Cleaning a stove/grates

So I have a nasty old gas stove.  I may have mentioned before how much I hate this thing but if not let me say right now, IT IS THE BANE OF MY CLEANING LIFE RIGHT NOW.  No matter how hard I scrub.  No matter how fast I get to it I can not get the black burnt circle off one of the dang thing.  So I thought I would try this remedy for the grates on the whole stove top.  I did exactly what she did (except I put my stove top in a garbage bag instead of zip lock) and put them on my patio over night.

Source: pinchingyourpennies.com via Leslie on Pinterest

 In case you don't want to look at the blog she put her stove grates in zip lock bags with a 1/4 cup ammonia for 12 hours and then the scuz just wiped off.  So I did that, and then did it bigger with my whole removable top in garbage bags tied up.
.... 
Well it worked on the grates.  It helped on the stove top but not by much.  Oh well.  Any ideas?  I'm about ready to throw in the towel and except defeat. 

baking soda and vinegar as a drain de-clogger... my first dud

Alright... so here is my first dud pin :) I'm kinda excited but at the same time disappointed that it was this one.   I really wanted it to work.  According to the blogger , by mixing 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain covering it and then pouring boiling water down should solve your clogging problems.  I'm going to continue tinkering cause I really want it to work but that formula did not work for us.  I tried it on both the kitchen sink and bathtub and not much changed.  It took the edge off but I'm still finishing my shower standing in 2 inches of water (this is especially sad when you are trying to rinse dye out of your hair and your feet change color).  Oh well, like I said I'm going to tinker and see if I can find a better mix... guess I need to get baking soda when I'm off to the store.  I'll let you know what I find.

Any ideas for de-clogging my drain?

Tin Foil Grease Trap

So I have this problem... My husband loves bacon... I love my husband... so I make him bacon... however!! I AM TO IMPATIENT TO LET THE GREASE COOL AND THROW IT AWAY.  In fact I'm pretty sure I all but killed the bush outside my apt by pouring hot hot grease on it too many times (sorry plant).  I just want all that stuff of my nice electric skillet before it becomes all... goopy.  So this sites idea about using a 'tin foil bowl' to catch it all and then let it cool in the foil before balling it up and throwing it away was amazing for me! HAHAH! So I tried it today and guess what.. worked like a charm!  This is a winner ladies and gentlemen!

How do you get rid of excess grease at the end of cooking?

Source: indulgy.com via Leslie on Pinterest