Archive through March 11, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: 2003 April: Advice/Suggestions Needed (ARCHIVES): Archive through March 11, 2003

Wink

Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Can anyone here who has a flat top electric range or stove give me some pros/cons on these things? I will be going away for a few days so if I don't come back and thank you right away I will check here as soon as I get home so thanks in advance for any help provided.

Faerygdds

Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wink.. My mother has had one since they came out (2 different ranges in 2 different houses) Pros and cons:

- In a way they are easier to clean because you have a flat surface to work with, so you just wipe up your spill with a wet sponge; HOWEVER... when you go to poilsh or shine it up (when company is coming over).. you have to use a liquid that works much like wax in that you put it on, it dries, and then you buff or wipe it off. Also, if foos burns on the top you have to be careful in how you remove it or you will permanently scratch the surface.

- They heat up quickly, and the newer models have lights to tell you which burner is on, HOWEVER after you turn the stove top off, the burner will still be hot and there is no little light to tell you this. (My father almost burned a plastic lid on the stove just last night because he didn't know the burner was still hot.)

Other than that.. they are just like regular stoves. So I guess what you need to ask yourself is what are your needs??? Do you have small children that might unwittingly burn themselves??? Is it just you and the hubby???

Mom loves hers and frankly when I get my house, I will buy one as well.

Squaredsc

Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:38 am EditMoveDeleteIP
wink i have a flat surface electric stove. i love it. faerygdds mentioned everything that i would say. it is a lot easier to clean up spills, like when a pot is overflowing(which i do alot). i got mine i think in 1999 or 2000. and it does have a light that says when the cooktop is still hot though. i like it since i had to have an electric stove, i prefer gas though. but it works very well but you have to use a razor blade to clean burned food stuff off the surface though.

Karuuna

Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wink - I inherited a ceramic top stove when I bought this house, and I've gotten used to it, I think. :) I personally prefer gas, since any electric top has the same flaw - the heat of the burner does not adjust immediately when you change the setting.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with it. Mine does have lights that stay on until the burner is cool enough to clean. It is easier to clean than standard electric or gas stove tops. You do have to use a special cleaning solution, it works very well, but my experience is that it can take a lot of it to clean off large areas or big spills.

Also, get all new cookware, don't use your old stuff on the new stovetop. The old stuff has accumulated gunk (no matter how well you've cleaned it) that will burn off onto the new cooktop that is a pain to clean. Use a netted sponge (dobie?) to clean off most stuff. If there is more stubborn gunk burned on, you can get one of those razors in a handy sleeve for scraping. Or just use a lot more of that special ceramic cleaning stuff. :)

Hope that helps!

Meme9

Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wink, we had a smooth flat top range installed when we built in 77. I hated it! We remodeled in 96 and went with a Dacor gas range and I absolutly love it. I always hated waiting for the electric range to heat up and then to cool down to clean. Good luck on making your choice.

Tess

Monday, January 27, 2003 - 08:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Kar, my mil cracked the whole ceramic top of her stove by accidently dropping a pyrex dish on it. The dish was fine.

We're going to be shopping for a new stove in the next couple of weeks and this is precisely the type that dh wants to get. This is a very timely thread for my household. Thanks Wink.

Wink

Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:09 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks everyone for all your input. Now I need to go and "mull".

Rissa

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 09:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Wink, look at AGA's as well. We 'inherited' one when we bought this house. My first impression was that it was beautifull but not practical and it had to go. Then we found out that it would cost 2 grand just to remove it!! LOL But now I adore it beyond belief and will pay the 2 grand to take it with me if we ever move again. It looks like an old-fashioned stove and is run by gas. It's on 24/7, in fact has no knobs or buttons and nothing can be adjusted on it. There are four ovens (one is 150 degrees, on 250, one 350 and one 450), plus two burners on the top (one is set for boiling and the 2nd for simmering) plus a huge warming plate.

You never have to warm it up, it gets cleaned once every two years (and not by me. LOL) and since it has four ovens, you can cook multiple dishes at one time.

It gives off heat (but not anymore then if you had your regular oven turned on) which REALLY REALLY reduces your household heating bills in the winter. We have a fan on the top for exhaust so it doesn't really heat the house during summer that much. Over-all it adds nothing to monthly household heating/cooling expenses.. it all balances out.

Plus your pets will love sleeping in front of it which makes for cute pictures and you will never be short of a conversation starter when you have company. :) These are apparently HUGE in England, Spain and other parts of Europe. THe women who owned the house before us was from Scotland and owned her own restaurant here in town. For more info., the website is: AGA Links or AGA UK

Rissa

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 09:20 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Now, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to try to spread the AGA word, :) but I actually had a reason for bringing this thread up to the top again.

We leave Thursday for a family vacation to the US. We have a one-hour layover so we are not checking luggage... just bringing one carry-on each. Once we are in Florida, we will buy one cheapie suitcase and GO SHOPPING. LOL So I need for everything I pack to make it through security. I know that stuff like nail-clippers, etc will not be allowed and that my daughter's CD player has to have working batteries in it. Does anyone know about razors? I am talking the disposable type bic thingies. Also, the issue of aerosols also confused me.. lighters are not allowed but hairsprays, etc are? What does that mean for asthma inhalers? The airlines website lays out the obvious but isn't as clear on these type things. With only an hour to get from one plane to the next, I don't want to get stuck at an inspection point. Thanks all.

