Smart Kitchen Appliances

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Why Buy Smart Kitchen Appliances?

A smart kitchen device typically refers to any appliance that can access the Web or interface with a mobile device to make its operation more convenient. These types of appliances can also be referred to as connected devices. The Samsung 4-Door Refrigerator with 8-inch Wi-Fi enabled LCD has a tablet-like device embedded in its door and includes the options to make phone calls from the device. Other devices, like the Escali SmartConnect Kitchen Scale with Bluetooth and the Crock-Pot 6 Wi-Fi Enabled WeMo 6-Quart Slow Cooker offer the ability to control the device from a smartphone.

How much of an investment you want to make and how much convenience you are looking to achieve in the kitchen determines just how many smart kitchen devices to acquire. The range is as vast as appliances themselves, and what you shop for should be guided by what you are looking to improve.

Smart Kitchen: What to Look For

If you are looking to invest in a new major appliance, or if you just want kitchen gadgets that offer some fun interconnectivity features, below are some guidelines to keep in mind when making your decision.

Major Appliances

If you are looking to replace a major appliance, such as your stove, dishwasher or refrigerator, now is an interesting time to consider the types of smart features that would make your life easier. If you use a lot of online recipes, perhaps a refrigerator with a built-in Wi-Fi-enabled device is a must-have. This may be more convenient than dragging your laptop, tablet or mobile phone into the kitchen every time you try out a new recipe. Bluetooth connectivity can allow you to monitor cooking temperatures from another room in the house. You can also use a stove’s proprietary app to send a recipe directly to the oven itself.

Android or iOS

Interconnectivity with these devices usually requires an app download. If you are an iPhone user and the device lists an Android interface, you want ensure there is an iOS version of the app. If the app isn’t compatible with your phone or mobile device, you may not be able to take advantage operating it remotely or use any of its smart features.

Convenience

Think about the tasks that are more difficult for you in the kitchen. If you are one to overcook food, a kitchen thermometer, for instance, can wirelessly monitor the temperature of your food and send you an alarm via Bluetooth when it hits a preset temperature. If you want coffee before you’re out of bed, you can use your phone to send a message to your coffeemaker to start percolating. Bluetooth-connected scales automatically input food data into a food journal you access from your mobile device, making calorie counting a breeze.

The latest range of smart kitchen gadgets is nothing short of astounding. With a connected device, you can control cooking times and temperatures and keep abreast of cooking status via your phone. You could also watch any TV app from your refrigerator door. Consider the options that are the most vital to you and have fun experimenting with these appliances and gadgets that, like the rest of your life in the 21st century, are constantly connected.

– See more here

How to Buy a Range

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When deciding on a new range, here’s what you’ll need to know about features, style, price, and performance.

Today’s ranges cook more efficiently than their avocado ancestors thanks to fresh features and newfangled technologies. We separate the wheat from the chaff so you can pick the best range for your home.

First Things First: Gas or Electric?

If you don’t have a gas supply to your house, the answer is easy. But if you can go with either gas or electric, budget and cooking preferences play a significant role in deciding. Also, some people prefer electric ranges because of safety issues — there’s no chance of a gas leak. Here’s food for thought:

  • Popularity: Electric smooth-top ranges are the best sellers because of price and performance. They account for more than 60% of all ranges sold.
  • Budget: Electric ranges are typically less expensive than their gas counterparts. However, gas ranges are usually cheaper to operate, depending on whether your natural gas rates are lower than your electricity costs.
  • Cooking preferences: Listen to your inner chef. Many cooks prefer gas ranges because the burner flame works as a visual temperature gauge and can heat things up quickly. Most bakers prefer electric ovens because of the consistent and even heat they generate.

Here’s a surprising fact: There are no federal energy regulations for consumer ranges, so you won’t find a model that’s Energy Star certified.

