How to Choose the Best Drain for Your Shower

At the core of every great shower is a great shower drain. But which drain is the right one for your shower?

It's simple: the best drain for your shower is the one you love the look of and that meets the requirements of the job. Every state, every town or every province might have some special code that makes the choice harder, but for the most part the sky is the limit. It all depends on what's right for you.

For many of the showers built in North America, the client is not even asked what type of drain they'd like. But things are changing. Today's client is far more educated and looking for more than a cheap fix. And they should! Drains do more than look pretty — the good ones can deliver on both style and function.

Here are some of my favorite styles.

Quick Drain USA

Linear Drains

This shower is one of my favorites and features a linear drain from Quick Drain USA. This drain is one of my top picks and recommendations on most jobs. The narrow profile and the fact that it's also a primary shower drain make it one of the best options out there.

Tip: When working with standard 3/8-inch-thick tile, I plan on a 1 1/4-inch finished wall build-out (off the stud framing) to factor in a combination of the 1/2-inch backer board, waterproofing, tile thinset and tile thickness.

Plan your build-out before installing the drain so you can put the drain tight to the wall, as shown here. If you have not picked your tile yet, hold off on installing the drain until you have.

Ceramiques Hugo Sanchez Inc

A tile-top linear drain is one of the hottest looks now and one of my clients' preferred choices. This shower, set by Ceramiques Hugo Sanchez, showcases the polished look that's possible with modern drains.

An opening of at least 2.48 square inches or 1,600 square millimeters is recommended. Smaller openings may work or even look nicer, but they will affect the flow rates of these drains.

Tip: Clean these tile-top drains regularly to keep the flow rates at optimum levels. Hair buildup around the drain's waste pipe can choke the air needed to keep the shower drain flowing properly.

Ceramiques Hugo Sanchez Inc

Make sure to consider how the remaining floor will be prepared when you're choosing your shower drain too. This bathroom was built and waterproofed with the Schluter Kerdi and Ditra system, which allows for a seamless transition from the dry area to the wet one.

Tip: Use a temporary dam to flood test these installations. You will need to dam the shower 2 inches above the entry point.

Sroka Design, Inc.

Traditional Point Drains

A regular or traditional drain goes by many names. I've heard it referred to as a point drain, a clamping ring drain, a grate drains, a standard drains and on and on.

Many plumbing and building codes require certain drain line sizes, and sometimes even the quantity of shower drains in a single or gang shower. When in doubt, it is always better to have a larger drain instead of one barely able to keep up with the shower's flow rate.

Tip: If you have two thermostatic control valves, as in this shower, plan to use a higher-flow-rate drain. You can work out actual flow rates by calculating the capacity of the fixture with the pressure and size of the water lines. Do not leave this to chance — it's worth it to do the math!

KellyBaron

If your shower or local code requires a 3-inch drain and waste line, consider a larger traditional drain like this one shown here. These higher-flow-rate drains can handle much more water flow and don't sacrifice on style at all.

If you want a more custom-looking grill, Designer Drains makes replacements for many of the standard drain grills out there.

Tip: In Canada, shower drains and grates should not be chrome plated, to comply with the guidelines of the Canadian Standards Association.

When using a traditional three-piece clamping drain (or linear drain), it is important to have a pitch of 1/4 inch per foot to the drain under the waterproofing material. This allows any water getting under the tile and grout to drain toward the shower's weep holes (drain holes).

Skipping this slope creates a shower that can hold gallons of nasty water under the tile, leading to mold and a wet-looking tile floor.

Tip: To check for the right slope, place a 2-foot level with a 1/2-inch shim under the drain side. It should read level if the proper 1/4-inch-per-foot slope is installed.

Modern - CAD 3

Most point drains (clamping drains) do not offer the fine adjustment other drains offer. Make sure your plumber sets them level. A good trick is to set the drain with a small level in place and then spin the strainer. The grill should stay level in any position.

Notice the additional weep (or draining) holes on the perimeter of this drain — these help the shower dry out faster between uses. This drain is sold by Noble Company, and it's one of the best drains out there.

Tip: Use pea gravel around the weep holes before the final shower mortar is installed to prevent the mortar from blocking or plugging the holes.

Adeeni Design Group

Ready-Made Fiberglass or Cultured Marble Shower Bases

Due to time or budget constraints, some projects don't have the luxury of having a custom shower pan, so a ready-made unit can simplify the process. Some oddly shaped bathrooms can make a custom shower pan very expensive, and ready-made options may work just as well.

These types of shower bases also can greatly reduce the time it takes to prepare and tile a shower, making for quicker turnaround times.

Tip: As with any other pan, flood test your ready-made pan to check the connection of the drain to your home's waste system.

If you prefer stronger cleaning agents or you're concerned about the effect of your local water on your shower floor, a ready-made shower base may be a better choice, since it won't stain as easily as tile.

Tip: Not all shower bases are created equal. Many are slightly flexible and can benefit from the use of a concrete bed underneath. Double-check with the manufacturer that this is OK before purchasing, and make sure that this is done during installation. Often, this flexibility will lead to a leak at the drain connection, so extra care is needed to carefully support the drain at the drain connection area.

How the Heck Do You Clean a Glass Shower Door?

Get the answers to keeping those glass shower walls and doors sparkling-clean now and forever

Most people loathe household chores. But is any cleaning task more difficult to stick to than squeegeeing shower walls and doors after use? The squeegee rule, a seemingly reasonable request to reduce hard-water stains, mineral buildup and mildew, is great unless you’re short on time, patience, energy or all of the above. 

In fact, for the squeegee-averse, opting to use the guest bathroom and its shower with a curtain instead of a glass door is a time saving trick that is not uncommon. My friends recently admitted that they shower in their guest bathroom so they don’t have to clean their newly remodeled, all-glass master bath shower. There’s got to be a better way. And I think there is.

Armfield Design & Construction

First, the bad news. Hard water and soapy buildup allowed to accumulate on glass shower surfaces can cause etching and permanently damage the glass. If glass shower doors have a cloudy look, this may be the culprit. Cleaning will eliminate buildup, but it will not reverse etching, which is why the first and best defense is to prevent it from happening by wiping down the shower after each use with either a squeegee or a microfiber cloth.

Squeegees and Microfiber Cloths

A squeegee is a windshield-wiper-like tool with a handle and a long, flat rubber blade used to clean or remove something (in this case water) from a surface.

Some squeegees have suction cups for attaching to walls for easy access and storage, while some come in colors or stainless steel for the style-conscious. Do they all work the same? In a nutshell, yes.

Robert Nebolon Architects

For many, including Debra Johnson, a home-cleaning expert for the housekeeping company Merry Maids, microfiber cloths are the weapon of choice against water spotting and buildup and are prized for their ability to get into hard-to-reach places, such as beneath door handles or in tight corners.

After each use, the experts advise, wring the cloths out tightly, and launder them at least once a week.

Gast Architects

Daily Shower Cleaners

Either way, once the shower has been wiped down, finish the job with a quick misting of daily cleaner such as Method Daily, Tilex Daily Shower Cleaner, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Tub and Tile or your own concoction (see below).

The best part about daily maintenance: You won’t need to deep-clean the shower as often and the glass will stay sparkly.

be_planen Architektur GmbH

Make Your Own Daily Shower Spray

Beverly Leestma, DIY expert and author of The Make Your Own Zone,offers these directions for a chemical-free shower spray that saves both money and the environment: Mix together a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide, a half-cup of rubbing alcohol (a natural degreaser), 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 1 tablespoon dishwasher rinse aid in a 32-ounce spray bottle. Next, fill the bottle with water and, after capping, rock the bottle gently back and forth to combine the ingredients without making them foam up. Store away from sunlight.

Denise Foley Design Inc

Deep Cleanings

Life happens, however, and when it does, things like daily maintenance can take a backseat. For glass shower enclosures, this means buildup, grime and the bath time blues. Sadly, it also means it will take more than a simple squeegee to get back to clean.

Peach Studio

For scrubbing scum (a four-letter word) and hard-water stains, many consumers swear by products such as the Magic Eraser sponge, while others suggest repurposing dryer sheets (simply wet and scrub). Since these products contain chemicals, consider wearing gloves to protect your skin.

Black General Contracting

Another technique is to repurpose the powdered version of Bar Keepers Friend in the bathroom. To use, wet the glass surface and shake the cleanser onto a nonabrasive sponge, then scrub. Rinse with warm water or vinegar, then squeegee for the finale.

Jan M. Dougherty, cleaning expert and author of The Lost Art of House Cleaning, recommends using Krud Kutter, a biodegradable, nontoxic cleaner-degreaser. Her advice: Mix one part Krud Kutter with five parts water in a spray bottle. 

Tip: Be sure to put the water in the bottle first, then the product. Otherwise foaming bubbles could make work even more of a chore.

Zakrzewski + Hyde Architects

A Natural Alternative

A mixture of baking soda and water makes a scum-fighting scrub that many experts swear by. Measurements for the mixture will vary depending on how much you need. To get started, try using a half-cup of baking soda, then add water as needed to make a thick paste. Using a nonabrasive sponge, scrub the glass and rinse it with vinegar.

Pinnacle Mountain Homes

Long-Term Solutions

Once you’ve achieved a clean, sparkly surface, there are a few things you can do to make it last longer.

The big idea here is that hard water and soap scum won’t build up if they can’t stick to the surface. Think Teflon shower. Several products are designed to wick water away from surfaces, and although they weren’t created for bathroom use, the concept still applies. Rain-X and Water Armour, both found in the automotive department, are marketed for repelling water off windshields, but they can do the same for glass-walled showers.

How to do it: Spray the product on clean glass (being careful to avoid tile, metal and the shower floor) and reapply every three to four weeks). Some folks swear that after this treatment, they can skip the squeegee.

Rusk Renovations

Cleaning Those Pesky Metal Tracks

To clean the buildup and grime that accumulates in the hard-to-clean metal tracks that often frame sliding glass doors, Jill Schoff, author of Green Up Your Cleanup, has a solution. Literally. 

In her book, Schoff recommends plugging any drainage holes or crevices in the track and filling it up with vinegar. Let the vinegar sit overnight and wipe clean in the morning. It gives new meaning to rise and shine!

Brian Patterson Designs, Inc.

Ban the Bar Soap

Finally, if you want to significantly reduce the amount of soap scum on glass without eliminating showers or using the facilities at the gym, cleaning experts and Houzzers alike offer this advice: Ban the bar soap.

Almost all bar soaps contain talc, which produces the buildup. Consider switching to a non-talc-containing soap (such as Dove or natural soap), or opt for liquid soap instead.

Of course, there’s no escaping water spots, so some regular maintenance will still be required. It just won’t be as much.

How to Clean Carpet

Carpet has many merits and advantages as a flooring material, but spills can leave stains and daily traffic takes its toll.

Carpets warm a home by adding color, pattern, and texture. Regular vacuuming provides the first line of defense against dirt and grit that damages carpet fibers. But carpets also need regular cleaning to keep them looking their best. Plan to thoroughly clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months, more often in high-traffic areas. If you have light-color carpet and/or kids or pets, clean your carpets two or three times a year. Always follow the carpet manufacturer's cleaning guidelines.

Testing for Colorfastness
Colorfast carpet will not bleed, fade, or change when you are cleaning it or removing stains. Whether or not it is colorfast may change the cleaning method or products you choose. Here's how to pretest your carpet to find out if it is colorfast.

First find a carpet scrap or an inconspicuous spot, such as carpet inside a closet. Vacuum the carpet.
Dampen a cloth with the cleaner or stain remover you want to use.
Lay the cloth on the carpet for an hour, and then blot the damp area with a dry white cloth.
If the cloth is stained with carpet dyes, test another cleaning product until you find one that does not make the carpet sample bleed.

