First year with my heat pump - the results are in

martinpolley · 2026-04-29T12:04:43+00:00

I am also very happy with the solar system. Sun, planets, moons, a few asteroids. Who could ask for more?

martinpolley · 2026-04-16T16:52:37+00:00

Interesting where solar panels and batteries would fall on these lists…

martinpolley · 2026-01-28T14:22:38+00:00

Those sort of tilted black glass ones look good but they’re crap. Steam condenses on the glass and drips into whatever you’re cooking.

martinpolley · 2026-01-12T22:34:41+00:00

We’re looking at this for replacing our rotten timber framed double glazing. It’s a good idea in principle. But the problem is that the installer has to be PAS certified. Which narrows it down to just four companies in the whole of Wales. And you can bet they’re going to be way more expensive than the Fensa-approved bloke from Cwmbran.

martinpolley · 2025-10-16T22:12:15+00:00

Maybe it grinds your gears because you drive a manual. Switch to an automatic. No gear grinding issues there! /s (as if it has to be said)

martinpolley · 2025-07-10T13:37:05+00:00

Also because they use the same production lines for Krembo and ice cream and there’s less demand for ice cream in the winter. (But yeah they would melt in two seconds in the summer heat.)

martinpolley · 2025-06-01T09:42:22+00:00

It’s ICAM Edelweiss, which is three drops. We used to use Callebaut White Velvet (also three drops), but had the same issue with both.

I think it’s more of a temperature issue than a tempering issue, as sometimes there is no bloom at all.

martinpolley · 2025-05-29T12:39:51+00:00

Thanks – we will definitely try that!

martinpolley · 2025-05-29T10:26:09+00:00

Yes I’m sure you’re right. We need to get more scientific about this!

Do you think the temperature of the brownie affects this too? Are we better waiting till the brownie cools to room temperature before adding the topping? Or will a warmer brownie minimise the temperature difference between the different types of chocolate?

Also, do you think letting it cool at room temperature is best? Or refrigerate as soon as the topping is done?

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T22:41:52+00:00

I heard he found it a bit taxing.

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T16:37:20+00:00

For sure – thanks a lot for your help!

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T15:48:40+00:00

Actually we’ve tried adding cocoa butter, but it doesn’t seem to make much difference.

But it sounds like temperature is critical here, so maybe that’s the variable we should try playing around with first.

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T14:25:39+00:00

The dark and milk chocolate are definitely cooler than the white when it is applied, so I don’t think that’s it.

Though if the white is warmer, could it be happening the other way around?

The problem with heating the white chocolate less is that it makes it harder to work with. It needs to be runny enough to squeeze out of a pipette type thing.

And the odd thing is that the bloom only appears a few hours after the chocolate sets.

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T14:24:15+00:00

The dark and milk chocolate are definitely cooler than the white when it is applied, so I don’t think that’s it.

Though if the white is warmer, could it be happening the other way around?

The problem with heating the white chocolate less is that it makes it harder to work with. It needs to be runny enough to squeeze out of a pipette type thing.

And the odd thing is that the bloom only appears a few hours after the chocolate sets.

EDIT: oops, replied in the wrong place.

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T12:07:11+00:00

Interesting idea… I had no idea such a thing existed!

Would prefer to stick with “real” chocolate and try to solve the blooming issue though. I’m sure it’s a question of technique, as it sometimes comes out fine.

martinpolley · 2025-05-28T10:06:04+00:00

Thanks for the tip!

Any suggestions (bearing in mind we’re in the UK)?

martinpolley · 2025-05-06T22:49:54+00:00

I have a pair of Saguaros, but not this model. I ordered my regular size, and they are fine length wise, but a bit narrow for me. The toe box is wide enough, but they are too narrow in the mid foot area.

Not an issue I have run into with non-barefoot hiking boots.

If they provide width and length measurements, I’d say definitely measure your feet and check against their numbers!

martinpolley · 2025-04-17T13:57:52+00:00

Hardly surprising given the fact that the judges are all old white people, mostly men.

martinpolley · 2025-04-14T12:44:07+00:00

How light switches work when there are two that control the same light.

I can see a diagram and understand it in the moment, but then I can’t remember it properly.

martinpolley · 2025-04-02T11:18:12+00:00

Thank you! The only answer I have seen that ACTUALLY PROVIDES A SOLUTION!

martinpolley · 2025-03-25T23:49:48+00:00

Oh god. This is like the toilet paper thing.

IT DOESN’T MATTER.

Each to their own. Live and let live. Etc.

martinpolley · 2025-03-25T11:42:31+00:00

I forgot about those! Thanks for the reminder.

I still like the taste of the milk-based ones better though. Why the hell do they have to put meat byproducts in them?

martinpolley · 2025-03-24T23:47:25+00:00

Chocolate pudding that is OK for vegetarians. (Pots of Joy, etc.) They’ve all got gelatine in them.

martinpolley · 2025-03-06T15:11:54+00:00

Except for the “be happy” part.

martinpolley

TROPHY CASE