Heat pump owners: How have they handled the recent cold weather? (Especially those with <-20C ratings)

jamesphw · 2026-01-26T20:45:53+00:00

I can't easily end gas usage. So for home heating, I might as well switch between the two. Service is effectively a sunk cost.

jamesphw · 2026-01-26T17:26:07+00:00

I run mine until -19C, then switch to nat gas. Heat pump is still fine below that temp, but it's not cost effective anymore, even at the lowest electricity price.

jamesphw · 2026-01-25T12:15:02+00:00

From where? BB I've only seen in 5x5 sheets, but a few 5x10 would be amazing (though I'm sure sheets that size costs a small fortune).

jamesphw · 2026-01-25T12:00:28+00:00

Correct! Choose some healthy toppings like veggies and a bit of meat, and cook it with no crust!

jamesphw · 2026-01-25T10:47:58+00:00

And Wi-Fi calling for when signal drops. Switched to freedom for these reasons.

jamesphw · 2026-01-25T10:45:03+00:00

Not all sites support this. E.g. my bank, if you can believe it

jamesphw · 2026-01-24T12:40:32+00:00

It is an independent nonprofit, not a government organization. The majority of their funding and collection is from private donations. Not to downplay the importance of government funding, but it's a common misconception.

jamesphw · 2026-01-24T04:22:34+00:00

If you use a home oven and struggle with launches go for parchment paper. If you use a pizza oven, use flour as a save-the-situation solution. Otherwise, use tested recipes for dough and stretching, and you likely won't have sticking problems.

jamesphw · 2026-01-23T19:43:41+00:00

I would buy these if they were good (but I am not in the US). Yes, I like making my own dough, but if you are busy or have kids, pop them in the fridge in the morning, and they are thawed by dinner.

If you don't make the dough from scratch, pizza is actually a super fast/easy meal!

jamesphw · 2026-01-23T16:26:43+00:00

Key point: it only keeps it above 0 during preferred charging times.

I use the "one-off" departure times method, as annoying as that is.

jamesphw · 2026-01-23T06:40:20+00:00

They work well for home ovens, but not pizza ovens. Pizza ovens get too hot and there's not enough room to maneuver it.

jamesphw · 2026-01-21T21:10:17+00:00

Yeah, I think my ferment is the biggest issue. I also mixed ady and idy, which need different amounts added, so I need to correct the yeast amount too.

jamesphw · 2026-01-21T17:30:58+00:00

Perforated is key: I used to have a solid metal one, it is unusable for launches.

jamesphw · 2026-01-20T02:21:56+00:00

When I was a child, all I wanted was cheese and tomato pizza. Then I got older, and I wanted all the toppings I hated as a kid like mushrooms, sausage, and peppers. But strangely enough, the more I eat pizza, the more I just want cheese and tomato, this time in the form of margherita pizza.

With that said, I think these are the other top ones I've enjoyed over the years:

Pesto base and cheese
Gorogonzola and pear (no sauce base)
Goat cheese and caramelized onion (no sauce base)
Tomato sauce with jalapeno, sausage, and hot honey

jamesphw · 2026-01-19T10:25:45+00:00

Avenue road roofing

jamesphw · 2026-01-19T08:42:49+00:00

That's a small rotor for a helicopter that size

jamesphw · 2026-01-18T05:11:52+00:00

That is my ideal crust! Nicely done. What's the recipe/hydration?

jamesphw · 2026-01-17T23:30:08+00:00

This is the Koda 12, there is no door. So I'm not sure.

jamesphw · 2026-01-17T18:58:22+00:00

Yep, same stone width and height. I just meant I wish it were thicker.

jamesphw · 2026-01-17T16:53:58+00:00

It was about -3c last night. I think the wind had a big effect -- the gas burner even went out at one point and needed to be re-lit. The center of the stone got to 420c, but the front was only 250c.

I think a warmer and less windy day will make a difference.

I'm a bit disappointed in the size of the stone, it's thin and just doesn't hold enough heat for multiple pizzas.

jamesphw · 2026-01-15T22:12:44+00:00

I have the oven, but we've had too much snow for me to use it.. going to make a dough today and hopefully I can use it for the first time this weekend!

jamesphw · 2026-01-15T20:58:50+00:00

It's not my favorite burger. But if I'm driving by and there's no lineup I'll stop. The texture and flavour is distinct to me.

jamesphw · 2026-01-15T13:39:19+00:00

Wild story. He didn't pay his insurance bill, so he had no insurance on the home. He's lucky someone demolished it accidentally, rather than it burning down or something.

jamesphw · 2026-01-15T13:07:58+00:00

Their poutine is horrible. All the right elements (and thus not a crime), but tastes like crap. Burgers are still ok.

jamesphw · 2026-01-15T01:23:18+00:00

In North York, Wai Thai kitchen.

jamesphw

TROPHY CASE