7/30/11

If you don't entertain friends and family outdoors very often, there's no need to run to the store and buy all-weather outdoor furniture. It's OK to bring indoor metal or wood chairs outside for your party on a bright, sunny day. Just bring them back inside afterward in case it rains. Or, consider renting party chairs and tables from a local company; you may be surprised how affordable it is and how convenient it is to have someone deliver and pick up the rentals for your event.

7/29/11

The self-cleaning mode in your oven can be a useful, chemical-free way to remove the caked-on grease and other debris in your oven. It can also use a whole lot of energy to get super-hot and properly do its job. The best way to use the self-cleaning mode is to set the oven to "clean" after you've already baked something to cut back on energy use.

7/28/11

Here are some quick tips to make your oven as energy efficient as possible: Don't cover the racks with aluminum foil; it reduces heat flow and increases cooking time. Bake in ceramic or glassware instead of metal whenever possible; it outperforms metal because you can usually lower the cooking temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit.