How to chop wood with a mighty log splitting axe

The wood burning stove is up and running again, which means the Sunday morning peace is often shattered by the sounds of chopping wood. Although my fire wood is delivered as seasoned logs, the stove is small so most of them need to have their size reduced before being incinerated. Chopping wood is one of the more pleasurable outdoor winter chores – a bit of effort is required but it gets the blood circulating and produces a warm glow of satisfaction before any matches have been lit.

Providing you adopt a safety first policy it’s a fairly straightforward task, although there are a few simple rules worth following to make it as trouble free as possible. Here they are…

Choose your axe

There are many types of axe available for a variety of chopping tasks – from initial tree felling to precision carving. For domestic log splitting duties your best bet is a long-handled, log splitting axe.

We’ve got a competition to win such an item from Wilkinson Sword so, for this feature, I’ve been putting their splitting axe through its paces. The 90cm long handle is built of fiberglass and has a soft grip, which makes it easy to hold and prevents it slipping from your grasp, while also being suitably durable. The head is made of drop forged carbon steel, giving it a bit of muscle behind the sharp blade, designed to power through whatever type of wood that is destined for your log store.

Short handled chopping axes are also worth considering if your main chopping duties involve breaking off narrow pieces for kindling, but you’ll have to put much more effort in than you would with a longer handle if you need a full swing at a larger piece of wood.

If you’ve got especially wide pieces of wood, such as a slice of mature tree trunk, you might also want to invest in a grenade splitter or wedge. This is a pointed device that is placed in the centre of the log before being whacked with a mallet or the reverse of an axe (providing its suitable for the task) causing the wood to split along its weakest grain lines.

Lightweight with a hard head. If Thirsty Rich was an axe…

Position your log

The surface you place your log on is of vital importance: it needs to be sturdy and level, while also being able to take the follow through of an axe without breaking. But unflexible surfaces, like concrete, are a no-go – they’re likely to send a bone-dislodging jolt through your arm and knacker your blade. By far the best solution is a large piece of tree.

Ideally your tree piece, or equivalent chopping block, should rise so your logs reach around waist height, enabling you to swing comfortably while standing. I manage to chop onto a flatter disc of tree with more of a crouch, but my back doesn’t appreciate the technique.

Swing your blade

Give your knees a little flex then grip the handle with one hand towards the axe head and the other hand at the end of the handle. Some guides, and Rich, suggest the strongest hand should be near the head; other guides, and Nick, think it should be the weaker hand. However, as Nick is right handed but bats at cricket left handed, Rich is probably right. Adopt whatever arrangement feels most comfortable – which is probably the way you would bat at cricket.

Lift the axe above your head with straightish arms and ready yourself… then slide the hand near the axe head towards the other hand at the base of the handle while allowing gravity to send the axe towards the log. At the point of impact both hands should be together at the end of the handle. If your aim is true and the log is ready to succumb it’ll satisfyingly split in half. If not, give the axe a wiggle to remove it from the log and try again.

For those tougher and wider pieces, welcome the grenade, or wedge, to the swing session. Position it in the centre of the wood, tap to secure, then bash it with the back of the axe or mallet as if hammering a large nail into a massive fence. Eventually the wood will spring apart along the grain.

A grenade, or wedge, is used to break up larger and tougher bits of tree

Be safe

It goes without saying that axes are deadly beasts. Never swing wildly like a crazed axe murderer as you’re likely to miss the target or wobble mid air and give your leg a nasty shock. And you’ll also be out of breath before you’ve got an evening’s worth of wood to burn. Make sure you’re swinging in a clear area with pets and other family members well out of the way. Safety goggles are also advised and, if you must wear gloves, make sure they have a decent grip – those knitted mittens your gran sent for Christmas will cause the axe to make an airborn visit to the neighbours garden.

Visit the Wilkinson Sword website for more information on their range of axes

The long handled splitting axe and grenade

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from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/chop-wood-mighty-log-splitting-axe/

Win! A Wilkinson Sword Splitting Axe!

Brrrr. Getting cold, isn’t it?

We’ll wager you’re burning through your logs faster than you can chop them. And no wonder. Just look at that small, blunt blade you’ve been using to split each lump in two. That will never do.

But fear not, your favourite boozy gardeners* have teamed up with hot steal tamers Wilkinson Sword to bring you an amazing winter busting, log splitting, smash-and-grab competition. The prize? No less than a mighty Wilkinson Sword Splitting Axe, with a shiny head of drop forged steal and a fibreglass, soft grip handle.

It’s so good that we used one ourselves to explain just how you should tackle the task of log splitting. And we’ll be using it for many winters to come.

How to win

To stand with a chance of winning, simply log into Twitter, make sure you are following @thirstygardener and @WSGardenTools, and retweet our splitting axe competition tweet with the hashtag #ChopChop

All names successfully completing the criteria above will go into into our ‘log basket of outrageous fortune’ and the winner will be picked out randomly on Monday 19th December 2016.

Check the Ts&Cs below, ready you lumberjack shirt and GET TWEETING!