Carpet Cleaning Steps
Always protect your furniture, carpet padding, and subfloor when cleaning carpets. Grab a partner to help you remove furniture from the room where the carpet is being cleaned. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet. Use a rental cleaner -- if recommended by the carpet manufacturer -- or have it professionally cleaned. If you choose a wet extraction method (see below), make sure the carpet dries completely within 24 hours to prevent mold or mildew growth in the carpet or padding and to stop moisture from damaging the floor underneath.

Owning a Carpet Cleaning System
If you have light-color carpets and/or a house full of kids or pets, you might want to buy your own professional-style model designed for home use. Home cleaners can save you money over the long haul when compared with hiring a pro several times a year. Keep in mind, though, that the unit you buy may not have the cleaning power that professional models do.

Water Extraction Method
Most home carpet cleaning systems are waterextraction units that are also known as steam cleaners. They work by injecting a solution into the carpet pile, then pulling the dirty solution back into the machine. To avoid the hassle of dragging a hose around the house, opt for a model that does not require a clean-water hookup. Also, choose the most powerful machine you can afford to ease the burden of water extraction.

Caution: When using a steam cleaner, do not get the carpets overly wet. Overwetting can damage the carpet backing and underlayment, causing shrinkage, discoloration, and odor.

Dry Extraction Method
Other home cleaning systems use a dry extraction method. First you spread a dry absorbent compound over the carpet being cleaned, then you vacuum it with the cleaning machine. Although they usually work better than steam cleaners, dry machines and chemicals are more expensive than steamers and wet extraction solutions.

Renting a Carpet Cleaner
You may want to rent a professional-quality steam cleaner from a grocery store or rental center because of the additional power. With rental fees and the price of cleaning solutions (shampoo, defoamer, spot removers, odor removers, and more), a rental machine can quickly strain your household budget. But it may be a better value if your carpets don't show dirt, your kids are grown, or you don't own four-legged pets.

Hiring a Cleaning Pro
When you hire professionals, you'll get to choose between steam cleaning and dry extraction cleaning. Each method -- if handled by a qualified pro -- will do wonders for dirty carpets. Not only do professionals have far more powerful equipment than you're likely to buy or rent, they have far more experience removing stains. Prices may vary widely for essentially the same service, so shop carefully.


OK..Tanks.....

How to Cook Potatoes in a Microwave

I love baked potatoes, and have already written about how to bake them in the oven. Unfortunately, I often don’t have the time to wait for up to an hour for my baked potato to cook in the oven, even though they definitely taste better that way.

So, like lot of people, I often zap potatoes in the microwave. In less then 10 minutes, they get cooked, covered with sour cream and bacon, and I’m ready to turn on the TV.

Here’s how to cook a potato in the microwave oven.

First, wash the potato under running water (no soap!). You can scrub it with a vegetable brush or just rub it with your hands. Then pat it dry with a paper towel.

Puncture about four holes in the potato, with the tip of a sharp knife or a fork. This is important, as it allows the steam to escape. Otherwise the potato may explode when you cook it. (Seriously! If you don’t puncture it, the potato will go SPLAT all over the inside of you microwave!)

If you are baking potatoes in the oven, you can rub a small amount of oil on them so that the skin gets nice and crispy. It is not necessary to rub oil on potatoes you are cooking in the microwave oven.

Place the potato on a microwave-safe dish. Check the small print on the back of the dish to be sure. Then place it in the microwave oven. (By the way, microwave ovens do not have to be preheated.)

Many microwaves have moisture sensors inside so that all you need to do is press the button that says ‘potato’ and just wait for the microwave to beep at you.

If your microwave doesn’t have a potato button, a general rule is that one 7-to-8 ounce Idaho potato takes about 7 minutes to cook. 2 will take about 11 minutes.

The microwave will often say REST. That means the potato, not you! You need to just let it sit for a couple of minutes, for it to actually finish cooking.