Types of Ranges and Costs

There are three standard freestanding range types: electric, gas, and dual-fuel (a gas stovetop with an electric-powered oven). Each type includes:

  • A stovetop (with a minimum of four burners — many premium models have five)
  • An oven (usually two racks and one oven — many premium ranges will have a larger oven with three racks or two ovens)

If you want your range to look like it’s built into your cabinetry, there are two additional options. Both are somewhat rare and may require special ordering through an appliance dealer:

  • Slide-in ranges. The range fits between two cabinets and the edges of the cooktop rest on top of the counters, eliminating gaps. They’re available in gas, electric, and dual-fuel range styles.
  • Drop-in ranges. They‘re fitted into a pre-built cabinet opening with a cabinet panel across the bottom. The panel eliminates the bottom storage drawer typical of most ranges. They’re available in electric power only.

1. Electric ranges

Electric ranges feature three options for cooktop heating elements.

Coil-top models have exposed heating elements. Cookware goes directly on the elements. They’re the least expensive ranges you can buy ($389 to $650) and typically are available in only two colors: black or white. Features include:

  • Porcelain-enamel cooktop finish
  • Indicator lights that let you know when the burner’s coil heating element is on
  • Dials and knobs for oven and burner control

Coil-top ranges at the top end of the price range usually include:

  • Digital displays for heating temperatures and cooking times
  • Single storage drawers for cookware
  • Large oven windows

Drawbacks:

  • Coil heating elements are slow to heat up and cool.
  • Heating elements must be removed for thorough cleaning.
  • Indicator lights only go on when the cooktop’s coils are switched on, but not when the coils are off but still hot (and cooling down).
  • Coil cooktops tend to distribute heat unevenly.

Smooth-top models have solid disk or radiant heating elements beneath a one-piece ceramic glass cooktop that makes cleanup easy. Smooth tops are the best-selling ranges because of their performance, price, and good looks.

Mid-range models start at $550. Standard features typically include:

  • Standard electric ovens
  • Electronic oven controls with preset cooking options and digital displays
  • Indicator lights that let you know when the heating elements are on and when the surface area is hot and cooling down
  • Self-cleaning functions

Premium smooth-top ranges include fast-cooking convection ovens that use fans to circulate heat so foods bake or roast more quickly and evenly; they can slash cooking times by up to 30%. Premium models start at around $900 and typically include:

  • Hidden heating elements (rather than an exposed wire element sitting on the bottom of the oven’s interior) for easier oven cleaning
  • Warming centers that keep prepared foods warm
  • A fifth stovetop heating element

Smooth-top models with two ovens start at around $1,300.

Drawbacks:

  • Glass ceramic surfaces are a cinch to clean but prone to scratching.
  • You can’t use cast-iron, stoneware, or glass cookware on the cooktop because they can scratch. Also, glass and stoneware are poor heat conductors, which increases cooking time. The intense heat that cast iron creates can actually shut down the range. Stainless steel and copper are best.
  • Overheated metal cookware may bond with the cooktop’s glass ceramic surface.

Induction-top models are known for speedy stovetop cooking. Their burners don’t generate heat like other stovetops. Instead, they use magnetic technologies to turn compatible cookware into a heat source. If you can stick a magnet to your cookware, you can use it. As a result, the induction top’s glass ceramic surface remains cool to the touch.

Induction stovetops can boil water about 50% faster than other stoves. They’re also energy-efficient; 90% of the energy they generate is used to cook food (a standard electric stovetop uses about 65% and a gas stovetop uses 50%).

They’re typically equipped with convection ovens which speed cooking time by using fans to circulate and boost heat transfer. Prices range from $1,200 to $3,200. Induction ranges include:

  • Control lockouts that prevent the range from being accidentally turned on
  • Touch screens instead of knobs and dials
  • Hidden baking elements for easier cleaning
  • Warming drawers

Drawbacks:

  • Not all your pots and pans will be compatible with the induction stovetop. Aluminum, copper, glass, and some types of stainless cookware won’t work.
  • They’re expensive.

