Q & A On Fluorescent Uplighting

Q.

Dear Ms Deras:
I have a question about one of the issues you discussed on your web page "http://www.kitchenartworks.com/lighting.htm" about Kitchen Lighting Guidelines.

I came across your web page while doing some research about the use of fluorescent fixtures on top of cabinets. I had planned to place some fluorescent fixtures on top of some cabinets in a combination Kitchen/Dining Area, aiming for an indirect lighting effect.

However, on the instructions that came with these GE light fixtures, is this warning:

"Warning: Risk of Fire: Not intended for "Up-Light" applications where fixture is mounted horizontal with the lens facing up."

That led me to try to find out
(a) why this would be a fire risk, and how serious a risk is it, and
(b) if there is some kind of light I could buy that doesn't carry this warning and "is" safe for this type of installation.

Can you shed any ... um... "light" on these issues? Your website is, so far, the only place I've found that discusses putting lights on top of the cabinets---which seemed to me like a great idea.

Regards,

Phill

A.

Interesting Phill. That's a new one on me. I have been specifying just standard T8 and T5 fluorescent fixtures on top of cabinets for decades. Maybe GE has seen some problems with this, but I certainly haven't. I don't actually buy or specify the fixtures though. The electrician on the job does that. I rely on them to buy the best for the application in a generic product like this.

I would contact GE and ask them what fixtures they recommend for uplighting on top of your cabinets. They may point you to fixtures that are designed to be mounted facing up.

Here's an example from Pegasus Lighting. It can be mounted any which way:

Peggy

Blackberry French Toast

Blackberry French Toast is a basic tried and tested french toast recipe which I tweaked in a little. I made it colorful and interesting by adding chopped blackberries. The french toast was pretty with lovely speckles of berries on it. I made this for Sunday morning breakfast, when I like to indulge and treat myself in contrast to the weekday's regular cereals and oatmeal. Also check out my

Aloo Mutter / Peas Potato Curry

Any recipe with potato will make the dish a wonderful pairing with Chapathi / Roti, no matter whether the dish is dry or gravy. Aloo Mutter curry is no exception to this. It also goes well with Rice. I prepared this recipe with a bit of South Indian touch so that it can act as side dish to plain rice.

Ingredients:



Potatoes - 3 medium size

Peas - 1/4 cup

Tomato - 1 medium,chopped

Onion - 1 small,chopped

Ginger - 1 teaspoon minced

Garlic - 1 teaspoon minced

Red chilli powder - 1 teaspoon

Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon

Curry leaves - 1 string

Salt - to taste

Oil - 2 teaspoon

Urid Dal and Mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon

Turmeric Powder - a pinch



Method:



1) Pressure cook the potatoes and peel the skin from them.

2) Chop the potatoes into small pieces.

3) In a Kadai/Frying pan, add oil and heat it.

4) Add mustard seeds and urid dal to the pan and allow them to splutter.

5) Add curry leaves followed by onion. Saute them.

6) When onions are translucent, add ginger and garlic mixture. Saute for few minutes.

7) Then, add finely chopped tomatoes and saute them till the tomato is mashed completely.

8) Add peas and sprinkle a bit of water to cook the peas. If you use dry peas, cook them separately and add them while cooking.

9) Add potatoes to the kadai. Also add red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric and salt. Mix them well.

10) Stir well and cover it for few minutes. Make sure the flame is in low and curry is not getting burnt.

11) Peas Potato Curry is ready and serve it hot with Roti or as a side dish to rice.