Running Cost = and more
Before you come to the list (leaving it at the bottom so it is easy to print off), am giving some recipes for jams that can be made in the microwave, as the microwave seems to be cheap to run. Firstly the hints and tips:
Never use a metal container, use only deep heatproof glass and ceramic bowls.
Because the container will be very hot, ALWAYS use oven gloves when handling.
Weigh the fruit AFTER preparation, unless otherwise stated
Do not cover the bowl unless otherwise stated
Make no more than pound and a half (675g) at any one time (this is the amount the recipes below will make). For larger amounts use the conventional hob-top method of making.
Microwave Strawberry Jam:
1 lb (450g) strawberries, hulled
2 tblsp lemon juice
1 lb (450g) caster sugar
Place strawberries and lemon juice in a large bowl and cover with a plate. Cook on Full for 5 minutes.
Using a potato masher or fork, lightly crush the strawberries, then stir in the sugar, mixing well. Cook on Full for 2 minutes. By then the sugar should have completely dissolved. Otherwise stir well until it has, if necessary return to the microwave and give it a further half-minutes.
When sugar has dissolved, cook uncovered on Full for a further 12 - 15 minutes, stirring every 2 - 3 minutes, until setting point has been reached.
Pot up into hot sterilised jars, cover with a waxed disc and seal in the normal way.
Microwave Blackberry and Apple Jam:
8 oz (225g) blackberries
8 oz (225g) cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 tblsp water
1 lb (450g) caster sugar
Place the berries and apple in a large heatproof bowl , cover with a plate and cook on Full for 5 minutes.
Stir in the sugar and cook, uncovered, on Full for 2 minutes until dissolved, then continue as in the above recipe.
Microwave Plum and Orange Jam:
1 lb (450g) plums, stoned and chopped
zest of 1 large orange
1 tblsp lemon juice
1 lb (450g) caster sugar
Place plums, orange zest and lemon juice into a large heatproof bowl, cover with a plate and cook on Full for 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and cook, uncovered, on Full for 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved, then continue as with the other recipes.
Microwave Low-sugar Peach and Raspberry Jam:
1 lb (450g) peaches, skinned, stoned, chopped
1 lb (450g) raspberries
2 tblsp lemon juice
4 oz (100g) caster sugar
Place the peaches, raspberries and lemon juice in a large heatproof bowl, cover and cook on Full for 5 minutes, then stir in the sugar and mix well.
Cook, uncovered, on Full for 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved then continue as above.
Note:this 'spread', not being a jam proper due to low sugar, will not keep too long, so once made and bottled, store in the fridge and use within 3 weeks. It could be put into plastic containers and stored longer in the freezer.
Running costs for electrical appliances:
To find out how much it costs, multiply the units value (given on the right) by the unit cost (this you will find on your electricity bill).
Radio = 24 hours for 1 unit (value)
Stereo = 3 hours for 1 unit
T.V. = 3 hours for 1 unit
Digi box/cable = 11 hours for 1 unit
Storage heater = 7 hours for 12 units (1.7kw)
Storage heater = 7 hours for 18 units (2.5kw)
Storage heater = 7 hours for 24 units (3.4kw)
Bar fire 3 kw = 1 hour = 3 units
Fan heater = 1 hour = 2 units
Oil filled radiators = 1 hour = 1 unit
Computer = 1 hour for 1 unit
50w light bulb = 15 hours for 1 unit
20w low energy bulb = 50 hours for 1 unit
Upright freezer = 24 hours for 2 – 3 units
Fridge = 24 hours for 1 – 2 units
Fridge/freezer = 24 hours for 2 – 3 units
Washing machine:
90deg cycle = full load = 3 – 4 units
40deg cycle = full load = 2 – 3 units
Cooker = 1 week’s meals for 4 people = 25 – 30 units
Convection oven = med heat for 1 hour = 3 units
Fan oven = medium heat for 1 hour = 2 units
Microwave oven = 45 minutes = 1 unit
Dishwasher, cold fill = 1 full load (12 place) 3 – 4 units
Hair dryer =1 hour = 1 unit
Never use a metal container, use only deep heatproof glass and ceramic bowls.
