- Make a banner that says "I'm gay!" and stand under it.
- Hand out cupcakes that say "Your Friend is Bi."
- Give your friends eggs filled with glitter, then ask everyone to break them just before you make your announcement.
- Sing "I'm Coming Out" on a karaoke machine.
- Come out in a text if you're too nervous to say it in person. You might be too nervous to tell people in person, and that's totally okay! Instead, type out everything you want to say into a text. Alternatively, send your friends a fun coming out meme. In addition to helping you feel comfortable, this gives them time to process the information and come up with a response.[12]
- You could text them, "Hey, you're one of my best friends, so I wanted to tell you something really important about me. I hope that you'll accept me for who I am and be there for me. I've known for awhile that I'm a trans man, and I want to start living my life as my true self."
- Write a letter if you express yourself better on paper. A personal letter is an intimate way of expressing what you want to say without having to do it in person. Write or type all of the information you want to share as part of your coming out. Personalize letters to each of your friends so they understand how much they mean to you. Send the letters to your friends, then wait a few days before following up with everyone.[13]
- Some of your friends might reach out to you right away. If this happens, listen to what they have to say and answer questions you feel comfortable with.
- After about 2-3 days, contact friends you haven't heard from. Say something like, "I wanted to talk to you about the letter I sent you. Have you read it?"
- Make an announcement on social media to tell everyone at once. If you're comfortable with everyone knowing your sexuality or gender identity, posting on social media might be a fun, easy way to come out to everyone. Type out an emotional message if that feels right to you, or post a fun LGBTQ+ photo. Explain that you're proud of who you are and hope your friends will be supportive.[14]
- Type something like, "I feel like it's time for me to be honest with everyone. I'm gay and proud! I hope that everyone reading this can accept me for who I am and will support my coming out!"
- You could also post a pic of you in your favorite rainbow outfit, holding a sign that says, "Hey! I'm Gay!"
- Host a coming out party if you want to set a celebratory tone. If you enjoy being the center of attention, a coming out party might be the most fun way to tell your friends. Plan a party that's as big or small as you feel comfortable with. Then, invite the friends you think will be supportive. Here are some party ideas to help you come out:[15]
- Consider using rainbow decorations to signal to your friends that this is a coming out party.
- Hang a banner that announces your sexuality or gender identity if that feels right to you.
- Have a toast to give your coming out speech.
- Decorate your treats with fun coming out statements, like "Gay AF" or "Who runs my world? Girls!"
[Edit]Handling Different Reactions - Expect your friends to ask questions. Your friends are probably going to have questions, so decide what you're comfortable addressing. Don't feel pressured to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable. However, it's helpful to provide answers to topics you're open to talking about.[16]
- For instance, your friend might ask, "How long have you known you were transgender?" You might say, "I realized I was really a guy when I was 3-years-old, but I haven't felt comfortable talking about it until now." Similarly, a friend might ask, "Are you sure you're gay?" You could respond, "Yes, I'm definitely attracted to guys."
- Gently refuse to answer questions that are too personal. Let's say your friend asks about your sex life. You might say, "I'm glad you want to know me better, but that's not something I feel comfortable sharing. I hope you understand."
- Give your friends time to process your coming out. It's common for your friends to feel shocked, even if they're super supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. This doesn't mean they're pulling away or don't accept you. It's important to give them the time they need to think about what you've said and decide how to respond. Let your friends have time to think things over.[17]
- Some of your friends might immediately reach out to you, and that's awesome!
- If your friends go quiet for a few days, give them a little space. After a few days, touch base with them to see if they're open to talking. You might text them, "Hey! I just wanted to see how you were doing. Wanna chat?"
- Don't take negative responses personally. Unfortunately, some people may react negatively when you come out. This can be super painful, but it's important to remember that they aren't really rejecting you. Their reaction is about them, so try to separate yourself from it.[18]
- Take a break from people who are making you feel bad about yourself.
- If someone says a nasty comment to you, respond with something like, "I'm sorry that you hold that kind of hate in your heart," "I'm sorry you feel that way," or "It's not okay for you to say these things to me."
- Ask your friends not to tell anyone else if that's important to you. You have the right to decide who knows about your sexuality and gender identity. Your coming out should be on your own terms, so tell your friends what you're comfortable with them sharing. This will help you control your own story and decide what labels apply to you.[19]
- Say something like, "I'm telling you this because you're one of my closest friends. However, I'm not ready for everyone at school to know, so please don't tell anyone else," or "I'm planning to come out to different people at different times. Please don't discuss this with anyone else because I want to tell them in my own time."
- Focus on the positives because your identity is something to celebrate. There may be some difficult moments during your coming out process. Try not to let these issues get you down. Instead, think about what's going right in your life and how awesome it will be to finally live the life you want.[20]
- Make a gratitude list to remind yourself of what's going well. Write down 3-5 things that you're grateful for every day, then re-read your list when you're feeling down.
- Surround yourself with people who support you so you're not worrying about people who are negative.
- Don't forget about online forums! If you're not feeling supported in real life right now, look for pro-LGBTQ+ friends online. You're not alone!
- Recognize it's okay to change your label as you grow. While some people instantly know their sexuality or gender identity, it's okay if it takes you a while to fully understand who you are. Give yourself permission to be who you are on the inside, even if that means coming out again to the same group of friends. If they're the right friends for you, they'll support you every time![21]
- For instance, you might think that you're bisexual at first. However, you might later discover that you're gay. Similarly, you might think you're nonbinary but may decide that you're actually transgender. It's okay to re-label yourself!
- Make fun plans for the 2-3 days after your coming out because it may take your friends time to process what you've said. Instead of sitting around worrying about their reaction, have some fun!
- If you haven't accepted your sexuality or gender identity yet, you may be more likely to take negative reactions badly. Reach out to the LGBTQ+ community for support and to help you learn to love yourself. It also helps to see a counselor.
- Don't blame yourself if someone won't accept you. Your sexuality or gender identity is part of who you are, and you have every right to live your life on your own terms.
[Edit]Warnings - See a therapist if you're feeling anxious or depressed over being LGBTQ+ or over the responses from your friends. Your therapist can help you work through your feelings and learn to love yourself. Additionally, they'll help you build new friendships, if necessary.
- Get help immediately if someone threatens you with violence. While it's totally unfair, some people can be cruel.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Edible Water Bubbles Posted: 18 Mar 2020 09:00 AM PDT An edible water bubble or bottle is water that has been solidified into a bubble-like shape. It is made from water, sodium alginate, and calcium lactate. If you prefer something more flavorful, you might enjoy a Japanese raindrop cake instead. The raindrop cake itself is flavorless, unless you sweeten it with vanilla sugar, or drizzle sweet syrup on top. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Edible Water Bubbles[1] - 1 gram sodium alginate
- 5 grams food-grade calcium lactate
- 5 cups ( 1.2 L) water, divided
Serves: varies [Edit]Japanese Raindrop Cake[2] - 3/4 cup (180 mL) water
- 1/8 tsp + 1/16 tsp agar powder
Toppings - 1/2 to 1 tablespoon (2.63 to 5.25 g) roasted soybean flour (kinako)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) black sugar syrup (kuromitsu)
Serves: 2 to 6 [Edit]Making Edible Water Bubbles - Mix 1 gram of sodium alginate with 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Use a kitchen or a digital scale to measure out 1 gram of sodium alginate. Place it into a bowl, then add 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Mix the 2 ingredients together using an immersion blender until the sodium alginate dissolves.
- You can purchase sodium alginate online. It is a natural ingredient that comes from brown seaweed.
- If you don't have an immersion blender, you could try a regular blender or a whisk.
- Don't worry if the mixture develops air bubbles. These will go away as you prepare the other ingredients.
- Mix 5 grams of calcium lactate with 4 cups (950 mL) of water. Pour 4 cups (950 mL) of water into a large bowl, separate from the first bowl. Add 5 grams of calcium lactate. Stir the 2 ingredients together with a spoon until the calcium lactate dissolves.
- Make sure that you are using food-grade calcium lactate. It's a type of salt used in cheese. You can buy it online.
- Add spoonfuls of sodium alginate water into the calcium lactate water. Take a deep spoon, such as a sauce ladle, and scoop up some of the sodium alginate mixture. Hold the spoon over the surface of the calcium lactate mixture, then carefully tip its contents in. Do this a few more times until the bowl is filled.
