| How to Tell The Difference Between Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles Posted: 08 Sep 2021 01:00 AM PDT Before you buy tile for a tiling project, you should be able to identify porcelain and ceramic tiles. Both are made from a mixture of clays and other materials, then kiln-fired. Both porcelain and ceramic tile are in the category of "ceramic tile." Ceramic tiles are divided into two groups: non-porcelain tiles (or ceramic) and porcelain tiles. In general terms, porcelain tiles are a higher quality and more resistant to damage, since they're fired in a kiln at higher temperatures and made of less porous materials.[1] [Edit]Identifying Loose Tiles - Inspect the tiles' finish to see how smooth it is. You can do this either by visually inspecting the tiles' top surfaces or by running your fingers over the top of the tiles. Porcelain tiles have a fine-grained finish that is smoother than the finish on ceramic tiles. So, if the finish is slightly bumpy or coarse when you touch it, you're dealing with non-porcelain (ceramic) tile.[2]
- If the tiles are already glazed, flip them over and look at the unglazed underside.
- Look for chips in the glaze to identify ceramic tile. Look closely at the glaze: if it's chipped, you will be able to see the tile's white or tan base. This is a sure sign that the tile is ceramic.[3] Porcelain tiles are sometimes, but not always, glazed. Most high-quality porcelain tiles will have a consistent color that goes through the top, body, and bottom of the tile. Ceramic tiles, on the other hand, are nearly always glazed.
- Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and are more resistant to wear and damage than non-porcelain ceramic tiles.
- Examine the sides of the tile for a white, tan, or red color. While porcelain tiles can be colored, ceramic tiles will always have a white, tan, or red color, with a colored glaze on top. So, if you see that the sides (and base) of the tile are any other color other than white, tan, or red, you can be sure that you're dealing with a porcelain tile.[4]
- Some cheap, low-quality porcelain tiles may not have the color mixed through the body of the tile. Avoid purchasing these tiles.
- Compare the costs of the two tile types. In nearly every scenario, porcelain tiles are more expensive than ceramic tiles: they take more time to produce, are more versatile, and tend to last longer. If you're looking at two types of tiles in a hardware or home-supply store, non-porcelain (ceramic) tiles will be a little cheaper.[5]
- As a broad rule of thumb, porcelain tile usually costs approximately 60% more than ceramic tile.
[Edit]Identifying Already-Installed Tiles - Note the location in which the tiles have been installed. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are each better suited to distinct locations in a home. Porcelain is often installed in laundry rooms, bathroom floors, bathroom walls, shower stalls, and around bathtubs. Porcelain tile is more durable than ceramic because of its hardness, and porcelain is also more resistant to moisture.[6]
- Ceramic tile, on the other hand, is most often installed as flooring in high-traffic areas such as an entry way or a heavily-used hallway.
- See if the tiles are stained or discolored. If so, they're almost certainly ceramic. Porcelain tiles are very dense and have been designed to be impervious to stains. So, most staining substances (e.g., red wine) can be wiped off of them easily. Ceramic, on the other hand, is light, porous, and can absorb staining materials relatively easily.[7]
- Stains on ceramic tiles could also come from foot traffic (dirt, mud, snow, etc.) if the tiles are located in an entryway.
- Inspect the faces of the tiles for uniform size and shape. The "face" of the tile is the top portion which faces upward or outward on installed tiles. Porcelain tiles have sharply-formed faces which are all exactly uniform in size. Due to their durability, porcelain tiles can be "rectified," or cut to highly specific dimensions for complete uniformity. This also allows the porcelain tiles to be grouted together with only small gaps between tiles.[8]
- If there is any discrepancy between the size of the tiles, you're dealing with ceramic tile.
- Non-porcelain (ceramic) tiles are generally made from red or white clay mixtures. They're colored with an assortment of tile dyes. The tiles are finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern of the finished tile.
- Ceramic tiles can be installed both on walls and in floors and are softer and easier to cut than porcelain. These non-porcelain ceramic tiles are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles.
