Common Microwave Problems & How to Fix Them

A microwave, when it comes to baking, cooking and otherwise preparing food, is a pretty indispensable kitchen item that most of us can't do without. Especially useful for people on the move who don't have time to prepare a long and time-hungry recipe, microwaves also provide a great way to cook healthy and nutritional meals quickly.

But given the popularity of this household appliance and the sheer number of people that now own one, it's not surprising that a few common microwave problems exist when it comes to using them and keeping them maintained. Here we take a look at some of the more frequent ones while also offering suggestions on how to fix them.

Microwave Isn't Working

A machine not working is usually the fault of either the fuse, the safety device that cuts off the electrical current, or the door switch, the thing that seals your appliance shut and allows it to work. A faulty fuse is the more tricky of the two to fix. First you'll want to check this is definitely the problem by switching the mains power on and off and seeing whether it functions. If the case, then replacing the fuse is the only way forward.

The microwave door on the other hand might just be a case of not being closed properly. Check it by opening and closing. If defective, replace it.

Seeing Sparks

Seeing sparks occurring inside a microwave is never a particularly pacifying experience and could mean that something is wrong inside the appliance itself. What you'll want to do is check the internal cavity of your appliance. Has any food leaked, splattered or dripped into the machine causing it to spark? If so remove it and clean.

Grease can also be a culprit possible of causing sparks. Make sure you keep your microwave thoroughly clean and pay close attention to the potentiality of grease accumulating on the ceiling of the appliance.

Sparks might also be caused due to the unequal concentration of energy. A microwave only functions correctly when energy is evenly distributed across a unit. If your microwave stirrer isn't working as it should this can be the reason. Replace either the fan motor or stirrer belt to get it going again.

Turntable Not Functioning

Another frustrating problem can happen when your microwaves turntable fails to work and spin what you place inside of it correctly. This can be amended by checking out the turntable guide in your appliance manual and making sure it is lined up properly in the appliance itself and that nothing is caught in it or under it. Cleaning it can often help as sometimes grease can prevent it moving in the correct manner.

All common microwave problems can be easily solved with a little time and patience. Keeping your appliances clean, well-maintained and fully understanding how they work all help in preventing problems in the first place.

Don't get Scammed by your Mechanic

Most of the time when you go to a mechanic, it is a smooth experience but every so often you can get scammed. Someone who is close to me, got new tires recently and they ended up doing something to her car battery. She had no choice but to purchase a new one. She never had battery problems before this. Of course the mechanic would not admit it was his fault. He blamed it on the “cold weather.” Cold weather meaning 50 degrees, which was not cold compared to what the car had been other times. They also set the tires to 40 instead of the suggested 30. Thankfully, she had an oil change and they fixed it for her.  It’s really important that you know what you are getting in to.  The mechanic can be intimidating when you don’t understand what they are talking about.  It’s easy to trust someone because it’s their job. Most of the time, they are trustworthy and don’t try and rip you off, but you need to be educated. Some prey on women or older people who may not know that they don’t need new brakes or that’s their engine is sound.

 Here’s an infograph by Active Insurance to help you know what the warning signs of auto repair scams.  It also gives you an estimate of what certain parts cost and just some good tips. I love the tip about asking for the old part when it’s replaced. I would have never thought of that. It’s to make sure they really replaced it. You are in the waiting room and you never know what they are doing in the garage. 

Are you comfortable with getting car repairs? Do you get them yourself or do you send your husband or dad to take care of it?  Did you learn anything new?

The Adventures of Traveling with Noah

Riding in a car can be boring. Noah's been traveling in the car his whole life. When Noah was two months old, we went to Virginia Beach. We had been in the car for hours and hours when Noah had enough. Right at that moment, his toy broke and that was the one thing that stopped his crying. I couldn't hold him because we were riding in the car. We were almost to the hotel so I tried everything I could think of. I started singing the Car-X commercial jingle over and over again and he stopped crying. When he was three, we would go visit my sister often. She lived three hours away. Noah started saying Wanna go down the road and asking are we there yet? I had to come up with things to entertain him in the car. Thankfully, I grew up going on vacations in the car. I was able to use my experiences and had an advantage with ideas. I didn't have my mom's smart phone, my mom doesn't have a smart phone, or a tablet, so my ideas were good old fashion fun. I didn't have any screens to watch movies, now kids have it easy. I try and limit Noah's screen time so I don't let him have it in the car. I prefer games, reading and other things that help his brain develop. It's also extra stuff to lug around. We have some fun times in the car together. I use this time together to make fun memories with him like my mom did. I still love to sing Billy Joel and Carly Simon like I did many times throughout the years. 

Be sure to check out my post about How to Entertain Kids in the Car.

How to Achieve Perfect Skin for your Wedding Day

As exciting as it is, planning for your dream wedding can be a stressful process- and unfortunately, that stress can show on your skin through breakouts and blemishes. Take a long-term approach to achieving glowing skin on your wedding day with this year-long guide to wedding skincare.

12 Months to Go: Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to create a plan for your skincare concerns; continue to see the dermatologist regularly leading up to your big day. Wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun so that your skin stays healthy, and begin implementing your skincare plan. Treatment can take a while to work, and you may have to make adjustments to find out what works for you. Instill good skincare habits in yourself now, such as washing your face twice a day.

6 Months to Go: Avoid flip-flopping between products. To prevent stress-induced breakouts, drink plenty of water and make time for yourself to relax, such as through a regular yoga class.

3 Months to Go: Try a professional body treatment such as a body thermal mask or an exfoliation scrub. Test out different self-tanners or spray tans to find that perfect, non-orange glow for your wedding day.