Terms and conditions

• Entries must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 18th December 2016.
• The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The winner will be drawn at random from all entries received by the closing date.
• Failure to respond and/or provide an address for delivery, or failure to meet the eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of the prize. Should the Promoter be unable to contact the winners or should the winners be unable to accept the prizes by Wednesday 21st December, the Promoter reserves the right to award the prizes to an alternative winner, drawn in accordance with these terms and conditions.
• Entry is open to residents of the UK except employees (and their families) of the prize suppliers.
• Use of a false name or address will result in disqualification.
• Entrants must be over the age of 18 on 1st December 2016.
• Entries that are incomplete, illegible, indecipherable, or inaudible (if made by phone) will not be valid and deemed void.
• No responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, damaged or delayed in the post, or due to computer error in transit.
• The prizes are as stated, are not transferable to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be offered.
• In the event of a prize being unavailable, the promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.
• The winner(s) agree(s) to the use of their name, photograph and disclosure of county of residence and will co-operate with any other reasonable requests relating to any post-winning publicity.

*Note. Booze and axes don’t mix.

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from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/win-wilkinson-sword-log-splitting-axe/

Workwear Isn’t Just for Building Professionals

Whether you are a home improvement enthusiast or have a passion for DIY, it is essential to have access to good quality and durable workwear clothes. This will help to ensure that your own clothes are protected from substances such as paint, which can be notoriously difficult to remove, and will help to maintain health and safety when undertaking home improvement projects.

Workwear Versatility

Workwear can be incredibly well-designed and comes in a range of different and versatile styles. The versatility of the items means they can fit in with any home improvement project you are working on; for example, if your project involves the use of many different tools and you are constantly going up and down ladders, you may want to consider clothes with handy pockets that can easily accommodate all the necessary extras whilst adding an element of safety.

Work pants are ideal because they usually have many different pockets and compartments, which are handy for all the extras you need quick and easy access to. They are perfect for projects around the home because they come in a range of different styles that have been cleverly designed to give you maximum comfort whilst you tackle various home improvements. Work pants are ergonomically designed to add a layer of protection, while extra stitching ensures that such clothes are less likely to tear.

Working Outdoors

Workwear clothes are also great for working outdoors, particularly in colder and wetter conditions, due to their water-resistant qualities. From well-designed long- and short-sleeved tops with extra pockets and stitching to warm rain-resistant layers that provide extra protection from the elements, this type of clothing is not just for professional builders!

Another excellent choice for workwear clothes around the home is overalls. If you are working with particularly messy materials, overalls offer a great all-round solution that ultimately provides extra protection for your clothes. Look out for overalls that are waterproof, particularly if you are working outdoors. If you are working with heating elements, a flame retardant overall may be the perfect option. If you find that you are constantly on your knees, knee pads can be useful for providing an extra layer of protection and comfort.

Workwear for Home Improvement

Home improvement projects can be fulfilling and satisfying. You can enhance your level of safety and comfort by choosing sensible work clothes that will provide protection and versatility, as they are designed to be comfortable, durable and safe!

If you would like to find out more on the various different types of workwear clothing that is available, please visit the Ballyclare website for more information.

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/workwear-isnt-just-for-building-professionals/

Projects that will Add Value to Your Home

We all want to add that extra bit of value to our homes, but doing so can often be a lot easier said than done. Throwing a load of cash at various renovation projects is all good and well, but if you’re not improving the right areas of your home, the return on investment may not be as much as you expect.

So what are the most valuable home improvements you can undertake in order to ensure the best return on investment? Well we’ve put together a list of the top 7 projects that we think will add the most value to your home – so pay attention homeowners!

7) Add lighting

By adding/letting in extra light into certain rooms, your home will feel more warm and welcoming. There’s nothing more depressing than a dark, dingy living space; and this is something that buyers will tend to pick up on when viewing your home. Both natural and electrical light can easily be enhanced to boost appeal of a room: Skylights and sun tubes are typically great additions to funnel in natural light, whereas increasing the wattage of your bulbs and adding a dimmer function will allow for brighter spaces that can be controlled to create mood.

6) Fix any structural defects

Repairing structural problems can be one of the most costly renovation projects, but if you want to add high value to your home, it’s absolutely crucial you action them. Sellers are often naïve to the importance of fixing the structural defects of a house and will tend to focus on decorating instead. Don’t make this mistake, and do the basics first. Ensure you check the functioning of your roofing and guttering, then assess your walls, ceilings, (are they cracked or damp?), floors, the plumbing, and anywhere you can think of that might need that extra bit of attention. It may be worth hiring the services of a builder or surveyor to get an experienced observation of the structural state of your property.

5) Replace the windows

Windows can make a big difference to the look of a house, especially in terms of first impressions before you actually enter the property. It’s important, therefore, that you ensure that what you install matches the style of your house, whether it be modern or traditional. Doing so will really improve the exterior aesthetics and consequently, add value.

4) Get a flooring makeover

You’ll be surprised at how much a new floor can enhance the overall look of a living space. Instead of sticking with your old, worn carpet, install something with a more modern feel. Modern laminate, solid wood, and engineered hardwood flooring are both great choices if you’re after a floor that holds value and looks fantastic at the same time. Quality hardwood flooring doesn’t have to break the bank, and if you shop around, you should be able to find yourself a bargain. Flooring Megastore are one of many flooring supplies that provide an excellent range of bespoke flooring at affordable prices.

