How to Care for Your Outdoor Appliances

If you’re one of the many folks who enjoy evenings on the back deck, picnics out in the lawn, or afternoons enjoying a cold drink on your front porch, you already know how convenient outdoor kitchen appliances can be! While most people keep a fairly regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for their indoor appliances, too many forget about the ones they rely on for their outdoor refreshment. Whether you own an outdoor stove, an outdoor refrigerator, or anything else, you’ll want to care for your outdoor appliances so that you’re able to enjoy them for many years. Following are some tips to help you do exactly that:

  1. Maintain Regularly: The appliances you have outdoors are no different than those inside your home; they need regular attention in order to function properly for as long as they should. If you discover a problem, be sure that you don’t wait to call an appliance repair expert; the sooner you take care of a problem, the better your chances will be of warding off even larger, more expensive issues down the road.
  2. Cover and Protect: While we really don’t have to worry about the effect weather has on our appliances indoors, the outdoors presents a different problem. You’ll want to make sure that you provide covers for your appliances, whether it be a specially designed cabinet, an overhead roof covering, or even a fabric and plastic drape. Should foul weather approach, you won’t have to worry as much about hail, debris, or the like damaging your outdoor kitchen appliances.
  3. Secure: Mother Nature is anything but predictable, so you want to make sure your appliances are secured in place to prevent them from “wandering off” one way or another. Different items require different means of securing them, so you’ll want to check the owner’s manuals or ask your appliance installer what the best ways to secure them will be.
  4. Clean: Finally, be sure that you don’t neglect to clean your outdoor appliances. Be sure that you also keep coils, cords, and other parts in good condition so that you can enjoy the very most out of your outdoor freezer, stove, cooktop, or refrigerator. Check moving parts and working parts regularly to ensure they remain in good physical shape.

Should you notice anything out of the ordinary with your outdoor appliances, whether it be a cord that’s been chewed by a critter or a coil that’s been hit with the leaf blower, stay safe and be sure to contact a professional right away. For all of your large indoor appliances, contact Absolute Appliances Repair. We’ll be happy to help you maintain and repair your kitchen appliances properly, affordably, and safely.

Why You Should Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Trap After Every Use

It’s common knowledge that lint filters, or traps, need to be cleaned out often, but how often? And why is it so important to keep that filter clean? When clothes are dried in the dryer, the agitation and heat cause linens and clothing in there to shed fibers, and this is what is caught in lint screens. The screen’s purpose is to prevent those fibers from obstructing the vent hose. Cleaning the screen is important in order to:

  • Keep Your Dryer Lasting Longer: A clean trap helps the machine work less, so to speak. Any time you take pressure off the dryer, you’ll reduce wear and tear and keep visits from your Bay area dryer repair pro to a minimum.
  • Dry Your Clothes Faster: The only way a dryer is able to do its job is if it has plenty of airflow. A clogged filter is going to reduce the rate of airflow, increasing the length of time needed to dry a load.
  • Keep Your Energy Bills Down: When the lint screen is clogged with all those “fuzzies” the dryer is going to have to work harder to dry your laundry. The harder it works, of course, the more energy it uses and the higher your energy bill will be.
  • Reduce the Risk of a Fire: High temp air is the key factor in how well your dryer does its job, and lint is highly flammable. Getting rid of this Firestarter is important to help keep your family safe from fires.

Should You Really Clean the Lint Filter Each Day?
With so many important reasons to clean your lint trap as often as possible, it stands to reason that cleaning it out each day – even between every single load of laundry – is ideal. Some of the newest machines on the market today have automatic reminders about checking the lint filters. Not all dryers are the same, and a lint trap might be found just inside the door, on the top corner of the dryer near the controls, or even on the dryer’s back wall inside the drum.

Lint can really just be pulled right off the screen; if it’s gunked up and stuck on there, though, just soak the screen in hot water and dish soap for a bit to remove oils and grease. Let it air dry completely before putting it back into its slot. Getting into the habit of cleaning your dryer’s lint filter each day will help ward off the need for San Francisco dryer repair experts to come out and repair a dryer that’s been damaged from a lack of easy maintenance with the lint trap. For more information on maintaining your dryer or any other appliances, contact Absolute Appliances Repair today.