Marysafan

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 09:51 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Rissa, it has been my experience so far that when I fly, carry on bags are inspected when you board the first plane...but not after that. With one hour between flights, you probably won't have to have your bags inspected a second time so long as you remain in the secure area.

I don't think the razors will make it though. The gal I sat next to was a musician and they took the tool she uses to tune her guitar.

Cjr

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 02:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Has anyone done any genealogy using Ancestry.com or any other sites?
Any hints on which sites have better info than others? I have gathered as much info as I can on my own and am ready to go but want to make a good choice on which site I join.
Any help is appreciated!

Rissa

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 03:45 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Marysafan, Our layover is btn a cross-country flight and then heading into the USA, so I think we will have customs to deal with {sigh}. I will just pass on the razors I guess, though I will have to hit a drugstore before the beach. LOLOL


CJR, Ancestry is great depending on the region you are researching. It is strong in USA records, very weak internationally although they are improving in the UK region. What areas are you looking to research? I can probably give you some pointers if I know which countries.

I do have the complete United States Census for 1880 here at home on CD (all 47 disks :)) and would be happy to do a lookup for you if needed.

Twiggyish

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 03:49 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I love using www.familysearch.org It's free..
Ancestry.com charges. The family search site is from the Mormons..who keep family records from all over the world.

Cjr

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 08:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks so much Rissa and Twiggyish. I am going to check out the familysearch site now. I downloaded everything on onegreatfamily for the free trial and will switch over. I am still in USA back to mid 1800's for the most part. The paternal side that goes to Switzerland and Germany will be on the backburner for a bit.
I appreciate the help, and what a kind offer for the census Rissa. I'll drop a note in your folder soon.
Thanks again!

Twiggyish

Saturday, March 08, 2003 - 08:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yeah that's awesome Rissa to have that census!

Wargod

Monday, March 10, 2003 - 11:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I need suggestions for gift ideas. Dakota will be graduating preschool at the end of May, begining of June. She has gone to this school for two and a half years, and before her, Caleb went for two and a half years. The two teachers and the director have cared for my children, taught them, been comforters when we weren't there, have helped with manners, illnesses, kept the kids later than they were suppossed to when I had car trouble with no complaint. When my step dad was dying, they kept the kids late, took them early, kept them in good spirits, and let us know that while they were there we could concentrate on other things and not worry about the kids, cried with them and prayed with them throghout that tough time. Since putting Kota on a two day school week, her teacher has gone to the extra trouble of making up homework packets so she keeps up with the rest of the class. I can't say enough good things about them. I can't believe that this is our last year with them.

Anyways, I'd like to get something for them. Jmm suggested something for the school, and letting the kids do some personal thank you gifts. I've got a couple months to plan, and can paint, or make most anything (unless it requires sewing, crotcheing, or knitting, lol.) I want to do something or give something that shows my appreciation to them and all they've done, and nothing I think of comes close to it.

Any suggestions or advice will be welcome!

Lucy

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 09:30 am EditMoveDeleteIP
War-We have a place called Petroglyph, where you can go and hand paint ceramic items (they fire them for you). If you have a place like that close by, maybe the kids could paint a plate or mug for the teachers.

Twinkie

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 10:18 am EditMoveDeleteIP
War, I think a picture of the kids in a frame that the kids decorate themselves would be a great gift. This way the teachers can remember the kids they loved for many years to come plus there is some thought and love put into it by the kids. Make it a wide frame so the kids have more room to put in their own touches. Make one for each teacher and director. This way when they are old and grey they will fondly remember their beloved students.

Northstar

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 12:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
War, I spoke with the teachers in my family and they all said the same thing..Christmas ornaments!! Also, picture frames (love Twinkie's idea), a small houseplant, scarves, lotion/bubble bath, paper-mache' (sp?) containers your kids made to hold things on their desks.

I'll keep thinking of more.

Grooch

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 12:28 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Cash or a gift certificate to a store is always appreciated by underpaid teachers. It can be wrapped together with a card the kids make.

Twiggyish

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 02:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yup..I like Grooch's idea. Also, the gift certificate could be to a nice restaurant.

Julieboo

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 03:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I come from a family of teachers. My mother alone has more coffee mugs, frames, ornaments, lotions, etc. than she can ever use. Gift certificates are a very good idea. (just think of the number of students a given teacher has each year. Then think of all the typical gifts they get. A teacher could get literally hundreds of mugs in a three year span.)

Wargod

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 04:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Woo hoo!! Thanks guys! I've got a list going now, so keep the ideas coming, please.

Sia

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 08:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
War, how about books, puzzles, flash cards, games or some other items to add to the teacher's collection for her classroom? Often teachers have to buy their own enrichment materials because the money just isn't in the budget for such things. My son's preschool expected teachers to MAKE their own hand-wipes out of paper towels (sawn in half right through the roll!!), dish soap and water!! The same teachers' requests for glue, glue sticks, and art paper were also refused by the administrators.

Abby7

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - 11:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
IMO, if you really want to get something for them... I would do exactly that. A gift certifcate would be for THEM. I think it would be nice to give them something they can buy that they want. Spoil them (if you know what I mean).