3) Extend into the loft

Loft conversions are considered as one of the most valuable projects you can undertake; and with the vast amount of extra space it creates, it’s not hard to understand why. Extending into the loft is the easiest way to add an extra bathroom or bedroom to your home, which will definitely add a few £’s on to your home value. In 2014, Nationwide Building Society claimed that a loft conversion can, on average, increase the value of your property by up to 21% – so it may be costly, but it’s worth it. Alternatively, you could extend into your basement, or even do both!

2) Renovate your kitchen

Kitchens have become a real focal point of a house and now, more than ever, nice looking kitchen areas are seen as a huge selling point for buyers. If there’s one room you want to priories in terms of renovation, it should be the kitchen. New units, surfaces, appliances and general interior redecoration will go a long way in improving both the look of your kitchen and value of your home. A new kitchen project will typically add around 5% to property value, but watch how much you spend and make sure its relative to the overall value of your house.

1) Treat your garden like another room

A well-groomed garden often sits highly on the buyer’s preference list – no one wants to open their back doors to the Amazon rainforest. This is why it is important to landscape your outdoor space well; e.g. by planting, pruning, cutting back hedges, removing weeds, clearing debris and general clutter etc. Depending on the size of your garden, you could potentially install decking or a patio to really optimise your space and boost value. We also recommend that you ensure your garden is accessible and visible from the house – glass doors can be implemented to really open up your garden and create a portal from your own backdoor. Lighting, furniture etc. can also help bring your back yard to life.

So there you have it, a few DIY/renovation project recommendations for all you homeowners that wish to optimise your position on the property ladder and add
significant value to your homes. A final tip from us: renovate to achieve a standard of property that you would be more than happy to live in, and don’t go overboard.

For more information please visit OSC, a Kent based company who supply specialist DIY tools such as self-drilling screws and fasteners.

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/projects-that-will-add-value-to-your-home/

Beer of the week #99: Uprising, Treason

Some folk refuse to believe it, but beer in cans can be good, and they’re here to stay. Advantages include: stackable, more portable, less breakable, lighter (in weight), darker (for the contents – light can adversely affect beer), no tools required to open them and you can crush the empties with a satisfying squeeze of the hand. Nowadays you can even get them with live yeast conditioning the booze inside. Some beers may well suit bottles better, but that’s no reason to dismiss the quality that canning can offer.

When we produce beer ‘best of’ lists the first comment is often along the lines of ‘that beer can’t possibly be the best BECAUSE IT’S IN A CAN’. Pity those poor commenters, rejecting hundreds of quality products through their irrational prejudices over packaging when they haven’t even tasted the contents inside.

This week, we’ve decided to guzzle our way through ‘Indie Beer Can’s 2016 champ ‘Treason’, by Berkshire brewery Uprising. It’s an IPA brewed to a West Coast USA style and is widely available online, in Waitrose supermarkets and at branches of Wetherspoons, so if there’s anyone still unsure about beer in cans this should be an easy one to track down.

The beer has a full load of American fruity hop flavours: it tastes super fresh, with grapefruit and mango the most obvious comparisons among the fruit medly. It also has a prominent bitterness which is a little bit piney and cuts through the fruitiness like a cold steel blade slicing a soft ripe peach. And there is not the slightest taint of dirty metal that cans would generally produce in the bygone days. Yes, this beer is good and it’s the modern kind of fresh and exciting drink that perfectly suits being in a can.

I’ve not tried Treason direct from a keg or bottle before, so I can’t say if those other dispensing methods improve the flavour. But going by my taste experience I would gladly recommend this version to anyone who likes the sound of a modern, British brewed, American IPA. Cans are here to stay and only a fool would deny themselves the extra choice they bring.

The lowdown

Brewery: Uprising, Windsor, Berkshire
Beer name: Treason
Strength: 5.8%

You can order yourself some Treason from Webrew

 

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from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/beer-review-99-uprising-treason-ca/

Winter gardening: five tasks for tip top soft fruit

Winter is a great time to be a lazy gardener. The growing grinds to a halt – weeds and all – and there’s nothing much to do until spring is on its way.

But on occasions, even in winter, we’ll need an excuse to get out of the house* and there are only so many logs that need chopping. For those moments it’s the soft fruit that usually receives our attention.

Like most of us, winter is the soft fruit’s dormant period. New bushes should be planted during this inactive spell and there’s work to be done with existing plants. Here are five soft fruit tasks we’ll be performing in good time for the arrival of spring.

Hack back autumn raspberry canes

There are two types of raspberries: those that fruit in summer, and those that hang on until autumn. The summer varieties (including ‘Mailing Jewel’ and ‘Glen Ample’) need a little care when pruning; autumn’s canes (such as ‘Autumn Bliss’ and ‘Polka’) simply need hacking to the ground during winter. Guess which we prefer? We’ve abandoned all summer raspberries, opting for the easy life instead. So in January or February we’ll roam among the bare canes with secateurs, snipping each one of them at the base. Job done.

Prune soft fruit bushes

Unfortunately, pruning soft fruit bushes needs a little more attention than the razing of raspberry canes, but unless you’re a perfectionist it doesn’t need to be as complicated as some guides will make out. Our established gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes will feel the thrust of a pruning blade this year, with the starting point for both being to remove damaged or diseased branches.