But remember, each microwave oven is different, so you need to stick a knife in the potato to see if it is done. The knife should slide in easily and you should be able to squeeze the potato without too much resistance.

To open a microwave ‘spud’, it needs a bit of a bash first to break the fibers apart.

First, slice the top with a knife.

Then place a folded paper towel over the microwave potato. Using the bottom part of your fist, give it a bash. Be really careful as the potato will be very hot.

Now if you give it a squeeze it should be nice and fluffy.

You can now top it with your favorite topping.

As my Irish grandfather used to say, “I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like!”

Here are a few more startcooking.com potato posts:

How to Make Lollipops

Lollipops are pieces of candy on a stick.You hold the stick and lick, bite or suck the candy. Usually, they're made from candy glass, which is essentially melted sugar with some flavoring and food coloring added.

Ingredients :
-  2 cuos of suger
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 teaspoon flavoring scent oil
- 1-2 drops of food coloring

Steps 1:
Use white granulated sugar, also known as ordinary table sugar. This looks like little crystals, not to be confused with "confectioner's sugar", which is used for cake toppings.

Steps 2:
Dissolve the sugar in the water and heat it over a stove, on low to medium heat. Stir it constantly so it doesn't burn.


Steps 3:
Add food coloring and flavoring when the sugar mixture has boiled. Do not wait until it has turned brown, or your lollipops will be awful tasting caramel!You may add lemon juice if you wish.

Steps 4:
Use a candy thermometer to tell when the sugar has reached the "hard crack" stage (this is between 300 and 310 degrees F) (about 150 degrees C).You can test this by dropping a bit of the melted sugar into a glass of cold water, where it should form a hard, brittle thread that cracks.

Steps 5:
Pour the melted sugar into molds. When it's cooled a little, add sticks.

Steps 6:
When the candy is completely cool, pop it out of the molds, and voila:lollipops.

ok Finished.........

What are needed for the Internet connection?

Nowadays, having a computer or laptop is not a luxury anymore as a few years ago. But computer or laptop without internet connection like vegetables without salt. Our daily needs require us to frequently connect to the Internet. Ranging from sending emails, chatting with colleagues and friends, create a blog, to update your facebook status

So what tools are needed to make our favorite computer or laptop connected to the internet?

Here is a checklist that needs to be prepared so that the computer is connected to the Internet safely:

• Internet connection can be obtained by signing up for "ISP" or Internet Service Provider. This can be a wired internet connection via telephone, for example: speedy or any other ISP services via telephone. Wireless connection, either via phone or wireless internet connection.
• Internet browser software. The most popular is called Internet Explorer version 7 or 8 ("IE"). The second most common browser is Mozilla Firefox. Other browser options, among others: Chrome, AOL, Opera, and Netscape.
• Anti-virus software, firewalls and anti-spyware. For example: Symantec / Norton or McAffee, Avira Antivirus, AVG is my personal favorite. This software will help protect the computer from viruses that scattered on the internet.
• Email client software. If you often use email and the need to archive email to be checked at any time, including when not online, email client software absolutely must possess. Some email client software that you can use are: Outlook or Outlook Express, or a free email client software such as thunderbird.
• stereo speakers, microphone and webcam.
• Opsional:  anti-spam software.
• Opsional: Censorware, to help prevent our children from content that is not supposed to be seen.

That list of devices that we need to connect our computer to the internet safely.

Tanks........

Tutorial and Tricks for Making Juice

This is a guide to help you squeeze the most possible deliciousness out of your juicer, even without using recipes. We'll talk flavor balance, texture, and tips for getting the most out of your equipment and ingredients.

First things first: juices and smoothies are different beasts. That may seem obvious, but lots of juicer-less folks have asked whether they can whiz up a juice recipe's ingredients in their blender and get a similar but thicker result. The answer, unfortunately, is a definitive no. First, texture is critical in smoothies and requires some attention that's absent from juicing guidelines. And equally important, juicing extracts a relatively small amount of liquid and flavor from certain ingredients, especially leafy greens and herbs. Blending an equal amount of those ingredients could seriously overpower your earnest attempts at a mellow smoothie. So it's best to consider juices and smoothies in their own separate ways. (Don't worry, we have tips for smoothie-makers right this way...)

