Saturday, April 17, 2021

Replacing Refrigerator Light Switch - Home Appliance Maint. #2 & Water Puddle in the Refrigerator Compartment

 
This is a maintenance I had to do to a spare refrigerator.  I am finding out not to ignore those light bulb that is broken.  The light bulb should be replaced immedately on any refrigerator and or the light switch socket itself needs a replacement.   This maintenace note is for Whirlpool  Model GT1NHWXPQ00, 2004 model, Type C21TFA04
When the lightswitch goes bad, it seems to send mix signal to the refrigerator and the refrigerator might run continuously and or not run.  Also cause immense amount of "frost" in the freezer compartment in my case.
It looked easy fix, but bit challenging. The wire is a bit short to strech out to reconnect to the new light switch purchased.  (from Walmart)


And be sure to remove all the food instead of doing what I did.  Taking a gamble that I can do this in 15 minutes.  It took me about 45 min.

After removing the switch, I found out that I need to remove the cover, in order to have a good pull and a grip hold to the plugs.

The white wire was bit short and was difficult to reattach.  It ends up being bent.

Push it back all the way in position and restore into the cover.


Plug the refrigerator back and test open and close the freezer compartment's door.  If the light turns back on and shuts itself as the door touches the switch lever, the repair is complete.
 
 
For the other issue of water puddles within the refrigerator compartment below, the only thing I need to fix is  dripping of water from the freezer to the refrigerator section to the top shelves, vegetable crispers, and bottom.
 
Unplug.  In freezer, remove the bottom tray's two screws.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6TNv1FC82w      with 1/4 Inch Socket ranch.
Next, remove the back panel's 2 screws  that is holding the center air exchange channel  - with 1/4 Inch Socket ranch.  No need to remove the side screws.    Inside, the bottom rail with 'drain hole' maybe plugged with ice and obstructing the normal drippage through the hose resulting in water dripping into the refrigerator compartment.via 2 squares and center air exchange duct.  Water is supposed to escape from the drain hole into the water holding pan at the bottom of the refrigerator.
Parts are found in the back at the bottom covered by the cardboard.
The water in the pan normally evaporates from the heat generated during the cooling process of the refrigerator by a various parts.  For complete removal of frozen ice in the drain hole and in the tube, entire defrosting of ice needs to be completed.









The Culprit - Frozen Ice blocking the water exit








Hair dryer helped to melt away some ice quickly

Finally found the hole to the water exit tube - blocked
Dripped in some Hot water to melt the ice blocking the water exit tube.  *Be sure to gather the melting ice and hot water with towels.
After a cup of hot water - you will hear the ice dropped down through the tube to the bottom tray.
Drip more hot water through and you hear the water reaching the bottom tray.
Dry off the area really well.  Be careful not to bend any othe FINS.
Open the back bottom panel to check the receiving tray. 
Ready the vacuum cleaner and also wipe off all the dust.
Don't forget to wipe down the Fan Fins.
Empty and Clean the water receiving tray.  Double check and Test pass through more water down from the freezer.  Watch the water reaching the tray.

Ready to close the back panel.

Clean all parts and put freezer back panel back.





Yay! Done!



Tuesday, April 06, 2021

My Cactus Collection

These were all 2 to 3 inch pot size succulent cactus or whatever else they are called.  Very interesting things to observed are that as soon as they are transferred to larger pots, over several hours, the cactus grew in sizes and shapes like they are stretching out their arms.

The little creamy-white flowers on this "Ladyfinger"cactus are real.  They shoot out its flower stem carefully of their fine nets of thorns surrounding itself and opens up after peeking out them.  

The one to the right is the Cereus Ming Thing Cactus.  I am not confident with the names, but if you know, please let me know.  It's a gnarly green mound of cactus.

Interesting part of this Ladyfingers are the tiny baby nodules growing all around are easily popping off and replanted to root itself in a few weeks.