We then have a divergence of tasks: the plan for the gooseberries is to cut out a few of the older stems, allowing space for new ones to power through this year, and make sure we leave in place a mix of stems that are one to three years old. These will then be chopped back to half their length.

The blackcurrants are a little different in that fruit will only appear on the stems that grew during the summer just departed, so we’ll say goodbye to the older ones.

Finally, both bushes will be thinned a little if there is any overcrowding going on.

In reality we’re just as likely to chop all of our soft fruit at random… and the chances are they won’t suffer much as a consequence.

Mulch with garden sweepings

Over the course of winter the garden will gradually turn into what some observers might class as “a state of untidiness”. We like the general unattended decay and so does the wildlife. But every once in a while even we cave into pressure and gather up unruly clumps of fallen leaves and collapsed flower stems.

Rather than shovel this goodness straight into the compost, much of this garden matter will be scattered around the soft fruit plants with any bigger pieces being first broken up. Here their continued decay will slowly feed nutrients into the roots, ready for the spring growth, and they’ll provide a layer of warmth and protection to give the plants a leg up later in the year. And those friendly soil-enhancing bugs are more likely to set up home in their vicinity.

Remove and mend the netting

The vigorous growth of our blackcurants have led to a few branches bursting through the protective netting. Careful removal is required to avoid damaging both the bushes and the nets but, inevitably, holes will be expanded.

Although we won’t be putting the netting back up until the fruit has set, now is the perfect time to mend any holes and replace any bits beyond repair. We take a lot of care over this particular task: half arsed netting can allow animals to sneak their way in, or get trapped in untidy net overflow, and perish. And when you’ve got a million other gardening jobs to fulfil in summer, fighting with sheets of netting isn’t much fun.

Take hardwood cuttings

Fancy some free fruit bushes? Then use nature’s powers of multiplication to propagate new plants from old wood. We’ve not tried this before but it looks easy so this winter we might just give it a go.

Here’s what we’ll do…

We’ll snip off some hardwood stems. Pencil thick, the experts say. We’ll then trim these into 25cm-ish sections with a bud at the top and bottom of each section. We’ll fill a big pot with soil and plant these sticks 10cm deep at a similar distance apart.

And apparently that’s it until next winter when planting them out will be added to our list of soft fruit winter tasks.

*Phrases like “isn’t it time you sorted out your booze collection” usually send us scuttling to the back door

Note: Yes, they are strawberries growing in the photograph. In winter. Seasons, huh…

This is a sponsored post

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from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/winter-gardening-five-tasks-tip-top-soft-fruit-prune/

Beer (and curry) of the week #98. BBNo 55/01 Double IPA

We were contacted recently by a PR company, asking if they could send us some curry to try. The answer to this question was – and always will be – a resounding ‘yes’ (followed by a ‘how fast can you get it to us?’ email, typed out to the reverberating, gurgling sound of an overexcited intestine).

Daydreams of curry trucks pulling up outside TTG HQ and hose-ing in chicken dhansak through the letterbox quickly evaporated when a small package arrived through the post, containing the building blocks necessary to construct a Japanese katsu* curry. One pack of rice, one pack of Japanese breadcrumbs (panko) and a pack of curry sauce.

This kit-form katsu required a bit of basic cheffery to knock it into shape. Nothing too taxing though – just the attendance of a sliced onion, a few pieces of chicken and a familiarity with the basics of hob-based, deep fat frying.

Now unless you count a few games on Cooking Mama (and the unfortunate incident when I miss-timed the oven and served the kids ‘sushi fish-fingers’) my previous experiences of Japanese cookery have been few and far between. Despite my culinary shortcomings, the katsu curry construction was easy – I even managed to overcome my fear of frying and successfully cooked the breadcrumb-coated chicken without setting the house ablaze, or Jackson Pollock-ing my flesh with scalding oil.

Behold the results below…

Tada! One nicely presented (if not entirely photogenic) katsu curry, ready for gobbling. But what booze to serve with this piquant dish?** For the answer, I took to Twitter.

Now, as we are all too aware, ‘asking the public to vote for things’ hasn’t particularly gone that well of late, but fortunately, our sensible Twitter pals avoided a Trump/Brexit style reaction*** and fed us some sensible results.

It  was a resounding victory for the IPA, blazing a blue trail ahead of the second most popular choice – lager. A few folks voted for pale, whilst no one was foolish enough to plump for the porter wildcard.

There were a couple of likely IPAs giving me the glad eye from the beer cupboard shelf, but I decided that the only thing that would satisfactorily slice through the fiery Japanese spices would be an American style double IPA. Specifically, a Brew By Numbers*** Double IPA, straight outta’ Bermondsey.

Fortunately, for all concerned, the match was a good ’un. My crudely constructed katsu sauce was a smooth, gravy-like affair (not a million miles away from a chip shop curry) that wrapped and caressed my bread crumbed chicken in a soft, piquant blanket. The curry packed a decent amount of heat, but not with the initial up-front fire you can get from an Indian curry – this was more of a slow-burning, forehead-beading warmth. The double IPA’s clean, citrus-y bite providing a fine foil to the dish, and whilst undeniably hop-forward (BBNo have dry hopped this one four times) its hoppiness is quite restrained – certainly not an eye popping hop-monster that you might come to expect from this style of beer.

