Some tips for washing machine users

1. Don't put more number of clothes than the specified number in your user manual. If you put more clothes, it may not wash the clothes properly as there will be no space for rotation and spin.

2. Nowadays seperate powders for washing machine from all the popular brands like RIN,Ariel,Surf etc are available.Use it instead of normal washing powders.

3. Never put silk sarees or delicate clothes in washing machine.Instead wash it by hand or give it for laundry.

4. Don't put the colour clothes and white clothes together in the washing machine unless you are very sure that the colour wont come out from the clothes.

5. Clean the dust collector bag in the washing machine frequently.

6. If your washing machine has got the option for cleaning the tub, do it atleast once in a month.

7. While putting shirts, handwash the shirt's collar before putting it to washing machine as most of the machines are not removing these kind of stains whatever detergent we use.

8. Keep the warranty card and customer care number of your washing machine always in hand in case of any problem. Normally washing machines come with 2 years warranty.

9. Don't put woolen clothes like socks in the washing machine as the threads may came out. 

10. Don't use washing machine for just 2 or 3 clothes. Instead you can wash that by hand.

Air Conditioner buying tips

Air Conditioner – an inexpensive luxury :
Now it has become easy to purchase Air Conditioner, a ‘luxurious’ item, for a common man due to several reasons like:

• Lowered price of equipment due to technical advancement
• AC s are made energy efficient, lighter in weight with no or less noisy
• Installation of Air Conditioner is no longer a tedious job
• Maintenance cost of Air Conditioner is much lower now
• A comparative study of brands, prices and efficiency can be done online easily

Types of Air Conditioner:
Air Conditioners are available in many models like Window AC, Split AC, Cassette AC and floor standing AC. There price vary with their type, size, ability to provide comfort and features. Usually Window AC or Split AC is in use in India. The type of AC to be chosen also depends on the place of its installation.Size of Air Conditioner: Split Air Conditioners: Split air conditioners are also available in various sizes like 0.75ton, 1ton, 1.5ton 2ton etc. The size of AC should be according to the size of room where AC is to be installed. It is suitable to install a 1ton AC in the room of size 12ftx12ft or so. A smaller room will need the smaller AC and the bigger one will need accordingly a bigger AC.

Offers more flexibility on where to locate the outside component than wall models

• Can cool open-plan areas well
• Very quiet operation
• Attractive and aesthetic designs
• Good air distribution for ACs of same size

Wall or window model Air Conditioners: Wall or window models can be installed in a window or an external wall.

• Can cool single rooms well
• Smaller units can be plugged into existing power points
• Single Unit
• Require lesser upfront cost as installation is simple

Power efficiency of the Air Conditioner:
In today’s expensive power situations, electrical equipment should be power efficient. It is declared by the manufacturing companies by displaying its energy efficiency rating provided by BEE. Though an equipment having 5/5 (5 star) rating is the most efficient one but AC is rarely found in this rating. Air Conditioners with 4star or 3star rating are considered to best.
Cooling Capacity:
The cooling capacity defines the price of air conditioners. Most air conditioners are rated in BTU per hour (British thermal unit) or by tonnage. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour. The cooling capacity that you need would depend on factors.
Average ambient temperature:
Higher the average temperature of the outside air in the area where your house is located, the more will be the cooling capacity required.
Size of the room:
The cooling capacity required is proportional to the area of the room you wish to cool.
Number of people present:
The cooling capacity of an air conditioner also depends on the number of people present in the room. The more the people present, the higher will be the capacity required.
Exposure:
Direct exposure of any of the walls of your room to sunlight would lead to higher requirement in cooling capacity.
Proximity of your room to kitchen:
If the room is nearer to the kitchen the cooling capacity required would be higher.
The tonnage of the AC can be selected based on the chart below: 

Rooms Size (Sq ft)	Tonnage Capacity
Up to 90 sq ft	0.8 Ton
Up to 120 sq ft	1.0 Ton
Up to 180 sq ft	1.5 Ton
Up to 220 sq ft	2.0 Ton

Types of Compressors

The compressor is the air conditioner's most important component and is often called the heart of the refrigeration system. It helps in the cooling process, by circulating the refrigerant through all the refrigeration parts. There are three types of compressors - reciprocating, rotary and scroll either of which can be used in split ACs.