- Porcelain tiles are generally made by pressing together the dust from porcelain clays. This results in a tile that is denser and more durable than ceramic tile.[9]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Use WeChat Posted: 07 Sep 2021 05:00 PM PDT WeChat is a free messaging alternative to cellular text messages[1] and supports sending text, photos, videos, and more. It is available through the App Store and Google Play Store for iOS 9 and above as well as Android 4.4 and above. This wikiHow will teach you how to use WeChat; however, many of the features available only work in China. [Edit]Registering an Account - Open the WeChat mobile app and tap . The app icon looks like two chat bubbles with eyes on a green background that you can find on one of your Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Tap to sign up via your phone number or a Facebook account. If you sign up with "Mobile," enter your name, select your region, enter your phone number, and create a password. Tap Next to continue.
 - If you sign up with "Facebook," the app will redirect you to your Facebook account that WeChat is trying to connect with. Tap Continue to allow the connection, then choose your region, enter your phone number, then tap Next.[2]
- If you get an error with Automatic Registration and you're required to have another WeChat user help you register, follow the on-screen instructions to have them scan the QR code. If you don't know any WeChat users, you have to ask for help outside WeChat (like Reddit) for anyone who can help. Make sure their WeChat account meets the conditions listed on your screen (either a 1-month old account if they are international or 6-months if they are a user from Mainland China; hasn't completed a "Help a Friend Register" for other users in the last month; hasn't been blocked in the last month; has activated WeChat Pay if they are a user in Mainland China), then have them go to WeChat > WeChat Team > Account > Help Register Friend.[3]
- Due to laws in India, WeChat is not available in that region.[4]
- The region of Tunisia is also unable to register new accounts with WeChat.[5]
- Verify the account. WeChat will send you a text message with a four-digit verification code. In the "Enter code" field, type the verification code, and then tap Submit.
- If you didn't get a verification code, tap No verification code received?, and then tap Resend to get another text message. Alternatively, tap Phone Call to get an automated phone call with the verification code instead of a text.
- According to the WeChat Terms of Service, you need to be at least 13 years old or have your parents' permission to use WeChat.
- Set Up a WeChat Profile. On the Setup Profile screen, in the "Full Name" field, type a name.
- On this screen, you can also choose a photo for your account. This is optional.
- You can type whatever name you want to use in the Full Name field.
- Find your friends on WeChat. On the Find Friends screen, WeChat will ask you if you want to Find WeChat Friends. If you agree to this, WeChat will upload the names, phone numbers, and email addresses in your phone to the WeChat servers in order to find your friends using WeChat.[6]
- Tap Learn more to learn more about how WeChat will use your friends' contact information.
- If you choose not to do this now, you can always do it later. If you choose not to do this, you can add friends manually.
[Edit]Adding Friends - Open WeChat and tap (to manually add friends). This plus sign is in the top right corner and will let you enter phone numbers to add friends manually.
- Tap . This will take you to an "Add Contacts" screen with multiple ways to add friends.
- Type the phone number of a friend who you know has WeChat. Enter this in the search field at the top of the page. You can also search by WeChat ID if you know it.
- To find your WeChat ID, go to Me > tap your profile picture > WeChat ID.[7]
- Tap Friend Radar to find friends that are around you so you don't have to find their phone number or WeChat ID.[8]
- Tap Mobile Contacts to let WeChat access your contact list and see who's using WeChat. After WeChat checks your contacts list, tap Add next to the contact to add them to your WeChat contacts.
[Edit]Using WeChat - Send a message. Tap the Contacts tab at the bottom of your screen, tap a friend's name, and then tap Messages to open a chat. Type a message in the message field, and then tap Send.
- If typing a message isn't for you, tap the voice icon in the lower-left corner of the screen. You can then talk while you press the "Hold to talk" button at the bottom of your screen to send a voice message that lasts up to 60 seconds.[9]
- Add an emoticon to a message. Type your message, and then tap the smiley face button to open a panel of emoticons and stickers. Tap an emoticon to choose it.
- Send a photo or video. To the right of the message field, tap +, and then tap Images to send an image. If you've given WeChat access to your camera roll, you'll see your photos and videos. Tap a photo to add it to your message. If you want, you can type a message with your photo.