I did, however, make one tiny error in my beer/curry equation. Partially number blinded by the big black digits on the BBNo beer label, I overlooked the most important number of all.

The ABV.

A BBNo Double IPA weighs in at a lusty 9.2%. That, combined with an enormous*****, mid-day katsu and a ‘bit of a sit down’ in front of Homes Under The Hammer, and there can be only one outcome…

Sweet, sofa-bound dreams of curry trucks and hops.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

The lowdown

Brewery: Brew By Numbers, Bermondsey, London
Beer name: 50/01 Double IPA
Strength: 9.2%
Hops used: Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe

Brew By Numbers rotate their range quite a bit. The Double IPA above came from an unknown source, and had been lurking around in my beer cupboard for a while, hiding behind a brace of feisty Somerset perries for safety. It’s worth checking their site often, to see what they’ve recently cooked up.

 

The curry lowdown

Make: Yutako
Curry name: Katsu
Strength: Medium

Available from: Morrisons

 

 

* Katsu is short for katsuretsu, the Japanese word for cutlet.
** Admittedly, there’s a rather big clue in the photograph, but bare with us…
*** “Screw your guys, we want change! We vote for petrol! Give petrol a chance! What’s the worst that can happen…?”
**** Not to be confused with ‘painting by numbers’, the popular painting system favoured by retirement home dwellers and the artistically inept.
***** Turns out the pack I used makes enough curry for six helpings.

 

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from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/beer-curry-week/

How to Clean Double Glazed Windows

Investing in double glazed windows is a worthwhile cost, providing increased thermal efficiency that will make significant savings on your heating bill in the long term. Maintaining your windows is essential to ensure they last for years, minimising the damage caused by wear and tear, weather effects, and other outside elements.

We’ve listed some of the top tips to keeping your double glazed windows clean for best results below.

You will need:

• A soft cloth
• Non-abrasive cleaner or warm soapy water
• A cup of white vinegar to keep windows streak free

Cleaning your windows

Remove any large items of debris to avoid scratching the glass, then use your cloth soaked in the cleaner or water to wash the windows. Adding the cup of white vinegar will help avoid streaks forming as the windows dry, creating a sparkling finish.

It’s essential that you only use a soft cloth – an abrasive brush can scratch or damage the appearance of the glass. Some people also opt to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment on their window frames, which is an effective method to clean up any dust and debris that may have gathered there.

Tougher stains

For tougher, more stubborn stains, a PVC solvent or uPVC cream can be an effective method to tackle these areas. Always make sure that the cleaners you are using are suitable for the windows to avoid damaging the seals and compromising your double glazing.

This article was written by Abbey Glass, a double glazing based in Sheffield. Abbey Glass can provide quality materials and a professional installation service scheduled to your convenience.

The post How to Clean Double Glazed Windows appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/how-to-clean-double-glazed-windows/

Why Coloured Radiators are Growing in Popularity

On our blog today, we’re here to give you a little bit of interior inspiration regarding coloured radiators.

Yes, we have many talents here and interior design with a good-eye is one of them! Prepare yourself for a discussion on colour, style and how your radiator can help transform a room.

We believe that radiators shouldn’t just be a metal thing that you hide behind a sofa.

When you look at our catalogue, you can see that our ranges of radiators are innovatively designed with style as well as efficiency. Due to the fact that every home has a different personality, we provide a wide spectrum of radiators that has the ability to suit your individual taste. The choice is endless!

A common question: How can I make my radiator something ‘that ties the room together’ rather than ‘that old metal thing on the wall’?

Try this – next time you’re looking to buy radiators, why not try something a bit more adventurous? Get rid of ol’ rusty in the corner and invest in a BRIGHT COLOURED RADIATOR to add a fresh change to your room.

Several of our radiators come in an interesting palette of colours – here are just a few options that you could choose from to help brighten the place up.

Bisque Blok Radiator

This aluminium radiator of Italian design is sure to add an interesting splash of colour to your living space. Simple and sophisticated, this unit comes in a vast range of colours to excite and inspire any home decorator.

As you can see in our catalogue, the selection of colours for this model is incredibly diverse, from subtle blues to bolshie reds and crisp greens. Just imagine a bright burst of yellow to greet guests in your living room, or perhaps a calming blue to help you wind down in your bedroom?

A stylish radiator for all looks and moods. Check it out!

Aestus Koloris Single Glass Panel Wall Mounted

This wall mounted radiator model has a gorgeous, sleek glass panel design in an assortment of vivid colours. From zesty Chili Red to Green Grass, add a bold POP to your home.

Not only are these heaters stylish and slick in aesthetic, but the glass front panel means that it has an incredibly high heat output.

Not JUST a pretty face!

Bisque Archibald Electric Towel Radiator

Nothing feels as good as getting out of the shower and wrapping yourself in a hot towel straight off the radiator…

The Bisque Archibald Electric Towel Radiator offers you a stylish way to keep your towels warm in your bathroom. Coming in a wide range of colours, this quirky clothes hanger design is a fun way to bring colour in your bathroom.

Aeon Abacus

Now we’re talking! For people who want something fun and artistic in their homes. This stainless-steel abacus inspired radiator is a kaleidoscope of colour and would be a feature in any room, perfect for general fun lovers and children’s nurseries. Can you believe this is a radiator? Looks more like a work of art!

