If you’re serious about having a modern kitchen, each component needs to have an equally modern look. Ceramic hobs, with their minimalistic flush surfaces that glow neon red when heated, are a great option for state-of-the-art kitchens. However, their benefits don’t stop at their looks, with several other key features making them superior to other hobs.

A quick clean-up

Women – and men – around the globe agree that the cleaning up after cooking is by far the worst part of the process. Ceramic hobs need little more than a wet cloth and household cleaner, with any non-corrosive cleaning agent you have on hand being sufficient. No more using scourers and waiting for cleaning agents to loosen the grime from a solid stove top.

Quick heating and energy efficiency

Photo: Aristocrat / Flickr

Ceramic hobs are more energy efficient than other hob types. On top of that, fundamental to their design is the quick-heating process, which means you spend less time waiting for your hob to heat up, so you can get round to the cooking almost immediately. Depending on the meal being prepared, this could mean a time saving of 10 to 15 minutes. Quick-heating also translates to quick cooling, meaning you, and your children, are much safer because you are far less likely to accidentally burn yourselves on your ceramic hob stove top.

Ceramic hob shopping tips

All that’s left to answer is which ceramic hob is best for you. When buying a ceramic hob for your kitchen, think carefully about the number of plates you’ll need, and the look within the big picture that is your kitchen. The difference between average hobs and extraordinary hobs is not exaggerated, so any product with a reliable brand name that catches your eye will be a good purchase.

Buying a telescope can be intimidating both because of the high price of the equipment and because of the complexity of the choice. With a few simple guidelines, however, the process becomes a lot simpler, so read on to find out about the ways in which telescopes differ, and how to choose the right one for your own needs.

What to consider

Before choosing a telescope, you’ll need to take into account your budget, what you need from the telescope, and whether to choose a refractor or reflector. When deciding how much you can afford to pay for a telescope, keep in mind that most telescopes that cost less than £150 aren’t likely to do a very good job.

Refractor or reflector?

The two main types of telescopes are refractors and reflectors. A reflector telescope is a cheaper option, and uses two internal mirrors to reflect light to the eyepiece. A refractor concentrates the image through a sealed tube from the lens to the eyepiece, and generally delivers a better image, especially of the moon and stars.

Size matters

Photo: slworking2 / Flickr

60mm refractors and 4.5-inch reflectors are good, reasonable options to start off with – but be realistic about what you’ll be able to see with them. Seeing all of the stars vividly and up close just won’t be possible, but using a magnification of around 32x to 50x, you should be able to get a good view of the moon and the planets in our solar system.

Going digital

Those with a higher budget might want to try out a digital telescope that’s able to track stars or take you to a specific location in the sky. The high price isn’t the only drawback to this kind of telescope, though – they’re also more difficult to set up. If you’re a beginner, this may not be ideal – sometimes starting simpler is the best option.

The electric hob is the most popular member of the hob family. Electric hobs offer loads of attractive ranges and options as their high demand allows manufacturers to get really creative. Electric hobs are very easy to operate with a simple turn of a knob and they come in a range of stainless steel, enamel or ceramic surfaces. Electric hobs are easy to maintain and repair, meaning you do not have to repurchase a stove even if you are renovating.

Electric hob functionality

Electric hobs are by far the most functional hobs on the market. For starters, these types of hobs are easy to install and use. The electronic hob offers a wide range of different designs and options to suit your individual taste. Comparatively, electric hobs are safer than gas hobs because of the lack of an open flame and possible gas leakages, meaning all you have to worry about is turning a button on and off. Their flat surface allows for easy cleaning, meaning the days of dismantling before cleaning are long gone.

Disadvantages

Everything comes with a disadvantage or two, and that’s also true with the electric hob. Electric hobs are slower to heat up and cool down, meaning although there is no open flame you still risk accidental burns or fires. Although they require only simple cleaning with a cloth, they do not have security features that prevent overflowing or overheating pans, so an electric hob that comes with a light indicator would therefore be a good idea in helping you avoid wasting heat.

Take the plunge

Electric hobs are very easy on the pocket, especially because of their easy maintenance value and affordable purchasing range. Get creative! Electric hobs with enamel surfaces are available in a variety of colours. Ceramic hobs have a black surface and have frames which are available in a wide selection of colours, while stainless steel hobs remain as slick as ever.

Mitre saws are easy to use, and they’re invaluable when it comes to making accurate cuts in a piece of wood at specific angles. If you’re a beginner in the world of saws, fear not – just read on to find out all about how to use a compound mitre saw, and how to buy one.

Cutting edge

Using the saw is simple, and basically involves putting the stock in place, setting the saw’s angle, and letting it do the work. The wood is placed on a flat surface and the mitre saw – which could be described as a round saw on a moveable arm – is lowered onto the wood to slice the angle. Before you lower the saw, though, you’ll do what using a compound mitre saw allows: you’ll set both the angle and the bevel of the cut that you’re going to make.