1. Reciprocating compressor: It compresses the air by sliding the piston over the cylinder. Air conditioners fitted with a reciprocating compressor are generally less expensive and not as efficient or silent as the ones fitted with a rotary compressor. These are good for high duty cycles e.g. with higher capacity cooling ACs which need to be run for longer times.
2. Rotary compressor: This is a superior type of a compressor over the conventional reciprocating type. It compresses air by centrifugal action of high-speed impeller in a confined space. This method reduces the loss in pressure of the refrigerator gas. Rotary compressors are more compact, operate quietly, built for continuous operation and typically see less maintenance. The down side is the initial costs are higher. For less than 3 ton these are good options as they don't need high duty cycle and have better energy ratings. Rotary technology, though dominant in the Asian market for close to three decades due to its low cost, is new to India.
3. Scroll compressor: Scroll compressors have a wide operating voltage, economical running and low sound and vibration as compared to reciprocating and rotary compressors. Scroll compressors are generally available in ACs with cooling capacity above 2.5 tonnes. Rotary and Scroll compressors are not repairable once the failure occurs out of warranty period. Reciprocating compressors are reparable - mostly by respective compressor manufacturers in India.

AC Installation: 

• Make sure that you install the unit in an area that provides good ventilation. The air conditioner must not be blocked by any obstacle affecting the air flow near the air inlet and air outlet.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area which can endure the weight and vibration of the unit.
• Make sure that you install the unit away from heat or vapor.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area where the cold air can evenly spread in a room.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area which provides easy drainage for condensed water.
• Make sure that you install the unit in an area not exposed to rain or direct sunlight. (Install a separate sunblind if exposed to direct sunlight.)

Do not install the unit in an area subjected to noise or vibration amplification which may affect your neighbour.

Microwave Cooking Tips

Planning to cook in Microwave, here are some of the tips, which can make your microwave cooking experience much better.

Even cooking

o    For cut vegetables make sure pieces are of equal size for equal cooking.

o    If you are cooking an assortment of vegetables, arrange large or tougher vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, broccoli etc.) toward the outside of the plate and small or tender ones (peas, mushrooms, capsicum etc.) in the center so they finish cooking at the same time.

o    Never pile food one on top of the other. In a microwave food always cooks evenly when spaced apart.

o    Turning is necessary to ensure even distribution of microwaves through the food. Especially food such as large potatoes and cauliflower need to be turned over during cooking. 

o    Round dishes give more even cooking results than squares or rectangles.

o    Ring shaped dishes are infact the best for cooking foods which cannot be stirred during microwave cooking. Improvise a ring shaped bowl by placing a small round bowl in the center of a large round dish. 

o    An omelet is best cooked at 50% (medium). If cooked at 100% (high) the edges may be done before the center and become leathery by the time the whole omelet is done.

            Standing time

• Food continues to cook when removed from the microwave cooker, by the heat generated within it. So always take into account standing time. Large or dense vegetables and fruit need standing time rather than more microwave time.
• If the food has been cooked with a cover leave it covered for the standing time. If it was cooked uncovered add a loose covering of foil to retain the heat.