The coloured abacus globes also come in silver and gold designs if you are looking for a different effect.

Now that you’ve seen some of our coloured radiators, and the different incarnations they come in, it’s time to start exploring Designer Radiator Direct – this is only the tip of the ice berg , Their catalogue of radiators is filled with interesting, stylish units that could help transform your home. Happy exploring!

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from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/coloured-radiators-growing-in-popularity/

Tips and Ideas for Commercial Kitchen Design for Small Kitchens

Commercial kitchen design has a direct impact on the performance of a restaurant/café across a number of different measures, including efficiency, safety, and profitability. Good design will take account of many aspects of commerciality, from staff safety and ergonomics to food production and the efficiency of foodservices equipment.

By minimising the amount of movement around the kitchen, and the number of steps involved in the completion of a task, kitchens can increase both their productivity and safety. This is achieved by careful planning and consideration.

Three key factors determine good kitchen design:

1. Budget
2. Space requirements and capacity
3. The choice of equipment

Today, we are going to look at the methods involved in designing a viable and profitable commercial kitchen.

To Create a Viable Commercial Kitchen Design You Must Consider the Menu

The first step in the design process is to look at the type of food that you are going to create. Consider each dish from start to finish and document all of the various cooking methods, storage, and preparation requirements needed to make the dish.

You should map your entire menu in this way before deciding on the kitchen size, plan, or layout. If you are restricted to a specific space beforehand, and your menu is too complex, then you will need to drop some dishes off the menu in order to accommodate for this.

Make a List of All of the Catering Equipment Needed to Create the Menu

Once you have done this, you should have a comprehensive list of all of the equipment you will need to complete the kitchen. You can then set about working out how big each of these items needs to be in terms of capacity, and then set about finding these items from a kitchen equipment supplier. This will give you the dimensions of the various pieces of equipment, and this will in turn allow you to work out how big the kitchen will need to be (taking into account walkways).

Choose a Site for Your Kitchen

Now you know how much space you need, you can then set about choosing a site. This could be an existing kitchen, a kitchen that requires remodelling, or a kitchen that you construct from scratch.

Once you have chosen your site, contact your local HSE advisor to ensure that the space is viable for intended use. Otherwise, you might end up with an expensive project.

Take Note of the Precise Measurement of the Space

Next, you need to establish the precise measurements of the kitchen, taking into account the position of the windows and doorways, electrical sockets, piping and plumbing, and various drains (i.e. for washing machines, dishwashers, and sinks).

Ideally, you should use 3D modelling software to create a plan of the kitchen, with all of these existing fixtures and fittings in place. If you are having the kitchen designed professionally, then the designer will take care of this for you. If you do not have access to 3D software, then Architect paper is a sufficient, albeit time-consuming alternative.

Work Out How You Will Make Use of the Space

The first consideration should be flow and ergonomics. These refer to the way that people move around the kitchen and the safest manner of using the various features in the kitchen.

A commercial kitchen should function in such a way as to minimise the number of steps involved in creating the dishes, while at the same time maximising efficiency, safety, and productivity. There needs to be sufficient room for people to move around the kitchen safely, while ensuring minimum time wastage.

Contact a Relevant Architect and Building Inspector to Authorise and Implement Your Plans

The final step in the process is to ensure that your plans are workable and legal. To do this, you need to contact the Food Standards Agency for recommendations and advice. They will be able to direct you to the relevant people. It’s important that you have your plans assessed on a variety of conditions, including food, plumbing, electrical, and fire safety amongst other things.

We hope that you have found this article informative. Should you require further help and advice, please get in touch at garnersfse.co.uk

The post Tips and Ideas for Commercial Kitchen Design for Small Kitchens appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/commercial-kitchen-design-for-small-kitchens/

How to Choose the Right Size Skip for your DIY Project

For some home improvement projects, simply chucking your waste into the household bin isn’t the best solution. If you’re doing a big clear out, refurbishing a room, or undertaking an ambitious DIY project, hiring a skip for the day may be the ideal solution for quickly and cleanly clearing away your waste.

Benefits

You may be thinking that a skip is a costly investment for a simple domestic project, but that’s far from the truth!

Skip hire will actually reduce your waste disposal costs, providing a quick and easy solution to getting rid of your waste in one fell swoop. What’s more, a skip will ensure you comply with all waste disposal regulations when dealing with certain materials, providing a safer method of disposal and keeping your home and the surrounding area safe. Finally, skip hire allows you to lessen your environmental impact by selecting materials to be recycled instead of sent directly to landfill.

Why would I need a skip?

Skips are suitable for a range of construction and domestic wastes, including general waste, building materials, soil and more. If you are handling potentially hazardous materials, you should discuss your needs with us first to ensure you are not putting unauthorised materials in your skip.

What can go in a skip?

Skips are suitable for a range of materials, although it is always best to check with your skip provider first:

• General waste
• Construction waste (e.g. concrete, aggregates)
• Soil
• Timber
• Metals
• Green waste
• Dry recycling

Skip Sizes Explained

For home improvement projects, it’s unlikely you’ll need a commercial-sized skip. We stock smaller skip sizes ideal for home improvements and renovation projects that can be delivered and picked up at your convenience. Skip sizes ideal for home DIY projects include:

3yd Mini Skips

Measuring 5’ x 4’, mini skips are ideal for smaller amounts of household or garden waste, capable of holding up to 25-35 black bags of waste. These skips can be used for a huge range of projects, from simply throwing out unused items while redecorating, to completely rehauling the look of your garden.