This is Mammillaria Mystax or Elongata  Again, I am not sure I have identified it correctly.
See how its flower stem try to shoot out from behind a curtain of thorny stars

The flower on this one is a fake straw flower that came with it when I purchased it.  I wonder how its real flower bloom will look like.  Patiently waiting.
The is a pair of "Peruvian Old Ladies".  These 2 seems to be takings their good ole' time growing themselves.  Since these pictures were taken back in Jan - Feb, these two's white hair have grown longer.  The body - not so much.

This one is an interesting round "Ball" Cactus about 3" round.  Since replanting, it is now 3-1/2".  Not sure what the flower will look like, but looking forward to it.
This the surviving Ruby or Moon Ball Cactus - Red and Yellow.  After the first giant Ruby Ball's death, I try not o tend to this cactus too much.  Leave them behind sheer curtains for indirect light and less watering.
And this is?  another Mammillaria family(?) 
I probably have posted this before, but I thought to post this beauty wonder again.  Sadly, I just didn't know what it likes or its life cycle and after it flowered, it died.  I think I gave it too much water.  I read somewhere that it is supposed to have only a drop of water.  And I just recenbly bought another one.  And I am going to try the "drop" of water feeding and see if it will survive.




 
 




Friday, April 02, 2021

COVID-19 VACCINE REACTION AND COOKING - How about baking Pâte à Choux today?

During my rest time after receiving my 2nd COVID-19 vaccine, I tried many different home menu.  Not that I really want to, but, the vaccine has been making me quite ill.  From high fever of 102'F to swollen arm with itchy red rash, insomnia, at times it feels like I am charged up with super steriod on 2nd and 3rd day, then slump into whole body ache.  Muscle weakness. Blurry eyes, brain fog, forgetting things after 30 seconds.   Then, at times, I am all clear on what I need to do and finish it.  My arm's rash disappeared after five days, this time.  It lasted 15 days during my first shot.  The spring weather aided to cheer me up.  Had a couple of nice fresh Kale leaves cutting to make dishes from the garden.  
It's been many years since I last baked Pâte à Choux.  The ingredients are simple and fun to make.
Before I post my adventure result on Pâte à Choux, I want to post some other cooking testing I've completed thus far.
1.  Fennel, Banana, Apple, KAKI Salad
This one was fun tessting.  I had a bumper crop of KAKI in 2020 FALL, and I still had some KAKI lasting into Jan and Feb.  This addition of Banana and apple was very good.
Thinly slice 1 large bulb of organic fennel
Chop 1 granny smith apple
Cut up 1 banana
Cut up 1 KAKI
For dressing, Mix some Mayonnaise, a bit of vinegar, a bit of dijon mustard to taste.  

2. Snap Pea Couscous Salad.  This one is very easy to make.

Rinse and soak snap peas in cold water with a pinch of Salt for 20.  Rinse clean.  Devein and slice into halves.

In addition to  preparing Couscous as instructed on the box, add Organic white corn (mine is frozen that I got from COSTCO).  Add as much as you like.  Cover and let couscous pot set as instructed. And cooled off.  Toss couscous and Snap peas in a serving bowl.  Mix your favorite vignairette and serve.

3.  Tempura - Light as feather.

There are many recipes on making the Tempura batter.  At least once - many many years ago, my batter bloomed like a flower when fried.  It was airy and quite delightful.  But I could not remember the formula for it.   One time after the other I tried.  I could not recreate it.  So, I gave up and came up with my own.  

For this you need 1 or 2 egg whites beaten into stiff peak meringue or whole egg beaten to pale foamy peak, 2 Cup of PANKO or home made bread crumbs, a bowl of 1/2 C to 1 C flour.  The measurement depends on how much vegetables you want to fry.  I had shrimps (not farm raised - wild caught), wash, soaked in salt and some wine for 15 min. to get rid of smell, devein and slice open the shrimp.   Coat with flour, let dry.  Wash, peel, and slice Organic sweet potatoes (not Yam), coat with meringue.  

