Winter draws on

[Me!]

the 10 year old is so good it hardly seems necessary to pay the premium.

Or, in these credit crunch times, if funds can only run to Tesco Blue Stripey own brand, then try this. Put a handful of sultanas in a glass and cover them in whisky in the evening. By the next morning, they will have expanded back into small grapes with whisky inside them. Put them in a bowl of porridge for a warming kick-start to the worst that winter can offer!

 

[yamin]

Put a handful of sultanas in a glass and cover them in whisky in the evening. By the next morning, they will have expanded back into small grapes with whisky inside them. Put them in a bowl of porridge for a warming kick-start to the worst that winter can offer!

Ooh, this is a great idea! I take my porridge with a home made compote of sultanas/apples/apricots/mixed spice, but your idea sounds MUCH better! Probably make the school run a bit more interesting!!!

 

[worms]

a handful of sultanas in a glass and cover them in whisky

The same mix, give it a quick zap in the microwave and pour over ice-cream, or use to flambee bananas...

Versatile stuff whisky, I've been told you can even drink it!

 

[Ushy M]

Oh, and don't forget when you're sat at the computer you should ALWAYS have one of these plugged in.....

http://www.play.com/Gadgets/Gadgets/4-/10968573/USB-Footwarmer/Product.html?&engine=froogle_gagets&keyword=USB+Footwarmer&_$ja=tsid:11518%7Ccc:%7Cprd:10968573%7Ccat:Girls+Allowed

Just don't forget to take your feet out before walking off :lol:

Jaqy - that is totally awesome (Whoops - seem to have turned into a teenager!). I've ordered two, one for at home and one for the office which is kept deliberately cool (I'd say cold) to reduce our carbon footprint. We are given body warmers and a fleece but some days a toasty footprint is what's needed!

 

[Tom]

Jaqy - that is totally awesome (Whoops - seem to have turned into a teenager!). I've ordered two, one for at home and one for the office which is kept deliberately cool (I'd say cold) to reduce our carbon footprint. We are given body warmers and a fleece but some days a toasty footprint is what's needed!

Enjoy They really are good. I've had mine for about 3 years now and it still works fine. You can also get USB heated cushions to sit on

Oh, and for those jealous of heated seats in cars, you can get 12v heated cushions, you know!!

Jaqy

 

[worms]

...and there are usb powered cup warmers (to keep your coffee warm) and a usb powered christmas tree and...

What does this do for your computer power supply/laptop battery life? It can't be good for it to be used as an external power supply?

 

[Tom]

...and there are usb powered cup warmers (to keep your coffee warm) and a usb powered christmas tree and...

What does this do for your computer power supply/laptop battery life? It can't be good for it to be used as an external power supply?

The power used for USB devices is so minimal it's not worth thinking about! Don't forget, you'll need a multi-port hub like this if you use a few USB things together

USB Hub - like everything, there are different designs but I like this retro one http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/gorgeous-gifts/gifts-for-him/usb-tape-hub/index.html#

USB Cup Warmer http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001801&productId=1500526177&langId=-1&engine=froogle&keyword=USB+Stainless+Steel+Coffee+Warmer+with+Cup+with+Lid&_$ja=tsid:11527%7Ccc:%7Cprd:2702643%7Ccat:Clearance+Gifts+And+Hobbies

USB Christmas Tree http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/USB-or-Battery-powered-Christmas-Tree-with-LED-Light/3578472/product.html?cid=133635#

USB Turntable - I just luuuurve this. A similar one was one of my favourite pressies to myself about 2 years ago and since then I've spent hours turning my old vinyl into MP3's. Great Christmas pressie!! http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/profile-usb-turntable/index.html

There are so many USB devices around now but you need to remember that the power of USB is minimal, so you won't get anything that rivals 220v if it requires a serious amount heat, for example.

Back to the foot warmer, it has been known for me to have to wrestle with my cat to get use of mine :lol: :roll:

Just for the record, I have no connection with any of the above companies.

Jaqy

 

[Flyfisher]

The power abvailable from a USB portis indeed quite small and small amount of power can only achieve a small amount of work. I seem to recall that a USB2 port can provide 500mA at 5 volts, or 2.5 watts - not a lot when it comes to heating or keeping things warm.