4YD Midi Skip

Midi skips measure 6’ x 4’3, so are more suited for large household or garden construction improvements, such as demolishing an old shed, renovating a large room or several rooms in one go, or a total spring clean or your garage and attic.

8YD Builders’ Skips

At 12’ x 5’6, builders’ skips are a popular skip size, ideal for large domestic renovations such as complete refurbishments, or garden landscaping.

 

The post How to Choose the Right Size Skip for your DIY Project appeared first on UK Home Improvement Blog.

from UK Home Improvement Blog http://www.ukhomeimprovement.co.uk/how-to-choose-the-right-size-skip-for-your-diy-project/

How to make the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail

A few weeks ago Rich proudly announced a new series called ‘cocktail corner’ by publishing his recipe for the Martini. I knew nothing of this until he sent me the feature with the words ‘your turn’.

So here’s my first contribution – the dead easy ‘Old Fashioned’. Over to you, Rich…

The Old Fashioned

Brief History
For this recipe we’re traveling back to 1806 and the first documented definition of the word ‘cocktail’, which appeared in an edition of the weekly newspaper The Balance and Columbian Repository and was described as a mix of spirit, bitters, water and sugar. Over the decades this combination of liquids went in and out of fashion, so when their popularity rose in the 1860s they became known as ‘old-fashioned’ cocktails. 

The first known mention of a specific cocktail under the name ‘Old Fashioned’ was said to have been in Kentucky at the Pendennis Club. Although various whiskeys had previously been used to create similar cocktails, this first recorded version used bourbon. So it’s bourbon we’ll use in ours.

After a bit of an identity crisis the Old Fashioned is back in vogue, largely thanks to it being the manly booze of choice for brooding ad-man Don Draper in the telly show Mad Men.

How to make an Old Fashioned.

Difficulty level: Easy

What you’ll need:
2 oz bourbon whiskey
2 or 3 dashes Angosturas bitters
A lump of sugar
A splash of water
Ice

It’s worth getting a decent whiskey for an Old Fashioned as it does most of the work in the cocktail. We’ve chosen an authentic Kentucky bourbon, produced by Wild Turkey, that has been aged for 6 to 8 years in oak barrels.

Instructions:

1 Drop a lump of sugar (or half a teaspoon) into an Old Fashioned* glass and squirt two or three dashes of bitters onto, along it with a splash (teaspoon) of water.

2 Crush the sugar in the manliest manner you can muster.

3 Casually hold the rim of your glass and swirl in nonchalant manner for effect.

4 Add an ice cube or three and pour in the bourbon.

5 Give it another swirl, summon some sort of manly pout, and sip with furrowed brow.

Garnish options

You may have noticed from the photograph that our Old Fashioned is un-garnished. This is because no garnish was mentioned in that original cocktail recording. In 1833 nutmeg gets a run-out for Team Garnish and in 1895 an Old Fashioned recipe includes a ‘piece of lemon peel’.

Contemporary Old Fashioned cocktails often include orange peel or slices and sometimes they’ll insist on a cherry as well. This fruitiness likely comes from the prohibition era when such flavours were added to disguise the liquor. We’re using decent bourbon, and it’s legal, so no disguise required.

Variations

You can substitute the bourbon for any other form of American whiskey or be like a Wisconsinite and use brandy – in which case you had better call it a ‘Brandy Old Fashioned’. Heck, these days you can probably use whatever spirit you like and get away with it, but we would prefer not to go there. And nor will be performing another modern twist by substituting the water with a load of club soda. We want to taste the bourbon…

* The short tumbler used for various cocktails was named after the drink. My glass is probably a little bit bigger than a proper Old Fashioned glass, but you will notice other photographers have filled their glasses with more than the prescribed measures to make them look a little more photogenic. This is very much a short cocktail.

The post How to make the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail appeared first on Two Thirsty Gardeners.

from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/make-perfect-old-fashioned-cocktail-easy-recipe/

Beer of the week #97: Metalman Brewing Co, Heat Sink

One of our most recent ‘Top 10’ beer pieces for our regular paymasters, The Independent, was on the wintery subject of porters and stouts. We both have an appreciation for well crafted black boozes and gleefully drink them all year round, but their toasty tastes really come into their own when the nights are long and Jack Frost is busy sweetening our parsnips.

In order top come up with our list of ten champions we sprung open a lot of cans and bottles, roughly dishing out the duties as follows: I tackled Europe; Rich battled with the rest of the world.*

Throughout our lists we like to include as much variety as possible. In this selection five countries were represented – England, Belgium, America, New Zealand and Japan – and style variants included traditional London porter, milk stout, plum porter and super-strength imperial porter.

Unfortunately, ten isn’t nearly enough to showcase the full global diversity of porters and stouts available and plenty of ace boozes missed out. Perhaps most notable was the lack of representation from stout-mad Ireland, and none of our chosen ones reflected the recent trends of plunging smoke or chilli into the drinkable darkness.