Keeping Your Appliances Safe When Moving to a New Home

So, you’re moving to a beautiful new home and you want to take all those hefty appliances with you. But before you load everything into the truck, you need to make sure that your appliances are ready for the big move. All that rattling around on the road can damage some of your most valuable items like the refrigerator, stove, automatic dishwasher and your washer and dryer. If you’re not careful, some of those big-ticket items might not work properly when you arrive at your new home. Protect your appliances with these moving tips from Absolute Appliance Repair, your local home appliance service company.

Packing Up Your Fridge

Before you pack up the fridge, make sure that you leave it unplugged for at least 24 hours. This gives the fridge some time to defrost. As soon as it’s unplugged, throw out any perishable items and thoroughly clean all surfaces including the bottom drawers, shelves, and the walls. Make sure that you’ve removed all the water from the freezer where large chunks of ice tend to form, unless you want to unpack a fridge full of mildew. Lastly, take out the shelves and drawers and secure them separately before you load the fridge onto the truck.

Clean Out the Stove/Oven

Just like your fridge, start by cleaning out the inside of your oven and wiping down the stovetop. Pack up and clean all the loose pieces, including the racks and knobs. Finally, you’ll need to unplug the stove from the wall. Make sure that the gas has been turned off before you try to unplug the stove. Unless you have experience installing and uninstalling your stove, you should contact the manufacturer or your local gas company for assistance or more information.

Removing the Dishwasher

To start, remove any dishes and the utensil rack. While most dishwashers are pretty good at keeping themselves clean, take a moment to examine the inside. Wipe down the sides, top and bottom if you notice any splashes or stains. Leave the door open and let the interior air dry for at least 24 hours to prevent mold and mildew.

Before you remove the unit, you’ll need to disconnect the power and water supply. Unless you have direct access to the power cord, you can switch off the electrical circuit. Once the power and water have been turned off, disconnect the water supply hose, let it drain, and dry it off with a towel.

Prepping Your Washer and Dryer

Washers and dryers tend to be extremely sensitive. Before you start tinkering with either machine, contact the manufacturer or the user’s manual for detailed moving instructions. You’ll need to disconnect the hoses and pack them in a separate container. The most vulnerable part of the machine is the drum, which is usually located at the back of the washer. Make sure that you’ve secured the drum before you begin handling the machine.

Final Preparations

For all appliances, make sure that all the doors have been tapped shut. Any loose items need to be packed separately or physically tapped to the inside of the machine. Secure all power cords with a zip tie or some tape. If you have any questions along the way, contact the manufacturer or your local appliance home service company for assistance. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with such large, valuable pieces of equipment.

If you discover that some of your appliances have been damaged in the move, contact Absolute Appliance Repair for all your home and kitchen appliance repair needs!

Getting Your Large Appliances Ready for Cooking during the Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, there are plenty of reasons to take a few minutes to look at your home – at your appliances, specifically. We all know it’s vital that everything runs as smoothly as possible while the turkey, dressing, and pies are cooking, whether you’re throwing a giant dinner for the masses or you’re getting a small feast for two together. Here are some tips you can use to get your appliances ready to operate at their best this holiday season:

    1. Refresh the Fridge

First and foremost, you’ll want to clean out your refrigerator before you do anything else, because so much of your holiday fixings will go into it. As part of your refrigerator fix, get rid of old condiments, condiments that hardly have anything left in the container, and anything you know darn well no one is going to eat. (Leftovers, anyone?) Be sure to wash shelves and drawers with warm soapy water and rinse well to get rid of any bacteria and germs.

    1. Crank Up the Ice Maker

You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of ice at the ready for your guests, so while you fix the refrigerator up for the holidays, turn up the ice maker settings on your freezer. Don’t have an ice maker? Not a problem – go to any store and buy an ice bin and get cubed up the old-fashioned way with ice trays. If you live in an area where the temperature is chilly, you can also keep drinks outside (in the garage, etc.) to help keep them cool.

    1. Clean Your Dishwasher

Once you get past the idea that it’s weird to clean an appliance that exists to clean, you’ll want to remove stains that can prevent your dishes from becoming truly clean. No one wants to eat off scale-ridden dishes, and no one wants to serve on them, either! Grab some specially formulated dishwasher cleanser or use lemon and vinegar to dissolve scale and freshen your appliance.

    1. Avoid Cooktop Repair Charges

Avoid disaster and the cooktop repair phone call that follows by cleaning your range, stovetop, and oven before all the cooking commences. A cooktop that isn’t clean is one that won’t function at its best, and we all know how important it is for this appliance to work properly for holiday cooking!

    1. Take a Look at Washer Hoses

This may not cross your mind right away with all the business of the season, but the last thing you need is a flood from a washing machine that’s leaked. Make sure there are no cracks or tears in the hoses that are in the rear of your washing machine and if there are, you can easily and quickly find new hoses and replace them.

If you find that any of your appliances are in need of some attention before the holidays arrive, or if you want our experts to check them out before a problem rears its ugly head, contact Absolute Appliances Repair. We can schedule a time for us to come out and make sure your appliances are in proper, safe, efficient working order to make your holidays the best yet. Contact us today.

Energy-Saving Tips for Large Home Appliances

Simple Ways to Use Less Energy in the Kitchen

The kitchen tends to be a hotbed of energy consumption. Large appliances such as your automatic dishwasher, refrigerator, and oven are some of the biggest energy hogs in your home, right after your air conditioner. If you’re looking to cut down on consumption, use these tips from the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce the amount of energy your home uses in the first place.

Shopping for Savings

Buying energy-efficient appliances is one of the best ways to reduce consumption in the long-term. Instead of adjusting your behavior on a day-by-day basis, energy-efficient appliances do most of the work for you. When shopping for appliances, look for the EnergyStar label. These products are designed to use a fraction of the energy that some older models require. When shopping for a refrigerator, look for models with a top-mounted freezer. They use anywhere from 10 – 25% less energy than side-by-side models and those with bottom-mounted freezers.

Reducing Energy Consumption by Changing Your Behavior

Let’s face it: most people don’t have the money to buy new energy-efficient appliances. Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars at your local appliance store, you can reduce consumption by being mindful of how you use your existing appliances.

Stove and Oven

The best thing that you can do for your stove is to keep it clean. Messy burners and stovetops become barriers for heat, boosting the amount of energy needed to heat up a cup of soup or boil some water. Make sure that you use pans that match the size of the burner. Using a small pan on a large burner is a massive waste of heat. Using lids and kettles instead of open pots also helps to lock in the heat.

Dishwasher

Most of the energy used to power your automatic dishwasher comes from your home’s hot water heater. Check your user manual to see if you can lower the water temperature. Try to scrape off your dishes as much as possible instead of rinsing them before you load them into your dishwasher. Make sure that your dishwasher is full and not overloaded. And, lastly, try air drying your dishes by laying them out on the counter instead of using the dry cycle.

Refrigerator

Operating 24/7, the refrigerator is a major energy hog, generally the second biggest consumer in your home. Keep an eye on the internal temperature of your unit. You should be able to control the temperature using a knob in the back. Your refrigerator should be set at around 36°F and your freezer should be at, you guessed it, 0°F. If you suspect that your internal temperature monitor is not accurate, which is often the case, fill a small glass with water and a thermometer and let it sit overnight. Compare the readings with what’s on the internal monitor. If the readings are off, the doors on your fridge might not be sealing properly. If that’s the case, it might be time to replace your fridge.

You can also reduce consumption by covering liquids and wrapping foods. You should also clear away spills, crumbs and any built-up frost that might be collecting in your fridge or freezer. All that extra gunk is just one more thing that your refrigerator needs to keep cool.

If you’ve noticed a major uptick in your utility bill, some of your appliances might be the culprit. Make sure that your large household appliances are working properly by calling Absolute Appliances Repair, your number-one choice for San Francisco Bay Area appliance repair.

Simple Fixes to Common Oven Problems

If your oven is getting older, or you use it heavily throughout the year, it’s not uncommon to encounter some issues here and there. Lucky for you, ovens are fairly simple appliances. So, before you splurge on a brand-new oven, or spend money on hiring professional help to fix your old one, take a look at this troubleshooting guide for common oven problems:

PROBLEM: NOT HEATING UP

Cause: With an electric oven, the heating elements can wear out over time causing your oven or range to stop heating up. To find out if this is the case, simply turn on the oven and/or ranges and look to see if the heating elements are glowing red. If the elements are not glowing, or are they are just barely glowing, it’s time to replace them.