I wonder if that USB foot warmer is actually much better than a nice thick pair of socks - or a 'foot muff', which is what it actually looks like. That's not to say it doesn't keep feet warm, of course, just that the USB effect might be marginal.

I'm even more suspicious of the coffee/tea warmer.

 

[Tom]

I wonder if that USB foot warmer is actually much better than a nice thick pair of socks - or a 'foot muff', which is what it actually looks like. That's not to say it doesn't keep feet warm, of course, just that the USB effect might be marginal.

I'm even more suspicious of the coffee/tea warmer.

The foot warmer definitely gets warm. Nowhere near 'hot' obviously but definitely warm. It really does make a difference. I can't comment on the cup warmer as I don't have one but the reason you gave above is why I said they are no match for a 220v appliance.

Like you, I suspect the cup warmer may not be as good. Probably due to the fact that any heat produced would be immediately lost to the surrounding air, whereas the heat in the foot warmer is retained within? Can anyone comment on the cup warmer? If they do work, I may buy one.

Jaqy

 

[worms]

I thought the cup warmer looked quite interesting until I thought through the likely power available. If you read the on-line reviews they are fairly mixed. Of course the mug supplied seems to be an insulated mug (and quite small), so I suspect it is like the foot warmer - a lot of the benefit is from the insulation and only a little from the added heat. I think one of the adverts recommended turning the foot warmer on an hour before use...

 

[Tom]

I think one of the adverts recommended turning the foot warmer on an hour before use...

An hour?! Not mine. Mine's warm in about 15 minutes

Jaqy

 

[Flyfisher]

I presume that either device only has to supply sufficient power (heat) to balance the heat loss from feet or coffee. As the rate of heat loss depends, partly, on the difference between the object in question and the ambient then the hot drink (say 80C) should lose heat faster than feet (37C) to the surrounding air (say 20C). Add the fact that feet themselves are internally heated anyway and I would guess that given socks and the USB 'muff' the rate of heat lost from feet would be quite small. Plus, Jaqy confirms it works anyway.

As for the drink, if it takes a 3KW kettle one minute to raise a cup of water to 100C but it cools to ambient after, say, 30 mins then it would need another one minute in the kettle to get it back to 100C. That's two minutes each hour in the kettle or 3000/30 = 100W on a continuous basis, which is far more than USB2 can provide. An insulated cup might be a better option.

 

[worms]

Flyfisher,

I agree with most of what you say and don't actually believe that the usb gizmo is more than an interesting desk accessory. But there is potential for a small amount of heat input to delay the temperature loss in that critical few mouthfuls near the bottom of the cup (when the volume to heat is getting progressively smaller) and where the difference between drinkable and "cold" is probably quite small.

I use an insulated mug myself.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I'm really not sure that Flyfisher can be right about feet being 37 C. I'm sure mine are around 10.

Anyway, thanks for all the interesting and entertaining input into this thread! Footwarmers - gosh, never seen those either!

I struggle bringing gadgets into this house. I can understand it if you have a home office, which is full of the evidence of the 21st century, or in Jaqi's situtation, where she is in a 2 bedroomed flat on wheels whilst she superwomans the house!

But here, anything modern sticks out a mile. It's bad enough having to see radiators and light switches. I'm really pleased that the giant clutter of music seems to be getting condensed down to one tiny box, and that little laptops can just be folded away.

 

[Tom]

I struggle bringing gadgets into this house. I can understand it if you have a home office, which is full of the evidence of the 21st century, or in Jaqi's situtation, where she is in a 2 bedroomed flat on wheels whilst she superwomans the house!

I'm not sure about superwomaning the house but I do know what you mean about gadgets in a period property. I've already laid the law down about no TV in the lounge! I hate to see TV's in any room (especially those that dominate it) and would be quite happy to watch the small amount of TV I do watch on my laptop. My ex-husband has a TV nearly as big as the room it sits in...it's ridiculous!! It looks worse when it's off...like a big black hole looming over you :roll:

Jaqy

 

[Flyfisher]

I'm really not sure that Flyfisher can be right about feet being 37 C. I'm sure mine are around 10.

