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Whenitcomesto kitchen appliances, noth- ing says modern and sleek like a beauti- ful new elec- tric smooth- top ceramic or glass cooktop. While a smooth top beats a coil element type cooktop in the style de- partment, it requires a different kind of proac- tive care to keep it look- ing good while at the same time preventing discolor- ation and scratching. WHAT NOT TO DO. With smoothtop cooktops, it's all about prevention. If you think of your cooktop as a delicate possession that requires your utmost protection, you'll be way ahead of the game. Do not use cast iron or stone cookware on a smoothtop cooktop or range. Period. The bottom of these types of cookware can be rough, even gritty to the touch. Any move- ment on that cooktop can leave permanent scratches. Do not drag heavy pots on the cooktop; rather, lift and transfer to another area of the cooktop to re- duce the risk of scratching. Never allow abrasive cleaners, Scotch-Brite sponges or metal pads near the cooktop. Do not allow spills to linger. When boiling or cooking with sugary sub- stances, take care not to spill these on a smooth top cooktop. A sugar sub- stance can discolor the cooktop, leaving yellowish areas that are impossible to remove. Clean up such spills quickly. Never stand on top of the cooktop to reach something high up or place anything heavy on a smoothtop cooktop, even temporarily. Do not place stirring utensils on a warm cook- top while you cook. Food on these utensils can mark or burn the cooktop, leav- ing a mess that needs more time to clean. Do not place glass bake- ware (from the oven) to cool on a smoothtop cook- top. Place these items on a counter to cool. HOW TO CLEAN. Here's the rule: If you wouldn't use it to clean your eye- glasses, don't use it on your smoothtop. Always reach for a soft sponge or cloth and a cream clean- ing solution. Commercial Cream Cleaners. Bar Keepers Friend now makes a Cook- top Cleaner (about $6 for a 13-ounce bottle) that gets rave reviews from manu- facturers and smooth top owners as well. Another highly recommended op- tion is Cerama Bryte Cooktop Cleaner (about $10 for 28 ounces). Homemade Cream Cleaner. Make a paste of 50/50 baking soda and Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. Stir until smooth. Using a sponge to work this cream in circles over the entire cook- top. When you're done, rinse with a wet towel followed by a microfiber cloth to polish the glass surface. Homemade Heavy-Duty Smoothtop Cleaner. This is for tough spots and any stuck food that spilled while cooking. Combine one cup water and one cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Shake well. Once the cooktop has cooled, sprinkle baking soda directly on the tough spots. Spray the baking soda with the vinegar mix- ture. Wait until the bak- ing soda stops fizzing and wipe clean with a very soft cloth or sponge, using the texture of the powder to scour off the grease. This will not scratch the sur- face. Repeat as needed un- til you've taken care of any tough spots. REMOVE DISCOLOR- ATION. The natural oils and acids in food cooked on the stovetop can leave behind dark or light stains on the surface. Restoring discoloration from a ce- ramic cooktop involves proper cleaning. Follow these steps to get your cooktop back to looking new. Apply a cream ceramic cooktop cleaner once the area cools. Rub using a soft scrubbing pad made for this purpose (the Ce- rama Bryte Ceramic Cook- top Cleaner Kit comes with 5 cleaning pads), rub- bing deep into the stain. The abrasive nature of a scrubbing pad that has been designed specifically for a glass cooktop helps release the stain to remove stubborn discoloration. Wipe the area with a wet paper towel or microfiber cloth. For links to the prod- ucts mentioned in this col- umn please visit www.ev- erydaycheapskate.com/ smoothtop. Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Howtocareforsmoothtopelectriccooktop Red Bluff FFA had six teams participate March 5 at the UC Davis Field Day. Livestock Judging, Horse Judging, Floral Team, Farm Power, Forestry and Best Informed Greenhand were the teams all in at- tendance. Each team competes an industry specific Ca- reer Development Event based on state curricu- lar code and rules. Over- all, Red Bluff did an amaz- ing job, with four teams earning High Team rib- bons and three members receiving High Individual ribbons. Results are as follows: Livestock Judging 9th high team, Horse Judging 7th high team, Floral 11th high team, Farm Power 8th high team and Forestry 4th high team. Best Informed Green- hand had a great time competing and hoped to do better the next week at Chico Field Day. Congratulations to Mahlon Owens for plac- ing 3rd high individual for Horse Judging, Clay- ton Croman for placing 8th high individual for Farm Power, and Katie Conner for placing fourth high individual for For- estry. A huge congratula- tions to everybody who participated in the UC Davis Field Day, and stuck out their competi- tions in the pouring rain and wind. RED BLUFF FFA Students compete at UC Davis Field Day The Red Bluff Commu- nity Swing Band will be performing at a meet and greet being held for Super- visor Carlson 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, March 18 at the Westside Grange located at 20794 Walnut Street, Red Bluff. Director Jay Thiel said the 20-piece Swing Band was formed last sum- mer emulating bands of the '30s, '40s and '50s like Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Benny Good- man. "Our kind of music just is not heard much anymore let alone done live," Thiel said. "Yes, this is grandpar- ents' music, but younger folks like it too. The music has a beat, it has rhythm, it has melody and it has swing. It has everything." Throughout the evening Carlson will be available to discuss concerns and is- sues. Beverages and des- serts will be available. For further details, call 527-3027. MEET AND GREET Swing band to perform at event Mary Hunt COURTESYPHOTO Red Bluff FFA members competed at the UC Davis Field Day on March 5. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. Thankyou! Knee replacement from the Coon Joint Replacement Institute DianeLivingston|Vintner WARNING: Life will be back in balance. WEDNESDAY | MARCH 30, 2016 6:00 P.M. REGISTRATION | PRESENTATION: 6:30-8:00 P.M. 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