A sliding scale

Photo: sandover / Flickr

If you don’t mind spending more, a sliding arm option is a good addition to your mitre saw. This feature will allow you to push the mitre saw deeper into a piece of wood, and so you’ll be able to cut larger pieces of wood than would be possible with a standard mitre saw.

What to look for

When shopping for a mitre saw, make sure that it has hard stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 30 and 45-degrees. Ideally you’ll want to be able to do this in both directions, so if your budget allows you should go for a double-bevel saw. It should also be able to be adjusted to any specific mitre set by the user, and you may find it useful to purchase a laser light that can be attached to the saw to show you exactly where it’ll cut. An eight-inch saw is usually the ideal size for most jobs, but your decisions should be based on your own needs and preferences.

Keeping fish can be a rewarding and relaxing hobby, but there are a few things you know need to know about aquarium fishkeeping before you get started. Read on to find out about choosing your fish and fishtank, and setting up your own aquarium.

The tank

You’ll need to choose a fish tank based on the budget you have available, the space where you plan to keep the tank, and what kind of fish you want to keep.

The fish for you

When you start your aquarium, you’ll probably want to choose the toughest fish you can find. You’ll also want to choose fish based on the size of the tank you’ve chosen, and how compatible the fish are with each other. Small fish are generally best, but think in the long term when choosing them – make sure that they’ll get along with the larger fish you’re planning to add.

Getting started

To begin with, you’ll need to pay close attention to the care of your aquarium. Set up the tank, fill it with water, and leave it to settle for a few days. After this you can add your starter fish, then let the tank go through a six to eight week cycle during which time the water should be changed but you can’t add any more fish.

The next steps

Continue to maintain your tank, changing about 10 per cent of the water and scrubbing algae. As you progress with your aquarium, you’ll want to learn more about what can become a great hobby. You can extend your collection of fish, buy more interesting decorations for your tank, and even breed with your fish. Enjoy taking care of your fish, and enjoy helping your aquarium to grow and develop over time.

Jigsaw puzzles provide fun for the individual or the whole family. For those who make a serious hobby of puzzles, there are a few jigsaw puzzle tips that’ll make the process quicker, easier, and more fun, even when it comes to the most large and difficult of puzzles. Read on to find out about the best jigsaw puzzle tips.

Turning over a new piece

When you get started, spread out your pieces and turn them all over so that you can see the coloured side. As you’re doing this, sort them roughly according to colour, setting aside all of the edge pieces.

You’ve been framed

Use the four corners pieces to form the beginning of a frame, then try to put together all of the corner pieces. You don’t need to be too exact about this, as you’ll do the rest as you go along, but this step will give you a better idea of the size of the puzzle you’re working on.

Take it easy

There’s no shame in starting with the easy bits of the puzzle – and those will be the ones with the most detail. These pieces will show you clearly how and where they join up with each other. Once you on to more difficult sections – for example, large areas of flat colour – it’s advisable to sort pieces according to how many ‘knobs’ they have. This will make it simple to fit pieces together according to their shape when there’s no picture to guide you.

On a practical note

If you’re buying jigsaw puzzles secondhand, ensure that you have all of the pieces. How? Only buy puzzles that are already assembled. This might sound like the simplest of jigsaw puzzle tips, but the disappointment of starting a puzzle to find out that you have missing pieces is worth avoiding. Instead, be prepared and enjoy the rewarding feeling of completing your perfect puzzle.

Just because you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the goodness of ice-cream, macaroni and ‘cheese’ or even vegan un-cheesecake. And even if you do eat dairy, consider trying these dairy-free treats for the sake of the environment. Choosing to go without animal products is one of the best things you can do to combat climate change.

Dairy-free ice-cream

This vegan ice-cream is as quick and easy as it is delicious and nutritious. You don’t even need an ice-cream machine to make it. What you do need is a cup of almonds (unroasted), one-third of a cup of dates, half a cup of water, a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and 20 ice cubes.

Whizz the almonds, dates, water and vanilla in your blender until smooth, then add the ice cubes and blend again until the ‘ice-cream’ has the right consistency. That’s it.

Macaroni and ‘cheese’

Tofu gives this dairy-free comfort food its creamy texture, and also makes it a great source of protein. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then cook two cups of macaroni in a large pot while frying shallots and mushrooms in some extra virgin olive oil. Blend silken tofu until creamy and smooth, and then add a teaspoon each of mustard powder, chilli powder and garlic salt, blending again.

Once your macaroni is cooked, mix in the tofu mixture, and an ounce of sundried tomatoes. Spread into an oven-friendly dish and top with a cup of grated soya cheese. Then bake for 30 minutes, until the top is crispy.