2. Gas ranges

Besides the visual control of the flame and quick, uniform heating, benefits include:

  • Compatibility with all cooktop and oven cookware
  • Surface burners and ovens that still work when the power goes out (but not a fan-driven convection feature)
  • Lower operating costs than electric ranges — depending on your local utility rates

Heat output for gas range burners is described in Btu (British thermal units). Burners range from 5,000 to 20,000 Btu. Ranges with high-heat burners usually cost more.

General retail price range: $399 to $5,300.

Standard models are the least expensive gas ranges you can buy and typically are available in two basic colors: black or white. Prices start at $399 and usually include the following features:

  • Porcelain-enamel cooktops
  • Burners that don’t burn as hot as more expensive ranges (average 9,500 Btu)
  • Storage drawers
  • Cast-iron grates over the burners
  • Dials and knobs for oven and burner control
  • Oven windows that are typically much smaller than those on more expensive models

Mid-range models start around $650. Features typically include:

  • High-performance burners (up to 12,500 Btu)
  • Digital settings for cooking times and temperatures
  • Storage drawers for pots and pans
  • Oven control lockouts that stop unintended changes to oven settings
  • A self-cleaning oven
  • Easy-to-clean steel grates over the burners
  • White, black, and stainless steel color options

Premium models start at around $1,000; double-oven-type gas ranges start at around $1,600. Features typically include:

  • High-performance burners (up to 17,000 Btu)
  • A bonus fifth burner
  • A removable stovetop griddle
  • Electronic control panels for programmed cooking times
  • Convection ovens
  • Hidden baking elements for easier cleaning

Pro-style models start at around $1,700. They’re wider than standard ranges and have large oven capacities of 5.8 cubic feet and more. Additional features typically include:

  • A bonus fifth burner, with one being a super-hot burner of up to 20,000 Btu
  • Two convection ovens
  • Heavy-duty rollout cooking racks
  • Multiple color and metal options

Drawbacks:

  • Gas ranges tend to be more expensive then their electric range counterparts.
  • You need a natural gas line hooked up to your kitchen.

3. Dual-fuel ranges

These ranges combine the best of both worlds: a gas stovetop that chefs love with an electric-powered oven that provides even heat for baking. They come with a premium price tag of $2,000 to $7,500.

Features include:

  • Gas stovetops with five burners
  • One or two electric convection ovens
  • Glass touch screens for burner and oven controls
  • Wi-Fi-enabled programming so you can control oven features with your personal device

Size Does Matter

Freestanding ranges typically fall into two conventional widths: Standard ranges are approximately 30 inches wide; dual-fuel and pro-style gas ranges are 36 to 48 inches wide.

You’ll need to make sure your range’s oven cavity size is large enough to accommodate your cooking needs:

  • 2 to 3 cubic feet will accommodate households with one or two people.
  • 3 to 4 cubic feet will accommodate households with three or four people.
  • 4 cubic feet and up will accommodate households of four or more.

Want to Color Your World?

Unlike refrigerators and clothes washers that are available in fashion-forward shades like ruby red or apple green, mid-range and premium ranges are typically available in shades of black, white, and stainless steel. You’ll have to look at pro-style ranges to get custom colors such as red, blue, and green.

Features and Functions You Should Have

We think the features that pack the most value for homeowners are the ones that boost convenience. Here’s a list of best bets:

Lots of rack positions so you can create room in your oven for additional or tall items when needed. Most ranges have five (yea!) but some lower-price ranges will not (boo!).

Hot surface lights on electric stovetops will let you know if the burner area is too hot to touch. You won’t find this feature on most coil-top electric ranges.

Double ovens will allow you to cook multiple items at different temperatures. Keep in mind you’ll sacrifice the convenient storage drawer for the extra oven.

A high heat burner is desirable for quickly heating up large quantities and for searing foods.

Warming drawers keep cooked foods warm prior to serving.

A self-cleaning cycle makes cleaning your oven less of a chore.

Sabbath mode settings allow observant Jews to preprogram oven settings so cooked foods remain warm during the Sabbath when cooking is forbidden.