Fix: To make this fix all you really need to do is order the correct part that matches your oven. Once you have that, the rest is a snap. Simply disconnect the oven from power, remove the heating element’s cover, take out the screws holding the heating element in place, exchange the old part for the new one, and screw everything back into place.

Cause: If you have a gas oven, the problem could be a faulty igniter. To find out if that’s the case, test it out by setting a temperature on the oven. If you do not hear the normal clicking and ‘wooshing’ sound of the gas igniting, you should consider replacing the igniter.

Fix: Replacing an igniter can involve a number of different processes depending on the model of your oven, and it is not quite as simple as replacing heating elements in an electric oven. Typically, the process requires unplugging the range, removing a few screws, disconnecting the wiring connection, inserting the new igniter, and then tightening everything back down. However, while this process can seem simple, if you have any concerns about working with gas lines or electrical components, contact a professional. Also, if your appliance is still under warranty, it might be best to seek a professional appliance repair service to ensure everything is kept up to standards.

Problem: Not heating to the correct temperature

Cause: If you notice that your food is undercooked, or taking longer to cook than usual, it might be because your oven’s temperature sensor is not working properly.

Fix: The first thing you should do is make sure that your temperature sensor is not touching the inside wall of your oven, as this will throw off your sensor and cause inaccurate readings. If this is happening, all you need to do is reposition it so that it’s not making contact with your oven walls. If it’s still not heating properly, you’ll probably just need to replace the sensor, which is a quick and easy fix.

PROBLEM: Clogged Burners

Cause: If the burners on your gas range won’t ignite, you could have clogged burners. This usually happens because food and liquid that spills on the burners accumulates over time and hardens into gunk, which can block the gas ports and prevent ignition.

Fix: Turn off the gas supply to your range, and disconnect your appliance from power. Lift the cover off your burners, and remove the burner itself from the range. Then soak the burner in a solution made of water and household detergent, and gently clean it with a soft cloth. When the burner is clean, allow it to dry completely before replacing it and reconnecting the power and the gas supply.

No matter what, make sure you always remember to unplug your appliance before you attempt any repairs. And again, if you are nervous about working with gas or electronic components, call a professional, such as the pros at Absolute Appliances Repair in San Francisco. If you can’t easily fix the problem yourself, you’re better off spending a little bit of money on the repairs than risking injury, or shelling out a big chunk of change on a whole new appliance.

Easy Ways to Clean Your Stovetop

Just about everyone is familiar with the struggle to keep traditional cooktops and conventional stovetops clean; even if you don’t cook on the stove every day, the remnants of boil-overs, drops, and over-zealous flips can create quite a challenge for us when it comes time to clean. Even with a daily wipe-down, the chore of keeping up with a spotless stovetop can seem endless. As you probably already know, just one pot that boils over can easily create a mess worthy of a scrubber commercial. Keeping the surface clean will not only help it to look better, but will also stave off the need for premature stove repair in San Francisco.

Tips for Cleaning Your Stovetop

If you’re searching for some new cleaning ideas to try that don’t include harsh, dangerous chemicals, read on. There are plenty of products and substances that can tackle even the toughest job with impressive results:

  1. Salt and Baking Soda: Just take one tablespoon of each ingredient, and add to one tablespoon of water and mix to form a paste. Dip a rag into the paste and it naturally scours grime and crud away. You can also pour the mixture on stubborn spots to soak; it also absorbs liquid, making the clean-up quick and easy.
  2. Ammonia: While it’s true that this strong solvent isn’t great for cleaning everything, what it is great at is cleaning stovetops. You can use it to wipe up those dried-on, caked-on spills, and you can also remove the burner tops, soak them in a sandwich bag of ammonia on your porch overnight, then rinse in the morning to reveal super shiny burner tops.
  3. White Vinegar: White vinegar is hailed by many as the ultimate cleaner, and it’s a useful product to have around to clean your stovetop. It’ll easily loosen up stains and streaks, so you’ll want to mix one part vinegar to two parts water in a spray bottle. It’s the acidity of the vinegar that helps remove all the grit and grime. Be sure to label your spray bottle for quick access next time, too.
  4. A Razor Scraper or Scour Stick: Both of these items can be held at an angle while you gently scrape away at residue. Simply wipe away residue as it comes off, and you can even rinse with an ammonia or vinegar solution. Just be careful not to press to firmly, or you will scratch up the stovetop quite a bit.
  5. Lemons and Baking Soda: Baking soda has tiny fine particles that make a great substance to help scrub off grit and grime, and lemons contain natural grease-cutting characteristics. What’s great about this solution is that it’s powerful enough to really break up tough stains, but still won’t scratch the top of your stove. Sprinkle the baking soda over stains on your stovetop and rub the surface using lemon slices, and wipe away remnants with a damp cloth.

Before you start cleaning your stove top, regardless of which method you use, you’ll want to make sure that all burners are off and that the stovetop is cool. Try to clean the surface every day in order to keep up with the task; regular buffs will make it easier to deep clean. You’ll want to regularly clean off those burners to prevent build-up and oils from damaging your appliance, and you’ll also prevent having to contact us for stove repair that could’ve been prevented.

For more tips on caring for the appliances in your home, and for appliance repair in San Francisco, contact Absolute Appliances Repair today.

Easy Tips for Eliminating Dishwasher Odors

How to Get Rid of the Smells in Your Automatic Dishwasher

If you notice a strange, alarming smell every time you open your automatic dishwasher, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. All kinds of food and debris can collect in your dishwasher, creating some truly nasty odors overtime. It’s important to clean out the interior of the appliance every once in a while to make sure that your family’s food is being disposed of properly. Use these DIY tips for removing offensive smells from your dishwasher.

Clean the Drain Filter

This filter is the exit point for all the food and liquid that you put into your dishwasher. Open your dishwasher and search for a small mesh contraption, usually found along the floor of the appliance. You’ll probably find something stuck to the inside of the filter. Thoroughly wash the drain filter in your sink until all the food and slimy residue has vanished.

Wipe Down Inside Surfaces

With all the splashing and spraying going on inside your dishwasher, it’s a wonder that the walls inside the appliance are ever clean at all. Occasionally, you might notice a few streaks of food or liquid dashed across the inside of the machine. Pull out the racks and quickly wipe down all the internal surfaces, including the walls, the floor, and the ceiling. Everything should be sparkling white when you’re finished.

Wash the Racks

While you have the dish racks out of the machine, you might as well rinse them off in your sink. Pay special attention to what’s underneath the racks, another common place where food residue can easily hide. Slide the racks back into the machine and see if your odor problems have vanished.

Run a Vinegar Cycle

As unpleasant as the smell of white vinegar can be, it can be effective when it comes to removing harsh smells. To start, make sure that there is nothing inside your dishwasher. Now add a small glass of white vinegar. 8 ounces should do the trick. Leave the glass standing up right instead of dumping the vinegar all over the inside of the machine. Now run the machine using a normal cycle. When the cycle is complete, all the vinegar should be gone along with all those nasty smells. If you still smell the vinegar, don’t fret. The scent of vinegar won’t linger for more than a few hours.

Toss in Some Baking Powder

You can also try tossing a handful of baking powder into the machine before your next load. Baking powder is considered an all-natural deodorizer, making it an excellent choice for your dishwasher. The baking powder should mix with the soap you use on your dishes to get rid of those unruly odors.

Contact Your Local Dishwasher Repair Man

If these strange smells persist, you might have a more serious problem on your hands. Contact your local appliance repair man for advice and assistance. They will inspect the parts of your dishwasher that might be malfunctioning such as the drain hose or the electrical connection.

Get in touch with the professionals at Absolute Appliances Repair for the best dishwasher repair in the San Francisco area.

Common Dryer Problems and How to Fix Them

DIY Tips for Troubleshooting Your Home’s Dryer

Nothing beats the convenience of having a washer and dryer in your own home. Just turn a few knobs and presto, your work is done. But what happens when your dryer goes off the rails? Your clothes come out soaking wet, or maybe your dryer just stops working all together. If you’re having trouble with your dryer, use these tips to see if you can fix the problem yourself.

