From Our Readers

‘Bonus Heat’ Questioned In your January 2023 issue, there is quite the error in the From Our Readers with respect to kitchen oven heat. Although true that opening an oven after cooking can add heat to a home in the winter, it is not true that the heat is wasted by keeping the oven closed. The heat in the oven, after cooking, will radiate its heat in all directions and this heat will be distributed out into the house. Of course, the heat gain to the house will be slower in keeping the oven door closed, but the heat will certainly not be wasted. Please publish a correction to this article as your readership is being misinformed.

James Gobbel, Hayesville A member of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC

Editor’s note: We received a few comments about this. Although the title we gave the letter (“Bonus Heat”) was misleading — the heat in the oven would be “bonus” whether the door is opened or not — we checked in with Jonathan Coulter, senior consultant at Advanced Energy about the physics of it: “I absolutely agree with Mr. Gobbel and the reader letter from your January issue. For me it comes down to instant gratification on whether to leave the oven door open or not. If I’m in the kitchen and want the additional warmth, I will open the oven door after turning it off. But, if I have other things going on and leave the kitchen, I will keep the oven door closed after use (and the leftover heat will dissipate into the home slowly).”

THIS MONTH: Rural Healthcare

A lack of access to healthcare, even for primary care physicians, is a reality in many rural counties across the state. While electric cooperatives are supporting efforts to change that through community grants and loans —  funding equipment for first responders and even upgrades for new and existing clinics — advocates are also working to inspire the next generation of rural healthcare practitioners. Read more on page 8. You can also find event listings from around the state on our Carolina Calendar (page 24), back by popular demand as of last month.

—Scott Gates, editor

Soup Servings How much does the recipe for Rotisserie Chicken French Onion Soup (January 2023, page 22) make? It’s important to know the quantity!

Judith B. via carolinacountry.com

Editor’s note: Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Judith! The recipe serves 6 to 8. You can find the updated version, along with our archives of more than 1,000 recipes, at carolinacountry.com/recipes.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS Home Improvement Wins

Home improvement projects can sometimes take unexpected turns — but not always for the worse. We want to hear some DIY success stories! Share photos and stories from home improvement projects that went as (or better than) expected. We will pay $50 for each photo or story published in our May 2023 issue.

Rules

Deadline: March 15, 2023 One entry per household Digital photos should be a minimum of 1200 by 1800 pixels; prints a minimum of 4 x 6 inches. Include your name, electric co-op, mailing address and email address or phone number with your entry. Text should not exceed 200 words. We retain reprint and online rights. Payment will be limited to those entries appearing in print, not entries featured solely on carolinacountry.com. Send to

Online: carolinacountry.com/DIY-success No emails, please. Mail: Carolina Country — Home Improvement Wins 3400 Sumner Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27616 If you would like us to return your photo print, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. (We will not return others.)