Features You Shouldn’t Pay More For

You shouldn’t buy a range just because it has some of the following features. (Some features are standard on ranges with electronic screens.)

The delayed-start feature allows you to program your oven when to turn on, and Wi-Fi-enabled features allow you to control your oven when you’re not home.  The National Fire Protection Association says you should never operate your oven when you’re not home to check on it regularly.

Low-powered burners with extra-low settings aren’t necessary because burner output can be easily adjusted.

Refrigerator Maintenance

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1. Check the door seals of your refrigerator.

A loose seal allows cool air to seep out, wasting energy and causing your refrigerator to work harder than it needs to. First make sure the seals are free of food residue. (Clean them about twice a year, using a toothbrush and a solution of baking soda and water.) Then try the dollar-bill test: Close the bill in the door so that half is in and half is out. If it slips out easily, you may need to have the door seals checked by a pro.

2. Keep the coils clean.

When the condenser coils (see following page for more on parts) are covered with dust, the refrigerator can’t run efficiently. Twice a year, pull the machine from the wall to reveal the coils in back (or snap off the grille, if the coils are on the bottom front), unplug the refrigerator, and vacuum with the brush attachment.

3. Set the right temperature.

Keep the refrigerator between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at 0 degrees.

4. Fill it up (even if you never cook and only have takeout).

Refrigerators need “thermal mass” (a.k.a. lots of stuff) to maintain low temperatures. Cool foods and drinks help absorb warm air that streams in when you open the door. If you’re the eat-out type or your fridge is too big for your needs, store a few jugs of water in there.

5. Be prepared.

If the power goes out, keep the doors closed and use foods from the pantry. An unopened refrigerator will keep food safe for four hours; a freezer will maintain its temperature for 48 hours if full and 24 hours if half-full.

Buying a new refrigerator

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With so many styles, options, and prices available, buying a new refrigerator is no easy decision. Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice.

Today’s refrigerators are the most energy efficient ever, and they’re loaded with cool technologies that can extend the shelf life of fresh foods. We’ll tell what you need to know so you can pick the best refrigerator for your home and budget.

First Things First: Refrigerator Types and Costs

The best refrigerator for your home is right-sized to your household’s needs. Here’s a breakdown of the standard refrigerator types, capacities, and price ranges.

Top freezer: This classic style offers homeowners the most bang for their buck. The freezer compartment is at the top of the unit, with the refrigerator below.

  • These unfrilly fridges pack lots of useable storage space for their size, especially compared with refrigerators with features, such as beverage dispensers and ice-makers, that eat up inside space. Average capacity is 20 cubic feet.
  • They’re some of the slimmest; typical widths range from 30 to 33 inches.
  • They’re the most efficient, and use 10% to 25% less energy than bottom-freezer and side-by-side door models.
  • They’re the least expensive. Prices start at about $500.

Bottom freezer: They’re convenient because they keep the refrigerator compartment at eye-level and contents within easy reach.

  • A double-door model has a single refrigerator door on top, and a large freezer door on the bottom. Their average capacity is 22 cubic feet, and widths range from 30 to 33 inches.
  • A French-door model has two side-by-side doors on top, and a single door freezer on the bottom. They’re generally wider than double-door fridges. Average capacity is 24 cubic feet, and widths range from 33 to 36 inches.
  • Prices start at about $700.

Tip: A fridge with 19 to 22 cubic feet of storage space is a good choice for a family of four.

Side-by-side refrigerator: These are ideal for households that don’t mind sacrificing some fridge space for a lot more freezer space.

  • They’re split in two vertically; one side of the appliance is a freezer and the opposite side is the refrigerator.
  • Typical widths range from 32 to 36 inches.
  • Although average capacity is about 24 cubic feet, they may be short on utility when equipped with a beverage dispenser and ice maker that eat up interior space. The center divider between freezer and refrigerator also takes away storage space from the middle of the unit.
  • Prices start at about $900.

Four-door refrigerators: These are ideal for large families.