Dryer Spins But There’s No Heat

Before you examine or tinker with anything, make sure that the dryer is unplugged and at room temperature. If your dryer refuses to heat up during a normal cycle, there’s probably a connectivity issue or something wrong with the appliance’s internal temperature monitor.

Broken Fuse

Now, take a look at the machine’s back panel. You should be able to remove it using a small screwdriver. You should see a small fuse connected to the back. If it appears broken or frayed, you’ll need to replace it with a new fuse.

Checking the Thermostat

You should find the thermometer located on the back panel. Connect an A/C voltage multimeter to the thermometer and you should get a reading of 0. If not, you’ll need to replace your thermostat with a new one.

Checking the Temperature Switch

The same thing goes for the machine’s temperature switch. Remove the top button on your temperature switch and connect the multimeter. Adjust the switch and see if there is any change in the meter’s readout. If not, your temperature switch will need to be replaced.

Dryer Turns On But It Won’t Spin

If the machine turns on, but refuses to spin, chances are that you have a broken belt on your hands. Buy a replacement and open the back of the machine. Remove the old belt and insert the new one. Slide it through the motor pulley until the new belt is firmly in place. If that doesn’t fix the problem, keep troubleshooting.

Replacing the Roller

You should also see a roller underneath the belt next to the tumbler. Take out the roller and inspect it for any damage. Rollers can easily get worn out, especially if your machine is more than 10 years old. Swap out the roller for a new one to see if that fixes the problem.

Replacing the Motor

If you’re still out of luck, you probably need a new motor. In order to replace the motor, you’ll have to pull out the air duct and the blower wheel and then slide in a new motor. You might want to take photos of the inside of the machine before you begin tearing it apart.

Trapped Heat

If your dryer refuses to turn on all together or is getting too hot during a normal cycle, your air vent could be clogged. Empty out the lint trap and inspect the vent. Clear away any debris that might be blocking the airflow.

Taking apart your home’s dryer can be a labor-intensive endeavor. If you don’t feel comfortable troubleshooting such a large piece of machinery, you’re better off calling the pros at Absolute Appliances Repair, offering reliable washer dryer repair to the entire Bay Area, including San Francisco, Mill Valley, Marin County, Novato, and Larkspur.

What to Do When Your Refrigerator Dies

The refrigerator is one of those appliances that’s pretty hard to live without—even if it’s for few hours. So when you’re refrigerator suddenly dies, or is in the process of dying, it can be really nerve-wracking. Fortunately, there are signs that tell you when your refrigerator is dying so you can address the problems before it completely gives out. Read on for more information.

Signs your refrigerator is dying

Your food keeps expiring before it’s supposed to

A faulty fridge can cause food to go bad before its expiration date. This could mean that the thermostat isn’t working properly, the condenser coils are covered in dust, or the motor is working overtime because condenser coils are too hot.

Your energy bills are increasing

If your energy bills are going up, it may be a sign that your kitchen appliances are using too much energy. And because your refrigerator and freezer are on all the time, they may be to blame. The thermostat, motor, or compressor may be on its way out.

The interior feels relatively warm

Ideally, the interior of your refrigerator should be 35˚F at all times, with the freezer being at 0˚. If your refrigerator isn’t staying at the correct temperature, it may be dying. Check the door seal to make sure it’s not loose and make sure the condenser coils are clean.

The compressor or motor is constantly running

Your refrigerator will always emit a soft humming sound; however, when the internal temperature rises above its set level, the compressor and the motor will turn on to lower the temperature. This increases the noise level for a short time. If the sound doesn’t decrease, though, this may be a sign that something is wrong with the refrigerator.

There’s a puddle of water around the fridge

This could mean that the door isn’t closing all the way, the drip pan is broken, the fridge is filled with frost, or hoses from the fridge to the drip pan might be loose.

If your refrigerator is showing signs of imminent death, don’t panic. Help is usually just a phone call away. If you live in the San Francisco area and you’re in need of refrigerator repair or freezer repair, contact Absolute Appliances Repair for professional, reliable service.