The Cottage Smallholder

Thanks,

Be careful Elsa, you don't know where he's been 

Next stage planned for becoming green

tumble dryer is going. I have not used it for most of this year and all washing will be dried on the line or in front of the Esse. I have a rack to fit that can be raised above the Esse, it is on the list of things to do. It will give me more storage space in the kitchen and I will make another blue gingham curtain to cover the hole!

The plastic containers of liquid soap will be bought no more once current stock is used. I will go back to bars of soap which one day I will make myself. The remains of the bars will go towards making my own laundry soap which will start once current stock used. This will save money and use far less packaging. I will also stop using fabric conditioner, another expense and not needed if you air dry the washing. Also another big plastic bottle not being disposed of.

When it is very cold I put a big log on before going to bed and then just need to put a few small pieces in to restart in the morning. I can clamp it down for a slower burn rate. It took a while to get used to cooking with it but now have no problems. It is about where you place things that determines the temperature. It can be a pain bringing wood in but we have a good routine now. I am very comfortable using the Esse now and it cooks things beautifully, more moist.

It is easy to manage once you get used to it. If it is too hot I lift the lids or open the oven door until it cools enough. This rarely happens though. It does cook differently from gas or electric but now I would not want to cook any other way.

One of these days I will manage to deal with one of my birds. I want to get into the routine of using the slightly older birds for food and keeping younger ones for eggs. It will have to wait until Spring when I can buy in new stock.