  • They’re loaded with compartments that can keep groceries fresher longer. Average capacity is 28 cubic feet.
  • They’re equipped with a French-door-style fridge on top, a middle door that conceals a drawer for the items you reach for most, and a bottom freezer.
  • They’re equipped with temperatures controls and beverage dispensers.
  • Prices start at about $2,000.

Tip: Homeowners can expect about 80% of a four-door fridge’s total cubic square footage to be functional storage space.

Cabinet-depth and counter-depth refrigerators: These have a shallow profile (depth front to back) so they won’t stick out beyond standard cabinets and counters.

  • They come in two styles: bottom freezer with French doors and side-by-side.
  • Both styles offer about 28 cubic feet of storage.
  • Many models include features like compartment temperature controls, and water and ice dispensers.
  • To create a built-in seamless look for the fraction of the price, theses fridges can be customized with an overlay cabinetry panel.
  • Prices start at about $2,000.

Tip: Not sure which way your refrigerator door should open? A unit with a reversible door will allow you to change the swing direction.

Tip: If your refrigerator is being squeezed into a predetermined spot, here’s how to get a perfect fit:

  • Measure the height, width, and depth of the area. Plan a clearance of at least 1 inch at the sides, back, and top. If it’s being placed next to a wall, the two sides will need at least 2 inches of clearance so the door can fully open.
  • Keep door clearance in mind. An obstruction like a sidewall or counter may determine if your new fridge’s door should swing left or right.

The Facts About Energy Efficiency

As of Sept. 15, 2014, both Energy Star and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) upped the ante on energy-efficiency requirements for refrigerators (standards set by the DOE are mandatory; Energy Star is a voluntary program).

DOE’s new minimum standards require top-freezer, bottom-freezer, and side-by-side refrigerators to be 20% to 30% more efficient than previous generations. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, which champions improved standards for appliances and lighting, estimates the energy savings between 1990 and 2014 models this way:

•    Top Freezer: $80 per year

•    Bottom Freezer: $100 per year

•    Side-by-side refrigerator: $130 per year

New refrigerators that meet the current standards set by Energy Star are 10% more efficient than their earlier counterparts. They also must be at least 9% more efficient than DOE standards.

FYI: The bigger the fridge, the more energy it may consume. The most energy-efficient models you can buy have 16 to 20 cubic feet of capacity, according to Energy Star. Compare that with the size recommended for a four-person household: 19 to 22 cubic feet.

Tip: Got a second fridge in your basement or garage? If it’s more than 10 years old, it could add as much as $100 to your yearly utility bill. You could cut that cost by 40% with a new Energy Star-certified model.

Want to Color Your World?

Refrigerators sold in big-box stores are available in staid shades like white, black, gray, and stainless. You’ll have to compromise on fridge type to get one in an eye-popping color like red, orange, or green. Jazzy units like these are typically available only in retro styles that mimic refrigerators from the 1950s and 1960s; you’ll find them through specialty retailers or appliance dealers.

A colorful 9.2-cubic-foot, single-door retro-style refrigerator costs about $2,000, while a 20.6-cubic-foot, two-door fridge can cost $3,000 and more.

Features and Functions You Should Have

Lots of storage compartments and flexible storage options. You can’t go wrong with storage features like gallon door bins that free up interior shelf space, split shelves that create room for tall bottles, adjustable shelves that make room for oversized things, and flexible bin dividers that make it easier to group items.

Humidity-controlled compartments. Leafy greens typically require a much higher humidity level than apples or figs. This feature allows you to store produce at the appropriate humidity levels so they stay fresh longer. A refrigerator with humidity-controlled compartments starts at about $1,200.

Enhanced lighting. Energy-efficient LED lights placed in corners and over bins make it easier to find what you need.

Door alarms. It’ll beep or chime when the fridge door isn’t fully shut, helping to prevent energy and food waste.

Tip: Once you’ve found the perfect fridge, don’t be afraid to haggle over the price. Doing so can save you up to $100.

