January 21, 2012
10 DIY Appliance Repair & Maintenance Tips
1. Finding access screws for your appliance: Many people who are interested in DIY often find it pretty difficult to find access points or a screw which may be hidden somewhere on the devise. Sometimes people end up taking out each and every screw they can see but the appliance still refuses to budge. When faced with a situation such as this the best thing you can do is to unscrew the mounting screws which should then allow you to take the appliance apart.
2. Opening up a plastic housing: Today quite a few appliances utilize a plastic housing to encase the innards. However, opening molded plastic can be a challenge since it has no screws. The only way to open up these appliances is to closely inspect it for a close seam and then using a pry tool to slowly pry the housing open.
3. Finding fallen parts: when trying to repair something there are a few small parts which inevitably just fall on to the floor. An easy method which anyone can use to find these parts is to turn off all excess lighting and draw the curtains in order to make sure that the room is dark. Then using a flashlight placed close to the floor you can pick up the shadow of the small part as you swing the flashlight back and forth.
4. Unclogging an appliance?s air vents: Appliances which are powered by either small or large motors could be as simple to maintain as just unblocking the air vents. This works because an obstruction of the vents results in poor air circulation which causes overheating. All you?ve got to do is to insert a small pipe cleaner into the vent in order to break the large pieces of dirt into smaller ones which can then be sucked up by a small vacuum.
5. Check the power supply: When major appliances like water heaters, air conditioners and ovens fail and appear to need major repairs since it has stopped working, one reason for their failure could be their power supply. Simply replacing the power supply in most cases should fix the problem.
6. Ground yourself: static electricity can damage a circuit and also major electronic components which is why it is recommended that you ground yourself properly prior to working on any home appliance.
7. Clean refrigerator coils: Depending on the model of your refrigerator the coils can either be on the back of the kickplate or the appliance. All you have to do is to use a vacuum cleaner to clean up the particles. This type of thing needs to be done every 12 months.
8. Discharge the appliance: Many appliances such as monitors and televisions tend to store electricity. The electricity stored in them can cause personal harm and so opening them without allowing for it to discharge can be dangerous. Just unplug the devise for a few hours or a day prior to working on it.
9. Clean the sprayer of your dishwasher: In most cases if the sprayer is not working chances are that it is clogged. Just remove the sprayer and put it in warm water mixed with white vinegar for a couple of hours in order to get the mineral deposits lose. Then use a pipe cleaner to clean out each hole.
10. First out last in: Putting an appliance with many parts back together again can be difficult. The easiest way to reassemble everything is to remember what you took out last and work your way from there.
About the Meet Mike: Mike Robinson has been providing excellent appliance repair in Los Angeles for over 20 years. He specialized in Los Angeles refrigerator repair
Filed under Kitchen Appliances by Craig Robinson
January 18, 2011
Gas Vs. Electric Stoves
Do you want to trade your electric stove for a gas stove? Or it is the other way around? Between the two, which do you prefer? How do they differ from each other? Read this short article for the answers.
Gas and electric stoves are widely available and they’re an indispensable part of any kitchen. There was a time when electric stoves were “in” but technology has made gas stoves better. In fact, you’ll find that many of the newer ranges cook with gas. Why is this so? For one, cooking with gas is more precise. Because you get instant heat with gas stoves, you have greater control over the amount of heat underneath a pot. This makes gas stoves more energy efficient than electric stoves that take longer to heat and cool. Newer gas stoves that use an electric ignition also consume 40 percent less gas.
If you’re concerned about price, stick to an electric stove, as you can save as much as $200 if you purchase an electric stove. Of course, the price difference also depends on the model, manufacturer and features of the stove you pick. As for power, you need a 240-volt power supply for an electric stove - something that most homes already have. To use a gas stove, you need a gas line that generally costs more than installing a 240-volt outlet. For this reason, gas stoves should be used in places where the main power source is propane or natural gas. In these places, you can simply hook up the stove to the gas line.
