Cheaper Electricity Bills
Seven people took the opportunity to meet Kerrie Thompson from the Home Energy Saver Scheme . Kerrie visited the Hay Hub in June to assist interested energy users with tips to reduce their electricity bills . Understanding your electricity bill , ways to use less electricity and how much energy appliances use were topics of discussion .
According to Kerrie :
* Stand by power on appliances could be costing as much as $ 150 per year * Your old beer fridge could be costing another $ 100 per year
* Clothes dryers cost between . 46c and $ 1.55 per hour to run ∗Electric oven - . 77c - $ 1.24 per hour ∗Small electric hot plate - . 37c Large . 55c per hour ∗Slow cooker - . 04c per hour ∗Easy formula to work out how much your appliances cost to run : ∗Kw ( kilowatts ) x . 32c ( tariff per hour ) x amount of time used ∗Eg : 2400 watt microwave Vs 2400 watt electric oven roast chicken ∗2.4 KW x . 32c x 36 mins = approx . 46c ∗2.4 KW x . 32c x approx 90 mins = $ 1.15 Energy saving tips in next months issue .
Microwave Tips
Place food on an upturned plate to allow better circulation .
Microwaves are attracted to moisture - do not dry shoes in the device as fire is a likely result .
Rice cooking - 1 cup of rice to 2 cups water .
Salt can toughen food as it cooks , so salt food after cooking .
Poaching eggs - prick the white and the yolk several times to stop eggs exploding . DO NOT cook eggs in their shell .
Anything you can cook in a gas / electric / wood oven can be modified to cook in a microwave .
Quick cleaning - Jug of water , dash of dishwashing liquid and couple drop lemon juice . Heat in microwave for 10 minutes then wipe over with a clean cloth .
Check that your cling wrap is microwave safe .
Sour Cream Baked Custard with Tinned Fruit
Ingredients :
400grams Peaches ( any tinned fruit ) 2 Eggs 300 mls Sour Cream 2tblsp Plain Flour 1 / 2 cup sugar
Method :
Drain the syrup from the fruit . Whisk the eggs with a fork Add the sour cream , flour and
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sugar and whisk ( with the fork ) until combined . Place the fruit in the bottom of a microwave safe dish . Pour the custard mix over the fruit and smooth over to cover the fruit . Place on an upturned saucer ( or similar ) in the microwave and cook on medium heat for 12 - 14 minutes . If the centre is not completely set , let stand for a couple of minutes . The heat within the dish will finish it off .