Covering

• A cover holds in the steam to tenderize the food, keep it moist and shorten cooking time. 
• A tight cover is ideal for foods that have little or no added water, like when steaming vegetables. Use a dish with a tight lid or cover with cling film. 
• For foods cooked in liquid, or which create a great deal of juice, make a gap in the cling film cover by rolling back one edge. This allows excess moisture to escape. Or use special microwave lids, which have slits in them.
• Cover the dish with tissue paper while preparing "temper" or frying seeds like cumin, mustard etc. The tissue paper retains the seeds while allowing the moisture to escape.
• While reheating patties, kachori or mathri, place absorbent kitchen paper underneath to prevent them from turning soggy. Absorbent paper stops fat splattering and absorbs excess moisture.
• Not all cling films are micro-safe. If you are going to use cling film in the microwave be sure that it is marked as micro-safe.

Dos & Don'ts 

• Use a fork to pierce or prick whole vegetables, like potatoes and squash, which are cooked in their skins to allow excess steam to escape. If this is not done steam will build up inside, causing the skin to burst.
• Avoid using alcohol in puddings, which have to be microcooked, since it may catch fire.
• Season vegetables with salt after cooking them in microwave. Salting before hand could leave brown spots.
• You cannot fry in the microwave, as cooking fat in large quantities is dangerous. 
• When cooking rice in the microwave don't add all the water at one go, as it will boil over. 
• Milk based foods tend to boil over so use a larger and deeper container.
• Keep half a glass of water next to the dish while cooking too small a quantity of food.
• Increase microwave time in the same ratio as the amount of food to be cooked.
• Always start off with the shortest cooking time listed in the recipe, this way vegetables will not be overcooked. You can always cook it for some more time if required.

Micro benefits

• Melting chocolate in a microwave is so simple-it does away with the need for a double boiler. Microwave it at 50% (medium) for 2 ½ minutes.
• Warming oranges for 1-2 minutes produces more juice when squeezed.
• Microwave is very useful for steaming green leafy vegetables like spinach. 
• Clarify butter by heating cream (approx. 250 gm) on Micro 60 for 16 minutes.
• Increase shelf life of Sooji, Dalia, Idli rawa and other nuts and pulses by microwaving them on Micro high for 2-3 minutes (approx. 500 gm) This helps remove the moisture from these food items thus increasing their shelf life, especially in damp weather conditions.
• It is much easier to make sauces for Continental food in the Microwave, doing away with the endless stirring. Remember to cook the sauces on medium or medium low.
• To effortlessly remove a coconut from its shell, heat it on Micro high for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Blanch almonds by microwaving them with water for 3 minutes.
• 'Boil' potatoes in a jiffy. Microwave them in a polythene bag. For 4 potatoes microwave for 5 minutes. 
• Sterilize jars for storing homemade jams and pickles.
• 'Cook' your dishcloth in the microwave oven for 60 seconds to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms.

To use a conventional recipe in a microwave keep in mind the following points-
For curries, stews, etc.

• Use less water as there is less evaporation in the microwave.
• Start with 2/3rd of the water given in the conventional recipe, than add more if required.
• Cook on Micro High for about 5 minutes to bring to a boil and then simmer on lower power.
  For steaming
• Remember to cover
  Baking
• Don't cover
• Remember there will be no browning, so to get a better look try using cocoa in the recipe.
• Don't beat too much otherwise the cake will collapse in the microwave. 
• Infact a cake in the microwave rises higher than in a conventional oven.
• Add an extra 2 tbsp (approx.) of milk as the batter should be thinner than the ordinary batter. It should be of a pouring consistency. 
• Use powdered sugar otherwise the sugar will burn.
• Use round dishes.
• Fill dishes only half.
• Cakes require standing time.
• Microwave cakes taste best if eaten after a few hours.

Important facts about Air Conditioning

An air conditioning system can vary by the particular brand. That being said, here are some of the common components you will run into.

A true airconditioning system performs three basic functions. The one that would first occur to anyone entering an air conditioned room from the outside during the summer is air cooling. The lowering of the temperature of the air is one of the basic characteristics of an air conditioning system. Cooling capacity is measured, strangely enough, in a heating measurement, the BTU. A BTU is a British Thermal Unit which is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree of temperature measured in Fahrenheit.