- On iOS, the first time you try to send a photo or video from your camera roll, it will ask you if it can access your photos. You can change this setting in your iOS Settings app by scrolling down to the WeChat settings and then changing the Privacy settings.
- Take a photo or video to send. To the right of the message field, tap +, and then tap the Camera button to take a photo or video. Take a photo or record some video, and then tap Use Photo. WeChat will send the photo or video.
- Be careful when sending video because those files can get quite large.
- On iOS, the first time you try to take a photo or video using WeChat, it will ask you if it can access the Camera app. You can change this setting in your iOS Settings app by scrolling down to the WeChat settings and then changing the Privacy settings.
- Make a voice or video call. In addition to sending text messages, images, and videos, you can also use WeChat to make voice or video calls. Tap +, and then tap Voice Call or Video Call.
- If the person you're trying to call has not added you as a friend, you won't be able to make a voice or video call.
- If you're not on a Wi-Fi network, voice and video calls will use your cell phone data plan. A video call, especially, could quickly use up your data plan.[10]
- To un-send a message before anyone sees it (it's too late to recall your message if someone sees it or if the message has been sent longer than 2 minutes ago), long-tap a message, then tap Recall.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Concentrated Coffee Extract Posted: 07 Sep 2021 09:00 AM PDT Coffee extracts, concentrates, and syrups are coffee-based flavorings that you can use to make or flavor coffee, baked goods, and other foods. Each flavoring has its own unique uses and its own process for making it. Coffee extract is made by brewing coffee beans in alcohol, and it's great for flavoring baked goods. Coffee concentrate is a concentrated brew that you can use to make hot and iced coffee quickly. Coffee syrup is a coffee-flavored liquid sweetener that you can use to flavor and sweeten drinks and baked goods. All of these flavorings can be made at home with a few simple ingredients. [Edit]Ingredients - 1 cup (235 ml) vodka
- ¼ cup (21 g) coffee beans, whole
Makes 1 cup [Edit]Coffee Concentrate - 12 ounces (340 g) coffee
- 6 cups (1.4 L) water
Makes 4 cups [Edit]Coffee Syrup - 2 cups (470 ml) water
- 2 cups (450 g) sugar
- ½ cup (43 g) coffee beans, medium grind
Makes 3 cups - Crack the beans. Transfer the beans to a mortar and use a pestle to crack them open. You don't need to grind the beans like you would to make coffee. Instead, you just want the beans open so they will release their coffee flavor.[1] If you don't have a pestle and mortar, you can:
- Pulse the beans a few times in a food processor, coffee grinder, or blender
- Transfer the beans to a thick plastic bag and crack them carefully with a hammer
- Combine the beans and vodka in a mason jar. Pour the cracked coffee beans into a clean mason jar. Cover the beans with the vodka, and swirl the jar to fully incorporate the beans and the alcohol. Place the lid on the mason jar and screw on the ring to keep the lid in place.[2]
- Let the mixture brew for a week. Move the jar somewhere that's cool and dry to brew. As the cracked coffee beans sit in the vodka, the alcohol will extract the oils and flavors from the beans. Don't leave the mixture to brew for longer than a week, as the extract can become bitter.
- For a faster coffee extract version, grind the beans finely in a coffee grinder. Combine the beans and vodka in a blender. Blend the mixture together for five minutes, and then let it rest for an additional 10 minutes.
- Shake the brew daily. Shaking will help the beans to release more of their flavor, and make for a more potent extract.[3] The shaking will also help to distribute the beans in the alcohol, making for a more consistent flavor.
- Strain the brew. After a week, remove the lid from the mason jar. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth, a jelly bag, or a coffee filter. Place a bowl under the strainer and pour the extract into the strainer. Set the extract aside and let it trickle through into the bowl below.
- The straining process could take about 30 minutes.
- Bottle the extract. Place a funnel into a small jar with an easy-to-pour lid. A clean vanilla extract bottle is ideal for this. Pour the strained liquid into the funnel and fill the jar. Screw the lid on the bottle and store your extract at room temperature.
- When stored with an airtight lid, your coffee extract should last for at least a year, thanks to the preserving effect of the alcohol.[4]
- Use the extract to flavor drinks and baked goods. Coffee extract can be added to cakes, cookies, and other baked goods in place of or in addition to other flavorings like vanilla. You can also use it to top ice creams, to make sauces, in cocktails, or to give iced coffee drinks a more potent flavor.
- Use 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) of coffee extract to give baked goods and other foods a coffee flavor.
[Edit]Making Coffee Concentrate - Grind the coffee. Measure the coffee beans and transfer them to a grinder. Depending on the size of your machine, you may have to grind them in smaller batches. Grind the beans to a coarse grind, which is about the same size as grains of sea salt.
- You can adjust the quantities to make larger or smaller batches of concentrate. Use the ratio of one part coffee per four parts water, by weight.[5]
- Combine the grounds and water. Transfer the coffee grounds to a large glass pitcher. Cover the beans with cold water from the tap. Stir the mixture well to completely saturate the grounds.
- You can also brew the concentrate in a glass bowl if you don't have a large pitcher.
- When you're making smaller batches, you can make the concentrate in a French press. When the concentrate is brewed, press down the plunger to strain out the grounds.[6]
- Cover and brew the mixture for 24 hours. Place a clean tea towel over the pitcher to keep out dust, bugs, and other particles. Set the pitcher aside on the counter and let the concentrate brew at room temperature for a full day.[7]
- Because this mixture is brewed with cold rather than hot water, the extraction process takes much longer.
- Strain the concentrate. Line a fine-mesh strainer with a disposable coffee filter, cheesecloth, or jelly bag. Position the strainer over a bowl and pour the concentrate into the strainer. Set the concentrate aside and let it drain for 30 to 45 minutes until all the liquid has trickled through the strainer.
- Don't stir the brew as its being strained, or the concentrate could become cloudy.[8]
- Bottle the concentrate. Transfer the concentrated mixture to an airtight jar or container, such as a mason jar. Screw on the lid. Unused portions can be stored in the refrigerator for a week to 10 days.[9]
- Mix the concentrate with water to make coffee. To use the coffee concentrate, mix one part concentrate with one to two parts boiling water for hot coffee. Add milk and sugar, to taste. You can also use the same ratio of concentrate and cold water or milk to make iced coffee.[10]
- It's best to use liquid sweetener in iced coffee, because granulated sugar may not dissolve in the cold coffee.
[Edit]Making Coffee Syrup - Heat the sugar and water. Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for another five minutes to dissolve the sugar.[11]
- Add the coffee grounds. When the sugar has fully dissolved, remove the pan from the heat. Add the grounds and stir the mixture to completely saturate the coffee with the syrup.
- To make vanilla coffee syrup, stir 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) of vanilla extract into the syrup as well.[12]
- Brew the coffee syrup. Set the pan aside for about an hour. This will give the syrup time to cool, and give the grounds time to infuse the syrup with a delicious coffee flavor.[13]
- Strain the syrup once it has cooled to room temperature. Line a fine-mesh strainer with a coffee filter or cheesecloth, and position the strainer over a bowl. Pour the syrup into the strainer and let the pure syrup strain through into the bowl below.[14]
- Bottle the syrup. Transfer the coffee syrup to a sealable jar or container with an easy-to-pour lid. A clean syrup or squeeze bottle is ideal for this, but you can also use a mason jar. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.[15]
- Use the syrup to sweeten drinks or desserts. Add between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon (5 to 15 ml) of syrup to sweeten and flavor coffee beverages, cocktails, milkshakes, and other drinks.[16] You can also use the syrup in place of sugar to flavor baked goods, or drizzle it over iced cream and other desserts.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Pestle and mortar
- Mason jar with a lid
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Bowl
- Funnel
- Small jar
[Edit]Coffee Concentrate - Coffee grinder
- Large glass pitcher
- Spoon
- Clean tea towel
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Bowl
- Mason jar with a lid
[Edit]Coffee Syrup - Medium saucepan
- Spoon
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Bowl
- Sealable jar
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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