Innovative Ideas Mans Club

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by mazman

How would taping them to the inside of the lid go, should keep them dry while still steaming them

Yeah I didnt think of that - these were more of a test batch to see if the steam would work - if I have any issues with water logging I'll give your tip a run - thanks

[royflatmate]

Try putting them in the microwave for about 20 seconds and see what happens.If it hasnt expanded fully try adding another 10.Just a bit of trial and error.

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by royflatmate

Try putting them in the microwave for about 20 seconds and see what happens.If it hasnt expanded fully try adding another 10.Just a bit of trial and error.

Ahh Sweet - so its just the heat that makes it expand - I'll definitely give it a go

[yellow door 1]

I just had to ignore your advice and give it a full 30 second blast

(The reason its slightly wet is because it was smoking heavily)

Definitely - dont try a full burst of 30 seconds straight up

[yellow door 1]

Just gave "A" a 15 second burst and the corks have a tendency to burst on the side facing up.

[Basti]

try a defrost cycle

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by Basti

try a defrost cycle

Defrost cycle is much better - thanks

the cork still has a tendancy to bow and split - but with careful rotation and better timing - it will be the answer

This is the result of two 15 second bursts on defrost.

I reckon a 10 second burst on defrost - then rotate - then another 10 second burst might be on the money for my 800w microwave.

I forgot to take a before photo but here's the after photo

The one on the right was a bit smaller than the one on the left before it went into the microwave

[yellow door 1]

Finally found a microwave that delivers the right amount of power on a defrost setting.

Its about 20 years newer than mine.

3 x 15 second bursts, with 2 repositionings and it came out perfect.

[royflatmate]

Glad you decided to add both of my times lol

Guess all microwaves are different most of the corks are part cork and part burl.

Hope that you aren't drinking fine french champagne to fund this experiment

[royflatmate]

All of those holes in the bottom of the cork have a name which i have forgotten but i guess you have figured they aren't your highest grade cork

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by royflatmate

Glad you decided to add both of my times lol

Guess all microwaves are different most of the corks are part cork and part burl.

Hope that you aren't drinking fine french champagne to fund this experiment

Yeah I made the mistake of assuming my 880w, 20 year old, microwave wouldnt have the power of these new fangled models - so I bumped up the time a little

In relation to the origin of the cork - I'm uncertain of the exact vintage they are currently serving at the Croydon RSL - but the gentleman who collected them for me assures me its well received

Originally Posted by royflatmate

All of those holes in the bottom of the cork have a name which i have forgotten but i guess you have figured they aren't your highest grade cork

I named the biggest hole "Warren"

[Green Hornet]

Yesterday I just put some corks in a pyrex pot of boiling water, placed the lid on the pot upside down to hold the corks underwater and in about 15 minutes they had fully expanded to close to original size.
That'll do me, our microwave is pretty new and the only defrost are auto cycles . I'm not prepared to waste my hard won corks to experiments.

[Tonka-T]

Originally Posted by yellow door 1

Finally found a microwave that delivers the right amount of power on a defrost setting.

Its about 20 years newer than mine.

3 x 15 second bursts, with 2 repositionings and it came out perfect.

Look out MasterChef !!

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by royflatmate

All of those holes in the bottom of the cork have a name which i have forgotten .....

Phloem & Xylem ?

xmas champers.jpg
Action research, one needs to remove the cork to count the holes..

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by Green Hornet

Yesterday I just put some corks in a pyrex pot of boiling water, placed the lid on the pot upside down to hold the corks underwater and in about 15 minutes they had fully expanded to close to original size.
That'll do me, our microwave is pretty new and the only defrost are auto cycles . I'm not prepared to waste my hard won corks to experiments.

Yeah the steaming is a much safer option if you have a limited supply - the ones I steamed arent water-logged.

But now I know how much defrosting is required - I'll stick with that microwave