The efficiency of an air conditioning unit can be measured by a standard known as SEER rating. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The minimum SEER rating has been 10, but recently was raised to 13 in January of 2006. The SEER is defined as the total annual BTU output of the unit defined by its energy input. The Federal Government and the Department of Energy have regulated the required SEER of all new air conditioning units in an attempt to reduce energy consumption.

High efficiency in cooling is more critical in climates where annual temperatures are higher and the demand for air conditioning is greater. It is actually worse to have a unit that is too large for the size of the building being cooled. An oversized unit not only costs more than it should, but runs efficiently. It will also not run long enough to properly dehumidify the air.

The ability to remove moisture from the ambient air is another characteristic of an air conditioner. Humidity is often as important to comfort as air temperature. High humidity also can contribute to health problems and contributes to mold growth in the duct work of the system and in the home itself. A regular refrigerant type air conditioner removes moisture from the air by condensation as the moist air passes over the cooling coils. The process is similar to what happens when you have a glass of cold liquid on a hot, humid day. Just as water will condense out of the air on the outside of the glass, it condenses on the tubing of the cooling coils. The condensed moisture drips off the pipes and is removed by a drain in the duct work.

Air filtering is the third characteristic of an air conditioner. Filtering is done by passing the air intake flow through a filter that removes dust and lint. Some filters can be used that remove microscopic pollutants from the air. The filters need to be changed on a frequent basis as a clogged filter greatly reduces the efficiency of the unit. Cooling, dehumidifying, and filtering are all characteristics of a good system, and produce air that is comfortable, dry, and clean.

Onida wishing you all a very Happy Dhanteras

The most awaited festival of the year is here! Today is Dhanteras, an auspicious day to buy gold & also embarks the beginning of Diwali.

Dhanteras (Hindi: धनतेरस ,Marathi : Dhantrayodashi) is the first day of the five-day Diwali Festival as celebrated in parts of north India. The festival, also known as "Dhantrayodashi" or "Dhanvantari Triodasi", falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik (October/November).

The Dhan in Dhanteras means wealth. On Dhanteras, the "Owl" form of Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Dhanteras holds special significance for the business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals on this day (see Traditions below).

Legends

An interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that, once, the sixteen year old son of King Hima was doomed to die of a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. So, on the fourth day of his marriage, his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out gold ornaments and lots of silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of ornaments and coins and sat there the whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yama(Yamaraj), the god of Death.

According to another popular legend, when the Gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrita or nectar, Dhanvantari (the physician of the Gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras.

Preparations

To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night.

Traditions

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans", devotional songs in praise of Goddess Laxmi, are also sung.

Celebrations

Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. "Lakshmi Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans, devotional songs in praise of Goddess Laxmi, are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.

In villages, cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south India, cows are offered, particularly, a special veneration because they are thought of as incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi.

Tips on Microwave Safety

1. Don't overheat or overcook items.  It increases the chances of burning yourself, ruining the food or setting the microwave on fire.  When in doubt, cook in short bursts, checking items frequently.
2. Wait for a moment before removing hot food from the oven.  This avoids boil-over and explosive situations; Don't add anything such as sugar or a tea bag to freshly microwaved liquids while holding the cup in your hand or having it near your face.
3. Prick egg yolks or items with tight skins such as potatoes, eggplants, sausages.   It helps avoid an explosion.  Don't try to microwave a whole egg in its shell!
4. Cover items likely to splatter or jump out of the dish, such as beans.  Don't use plastic wrap unless it's designed for microwave, and even then, don't let it touch the food because of the possibility chemicals could be transferred into your food.    Better yet, cover with another microwave-proof dish or a microwave plate cover designed for that purpose
5. All paper products are manufactured with chemicals.  Never use grocery bags, paper plates, newspapers, butcher's wrap or other paper items to heat food.  The microwave can cause chemicals in these products to transfer into your food.  Use white paper towels only if the label states they are microwave safe.  Wax paper, parchment paper and oven cooking bags are safe to use.  Don't overheat!
6. Plastics melt, and most contain very toxic chemicals.  These toxins are sealed into the plastic, but microwaving may release them.  Guess where they go?   Into your food!  Never let plastic wrap touch your food.  Use only microwave plastic wrap to cover dishes, or use a microwave plate cover or another inverted dish.   Never reheat in Styrofoam, margarine tubs, whipped topping bowls or other plastic containers.  If you use reheatable disposable microwave containers, discard them afterwards; don't reuse.   When using microwavable plastic containers, never use with fatty, greasy or very sugary foods.   Reheat briefly only, and don't overheat.
   