Features and Functions You Shouldn’t Pay More For

Automatic water, beverage, and ice dispensers. Although features like these boost convenience, they increase yearly maintenance costs. On an annual basis, expect to pay about $20 or more for electricity and up to $100 for water filter replacements. Dispensers also raise the purchase price for a new refrigerator by as much as $250 while reducing storage space.

Fast-cooling compartments like a blast chiller. When activated, the feature chills lukewarm beverages. It takes about eight minutes to get two cans of soda or a single bottle of wine icy cold. Because using a fridge’s automatic ice dispenser can boost energy costs by up to 20%, we suspect that a feature like this can also increase electricity use especially if used on a daily or weekly basis.

Wi-Fi enabled. Although a touchscreen with apps or a TV sounds nice, the technology won’t enhance performance. They’re usually found on models that cost more than $3,000.

REFRIGERATOR CLEANING TIPS

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Don’t be afraid — cleaning a refrigerator (and keeping it clean) isn’t a herculean task if you follow these tips:

  1. Create a homemade all-purpose cleaner by combining the following in a gallon of hot water: 1 cup clear ammonia, ½-cup vinegar and ¼-cup baking soda. Pour into a spray bottle, or use from a bowl with a sponge. This no-rinse formula is a degreaser that prevents mold and mildew. Wipe down the entire refrigerator with this solution, including the drawers and shelves.
  2. To prevent grease and odor buildup on top of the refrigerator after you’ve cleaned it, just buff some paste wax into the surface.
  3. Use toothpaste to remove tough stains. It contains a gentle abrasive and has a pleasant odor.
  4. To get those dust bunnies out from under the refrigerator, remove the grill and run a yardstick covered with a pair of pantyhose underneath. Also check the pan of water under the unit, since it can hold unpleasant-smelling water.
  5. To combat household odors, fill a clean old sock with activated charcoal from an aquarium store, tie a knot in the top and place it in the back of the refrigerator. This will last a month or two, depending on the size of your refrigerator and how heavily you use it.
  6. For a faster fix for odors, sprinkle vanilla extract on some cotton balls, place in a shallow dish and put in the refrigerator. Orange extract also works.
  7. Eliminate lingering odors in your vegetable bins by putting a crumpled piece of a brown paper grocery bag inside and leaving it for 48 hours. The paper will absorb the odor.
  8. Check for adequate tightness of the insulating seam around the door by placing a lighted flashlight inside the refrigerator and closing the door. Turn off the lights in the room (this should be done at night) and see if any light escapes from the seams. This will help you pinpoint any leaks.
  9. If you don’t keep your refrigerator full, fill a large bottle (at least a gallon) with water and leave it in the refrigerator. It helps keep the refrigerator cool and running efficiently.
  10. Keep your refrigerator at 37 degrees.

Call Absolute Appliance Repair NOW if you have any problems with your Refrigerator or Freezer!

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CONVENTIONAL vs. CONVECTION – oven comparison

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CONVENTIONAL vs. CONVECTION Oven Comparison

If you are in the market for a new oven, there are two types that you can choose from conventional or convection. Consider the pros and cons before investing your money. Knowing and assessing the differences between the two will help you make the right choice that will work best for your needs and budget.

Heat Source

So what’s the difference (CONVENTIONAL vs. CONVECTION) ? Technically, all ovens cook by convection, where the hot interior air does the cooking. Standard or conventional ovens use natural convection and radiant heat to cook food. The burners heat the air inside the oven and transfer the heat to the surface of the food. With convection ovens, an insulating layer of air that is cooler than the overall interior of the oven surrounds the food. Convection ovens have an additional heating element and an extra motorized fan, which blows heated air throughout, diminishing the cooler air next to the food. A convection oven has upper, lower and back heating sources.

Internal Temperature

Regulating the internal temperature is easier with convection ovens because the fan circulates the hot air continuously. The third heating element located near or around the fan in the back of the oven heats the air to a uniform temperature before it enters the oven cavity. The balanced heat circulation prevents hot spots. Conventional ovens tend to have hot spots. Food on the bottom rack tends to overcook or burn because it is close to the heat source. In similar fashion, placing food near the top of the oven often overcooks it because it is close to the upper heat element. Furthermore, the rising heat tends to accumulate at the top. Placing food near the center of the oven will yield better cooking results.

