Refrigerators are made to last. However, if you don’t take care of them properly, you may be looking for a new one much sooner than you’d like. Just like any other appliance, your fridge needs care and occasional maintenance to keep it going. Here are some tips to prolong the life of your fridge.

Replace the Rubber Seal on the Door

When the seal on your fridge’s door wears down, cold air can escape. Over time, this can mess with the internal temperature. The gasket also gets brittle over time, and the fit can get a little uneven. Replace the seals and gaskets around every year to get the most extended life out of your fridge.

Keep the Heat Away

Other kitchen appliances like ovens and dishwashers could cause your refrigerator’s compressor to work in overdrive. The extra heat will make your fridge spend lots more energy cooling itself down and could shorten its overall lifespan. It’s also best to avoid direct sunlight on your fridge.

Clean the Condenser Coils

The condenser coils in the back of your refrigerator can get very dusty and dirty over time. If they get too dusty, it can prevent them from working correctly. Clean your coils every 3-6 months to keep your fridge working properly.

Create Good Fridge Use Habits

If everyone in your household is mindful of how they use your fridge, you can prolong its life. Make sure you’re minimizing the amount and length of time the fridge doors are open. Also, never overstuff your shelves. This could cause the fridge to work overtime.

Another way to prolong the life of your fridge is to call a repair company at the first sign of a problem. Express Appliance Repair is here for all your home appliance needs!

If your oven isn’t cooking your food correctly, there may be an issue with the heating. It could just be that it’s not set at the right temperature or that there’s an issue with the thermometer. Years of use can put a lot of stress on your oven’s inner components, and sometimes they need to be repaired or replaced. Read on to learn more about how to tell if your oven is heating properly.

How does an oven work?

Sometimes ovens can be tricky since they aren’t exactly precision-based appliances. They work on approximations and averages, so sometimes they miss the mark for temperature settings. Your oven has a tolerance zone for the temperature you set it to. When the internal temp hits the lower threshold, the heating element will kick on until the temp hits the upper threshold. After it hits the upper threshold, it will switch off. So, the temperatures are constantly oscillating back and forth. Your oven’s goal is to hit an average temp of what you initially set. As you can see, this could create problems if there’s something wrong with the temperature gauge.

How do you know if your oven is hitting the right average temp?

If you suspect your oven isn’t heating properly, you could easily test it before calling a repair company. To do this, you need an oven thermometer. These are generally inexpensive and cost around $5- $10. Hang your thermometer in the center of the middle rack and preheat your oven to 350 degrees. After 20 minutes, take a temperature reading. If it’s approximately 350 degrees, leave the oven on and check every 20 minutes for about two hours. If it hits the mark every time, your oven is heating properly.

If your oven isn’t hitting the desired temperature when testing, it’s time to call a repair company. Express Appliance Repair can repair almost all oven models, and usually on the same day! Give us a call today.

When it comes to convenience, dishwashers are some of the best kitchen appliances. Nothing better than not having to wash dishes by hand! However, when they’re not working correctly, it can be very frustrating. But sometimes, your dishwasher may not be working up to par because of an easily fixable issue. For example, if the water going through your machine isn’t hot enough, it won’t be able to work as intended. The perfect water temp for your dishwasher is 122-degrees Fahrenheit. Here are some signs that your water temp isn’t high enough for your dishwasher.

Spotty Glasses

If your dishes are coming out clean, but your glass dishware looks spotty, the water may not be hot enough. If the water is cool, it may not be able to rinse off the detergent thoroughly from your glasses, causing little white spots of soap residue. If you notice spotty dishes, it may be time to check your water temp.

Detergent Tablets Not Dissolving

Those little handy soap tablets used for your dishwasher are great to throw in when you’re ready to wash a load of dishes. But if you notice the tablets are only partially dissolving or not dissolving at all, it may be that your water is too cold. Those tablets are highly concentrated, and some have a plastic-like substance on top that can only dissolve in high temperatures. If they’re not breaking down, it’s most likely a water temperature issue.

Dishes Not Coming Out Clean

Although dirty dishes can point to several different dishwasher problems, you should rule out water temperature first. If your dishes are coming out with food residue still left on, check your water temp first.

For any of your dishwasher problems, remember to keep Express Appliance Repair in mind. We’re here for all your home appliance needs!

The water and ice dispenser on your fridge are so convenient, but an old dirty filter can become quite a nuisance. How do you know when it’s time to change the filter on your refrigerator? There are lots of different signs that it may be time for a fresh filter. Read on to learn more.

How old is your filter?