   If your dishes (serving bowls, plates, mugs, cups, etc.) contain any lead at all, leaching of lead into your food is accelerated in a microwave.  Utilize glass such as Pyrex or Corningware to cook food (and even to heat food, especially greasy, sugary or acid foods) whenever possible for greater safety and peace of mind.
7. Never place metal items such as aluminum foil, steel or aluminum containers, utensils or wire ties in the microwave.  It can damage the oven.
8. I don't recommend cooking meats, egg or cheese dishes, custards or breads in the microwave as a general rule. (If you're happy with the results, however, that's what matters.)  The microwave process shortens and tightens the protein, or the gluten in wheat, drying and toughening the product. There's  exceptions, but usually a tender, more flavorful dish can be done using conventional heat.   Reheat breads very briefly, wrapped in a damp paper towel.   Meats are best reheated briefly, covered, on lower power if possible.
9. If something in your microwave catches on fire, don't open it or throw water on it.   Hit the stop button, unplug it quickly, stand by with a kitchen fire extinguisher just in case (you do have one, don't you?) and let it burn itself out.  It may damage your oven but it shouldn't burn you or ruin your kitchen that way.   Never use a microwave with a damaged or misaligned door or seal.
10.  Make sure children understand the rules about using a microwave.  In many ways, using one is safer for them than using a stove, but it has its own very real dangers.

Buying Guide- High Definition Tv’s

If you are finally ready to say goodbye to your old family CRT TV, your next step should be to buy a good flat screen HDTV. The market is saturated with brands, and there is no better time than now to make this purchase. From cost-effective 25-inch LED TVs to gargantuan, wall sized monsters that cost the earth, the sky is the limit! So let's find out which one would be perfect for you.

Size
Although it may seem so, bigger is not always better when it comes to screen sizes. But then there are other things you have to take into consideration, such as space constraints. If you have a small home, there is no point in thinking of a 55-inch mega screen for your wall. So let’s be realistic and think about where you are going to place the TV; whether you will be wall-mounting it, placing it on a table, etc. Thus the size of your room largely determines what size of TV you really need.

Viewing distance
You have to be very particular about how close or far you are sitting while watching TV on your flat screen. Sit too close, and the images will get pixilated; too far, and you might not be able to see clearly. This happens especially with larger Full HD TVs. When you are buying a new TV, all you have to do is remember this simple formula: the viewing distance should be approximately ¼ of the screen size, except for the fact that viewing distance is in feet, and screen size is inches. So if you are buying a 32 inch LCD, you should sit about eight feet away. Also, be aware that LCD and LED TVs have a narrower viewing angles, so make sure you place the TV in such a way that people don’t have to crane their necks to watch it with you.

Price
Here’s the deal breaker – how much money do you really want to spend on a TV? Although prices have dropped considerably and cheaper brands are flocking the market, an HDTV is still a luxury for most people. It’s also a good idea to double-check what features are available on the TV, as some of them are unnecessary. If the technology is brand new, the manufacturer might add a huge chunk to the price. For instance, some brands  has recently launched Smart LED TVs  but the downside is that they cost as much as a small car. On the other hand, Onida has launched their own range of India’s first android powered Onida iTube  smart LED TV which are pretty cost effective.