Because the container will be very hot, ALWAYS use oven gloves when handling.
Weigh the fruit AFTER preparation, unless otherwise stated
Do not cover the bowl unless otherwise stated
Make no more than pound and a half (675g) at any one time (this is the amount the recipes below will make). For larger amounts use the conventional hob-top method of making.
Microwave Strawberry Jam:
1 lb (450g) strawberries, hulled
2 tblsp lemon juice
1 lb (450g) caster sugar
Place strawberries and lemon juice in a large bowl and cover with a plate. Cook on Full for 5 minutes.
Using a potato masher or fork, lightly crush the strawberries, then stir in the sugar, mixing well. Cook on Full for 2 minutes. By then the sugar should have completely dissolved. Otherwise stir well until it has, if necessary return to the microwave and give it a further half-minutes.
When sugar has dissolved, cook uncovered on Full for a further 12 - 15 minutes, stirring every 2 - 3 minutes, until setting point has been reached.
Pot up into hot sterilised jars, cover with a waxed disc and seal in the normal way.
Microwave Blackberry and Apple Jam:
8 oz (225g) blackberries
8 oz (225g) cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 tblsp water
1 lb (450g) caster sugar
Place the berries and apple in a large heatproof bowl , cover with a plate and cook on Full for 5 minutes.
Stir in the sugar and cook, uncovered, on Full for 2 minutes until dissolved, then continue as in the above recipe.
Microwave Plum and Orange Jam:
1 lb (450g) plums, stoned and chopped
zest of 1 large orange
1 tblsp lemon juice
1 lb (450g) caster sugar
Place plums, orange zest and lemon juice into a large heatproof bowl, cover with a plate and cook on Full for 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar and cook, uncovered, on Full for 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved, then continue as with the other recipes.
Microwave Low-sugar Peach and Raspberry Jam:
1 lb (450g) peaches, skinned, stoned, chopped
1 lb (450g) raspberries
2 tblsp lemon juice
4 oz (100g) caster sugar
Place the peaches, raspberries and lemon juice in a large heatproof bowl, cover and cook on Full for 5 minutes, then stir in the sugar and mix well.
Cook, uncovered, on Full for 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved then continue as above.
Note:this 'spread', not being a jam proper due to low sugar, will not keep too long, so once made and bottled, store in the fridge and use within 3 weeks. It could be put into plastic containers and stored longer in the freezer.
Running costs for electrical appliances:
To find out how much it costs, multiply the units value (given on the right) by the unit cost (this you will find on your electricity bill).
Radio = 24 hours for 1 unit (value)
Stereo = 3 hours for 1 unit
T.V. = 3 hours for 1 unit
Digi box/cable = 11 hours for 1 unit
Storage heater = 7 hours for 12 units (1.7kw)
Storage heater = 7 hours for 18 units (2.5kw)
Storage heater = 7 hours for 24 units (3.4kw)
Bar fire 3 kw = 1 hour = 3 units
Fan heater = 1 hour = 2 units
Oil filled radiators = 1 hour = 1 unit
Computer = 1 hour for 1 unit
50w light bulb = 15 hours for 1 unit
20w low energy bulb = 50 hours for 1 unit
Upright freezer = 24 hours for 2 – 3 units
Fridge = 24 hours for 1 – 2 units
Fridge/freezer = 24 hours for 2 – 3 units
Washing machine:
90deg cycle = full load = 3 – 4 units
40deg cycle = full load = 2 – 3 units
Cooker = 1 week’s meals for 4 people = 25 – 30 units
Convection oven = med heat for 1 hour = 3 units
Fan oven = medium heat for 1 hour = 2 units
Microwave oven = 45 minutes = 1 unit
Dishwasher, cold fill = 1 full load (12 place) 3 – 4 units
Hair dryer =1 hour = 1 unit
posted by Shirley at 6:07 am
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