Most US apartments come with a stove, an oven, a fridge, and often a microwave, a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. Here is how to use them and find the food you know.
Gas stove: turn the knob to "light" or "high"; you hear clicking until the flame starts. If you smell gas and the flame is not on, turn the knob off and open a window.
Electric stove: coil or flat glass top. It stays hot for several minutes after you turn it off.
The oven is set in °F. Most baking is at 350°F (about 175°C). Wait for the "preheat" beep before putting food in.
The broiler is very hot heat from the top, for browning. Watch it closely.
Turn on the vent fan above the stove when frying. It reduces smoke alarm problems.
A switch near the sink turns on a grinder in the drain. Run cold water, turn it on for a few seconds, then off.
OK: small soft food scraps.
Never: grease or oil, bones, rice and pasta in large amounts, coffee grounds, eggshells in large amounts, fruit pits, or your hand. If it stops, turn it off at the switch before checking.
Pour used cooking oil into a can or jar and put it in the trash, not down the sink.
US names for common foods
Cilantro: coriander leaves. Ground coriander is the seed.
Zucchini: courgette. Eggplant: aubergine or brinjal. Bell pepper: capsicum.
Scallions or green onions: spring onions.
Garbanzo beans: chickpeas.
All-purpose flour: plain flour. Self-rising flour has baking powder added.
Ground beef: minced beef. Heavy cream: double cream.
Powdered sugar: icing sugar. Baking soda: bicarbonate of soda.
Plain yogurt is often unsweetened; "Greek" is thicker.
Look in the international aisle or a home-country grocery store for spices, rice, flours and lentils. See Finding halal, kosher, vegetarian and home-country food.
Keep the fridge at or below 40°F (4°C) and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C).
Thaw meat in the fridge, not on the counter.
Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) inside. A food thermometer is cheap.
Put leftovers in the fridge within 2 hours.
Never leave a pan of oil alone on the stove.
If a pan catches fire, cover it with a lid and turn off the heat. Never pour water on a grease fire.
Keep a small fire extinguisher in the kitchen if you can.
Putting oil or rice down the disposal and blocking the drain.
Setting the oven to a Celsius number.
Cooking without the vent fan and setting off the smoke alarm.