1 Month to Go: Schedule a brightening facial with extractions for a healthy glow. Have your makeup trial for a dress rehearsal to see what products and colors work with your skin. Make sure you’ve allocated funds in your budget for skincare products that will last you until your celebratory day.

1 Week to Go: Apply sunscreen daily to avoid a sunburn. Wear sensitive skin deodorant, get plenty of sleep every night, and drink water throughout your day.

1 Day to Go: Use a hydration mask for a nourished glow in pictures. Prep your products so that they’re ready to go tomorrow. Go to bed extra early, and stay hydrated while eating antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, leafy greens, and proteins.

On the Day of Your Wedding: Have a trusted friend or family member carry your day-of emergency essentials, such as extra bobby pins or pressed powder. When getting your makeup done, use mascara, brow filler, and under eye brightener to look awake and refreshed. For an airbrushed look, use facial shine control and setting powder; make sure that your foundation matches your skin tone on both your face and neck. Finally, use setting spray to ensure that your makeup lasts for the entire day.

No matter how beautiful your skin looks, a big smile is the best accessory a bride can have on her wedding day- so have fun and enjoy your big day!

Top Chef University To-Go App Review

 

As you all know I love to cook and bake. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I find it extremely therapeutic and fun. Even though I have been cooking and baking for as long as I can remember, baking bread from scratch since I was nine years old, I don’t know how to do everything. I am still learning techniques and how to do different things in the kitchen. I believe that anyone can cook with the right guidance. I just downloaded a new app called Top Chef University To- Go. I have watched Top Chef before and I really like the show.  I think this app is brilliant because it is like they are in the kitchen with you.  I like to learn visually and since there are video cooking lessons it helps especially if you don’t know how to do a certain technique and without spending hours on Google trying to figure out what different words mean you can just watch and cook along. 

I have always wanted to go to Culinary School. I wanted to be a chef when I was younger. I used to pretend I had my own cooking show. Now with this app I can go to cooking school from home in my own kitchen. I don’t have to worry about going to class or even do it on a schedule. I could learn at 3 am if I wanted to.  Top Chef University To-Go has great videos. They are fun to watch.  I learned what I need to have in my kitchen, I have always wondered if I have all the tools I need. I am missing a few of the items. One of them being an oven thermometer, I always just trusted the oven.  I need to get one ASAP.   There is also a lesson in introduction to Knife Skills. I was scared of knives for a very long time. I am not sure why, I never cut myself but once I figured out how to use one properly, I am able to do so. I am not sure the proper way to peel an apple. I end up wasting some of the apple.  I think it might have to do with the fact that I am left handed. This Halloween, Noah and I carved a pumpkin, well both of the pumpkin knives broke. I wasn’t done carving so I was forced to use a sharp knife. I managed to carve it without losing any body parts or cutting myself. I know watching the Top Chef University To-Go videos it will help me become more confident in using knives in the kitchen.   

I multitask all the time so I have to make sure I am really paying attention as I do in the kitchen.  It is really important to be safe in the kitchen and have the safety precautions in place so no one gets hurt. 

Here is more about Top Chef University To-Go from the developer:

-Cook and learn from the top 11 chef’testants at Top Chef University To-Go

-Access over 200 lessons organized into 20 courses

-Watch lesson videos in high definition

 For more information please visit Top Chef University To-Go

Be sure to Like Top Chef University To-Go on Facebook

Follow Top Chef University To-Go on Twitter

  

Top Chef University To-Go is available on iTunes for iPhone. It doesn’t matter if you are just learning to cook, if you have been cooking for years or if you consider yourself a professional, you can definitely learn something from this app. It is a must have app if you are in the kitchen regardless of your skill set.

How to create a spacious lounge

As the living space is where you’re most likely to spend the majority of your free time, it pays to adorn you lounge in such a way that maximizes your space.

Obviously pushing walls back isn’t an option, and if building an extension is too far-fetched for your budget, here are three of tricks you can perform to make the most of your living room’s diminutive dimensions:

With a feature wall

When executed correctly, a feature – or statement – wall can add inches to your room.

Whatever colour scheme you have in mind, it is worth bearing in mind that cool colours recede and warm colours advance. For example, if your room is narrow, you can trick the eye into thinking it is wider by painting the widest walls dark and the narrower walls a lighter shade.

The same applies to wallpaper, so why not choose a dark, plain paint for your widest wall and light, intricately-patterned wallpaper for your shorter wall?

And don’t forget, you can also widen a narrow room by painting horizontal stripes if you wish to play with a number of colours.

Make room with a mirror

The paint job done, it’s time to move on to making the most of your homeware and accessories. By implementing a focal point, and angling your mirror towards it, this creates the illusion of depth within your room.

If you have a few free walls to play with, try to place a large mirror near to you window as this will catch, and accentuate, the natural light. Taking this on board, add glass-topped tables instead of chunky wood ones, as this will add to the amount of visual floor space; enlarging your lounge.

Space-savvy seating

As the main event of your lounge, your sofa should only be as big as the room you put it in. Instead of a wide-armed, large-backed monstrosity, opt for a chic sofa with simple lines and neat tailoring. Or one with open arms and exposed legs is even better, still.

Scale the seating to suit the size of your room and, if possible, try to match the colour of your sofa to the wall as much as possible.  It’s a bizarre trick of the eye, but it works!

Complimenting your paint job with a fabric sofa, such as those available at sofa specialists Oldrids & Downtown, is guaranteed to add texture and interest to the room’s décor. Placing the sofa against the wall will enhance the (albeit minimal) open space you may have available, too.