Since texture doesn't become an issue in juicing unless something's gone fairly horribly wrong, flavor balance is where it's at in creating delightful juices. Custom-making your own fresh juices gives you ultimate control over how sweet and how complex you like your flavors. You'll find your own optimal balance with experimentation and practice, but there are a few overarching principles to guide you in your search.

1. A FORMULA FOR TASTY JUICE
I've found that a really good juice contains the following: something sweet, something tart, something high-yield (which produces a lot of juice for its size), something earthy, and maybe something herbaceous or spicy. Earthy flavors include root vegetables as well as greens like kale, spinach, and beet greens. With a general formula like this one, the variations are endless; but here are some of my favorite ingredients from each category.

Sweet: apples, pears, grapes, melons, pineapples, oranges, kiwis, mangoes, berries, grapes
Tart: lemons, limes
Roots: beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips
Greens: Kale, spinach, lettuce, chard, arugula, mustard greens, beet greens, dandelion, sorrel, broccoli
Herbs: Basil, parsley, cilantro, mint
High-yield: Cucumbers, celery, fennel, tomatoes, melons
Spicy: Ginger, hot peppers (use judiciously)

2. JUICE THINGS TOGETHER THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO EAT TOGETHER.
That sounds like common sense, but for some reason it isn't always. I think a lot of people consider juicing to be a whole different realm, but remember, a juicer is just another appliance in your much-loved kitchen. If it makes a good salad, chances are it makes a pretty good-tasting juice, too. Just keep in mind that you'll likely have to alter the quantities and add a high-yield ingredient like cucumber or celery to fill your glass.


3. BALANCE HIGH-YIELD INGREDIENTS WITH HIGH-POTENCY INGREDIENTS.
Cucumbers, celery, and apples are juicing tsunamis; but a little bit of ginger or mint goes a long way. Be aware of the behavior of each ingredient in the juicer (which will be immediately apparent when you've juiced it once), and try to maintain a reasonable balance between flexible, mellow ingredients and more intense ones.


4. TASTE AS YOU GO AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
Just as with a soup or a stew, you've got the flexibility to add and adjust as you juice. Stir up the juice you've got and sip. Need a little more lemon? Go for it. Or balance out too much lemon with an extra chunk of apple. It's all good.


5. TO PEEL OR NOT TO PEEL?
In many cases, leaving the skin on the produce you juice is just fine—even pineapple skin can roll just fine through most decent juicers. Especially if you're using the skin, do be sure to buy produce grown with organic practices when possible. A few exceptions, where you should peel:

6. A SPECIAL NOTE ON LEAFY GREENS

Where juicing is concerned, there are essentially three flavors of leafy greens. Neutral ones like lettuce; earthy ones like kale, beet greens , and chard; and peppery ones like dandelion, mustard, and arugula. Neutral ones are easy to work with. Peppery ones are nearly impossible to hide, so you should make them one of the stars of the show (or avoid them if you don't enjoy them). Earthy greens require a little more cajoling.

Whether or not you think kale is a four-letter word for a reason, you'll find it and other earthy greens in many a juice (and smoothie). The bad news is that too much or too lonely liquid kale can taste like the wrath of an angry mob. The good news is that, used judiciously and paired intelligently, kale can be as good for your recipes as they say it is for your bod. All you need to know is that acid and herbs (or spice) are kale's friends. Use lemon. Use cilantro. It's the juicing equivalent of an "assertive dressing" on a raw kale salad. It works wonders, and you'll never look back.



7. FINALLY, CONSIDER COLOR.
The way food looks affects our perception of the way it tastes. The same applies at least equally to juices (and smoothies). Don't make a grey juice or a brown one unless you have an opaque cup with a lid or a penchant for the grotesque. Pair intelligently. In a green juice, for example, apples and pears make better sweeteners than strawberries. If you're really stuck, just juice a beet. It's the ultimate color trump card and will override almost anything.