- Do not overcrowd the bowl with sodium alginate.
- Stir the mixture for 3 minutes. Use a slender spoon to gently stir the contents in the large bowl. Keep stirring for 3 minutes. This will help activate the ingredients, and cause the sodium alginate to condense into "bubble" shapes.
- Transfer the bubbles with a slotted spoon into a bowl of water. Fill a large bowl with plain water; the exact amount does not matter, as long as it is filled. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sodium alginate bubbles 1 by 1, and transfer them into the water. This will help stop the reaction.
- Scoop the bubbles from the water with a slotted spoon. Set them down onto a plate or into a bowl. At this point, you can eat, drink, or slurp the bubbles up. You can also give them to young children to play with as a sensory activity!
- Because these bubbles don't contain much, don't expect them to be very tasty!
[Edit]Making Japanese Raindrop Cake - Place 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/16 teaspoon of agar powder into a saucepan. Get out a set of measuring spoons. Use the 1/8 teaspoon to measure out 1 1/2 scoops of agar powder into a saucepan.
- For best results, use Japanese-style "Cool Agar." Do not use agar flakes.
- Add a pinch of vanilla sugar if desired. Japanese raindrop cakes are supposed to be flavorless; you add the flavor with soybean flour and sugar syrup once you are ready to serve the cakes.[3] If you want a sweeter, less-traditional raindrop cake, add 1 pinch of vanilla sugar.[4]
- Stir in 3/4 cup (180 mL) of water. Pour the water into the saucepan a little bit at a time. Stir the water with a spatula until the agar powder dissolves.
- The traditional recipe calls for mineral water, but if you can't find that, spring or filtered water will do.[5]
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then cook it for 1 minute. Set the saucepan on a stove. Turn the heat up to medium, and wait for the mixture to come to a boil. Cook the mixture for 1 minute, stirring occasionally, then take the saucepan off the stove.
- The timing is important. If you undercook the mixture, the agar won't dissolve. If you overcook the mixture, it will condense too much.[6]
- Pour the mixture into spherical molds. You can use special molds made specifically for raindrop cakes, or you can use large, round silicone molds instead. If your mold is a 2-part mold that looks like a deep tray with wells in it, do the following:[7]
- Fill the lower mold so that the wells overflow and the tray is half-filled.
- Wait 2 minutes, then add a filling, such as an edible flower or strawberry.
- Place the upper mold (with the holes in it) on top.
- Press down on the upper mold until the excess gelatin flows out of the holes.
- Chill the molds in the fridge for at least 1 hour. The raindrop cakes will be set within 1 hour, but nothing will happen if you leave them there longer. In fact, it would be even better if you left them there overnight.
- How many cakes you end up making depends on how many cavities were in your mold.
- De-mold the cakes as soon as you are ready to serve them. These jiggly treats will melt and lose their shape after only 20 to 30 minutes, so plan ahead. Once you are ready to serve the cakes, turn the molds upside down onto serving plates, and let the cakes slide out. Place each cake onto a separate plate.
- Serve the cakes with soybean flour and black sugar syrup. Add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon (2.63 to 5.25 g) of roasted soybean flour next to each cake. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 mL) of black or brown sugar syrup over each cake. Alternatively, you can place the syrup next to each cake instead of drizzling it on top.
- You can make your own black or brown sugar syrup. Follow a simple syrup recipe, but use brown sugar instead of white.
- If you can't find soybean flour and black sugar syrup, or if you simply don't like them, drizzle some honey or agave nectar over the cakes instead.[8]
- Edible water bubbles and raindrop cakes are flavorless by themselves.
- You can make raindrop cakes more flavorful by drizzling syrups on top.
- Don't worry if your raindrop cake does not end up perfectly clear. Use different amounts of water and agar powder next time.
- You can try stirring some food coloring into a raindrop cake to make it look more interesting.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Edible Water Bubbles - 2 to 3 bowls
- Immersion blender or regular blender
- Slotted spoon
- Deep spoon (i.e. sauce ladle)
[Edit]Japanese Raindrop Cake - Saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- Spherical mold
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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