One way to know if it’s time to change your filter is if you can’t remember the last time you did! If you’re on a schedule, you’ll never have to worry about stale tasting water. The average fridge water filter should be changed around every six months. If you have a full, busy household, you should change it a bit sooner, around the four-month mark. Be sure to purchase water filter replacements recommended by your refrigerator manufacturer for the best quality.

How does the water taste?

If the water from your fridge starts to taste a little stale, or like water straight from the tap, it’s time to change the filter. The same goes for the ice.

Does your water or ice smell strange?

A dirty or old filter stops cleaning the water and eventually begins to smell stale. This stale smell is most detectable in the ice coming from your dispenser. If your water or ice begins to smell a little “off” or musty, it’s time to change that filter.

Is your water coming out slowly from your dispenser?

When the filter is clogged or old, the water pressure from the dispenser will begin to slow down. If the water stream from your fridge dispenser is slowing down, check your filter.

Is there a red light or indicator on your dispenser?

Most newer model refrigerators have an alert or indicator to let you know when the water filter needs changing. Check your fridge manual for more specific instructions.

If you need help with your refrigerator water filter, or any other appliance-related issue, give Express Appliance Repair a call today!

Nothing is more frustrating than an oven that isn’t working right when you’re trying to prepare a meal. Luckily, there are usually signs that your oven is beginning to malfunction, so you can repair it before it stops working entirely. Read on for more information on convection ovens and how to know when they’re not working properly.

What is a convection oven?

A convection oven has a fan and exhaust system that regular, conventional ovens don’t have. This system helps blow hot air over and around the food and then vents it back out. As hot air is distributed on the food, it cooks it quickly and evenly. Many home cooks opt for this kind of oven because it guarantees an easier and quicker cooking time for most recipes.

How do you know if your convection oven is malfunctioning?

The most common sign that your convection oven isn’t working properly is that the fan is not spinning correctly or at all. If your oven isn’t heating properly or is taking much longer than usual to get hot, this could all point to a malfunctioning fan. If you don’t hear a whirring sound when the oven is on, the fan is most likely not spinning. Since oven repairs can be tricky, and potentially dangerous if you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, you should always call a professional repair company.

What are some other signs that your convection oven isn’t working right?

Besides a fan that won’t spin, there are other signs that your oven may not be working properly. These signs include:

• Longer cooking times than usual
• Strange sounds from the fan
• Fan stopping or starting abruptly
• Food not cooking evenly
• Burning or odd smells

Have a convection oven that isn’t working right? Give Express Appliance Repair a call today! We’re here for all your appliance-related needs.

Glass top ovens are very appealing to home cooks for their sleek appearance and ease of cleaning. However, if you neglect to keep those glass surfaces clean, then you may be sabotaging its cooking ability. Here’s how dirty glass tops could affect your cooking.

Buildup Can Cloud Your Judgement

Glass tops are easy to wipe clean if you do it after each use. Keep in mind to allow the surface to cool prior to cleaning. If you allow dirt and food debris to build up, it will constantly heat up and dry repeatedly. This creates a hard, crusty buildup that can be incredibly difficult to clean. Plus, glass cooktops can scratch if this buildup gets stuck under a sponge or towel you are using to clean the surface.

Uneven Cooking

Buildup from food debris and spills creates a heat barrier between your cooking pot and the burner. This could increase cooking times or cause food to heat unevenly. If you want your glass cook tops to work how they’re intended, a nice clean surface every time is necessary.

Creating a Fire Hazard

If your glass tops are dirty, you’re heating up crusty old food every time you switch on the burners. This could eventually be a fire hazard. To cook safely, make sure you’re starting with a clean burner.

Compromise the Life of Your Oven

The better you take care of your glass top oven, the longer it will last. A dirty glass top means you’re setting yourself up for problems or repairs down the line. If you want your oven to work reliably, you should keep it clean.

If you own a glass top oven, or any kind of oven for that matter, Express Appliance Repair has got you covered for all your repair and appliance needs.

If you are lucky enough to have a dishwasher in your home, then you want to make sure you are taking care of it. Here is some great information that every dishwasher owner should know.

It is More Energy Efficient to Use Your Dishwasher Than to Wash Dishes by Hand

This may be surprising, but you are saving water by using your dishwasher. Contrary to popular belief, your dishwasher is not constantly adding new water while it is running. Each cycle uses a single fresh batch of water. When you wash dishes by hand in the sink, you are using more water than you would by just running the dishwasher. If you have an energy-efficient model, this is even more true.

White Vinegar Can Freshen Up Your Machine

If your dishwasher is getting a bit stinky, or just isn’t looking or smelling fresh anymore, run an empty load at high temperature with one cup of white vinegar. This will help clean out the crud and help it to smell fresh again. We bet you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

Do Not Overcrowd Your Utensil Tray

The utensil tray on your dishwasher has compartments for a reason. If you are overloading the utensils, it is going to be hard for your machine to get them all clean. It is also better to separate your cutlery by type. So, forks with the forks, spoons with the spoons, and so on. This not only makes it easier to unload, but it also ensures there are no overlaps blocking food particles from getting rinsed off.

