Warm Front

[poliphilo]

We were standing in the front yard, chatting across the wall to Renee- as one does on sleety March evenings- when the guy from three doors up came bustling round with a form he wanted us to sign, nominating him for a place on the local advisory council. No problem with that: public-spirited chap, long-time resident, good neighbour.  And then- this was our reward, I suppose- he said he'd put us in touch with Warmfront- the government body that goes round lagging boilers and filling cavity walls to keep citizens cosy and cut down on their carbon footprints.

The Warm Front man rang within half an hour and came round to see us yesterday. He was quite the salesman, keeping up a continual patter and telling us anything we said was "brilliant!"- but we didn't in the least mind being aggressively sold to because- what with Ailz being disabled and all- we get a government grant and won't have to pay a penny.   He measured rooms, examined doors and windows, looked at the boiler, fired up his lap top and did some sums- and the upshot is he's put us down for a new boiler and some draught-proofing.

He left us a leaflet full of good advice, most of which we already knew and some of which we put into practice. Keep the lids on your saucepans, convert to low energy light bulbs etc, etc. But were you aware that it costs twelve times as much to bake your potatoes in the oven as it does to use the microwave? Well I'm not surprised, but the microwave doesn't make the skins all crispy, does it?

Comments

[rosamicula.livejournal.com]

Cook the spuds in the microwave and then give them a five - ten minute blast in a very hot oven to crisp the skins up. That'll save some energy and still give y a proper baked spud smell in your kitchen.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

I do that too. If I'm doing a casserole or something, I'll bake them in the oven, but mostly I need them quickly after working late, so I microwave, smear with a little butter then pop into the oven for a few minutes just to get the crispy skin.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That sounds good. I must try it.

[jfs.livejournal.com]

I was just coming here to give you the same advice :-) It really works.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

If I'm going to bake potatoes, I always braise or roast something in the oven at the same time - 2 for the price of 1

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

That makes sense.

[msjann65.livejournal.com]

You are right. Micro-ed potatoes resemble boiled potatoes more than baked. However, for a baked potato for one person (me) I cannot justify firing up the oven, then waiting an hour for it to bake. I usually have real baked potatoes with roasted chicken or meat loaf, of something else that takes an hour in the oven. That kind of dinner cooks itself while I read or whatever. Add a quick tossed salad and I'm "good to go", and have enough for a guest as well.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Trouble is my preferred accompaniments for a baked potato are things that can be quickly heated on the hob- baked beans for instance or scrambled eggs.

[aellia.livejournal.com]

I cook the potatoes in the microwave until they are almost done,then paint a bit of oil on and put in the oven on a fairly high heat to crisp up.
I'm glad your're getting some government help!
x

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

A bit of oil- yes- that's a great idea!