Monthly Archives: July 2018

Porridge

A reader has asked for suggestions on how to make porridge more appealing. If you have a favourite tip, please share it here oilyrag.co.nz    

Cleaning tips

Gaynora from Kapiti has a number of cleaning tips including using cardboard wine boxes for lining under-bench rubbish bins. Gaynora also has this idea for cleaning cloths: “Instead of buying cleaning cloths for specific tasks, cut up old tee shirts and use different colours for different tasks. Lubricate with white vinegar for hygiene. Use with […]

Newsletter: Waste not citrus

It’s that time of the year again when the citrus trees are full of fruit. The big question is, what to do with it all? A reader from Northland, in a place well known for citrus growing, says they juice all of their surplus mandarins. The juice is sweet and delicious, and it freezes so […]

Oily rag goodwill

Nmkozik from Oamaru says she swaps home grown veges with neighbours – as well as giving surplus produce to her elderly neighbours, so they don’t go without. What a nice person Nmkozik is, and it just goes to show the good things that come from living off the smell of an oily rag.

Recipes

Adrienne from Christchurch has a couple of pie recipes to share. “Here’s a recipe for those with a toastie pie gadget. Cut a pastry square in half and place on the toastie pie maker. Use leftover mince, spaghetti, baked beans or a mixture of chopped onion, bacon, 1 egg, and grated cheese. Put the other […]

DIY heater

Peedeenz from Hastings writes, “For those with welding and mechanical skills and a bit of spare time, converting old decommissioned propane cylinders into a pot belly stove for heating the shed works well. There are a number of YouTube videos showing how to do this. Since scrap metal dealers don’t want the cylinders, go to […]

Straw box cooker

Butterfly Lady from Blockhouse Bay writes, “Slow cookers are a great way of cooking casseroles/stews but who can afford to buy one? Try making your own slow cooker… it’s called a straw box. I use a strong carton or a chilly bin, which I pad with towels (or any clean insulation fabric/paper), one folded neatly […]

Winter chill

Maureen has some advice for beating the winter chill. “I have just made a draught stopper from leftover polar fleece and soft toy filler. Also in older houses check that windows and doors are closing right shut. If not buy the stick on strips for the areas where the windows and doors do not meet […]