So this week we’ve decided to rectify matters by featuring a porter that was not only brewed in Ireland but contains both smoke and cayenne chilli. Step forward Metalman’s Heat Sink and lets see how you shape up…

Roasty-toasty porter performance

It’s black, has an off-white head and tastes of roasted malt. Those are the easiest boxes successfully ticked. The beer’s body is towards the thinner end of the porter spectrum but that’s perfectly acceptable to me – some folk will heavily mark down a dark ale if it’s anything less than a treacle consistency, but there’s no reason why black beer should be thick. There’s a slightly sharp fruitiness at first and it dries out with a coffee bean finish. In porter terms, it’s a job well done.

Okee-dokee smokey factor

This beer won’t clog your throat with a full intake of bonfire smokiness, but the smokey aromas and tastes are obvious from the start. And as the other flavours drift away it’s that smoke that lingers longest. It’s a light charring rather than full on ash and it works a treat.

Hot ‘n’ spicy thirlly-chilli

At first you may find yourself asking “what chilli?” But be patient. A third of the way through and there’s a faint murmur of heat on the tongue; further down the line the mouth has definitely warmed up; and come the end at least a couple of endorphins have been released in a mild chilli joy. As with the smoke, subtle is the word, but once again it’s a success.

The overall verdict

This is a straight up, unfussy porter given some interest with a mellow smokiness and warming chilli. While it failed to make our top ten it joins a cast of hundreds parading in the ‘just missed out’ category. Good stuff.

The lowdown

Brewery: Metalman Brewing Co, Waterford, Ireland
Beer name: Heat Sink
Strength: 5%

Our IndyBest porters and stouts

These are the ten porters and stouts we picked – full descriptions can be found on the IndyBest site here

Samuel Smith, Taddy Porter
3 Fonteinen, Zwet.be
Hitachino, Espresso Stout
Truman’s London Keeper
Oskar Blues, Ten FIDY
Founders Porter
Bristol Beer Factory, Milk Stout
Five Points, Railway Porter
Three Boys, Oyster Stout
Titanic, Plum Porter

Metalman Heat Sink is available from Honest Brew

*Although I ‘accidentally’ put Oskar Blues’ Ten FIDY on my tasting list, one of the finest American imperial porters you’ll find.

The post Beer of the week #97: Metalman Brewing Co, Heat Sink appeared first on Two Thirsty Gardeners.

from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/beer-review-metalman-brewing-co-heat-sink-smoked-chilli-porter/

Beer of the week #96: Berliner Kindle Weisse

One of 2016s hippest brewing trends has been the Berliner-style weisse. It’s a beer that is a little bit sour (the main trend of the year); it’s low in alcohol (an inevitable reaction to the booze-bonkers Double IPAs and Imperials of recent times); and it’s a style that offers lots of scope for experimentation. And these days brewers can’t stop experimenting.

But while new brewers are rapidly trying to create the latest Berliner-style hit by filling their pots full of new fruity and hoppy flavour combinations, one brewery – Berline Kindl – has been knocking out its old-school sour weisses pretty much the same way for centuries.

Back in the 1800s Berliner Weisse was the most popular drink in the city with an astonishing 700+ breweries churning out the stuff. Napoleon’s thirsty army guzzled it while trashing the city in 1809 and referred to it as the Champagne of the North. It was big business. But beer has been subjected to the whims of fashion long before the current bearded brewing brigade starting fondling handfuls of American hops, and the Berliner Weisse all but disappeared, with Berliner Kindl’s being the only one to remain from its heyday.

Order your Berliner Weisse in Berlin and they’re probably ask you if you want it green or red. This is because locally it’s often mixed with a sweet syrup – the most common being woodruff (green) and raspberry (red). Which in turn provides the inspiration for all those modern fruity versions.

I’m drinking mine without any such sweet frippery. A straight up Berliner, just the way it was brewed, and it’s a very unique beer to savour. The aroma is like a mild German wheat beer, as if caught from a distance by a gentle breeze, and comes with some estery yeasts. Those esters turn into full sour notes on the tongue and hit the gut in the way a sharp cider does. It’s a light beer at only 3%, so there’s not much body and it takes a little while for the beeriness to come through the initial sour burst. But the beeriness is definitely there, tinted with banana as you might expect from a German Weisse.

Lots of beers pride themselves on their refreshing qualities, but few can match a Berliner Weisse for abilities in the cooling thirst quenching department. It’s practically a beer cordial and it’s obvious how a shot of syrup would give it a new life without ruining any of the brewing work.

The Berliner Kindle logo is a blonde walnut whip-haired infant, clambering out of a hefty looking beer jug – a prize-winning design illustrating the phrase “this is a child of Berlin”. Berliner Kindl Weisse is now the old man of the Berliner-style and, thanks to beer fashion, has a whole bunch of new young pretenders following in its footsteps.

The lowdown

Brewery: Berliner Kindl, Berlin, Germany
Beer name: Berliner Kindl Weisse
Strength: 3%

 

The post Beer of the week #96: Berliner Kindle Weisse appeared first on Two Thirsty Gardeners.

from Two Thirsty Gardeners http://twothirstygardeners.co.uk/2016/11/beer-week-review-sour-berliner-kindle-weisse/