If you hate spills, use a gas stove since it has a sealed burner that prevents this problem. Although electric stoves with coil burners have removable drip pans to deal with this problem, these often become dull and dirty after a while. Another option is solid-top electric ranges that hide the heat elements with a glass or ceramic top. These are easy to clean, but be prepared to shell out more cash for one of these ranges.
Some are scared of gas stoves for a good reason. These can be dangerous and are a gas hazard. The thought of having a pilot light burning at home all the time and a nearby gas line can be scary. Others fear lighting a burner even with an electronic ignition system. Therefore, be careful with a gas stove, more so if you have flammable liquids at home. To avoid trouble, get a carbon monoxide detector to warn you if something goes wrong.
Looking for more information on cooking, recipes, and kitchen tips? Visit my blog http://www.blairstovercooking.com. Follow me on twitter @BlairStover78
Filed under Kitchen Appliances by Blair Stover
December 30, 2010
How to Upgrade Your Kitchen Cooktop
For many people, kitchen range induction cooktops haven’t been a reasonable option for their own kitchens because of their prices. Recent changes in technology have given way to lower prices.
It can be a lot of fun to go stove shopping. The benefits and features that come with a new stove are impressive, not to mention their time and energy savings. These cooktops are being used commercially around the world and are moving into private homes as well. Induction cooking surfaces are completely different from what you’re used to so be prepared to learn. At least, it’s a fun type of learning. Here are some things you should know before you start shopping for a new stove.
If you are in need of a stove for commercial use, then there is quite a bit more to consider than one for household use. For instance, in commercial use it may be necessary to have an electrician analyze the locations wiring and power capability. It is also necessary to thoroughly understand element domino options that many commercial facilities need. In a commercial use environment element domino modules with multiple elements may be more useful for you however a single element domino module is probably sufficient for home use depending on your individual needs. You’ll want to be aware that the prices on these are much higher because you are paying a per watt price. Residential units can also have multiple element domino module as well.
Obviously, you want to have as much variety as possible when it comes to power settings. It is difficult to imagine that a unit will not have a fair degree of fine control for cooking. You’ll find that much of what you cook requires a different setting for each item. The more power settings you want the more you are going to pay.
A unique feature of induction cooking is the ability to customize how the surface area of the unit will function. You’ll likely hear this effect referred to as the domino unit. This is possible because of the modules of single and paired elements that can be used simultaneously.
You will no doubt pay more for these modules, but if you want to purchase for commercial application it’s worth the extra money to be ready in advance. think about how much space you have available for these modules. This is more for commercial applications, but you never know what households with greater needs and higher budgets will want.
these units have a standard feature that allows them to recognize any type of cookware. The unit uses magnetic properties to sense the pot. By the way, induction burners require that you use cooking pots that have ferrous materials in them, or magnetic quality material. The usual size of pot that is recognized is a five inch diameter cooking pot. Most people will be interested in knowing that these units have a sensor function to detect overheating.
The unit with this option will automatically shut off if there is an overheating condition. One other safety feature is the use of a code much like child safety features of a computer, a child could not use the stove without this code.
Now you know more about these great induction cooktops, but make sure you are taking into consideration the safety aspects. There are many things you need to think about when you get an appliance like this. So make sure you look into them further, and even talk to people who have one, so that you can become even more familiar with these amazing appliances.
Our other articles contain more information regarding the newest stoves, as do other locations online. It is time well spent to learn more about these amazing cooktops. People who have them just tend to fall in love with them because they can cook things extraordinarily fast. Plus they lend themselves to quick cleanup very easily and quickly, as well. There aren’t many varieties available right now, however. But since the market is opening up more and more, we suspect there will be more manufacturers getting involved.
You could understand more details on cookware and home accessories including bakers racks, baking pans and chef knives.
