Add cold water to the burnt saucepan with 1 - 2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda and bring to the boil. Allow the water to cool and clean with steel wool. Alternatively sprinkle the burnt area with salt, moisten slightly with water and leave the saucepan in the sun for a few days then rinse.

The best way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator (in its original packaging on a shallow baking tray). You should allow approximately 24 hours for every 2,25 kg of bird weight. The refrigerated method is safest and will give you the best results. For accelerated thawing, thaw the bird in cold water (in its original wrapping). The cold water must be changed every 30 minutes. Allow approximately 30 minutes per 450 g.

When working with fresh chillies and peppers, wear disposable gloves. Don't handle the peppers under water (it extracts painful vapours). Remember, the hotness comes from the white membrane inside the pepper, not the skin or the seeds.

A quick and easy way to open fresh mussels and oysters is to place 6 to 8 of them arranged around the microwave turntable and microwave on high for 30 - 40 seconds. Discard any unopened shells.

To make cutting and peeling a pumpkin easier, microwave on high for about 2 minutes before cutting.If you don't have time to soak dried beans and pulses overnight, place beans in a microwaveable bowl, cover with water and bring to the boil on high for about ten minutes, then simmer on defrost for about 30 - 40 minutes.

Citrus fruit will produce more juice if you heat it on high for about 30 seconds before squeezing it.Strong or stale odours can be removed from the microwave oven by washing it out with vinegar, lemon or vanilla flavoured water. Also try heating 2 cups of water containing 2 to 3 slices of lemon on high for about 8 minutes, then wipe microwave immediately after.

To deodorise a plastic storage container in which onions or garlic were stored, wash thoroughly, then stuff a crumpled piece of newspaper in the container, and snap on the lid. In a few days the smell will disappear.

Use a baking soda paste (baking soda and water) and rub into the stain. You can then rinse with vinegar (optional) and wash normally. Another method is to place container outside on a nice sunny day and the sun actually bleaches the stain out. To avoid stains in the first place, spray container with cooking spray before putting things in it that stain, e.g. Spaghetti sauce.

To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with potatoes.