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Step 1: Make the Piecrust First, decide what type of piecrust you want to make—it depends at least in part on what you want the filling to be. For example, for most pumpkin and pecan pies, you’ll want to learn how to make a single-crust piecrust. But for most fruit pies, like apple and cherry, you’ll want to make a double-crust piecrust. Once you’ve chosen your recipe, follow these steps for success:...

How do steam cleaners work? “Steam’s teeny-tiny vapor molecules penetrate a surface’s pores to force out dirt, grease, and other stain-causing substances,” says Donna Smallin Kuper, author of Cleaning Plain and Simple. The steam’s extreme heat also slays bacteria, germs, mold, dust mites, and more using plain water. What can I steam clean? Steam cleaners can be safely used on many household surfaces, including sealed tile, hardwood floors, grout, sinks, tubs, countertops, carpets, mattresses, upholstery, showers, ovens, stove tops, grills, glass, and more....

Then: Pizza Swiss Steak “I’m pretty intrigued by this Pizza Swiss Steak,” Alexis says before getting started. “I’ve never made anything like it, and the recipe is really simple.” It calls for a 2-pound round steak, which is a large, affordable cut. “I think that’s kind of the idea behind this: making a whole meal for your family with this pretty massive piece of meat,” she ponders. You won’t find this kind of steak mentioned in many recipes today; most use a roast or brisket instead....

“Chinese Lantern” linen fabric from Lee Jofa and “Abigail” side chairs with draped backs from Hickory Chair establish the palette for the dinner’s design. Mercury glass hurricanes from The Mine and a formal arrangement of flowers in reds and pinks from Ariston Flowers march down the middle of the table. Alexa with designers, from left: Eddie Ross, Thom Filicia, Nick Olsen, Ashley Whittaker, and New York School of Interior Design President David Sprouls....

However, dishwashers don’t last forever. They require routine cleaning, break down on occasion, and need repairs from time to time. Experts say that to extend your dishwasher’s lifespan, there are a few small tweaks that can make all the difference. But watch out for signs of clanking and draining that could indicate the need for a replacement. How Long Do Dishwashers Last? According to Consumer Reports, the average life of a dishwasher is about 10 years....

Elephant ear bulbs will spend about three weeks growing roots before you’ll notice any activity aboveground. The end with the concentric circles is the top. If you’re ever in doubt about which end is up, plant a bulb on its side and it’ll send the green up and the roots down. More On Bulbs Forcing Spring Bulbs Bulbs Deer Won’t Eat Tulips That Come Back Every Year

Step 1: Bring the Water to a Simmer Lightly grease a medium skillet (about 10 inches in diameter) or large saucepan. This greasing step is optional, but it helps keep the whites from sticking to the sides of the pan. Add water so the skillet is half full, and add a tablespoon of vinegar—this helps the egg whites stay together—then bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to simmering (bubbles begin to break the surface of the water)....

Use the following expert tips to make sure the star of your meal will be good to go when it’s time for roasting. How Long Can You Freeze Turkey? According to the Butterball Turkey Talk Line, you can keep a turkey stored in the freezer for up to two years, and it’s still safe to cook. You might, however, end up dealing with a not-so-tasty bird keeping it that long....

The boxes shown fit under a staircase with a 45-degree pitch: For every 12 inches the stairs rise, they run (travel horizontally) 12 inches. The boxes step up and over in 12-inch increments. If your stair slope is more gradual, your boxes will need to be wider to fit; more steep and the boxes will be narrower. To find out, hold a tape measure vertically with the hook on the floor....

In essence, the electrical load applies to anything that consumes electricity. In your home, it refers to the amount of energy needed to power all the light fixtures, kitchen appliances, TVs, washing machines, and other items that require electricity. This is important information if you plan to make any changes to your electrical system, including adding a circuit for a new light fixture or receptacle. The chart below outlines how to calculate your home’s load, how to add capacity, how to understand the size of your home’s electrical load, and how to inspect a service panel using our tips....

We’re here to make canning peaches easy-peasy, so you can start making fantastic ice cream toppers, peach cobbler, and more. Prep the Peaches As with canning any fruit, start with ripe, unblemished fruit that’s washed well. According to Penn State Extension, some of the best peaches for canning are Glenglo, Ernie’s Choice, Cresthaven, John Boy, Loring, Redhaven, and Sunhigh. PickYourOwn.org includes Elberta, Fairhaven, GaLa, Glohaven, Halford, J.H. Hale, Midpride, Newhaven, Redglobe, Rio Oso Gem, Strawberry Cling, Summerset, Suncrest, and White Heath Cling varieties in its list....

1. Know your hydrangea type. The first step in planning winter care is to get a good idea of what kind of hydrangea you are growing. If your hydrangea doesn’t bloom in spring but instead blooms exclusively in mid to late summer, it’s likely a smooth or panicle hydrangea. These varieties produce flower buds in spring. Because smooth and panicle hydrangeas develop flower buds and bloom in the same growing season, they rarely require extra winter care....

How to Water Orchids The most common cause of death for orchids (and most houseplants) is usually overwatering. Instead of watering your plants on a strict schedule (every other day, or once a week, for example), pay attention to your orchid’s needs and how much water it uses. This can vary based on the humidity, light, air movement, and potting mix its roots are growing in. The easy answer for when to water most orchids (including Phalaenopsis and Cattleya) is just before they go dry....

If you don’t have a ton of time to maintain your garden, ornamental grasses make the perfect plant choice for filling out your landscape. They look beautiful almost year-round, thanks to their graceful foliage and eye-catching seed heads. Most species aren’t picky about soil, though they appreciate good drainage (like most plants do). Plus, ornamental grasses can be fairly drought-tolerant and usually aren’t bothered by garden pests (even deer will avoid most of them)....

To carve the pumpkins: We carved five flame-design pumpkins for this project. Build the Campfire with Pumpkin Flames When your carved pumpkin flames are ready, build a log base for your faux campfire. We made ours from cut log pieces used for firewood. Layer the log pieces directly on the ground in a circular shape. To make the pumpkin tower, stack the largest carved pumpkins on the bottom, and then work your way up with progressively smaller pumpkins....

How to Clean Refrigerator Shelves and Drawers First, remove and hand-wash removable refrigerator shelves, wire racks, and drawers in hot water and mild dish soap. Let any glass components warm up to room temperature before bringing them in contact with hot water; otherwise, they might crack. Cover stubborn food spills with a warm, wet cloth for a few minutes to soften the spills before removal with a nonabrasive scrubber ($5, Home Depot)....