Un-cheesecake

Photo: floridecires / Flickr

Use biscuits for the crust of this dairy-free cheesecake, crushing them and blending them with a little sunflower oil or melted vegan margarine. Then press the mixture into a springform pan, packing it down tightly. Put that aside, and preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now mix two tablespoons of water with three tablespoons of egg substitute until smooth. Blend this together with 12 ounces of silken tofu, a third of a cup of soya milk, a third of a cup of cornstarch, two-thirds of a cup of sugar, a tablespoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Once the mixture has a smooth consistency, slowly add two tablespoons of vegetable oil.

Then place the mixture on top of the biscuit crust and bake for around 45 minutes, until firm. Allow the un-cheesecake to cool before eating, and top with berries.

For more dairy-free recipes to get you inspired, SimpleVeganRecipes is a great resource.

They’re easy to make, good on the hips and, most importantly, they taste amazing – well, they ought to. Making a smoothie has never been easier, finding a smoothie recipe that suits your mood and taste buds is just as easy, and as long as you have a liquid base such as ice cream, protein powder mix, seaweed, or wheat grass juice you’re good to go.

Smoothie must haves

The three most important ingredients in a smoothie are fruit, a liquid base and ice. It goes without saying that you will need a blender or mixer in order to blend your desired ingredients together. Your blender must be able to crush ice, and have a capacity of a litre or more to hold as much of your smooth goodness as possible. Thankfully, finding a good blender is the easiest part.

Getting to know your ingredients

The core component to a great smoothie is your fruit, and a combination of two to three fruits is best for getting the most goodness out of a smoothie. A smoothie recipe you pick should have that as a bare minimum. Each fruit has a unique taste and consistency, meaning the best smoothies are those that bring out the best the fruit has to offer. Watery fruits should then be combined with yoghurt or denser fruits. Sour fruits should be married with a sweet base liquid like pineapple juice or a sweet fruit like a mango.

Determining what liquid base to place in you blender is as simple as choosing between milk (soya or regular), juice (litchi, apple, or orange are good options) and water– it’s a matter of personal taste. Finally, ice is vital as it keeps the smoothie crunchy and cool.

Time to get shaking

Finding a smoothie recipe is the only part of smoothie making that’s a challenge. Some excellent combinations include strawberry-mango-banana, pear-pineapple-mango, and blueberry and strawberry (with yoghurt), but the list of smoothie flavours is endless. Finally, pop all of your favourites in your blender, cover, blend and enjoy!

Buying rugby boots can feel like a complex task if you don’t know much about them, especially if you’re a beginner at the sport. The good news is that buying rugby boots involves a few simple choices, and knowing more about them will make these decisions easier. Read on to have rugby boots explained.

Leather or synthetic?

Leather rugby boots are comfortable and are great because of the way that they mould to the wearer’s foot. A downside of these is that they tend to stretch when used in wet conditions. Synthetic rugby boots are a more low maintenance option, and are also generally cheaper, and lighter.

Moulded or screw-in studs?

When it comes to studs, some boots have them moulded as part of the sole. These boots are cheaper and generally work adequately, making them the best choice for beginners. Players getting serious about rugby will want to move on to screw-in studs, which offer interchangeable studs that contribute to better traction and balance.

Long or short studs?

Photo: electropod / Flickr

For better grip, longer studs are the way to go, so choose these for use on wet surfaces. Shorter studs will prevent resistance, so they’re a better choice for use on dry ground.

Back to the beginning

For those who really need rugby boots explained right from the beginning, here are the basic facts. Rugby boots are designed with a high cut design to provide protection and support to the players ankles, and are made with both comfort and performance in mind. The toes are protected by a deep toe cap, while the heel is stabilised by a reinforced cup.

Now that you know all of the facts, it’s time to go shopping: consider all of the factors involved in your personal game of rugby, and make a good choice for a better game.

A workout on a rowing machine is a great way to improve upper body strength, get an all-round workout, and burn calories without creating harmful impact on your joints. While you’re spending time on this workout, though, do it the right way: read on to find out more about how to improve your rowing machine technique.

Learn to resist

Getting the resistance setting on your rowing machine just right is the first step to having a rewarding rowing machine workout. The ideal resistance setting will let you row in a style that imitates rowing on a river – fast and smoothly, with the ability to practice good technique. If your muscles are burning too hard the day after a rowing machine workout, consider reducing the settings to increase your fitness faster.

Posture

Get your posture right for a better workout: that means moving your back and pelvis back and forth at the same time, and leaning only slightly back and forward. Move from your hip joints, don’t ever round your back, and make sure that you keep your elbows close to your body. The most important thing to remember is that you need to keep your movements flowing.

The routine

Move through a set of positions to keep your technique at its best and optimise your rowing machine experience. To start, pull forward – your knees will be up, with your shins almost vertical, and your arms stretched out straight. Next, drive yourself backwards by straightening out your legs, leaning back slightly and gradually. Pull with your arms as you do this, allowing your elbows to move backward. The rowing handle should be at your abdomen as you finish, and you’re now ready to repeat your perfect rowing machine technique again.