There are several types of juicers out there, some of which run in the thousands of dollars. For those of us in the earthly realm, there are basically two choices: centrifugal and masticating juicers. Everyone and their sister-in-law has something to say about which juicer you should buy, but here's my 30-second view:

Centrifugal juicers shred ingredients with a rapidly spinning disk of blades and then strain the bits through a very fine strainer. They tend to be less expensive and, if you're 12 at heart like me, are much less awkward to talk about than their masticating counterpart. On the downside, they tend to extract a little less juice, especially from leafy greens; and the juice oxidizes more quickly, so it doesn't stay fresh as long.

Masticating juicers essentially chew up the ingredients and spit out the juice. Since their extraction process doesn't cause as much oxidation, optimal taste can last more like a day compared to the centrifugal juicer's 30 minutes. Masticating juicers can also be used for a wider variety of kitchen needs, from juicing wheatgrass to grinding grains and nuts.

For what it's worth, I still have a centrifugal juicer even though I make juice almost daily, and honestly it's been working out perfectly well. When we eventually move back to the States and need a new juicer anyway, I'll probably invest in a masticating one for the increased flexibility with timing and the possibility of retaining more nutrients. I'll just have to grow up a little about the price tag—and the name.

Speaking of growing up, not to act like your mom here or anything, but here's a word of advice about cleaning your juicer, regardless of which type you have. Do it early, and do it often. If you clean that baby right after you juice, a simple rinse under warm water, maybe with a little soap, will do the trick. (Scrub a centrifugal juicer's filter with a stiff-bristled brush, too.) If you wait, though, it's amazing how quickly those evil little fibrous bits will weld themselves to your machine.

And finally, when shopping for a machine of either type, keep in mind that juicers vary a lot in terms of design and yield. If you're reading reviews, pay particular attention to how much juice they produce and how wonderful or horrible they are to clean.


GETTING THE MOST JUICE

















You can maximize the yield from your ingredients by paying attention to the order and speed at which you juice them.

Leafy greens and herbs are the most noticeable case, where a little good technique will go a long way. You'll get a much better yield if you tightly pack the greens (roll them up before adding to the feed tube of your juicer) and place them between two harder, juicier ingredients (such as cucumber and apple). Then nudge the greens through the juicer one small push at a time.

For leafy greens and herbs and also for all softer ingredients (citrus, melons, stone fruit, berries, etc.), use a slower speed if your juicer has one.

Try to alternate high-yield ingredients like celery with more stubborn ones like ginger, and definitely juice a high-yield ingredient last. It will help to flush everything else through the juicer before you turn it off.

DESIGNATE A JUICING DRAWER
If you live in a household with other people and think you may want to make juice often, it can be helpful to designate a juicing drawer (one of the crisper drawers) or a juicing section of your fridge. The more you make juice, the more you'll develop your preferences and be disappointed if one of your perfectly balanced ingredients is missing. (I'm sure everyone is like this and not just control freaks, correct?) Even if it's just you in the house and/or you trust your housemates, it helps to organize your ingredients for juicing vs. eating.

JUICE IT IF YOU'VE GOT IT
And finally, to balance out the control-freakishness of the juicing drawer, don't forget the key strategy of "juice it if you've got it." There are times, like the day before a long vacation, or when you've got produce on the edge of getting old, or the last day before your next CSA delivery, that you realize just about anything can be juiced. (These moments never fail to remind me of the old Fokkerism, "Oh yeah, you can milk anything with nipples." "I have nipples, Greg, could you milk me?") One of juicing's great fringe benefits is that you'll rarely have to waste a fruit or vegetable again. Consider it nose-to-tail juicing if you like. It's great when a juice tastes perfect, but it's also pretty terrific when you can clean out the fridge into a pint-sized mason jar. Who knows? You might discover a new combination you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

Do you have any other tips for making juice at home? Let us hear 'em in the comments below!

Got a blender but no juicer? Head over to our guide to making smoothies.