I think you'd have more to worry about than just cold feet if they really were 10C - you don't have blue lips and a deathly pallor do you? :wink:

Fair point, worms, about the the cup warmer gizmo prolonging the 'drinkability' of tea/coffee although I doubt it would be by very much, but good point about the measly 2.5W going much further as the drink is drunk as it would clearly take less power to keep a smaller volume warm. But we're in danger of descending into real anorak territory if we pursue it much further (assuming we haven't strayed there already).

As for high-tech in period homes, I don't regard it as a huge issue as such. It's more, I think, a question of balance. 'High-tech' these days usually means electronics but in a typical period property timescale couldn't things like lighting, radiators, most kitchen appliances and most bathroom fittings be equally regarded as 'high-tech'? But we (mostly) seem to accept such things as pretty normal these days.

Also, high-tech can work in our favour. My music collection, for example, is completely invisible these days (being stored on a PC) and I no longer have a stack of obtrusive hi-fi equipment to find a home for. Televisions now take up less physical space, although I agree that their increased screen size can be intrusive in the wrong setting, but they are now far easier to disguise when not in use, if you wish. And Joce has already mentioned that laptops can be closed up and shelved when not in use, instead of having a large box, screen and keyboard permanently on show somewhere. High-tech gadgetry is not all bad.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Not all bad, but (mainly) ugly. I know many disagree, especially my brother, who is a chip designer and inventor. For some time he was working on wireless power, I know developments are being made in this area. Bring them on I say! I can't stand the ugly mass of wires behind pretty much every piece of furniture.

Some of my kitchen appliances are so pretty (I think anyway!), my Gorenje fridge (so much cheaper than Smeg, but similar in appearance), and my 50s style red Whirlpool microwave. When, oh when, will they make rounded, lovely, red, 50s style washing machines and dishwashers. I hate that every appliance is black or white. I've even been tempted to paint them!

I'm a terrible fusspot though, with OCD.

 

[Flyfisher]

"ugly mass of wires" . . . . yes, I forgot about that very definite drawback. Although, perversely, that's one of the reasons I'm not rushing to rewire all our rooms. Most rooms have only one double socket and I know that no matter how many new sockets I installed (at great disruption to walls and floors), I would still not be able to completely get rid of those even uglier plug-in power strips. So, I just add another power strip when necessary, at least for now.

Wireless power sounds interesting. I've read about a "charging mat" that can charge phones, PDAs and other small portable devices just by placing the items on the mat. No wires, no chargers - brilliant. But it all relies on manufacturers building special circuitry into their phones, PDAs etc and I've read that the take-up hasn't been that great so far. Pity. It would be great to throw out all those different chargers (although I've also read that there are proposals to standardise on chargers as well, which would also be a big step forward).

 

[jocelyn plummer]

To return to draughty, cold houses--! I am just beginning to get paranoic about not wasting/loosing heat.

I have, at last , got curtains sorted for every room, all altered from the last house, and hung from their curtain poles, only to find that because the inherited tracks held the curtains snuggly against the windows, we now have a howling draught, so It's a case of having blinds made to fit tight against the glass . more expense
My hand keeps hovering over the boiler and then I snatch it away thinking, 'it's not winter yet.' Then a little voice says 'but you are wasting heat/making the radiators work harder by not insulating the windows properly' so I just pour a gin and sulk, which is going to get me nowhere at all !

Back to the sewing machine I suppose, but is it really cheaper to make your own blinds, such a faff I think.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Let's hope that they indeed do make significant changes to the messy situation we have now, FF. I presume that a lot of the effort that was going into this sort of thing is now going into energy saving. With the prospect of spiraling energy costs ahead of us it will be interesting to see what they come up with. This is what Clyde's invented anyway. http://www.audiumsemi.com/ Although I've read his website several times and listened to him talking about it for many years I haven't a clue what it actually is. I know wireless speakers already exist, Bang and Olufson do them, but what his product is working towards achieving is some kind of better and cheaper version, (I think), as well as having other applications.

Poor Jocelyn, with your blinds - what a nightmare. Well done for curtaining all your windows though- you should give yourself a big pat on the back for that! I've only done 1 lot out of 21!!