I hesitate to write it, lest I forever condemn myself as a hopeless flake.
However, here goes...
On this cross-country quest, we had a few excellent stops to make in Alberta: family in Calgary, a very dear old friend in Edmonton, and the sweetest Aunt and Uncle that a girl could wish for in Medicine Hat.
On Friday we arrived in Edmonton to stay with Allison, in her lovely downtown condo. Saturday she had rehearsal for a musical she's involved with, so my husband and I slept late, went for lunch and a walk in the river valley, then returned to her condo and awaited her arrival.
Ten minutes before she was to arrive home, I decided it would be nice to make tea. I filled the kettle, turned the burner of her ceramic flat top to high, and left it to boil.
Here it comes...
There was a sizzle, and a pop, and a very bad smell.
I ran over to find her ELECTRIC, PLASTIC-BASED kettle spewing noxious black smoke as it melted happily into the burner.
I shrieked, grabbed the handle, and lifted. The kettle split in two, leaving a ring of black plastic still sizzling and smoking.
"Help!" I yelled toward my husband, "Grab it!"
He lunged at the nearest spatula, scooped the plastic blob off the burner, and stood holding the stinking mass over the sink.
"What do I do with this?" He looked around wildly.
"I can't put this down!" I shouted. I held the top half of the kettle in one hand and hopped back and forth.
Just then, the phone rang. Allison was home and wanted to be buzzed up.
I tried to sound normal, "Come on up." When she knocked on the door, I ran over and hurried her in, "Quick! Close the door! We've got an emergency!" I was almost crying.
The place was thick with nasty, chemical-ridden smoke, and I was having terrible visions of her fire alarm sounding, fire trucks lining the streets, even for a second that the sprinklers any minute would begin a torrential spray all over her furniture and belongings.
"It's okay! It's okay!" she cried, seeing my distress. Her big doe eyes widened and she pulled me in for a hug. "I did the same thing with a plastic cutting board."
In the end, we were able to get most of the plastic mess off the stove top and the smoke cleared.
The kettle and the spatula were goners, but thankfully, Allison is a very forgiving and generous friend.
But, if you want to be a terrible houseguest...give this a try.
Ten minutes before she was to arrive home, I decided it would be nice to make tea. I filled the kettle, turned the burner of her ceramic flat top to high, and left it to boil.
Here it comes...
There was a sizzle, and a pop, and a very bad smell.
I ran over to find her ELECTRIC, PLASTIC-BASED kettle spewing noxious black smoke as it melted happily into the burner.
I shrieked, grabbed the handle, and lifted. The kettle split in two, leaving a ring of black plastic still sizzling and smoking.
"Help!" I yelled toward my husband, "Grab it!"
He lunged at the nearest spatula, scooped the plastic blob off the burner, and stood holding the stinking mass over the sink.
"What do I do with this?" He looked around wildly.
"I can't put this down!" I shouted. I held the top half of the kettle in one hand and hopped back and forth.
Just then, the phone rang. Allison was home and wanted to be buzzed up.
I tried to sound normal, "Come on up." When she knocked on the door, I ran over and hurried her in, "Quick! Close the door! We've got an emergency!" I was almost crying.
The place was thick with nasty, chemical-ridden smoke, and I was having terrible visions of her fire alarm sounding, fire trucks lining the streets, even for a second that the sprinklers any minute would begin a torrential spray all over her furniture and belongings.
"It's okay! It's okay!" she cried, seeing my distress. Her big doe eyes widened and she pulled me in for a hug. "I did the same thing with a plastic cutting board."
In the end, we were able to get most of the plastic mess off the stove top and the smoke cleared.
The kettle and the spatula were goners, but thankfully, Allison is a very forgiving and generous friend.
But, if you want to be a terrible houseguest...give this a try.
My husband had never heard of electric kettles. We made much fun. Guess he could've made the same mistake. Look back and laugh.
ReplyDeleteI have heard a tale of Daryn pulling a similar stunt with an electric tea kettle at his cottage, so it looks like you are in good company!
ReplyDeleteHehe, something similar happened when my friend was staying at my house. He was making lasagna for dinner that evening and had the casserole dish set out on the stove top while he waited for the oven to preheat. What he didn't realise was that he had turned the temperature knob for the burner instead of the oven itself and shortly after, the casserole dish literally exploded and showered us all with tiny glass shards. Luckily none of us were hurt and we laughed it off afterwards.
ReplyDelete