Cooking Time

Foods cook much faster in convection ovens. Convection cooking speeds up the chemical reactions of food during cooking. Baked goods release steam quicker, roasted meats render fats sooner and sugars in vegetables caramelize faster. A convection oven cooks food 25 percent faster than a conventional oven.

Cooking Quality

Convection ovens cook food more evenly compared to conventional ovens. Meats cook faster with more juice retained inside. Convection ovens cook meats with deeper flavors, crispier edges and are tenderer inside. In some cases, cooking with conventional ovens can result in drier meats, with a burnt outer part and not cooked well inside. Convection ovens can cook different foods evenly in different pans on different racks at the same time without transferring tastes, while conventional ovens cannot.

Types

Conventional ovens come in two types — range and deck. A range oven, also known as the general-purpose oven, is a part of a cooking system. It usually has a stove on top and an oven at the bottom. Some models may come with an incorporated microwave or convection oven at the center. A range oven may use electric or gas heat source. Deck ovens save space. They can be freestanding or built-in. Deck ovens may use electric or gas heat source. You can choose from single, double or triple deck ovens. Convection ovens may come in a range or deck along conventional ovens to allow cooking preferences. There are also portable or countertop convection ovens that you can buy if you have a conventional oven but would like to use a convection oven to cook small amounts of food.

Price

Most convection ovens are pricier than conventional ovens; however, consumers find they quickly recoup the higher initial cost from the energy savings achieved with faster cooking time.

Call Absolute Appliance Repair NOW if you have any problems with your oven!

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(415) 388-0690 Marin County
(650) 525-0512 South SF / Daly City / Pacifica

 

 

DISHWASHER NOT CLEANING?

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If your dishwasher is running but the dishes aren’t getting clean, one of these simple fixes could solve your problem. Start by consulting your manual to be sure you’re using the right detergent, loading the dishes correctly and maintaining the right hot water temperature.

Insufficient water in the dishwasher also can cause poor cleaning. If the float gets stuck in the raised position, the dishwasher won’t fill with water. Another likely cause is a clogged inlet screen or faulty inlet valve. To determine if your dishwasher is getting enough water, start a wash cycle. Open the door when you hear the machine stop filling. The water should reach or come close to the heating coil. If it doesn’t, first make sure the float valve is operating freely. If this doesn’t solve the problem, check the inlet valve and screen.

Inlet valves that are starting to fail sometimes make a hammering noise. If you hear this, replace the valve. But before you start any work on the dishwasher, unplug it or turn off the power at the shutoff switch or main circuit panel. Test to see if the power is off by turning on the dishwasher and making sure it doesn’t run. You’ll also have to shut off the water before removing the inlet switch. Usually you’ll find a shutoff valve under the kitchen sink or in the basement or crawl space under the dishwasher. Otherwise, close the main water valve.

Whether you’re replacing the valve or simply cleaning the screen, you’ll have to unscrew the brass fitting that connects the water line to the valve. Remove the four screws that secure the valve to the bracket to access the filter screen. Reassemble and reinstall the valve in the reverse order. Wrap Teflon tape around the fitting threads before screwing the fitting into the valve.

Call Absolute Appliance Repair NOW if you have any problems with your dishwasher!

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(415) 831-1259 San Francisco
(415) 388-0690 Marin County
(650) 525-0512 South SF / Daly City / Pacifica

 

DISHWASHER WATER-SAVING TIPS

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DISHWASHER

Most of the energy used by a dishwasher is for water heating. The EnergyGuide label estimates how much power is needed per year to run the appliance and to heat the water based on the yearly cost of natural gas and electric water heating.