Heat in frying pot - I use organic avocado oil.  Dip sweet potatoes sliced in meringue, then, coat with bread crumb.  Fry gently in medium low heat.

Do the same with shrimp.  Dip into meringue, then, coat with bread crumb.  Fry till when pierced with fork, it is tender and golden.

Let extra oil drip off.  Place on oil remover sheet or paper towel.  Serve.


 For deep fried fish, I used thawed out Cod. Wash with Salt. Pat dry.  Slice them thinly.  Coat with seasonings and flour.  Dip in batter - beaten foamy eggs mixed with flour with some KIRIN beer with 1/4 tsp baking powder.  (The batter should be thick.)  Deep fry it till golden.  Result - I don't like it.  The batter tasted really good, but it did not form a crispy crunchy crust.   Maybe I should have used baking soda.  Well, till next time.
 
 4.   Avocado Fennel Salad with Banana.
This one was also delicious.  Slice Avocado, Fennel, Banana, Bartelle Pear - top with some cilantro.  Toss and serve with your favorite vinaigrette.  
 
So, are we there, yet for the Pâte à Choux ?
Everyone knows the basic  Pâte à Choux  recipe, right?   1 C water, 1 Stick of unsalted butter, 1 C flour, 4 eggs @room temperature. *Wash eggs and dry before use..
Heat 1 C of water and butter in a pot.  Bring to boil. Have a heat proof spatula or wooden spoon or large sturdy spoon ready.  *Quickly add flour into the boiling water and stir crazy.   
Remove from the heat.  Quickly Stir until smooth.  *Do not let the batter cooled down.  
Crack and add 1 egg into the batter, and mix quickly to incorporate into batter.
Add next 1 egg.  Mix quickly to incorporate into batter.
Repeat the same with the next 2 eggs.
The batter should be nice and smooth.
When there are large lumps, keep stirring till you can minimize it.
If there are many lumps, put the batter through the sieve.
* I had to stop and refrigerate the batter to bake in the morning because the house is already quite warm from the heat trend we are having during the day.
 
The next morning.  I brought out the batter from the refrigerator.  The batter remained soft.
I poured the batter into a piping bag with #8 tip.
On a sheet pan with organic heat proof parchment paper, pipe the batter into desired Pâte à Choux shape or into Eclare - bar shape.
 
Preheat  oven to 450'F (mine is a large gas stove). 
 *NOTE:  DO NOT OPEN the OVEN Door to Peek.  Pâte à Choux batter depends on the steam formed within itself to puff up and create its crispy outer shell.
Bake in center rack for 10-12 min.  Then, lower the oven heat to 350'F and bake for 20 min. - 30 min. or till golden brown. 
 
Fill with chantilly, decorate with fruits, powder sugar, chocolate glaze, Matcha frosting, dragonfruit frosting, etc, etc, and serve.  
I filled it with slice of banana and chantilly.  Bad idea to cook them when you are hungy.  I ate the whole entire half sheetful.... No food for the rest of the day.

To make my chantilly, to assure my body can handle the lactose in the heavy cream, I used 1 Cup of Heavy Whip Cream, 1/4 C Lactose free Non-Fat Milk, 2 Tbsp of sugar.  Whip heavy cream and lactose free non-fat milk together for 1 min.  Add sugar 1/2 Tbsp at a time.  Increase speed after 2 min.  Whip for 1 min, then, at high till the desire medium to stiff peak form.  Transfer to piping bag with desired tip. and pipe into completely cooled Pâte à Choux shell.  *Normally, the center of the Pâte à Choux shell is emptied.  I noticed mine is quite puffed up and empty that I left them alone as they are.  I didn't have powder sugar and my Nutribullet is out of commission for the moment that I did not decorate with snowy powder.  
(The pictures will be uploaded a bit later.)