And remember, if you ever have an issue with your dishwasher, or any appliance in your home, Express Appliance Repair is here when you need us. Give us a call today!

When it comes to your washing machine, there are so many settings to choose from, it is hard to know which one is the best to use. The temperature of your water does indeed make a difference in washing, and it’s important to know why. Here’s when to use hot, warm, or cold water on your clothes.

When to Use Hot Water

Hot water is going to give you the most thorough clean. However, using hot water on delicate fabrics is not a good idea. Since hot temperatures can shrink certain clothing items, you’ll want to avoid it on anything that requires a delicate cycle. Check your labels before washing. Hot water is best on towels, heavily soiled clothes, or cloth diapers. When you need to kill germs, sanitize, or thoroughly wash something, use the hottest water setting on your machine.

When to Use Warm Water

Warm water is best for washing man-made fibers, knits, and jeans. Almost all your clothes can be washed with warm water unless the label says otherwise. So, a good rule of thumb is when in doubt, use warm water. It’s very unlikely that warm water would cause any issues for normal clothing items.

When to Use Cold Water

If you’re worried about fading the colors of certain clothing, use cold water. Coldwater washing is best for bright or dark colors, delicate fabrics, or homemade items. But it should be noted that when you use cold water in your washer, you’ll need more detergent. So, look for cold water-specific detergents or use a pre-soak cycle first. If your clothes are heavily soiled and you’re using cold water, you may need to use two cycles or add an extra half cap of detergent.

Remember to keep Express Appliance Repair in mind for all your washing machine, or any other appliance needs. Give us a call today!

According to the USDA, Americans throw away 103 million tons of food each year. A big reason people report tossing away food is that it goes bad in their fridge. What if there was a way to track your food so you know what is expiring soon? That way you could plan meals and recipes to use up expiring food before it needs to be tossed out. Not only would this save money, but it would also cut down on collective waste. Well thankfully, there is plenty of new technology making this possible. Here are the latest tech and apps that are helping you keep track of your food’s expiration dates.

Smart Fridges

When you purchase a smart refrigerator, you are getting an amazing amount of new tech features. Smart fridges not only can help you keep track of the expiration dates of items, but they can also give you recipe suggestions to use up said expiring items. You can set it to send reminders directly to your smartphone. Imagine wondering what you should make for dinner at work, when you get an alert from your phone telling you the exact recipe for the expiring items you have in your fridge! Talk about convenience.

Fridgely App

The Fridgely App, available on the Apple app store, tells you exactly when your food is going to expire so you can use it before it does. This is an excellent alternative for people that don’t have a smart fridge at home. You’ll get alerts on your phone when food is set to expire as well as recipes matching those items. You can keep a running tally of items you have on hand on the app, so it can specifically recommend recipes based on all the ingredients in your kitchen. You can even sync your devices, so you’ll get alerts on your iPad or computer as well.

Remember to keep Express Appliance Repair in mind for all your fridge repair needs!

Raising children is hands down, one of, if not the most difficult job on the planet. Once they are old enough to walk, it can seem like everything in your house is designed to make that job even harder. Sometimes, the things we look towards to make our lives easier can end up causing some of the biggest headaches when it comes to keeping your kids out of harm’s way. This makes it extremely important to teach kids how to safely use the various appliances found around the house.

While childproofing your appliances is something that should be done early on, establishing some basic ground rules can go a long way in increasing you and your family’s productivity, while also bringing some much-needed peace of mind.

Here are some tips to use to create a safe environment around your house.

Stoves/Oven

• The dials on the stove should never be played with.
• Never open the oven door.
• If the stove or oven is being used, stay a safe distance away.

Microwave

• Caution children about putting the wrong types of containers into the microwave. Metallic objects can spark and cause fires.
• Avoid overheating
• Make sure to be careful about removing items as they can cause severe burns

Fridge/Freezer

• Don’t keep sharp or heavy objects on the top shelf or on top of the unit.
• Make sure the kids understand how the doors open and shut. Drawers can be heavy and dangerous.

In addition to the appliance specific ones, general rules for all appliances can be helpful. For instance, making sure they ask for permission or help when first learning how to use them. Also, it is important to make sure appliances are turned off when finished to avoid potential fires.

Proper functioning appliances are also key to keeping everyone safe, as electrical shorts can also be harmful. If you have any concerns, make sure to have a professional come check your home for potential hazards and that everything is in good working order.