DISHWASHER WATER-SAVING TIPS

  • Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer’s recommendations on water temperature; many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature (120° F).
  • Scrape, don’t rinse, off large food pieces and bones. Soaking or pre-washing is generally only recommended in cases of burned- or dried-on food.
  • Be sure your dishwasher is full (not overloaded) when you run it.
  • Avoid using the “rinse hold” on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3-7 gallons of hot water each use.
  • Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open slightly so the dishes will dry faster.

LONG-TERM SAVINGS TIP

When shopping for a new dishwasher, look for the ENERGY STAR label to find one that uses less water and energy than required by federal standards. They are required to use 4.25 gallons of water per cycle or less — older dishwashers purchased before 1994 use more than 10 gallons of water per cycle.

How to clean the washing machine

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The washing machine cleans the clothes and washes all the dust on the fabrics, but who cleans it? All dust, dirt particles of all kind must settle somewhere, right? Find out how clean the washing machine so that your laundry to stay clean and free of dangerous germs.

Disinfect the washing machine

If you want to get rid of bacteria that can accumulate inside the washing machine and the pipes through  were the water flows, use  vinegar.

Turn the machine on a program of hot water, but instead of detergent use two cups of vinegar. Leave the car wash  empty and  the entire system will be cleaned with this natural disinfectant solution.

Wash and clean the old soap

The washing detergent , either liquid or solid, leaves traces in the detergent and softener holder and also on the rubber drum (for front-loading washing machines), etc.

Use a solution  made of baking soda, vinegar and warm water and scrub with a sponge or toothbrush every such piece of the washing machine.
Rinse the full support for detergents in water mixed with vinegar, if it is removable.

Rinse with hot water all the components

If you’ve finished cleaning each  removable pieces you need to rinse everything well. Turn on the washing machine and run a program for cotton on maximum temperature without detergent without vinegar or laundry in it. The hot water will rinse the remaining soap traces and bacteria from pipes.

HOME APPLIANCES

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Through the years, there have been lots of technical advances that have enhanced our every day lives. The progression that has demonstrated to have the finest effect is the making of home appliances, accessible to the normal customer. These domestic devices, for example washing machines, ovens and refrigerators, have made the lives of their holders easier, for decades. As time passes by, these domestic devices have turned out to be superior, cheaper, and more energy efficient, too, which makes it easier to have one. Moreover nowadays, it is almost impractical to come across a house that doesn’t have at least, one large or else small electrical device.

There are appliances to meet almost any every day need. There are electrical devices that can rinse your clothes, clean your serving dishes, bake your food, cool your foodstuff, clean your home, and almost anything else that you can imagine. One of the most all the rage domestic devices is the refrigerator. It is a piece of equipment that keeps whatever food placed inside of it at an inferior temperature than the temperature of the area it is in.

To offer relief from the scorching summer days, market offers you with the broad collection of diverse air conditioning systems, for example split air conditioners, window air conditioners etc. These days, these aircons have turned out to be an essential part of most people’s lives, as with these systems; you are able to take pleasure in comfort and perfect temperature inside, regardless of the climate outside.

Washing Machine is one of the stylish and useful Major Home Appliances that relieve your boring laundry work. There are two kinds of washing machines ‘Semi Automatic’ and ‘Fully Automatic’. Semi Automatic needs some physical hard work for rinsing and shifting the laundry after a rinse cycle from washing container to dryer. The Fully Automatic is comparatively highly-featured and mechanically determines the water.

Microwave ovens boast a number of remarkable benefits and put forward great cooking experience, too. Though, one should always get a combination, rather than a usual model. There is a small cost increase; however the return on investment that you can get from these is a lot superior. Grill microwave are more multipurpose than the usual ones and offer you a grill, microwave and oven.

A microwave convection oven is an amalgamation of a usual microwave and a convection oven. It allows food cooked in it to be cooked fast, yet come out browned or else crisped as in a convection oven.

R O Water purifier is essential these days as well; particularly if you make use of underground water for drinking as it can have toxins.

Call Absolute Appliances Repair NOW if you have any problems with your home appliances!