Filed under Kitchen Appliances by Stacey Hastersenn
November 28, 2010
A Guide To Shopping For Professional Cooktops
A kitchen remodel of your home or restaurant can mean making a lot of decisions about what to include in the design. One of the things you are sure to think about is what kind of cooktop to buy. For restaurants, professional cooktops are essential. But they are not just for businesses and can also be included in the design of residential kitchens. Though cooktops may not be high on the list of your priorities when redesigning or remodeling your kitchen, they do play a large part in how successfully the kitchen is run.
If you want to keep your options open, you are in luck. Though more options may sound like a great idea, it could make your decision even harder than ever. Knowing you want professional grade us great start and means you have already done some research into what you want your kitchen to look like.
Your may be one of the most important factors in determining which cooktop will best fit your needs. If you know you can afford something professional, you should go ahead and add it to your kitchen plan.
If you are using a company or person to help you in the design of your kitchen, be sure they are aware that you may be limited on options by your budget so that you can stay as close to your goal as possible in terms of money.
Be sure to make it clear to the salesperson you are working with that you want something a professional would or could use, but it must be within your budget. Once you know how much you can afford, stick to that price range. This will prevent you from having buyers remorse later on.
You may look at the different styles online to see if the kind that you had in mind is really what will fit your needs the best in terms of price, style and function. Another great thing about online shopping is that you can often get a better price than you could find in a store.
Though just browsing or researching online is great, there are also many people who choose to purchase items from online stores instead of a regular retailer. Price is just one of the reasons, but may be the right reason for you. Online stores or sites are sure to have a bigger selection and make things a bit easier for you to compare items based on features and price. You may even find the same item you were considering in the store, but be able to get a much better deal on it by purchasing online.
Whether purchasing from a store or online, reading reviews of professional cooktops is a must for any buyer. You may be able pick a cooktop based only on the reviews if you are looking for specific features. Be sure that you consider a review of the company as well to be sure your cooktop fits your needs as best as it can.
Angela Price is an interior decorator and home staging expert. For more information on professional cooktops, visit http://www.dacor.com.
Filed under Kitchen Appliances by Angela Price
December 30, 2008
Ranges: 6 Things You Should Know Before You Buy
1: IT’S ABOUT STYLE
Ranges have become the status symbol of the kitchen and many treat them like a stage for performing. There are free-standing or slide-in models, or built-in. It is a smart move to select the same type of replacement range to avoid renovations. Larger professional type ranges add glamour as well as heat, but they need better ventilation and may need fireboards next to the adjoining cabinets.
2: COLOR IS STYLE
Most ranges come in white, black, metallic finish and stainless steel. Custom colors are available on many of the upscale models. If the dishwasher and refrigerator do not have custom covers then the stove should match them. Don’t assume the metal is really stainless steel, ask.
3: THE FUEL QUESTION
Electric and gas are both reliable and offer consistent heat. Gas allows you to select different levels of heat and when the burner is off, cooking stops. If you currently have electric and decide to switch to gas, you will need a gas hookup as well as 120 volt circuit for clocks and electronic ignition. Electric heat gives you very low heat, which is not always possible with gas, but it heats up and cools down slowly.
4: PERFORMANCE
There are several choices and feature options. Decide which are most important to you and then ask which will best suit your needs. Don’t waste money on options that you won’t ever use, i.e. melting chocolate on low heat for eight hours. It’s great marketing, but very few of us actually do it. Make sure to ask about even baking and custom broiling options. You may want to check out convection baking for superior baking results, low simmer and high heat options on cooktop.
5: LOW MAINTENANCE CLEANING
If you hate to clean the oven, select self-clean options. Continuous clean never really gets the oven immaculate. Smooth glass or ceramic cooktops need specific cleaners and care to maintain their good looks. Burners on professional ranges require more care, especially with drips pans.
6: MAKING SURE IT FITS
The bottom line is that is has to fit in the space you have allocated. Professional models measure between 36 and 60 inches. Freestanding ranges are generally 30 inches wide, but can vary from 24 - 48 inches.
Filed under Kitchen Appliances by Steven M. Fisher