HOW A REFRIGERATOR WORKS

Before refrigeration, preserving food was a big job. You could salt foods, and in winter, you could bury food in a snow drift and hope the critters didn’t find it. To stay stocked with the essentials, though, you had to work at it — or be rolling in money. Refrigeration is one invention that changed […]

WASHING MACHINE TIPS

Water Drips Into My Washer When It Is Not On If you have water dripping into your washing machine when it’s not running, you may have a bad water inlet valve. This is what the hoses to the washing machine attach to at the back of the washer. To check this washer part: 1. Disconnect […]

Dishes Done Right

How to properly load the dishwasher has long been a matter of discord in many a household. Cutlery handle-up or down? Cram the dishwasher full or let each plate and bowl have its space? These questions and more are answered in our definitive dishwasher guide! After you learn the basics of using a dishwasher, such […]

FREEZER AND REFRIGERATOR TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

Refrigerator troubleshooting isn’t a precise science, but there’s a lot that the home user can do to attempt to fix refrigerator or freezer problems. Hopefully, these handy freezer and fridge troubleshooting tips can help you out of a pinch without hiring a professional. Check for Power First Power can be the answer to many refrigerator […]

GAS OVEN REPAIR

Is your oven not baking? Bad bake ignitor. You can’t tell it’s bad by looking at it–you must measure amperage. Just because it glows orange, doesn’t mean it’s good. On round ignitors, look for a current draw of 2.6 to 2.8 amps. On flat ignitors, look for 3.2 to 3.6 amps. Insufficient current draw will […]

Refrigerator Basics

There are three basic appliances that go into every kitchen or else you really can’t call it a kitchen. These are a sink, a stove and a refrigerator. The first household refrigerators were referred to as ice boxes. This was because that is essentially what they were: boxes that contained a huge block of ice […]

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SMART APPLIANCES

Some manufacturers are now offering “smart” appliances — appliances that can be connected to smart electric meters or home energy management systems to help you shift your electricity use to off-peak hours. Air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other appliances may be available as smart appliances. Smart appliances don’t just turn off during times of peak […]

Refrigerator buying guide

Refrigerators have long been thought of as the boxy, boring behemoths of the kitchen, and buying one used to be as simple as choosing between eggshell and off-white. But times have changed, with manufacturers increasingly thinking outside of the icebox to try to redefine what the modern refrigerator is really capable of. Today’s shopper will […]

ENERGY STAR WASHER AND DRYER TIPS

  Washer Tips Always use HE (High Efficiency) detergent. Front-loading clothes washers are designed to use High Efficiency detergent. Using regular detergent creates too much suds, which will affect the machine’s washing and rinsing performance. Over time, it can lead to odors and mechanical problems. Fill it up. Clothes washers use about the same amount […]

BUYING MAJOR APPLIANCES

What to Look For: A machine that heats only the water it needs. “This is the most important thing that people overlook,” says John O’Meara, manager of Standards of Excellence, an appliance showroom in San Rafael, California. The feature saves energy by heating only the necessary water, not the entire household water tank. In general, “washers […]