Best Phone Apps to Manage Your Appliances

Smart appliances make our lives easier every day. You can set your laundry to start washing before you even leave the office. In addition, you can look at the inside of your fridge while shopping for groceries – all from your smartphone! We could only dream of these types of appliance features just a mere few years ago. With all of these new features, it’s important to have an app that can help you get the full benefits of them. There are several different options of apps to help keep track of all your smart appliances. So how do you choose which one is best for you? Here’s some guidance.

 

The Apple Home App

If you have a lot of Apple products at home, the Apple Home App is probably your best option for managing them. You can control your smart appliances from your iPhone or your Apple Watch. Once activated, the smart appliances can all be controlled through the app.

Google Assistant

If you’re more of a Google/Android person, try Google Assistant. Instead of only being approved to use with certain branded products, Google Assistant allows you more options for different compatible appliances. The app also allows you to create “routines” – a list of multiple tasks that can happen simultaneously. For example, you can say, “Hey Google, It’s Dinner Time” to turn your kitchen lights on and start preheating your oven.

Amazon Alexa

Alexa is already a household name in so many American homes, so why not let her control your appliances too? With the Amazon Alexa app, you can manage your appliances through your smartphone, kindle, or Amazon Echo devices. Alexa can also remind you about things or settings you may have forgotten. For instance, if you leave a wet load of clothes in the washer – Alexa will let you know!

 

Remember, smart appliances sometimes need repairs too. Keep Express Appliance Service in mind for all your appliance needs – smart or not!

Great Products to Help Organize Your Fridge

While fridges already have built-in organization, it’s still easy for your food to get lost in the mix. Thankfully, many items are out there that help keep your shelves organized and easier to use. When you take a little extra time and effort to organize your fridge, you’ll waste less food and have a better idea of what you need when you go to the grocery store. Here are some great products to help organize your fridge.

 

Plastic Storage Bins

Probably the most useful and inexpensive refrigerator storage items are plastic bins. While you could always use any old plastic bin, it’s best to use ones specifically designed for the fridge. This set of 8 bins from Amazon is under $25 and allows you to store things like juice boxes, applesauce pouches, produce, and yogurts. They are stackable, easy to clean, and allow you to keep track of all your smaller items.

Can Dispensers

Keeping cans in the fridge can take up a lot of space because they’re difficult to stack. That’s why metal can dispensers are a must. Metal can dispensers allow you to stack and organize 12-24 cans on any shelf in your fridge you like. When you take one can, the others move forward, meaning there’s a cold can always within reach.

Glass Bottles for Liquids

Milk jugs and juice containers come in all different sizes and shapes, sometimes making it hard to store them where you would like them in the fridge. Purchasing reusable glass containers for all your juice, milk, and water makes it easier to arrange them. The Bottle Store has many different glass bottles in all sizes to make storing liquids easy.

 

Is your fridge not staying as cool as it should be? Or maybe it’s making funny noises? Whatever the issue may be, Express Appliance Service can get it working like new in no time. Give us a call today for all your appliance needs.

The Benefits of Hiring a Local Appliance Repair Company

Even the newest, high-tech appliances break down from time to time. And when they do, it can be extremely frustrating. While attempting to fix your broken appliance yourself may be tempting, it’s best to leave it to the pros. So with all those big-name repair companies out there, why should you turn to someone local? For lots of reasons! Here are just a few.

 

Local Appliance Repair Companies

When you call a local repair company to fix your broken appliance, you know you’re calling a business that knows what they’re doing. If a local repair company is established and known in the area for many years, it’s because they’re good at what they do! It’s hard to keep a small business going if the work doesn’t speak for itself. Well-established local repair companies have earned their reputation and have the experience to back it up.

Why You Should Trust the Pros for Your Appliance Repairs

In some rare circumstances, a broken appliance has an easy fix you can do yourself. But, most of the time, it should be left to the professionals. Some appliances, like ovens, can be dangerous to try fixing yourself – and you risk making the problem worse and more expensive. Professional, local appliance repair companies have all the knowledge, experience, and equipment necessary to fix your appliance safely. Most of the time, appliance repairs can be completed on the same day, which means you get back to your daily routine in no time.

Call Express Appliance Service for all Your Appliance Needs

 

Express Appliance Service has been fixing appliances for almost two decades. We’re known for our knowledgeable techs and quick service. If you have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact our team of helpful professionals!

Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Oven

Your oven is the hub of your kitchen– especially at dinner time! But are you getting the most out of this crucial appliance? While you certainly can just set a temperature, throw in your dish, and take it out when the timer beeps – there might be more you could be doing. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your oven.

 

Use The Broiler Feature

When was the last time you used the broiler feature? The broiler may be the most underrated feature of your oven. While it is amazingly helpful for melting cheese, giving chicken a nice char, or even roasting peppers – it can do much more. For instance, did you know you could use your broiler to reduce preheating time? Instead of waiting ten minutes for your oven to preheat, crank on the broiler to high. After about three minutes, turn it off and set your oven to the desired temperature. It should be preheated already!

Keep Your Oven Clean

A dirty oven could prevent it from heating properly. After months of caked-on food debris, your oven could be working harder than it needs to in order to heat up. Clean your oven every couple of months using its self-cleaning function. Be sure to leave your windows open to avoid fumes. You can also make a DIY oven cleaner using baking soda and vinegar. Simply make a paste with equal parts vinegar and baking soda to coat the entire inside of your oven. Leave the homemade cleaning solution on overnight, then wipe it clean with a damp sponge in the morning.

 

You can also ensure your oven has a long life by repairing it at the first sign of a problem. Give the experts at Express Appliance Service a call today for all your appliance needs.

How An Expert Can Help Diagnose Your Washing Machine Issue

You don’t realize how much you depend on your washing machine until it’s not working properly anymore. A washer can stop working for many different reasons, and it’s hard to know what’s wrong just by looking at it. While it may be tempting to start taking things apart and fixing them yourself, you could actually end up worsening the problem. But when you call a professional appliance repair company, they can quickly figure out the issue. Here’s how an expert can help diagnose your washing machine issue.

 

A Professional Repair Company Examines Your Washing Machine

If your washer isn’t working properly, describe the problem to your repair company thoroughly. The more details you can give, the better. Be sure to include:

  • Strange sounds or smells around the washer
  • When you first noticed the problem and how often it happens
  • How long you have had the appliance for
  • Any repairs that were ever performed
  • Leaks you noticed in the area

Once your repair technician has all the necessary information, they’ll begin to examine your appliance. Most of the time, the details you give them will tell them where to look and examine first.

Repairing an Old Washing Machine

Sometimes, it’s not worth it to repair your washing machine. If your washer is more than ten years old, it may be time to replace it. Older appliances can be expensive to fix, and replacement parts may not be readily available. A professional repair company will be able to give you honest advice on whether or not it’s time to replace your washing machine.

 

Do you have a problem with your washing machine? Don’t worry! The expert repair professionals at Express Appliance Service are standing by. Give us a call today!

Tips to Improve the Performance of Your Dishwasher

No one wants to wash a sink full of dishes by hand. Thankfully, with a dishwasher, you don’t have to. However, without proper care and maintenance, your dishwasher may not work the way you want it to. Nothing is more frustrating than having to rewash a load of freshly washed dishes in the dishwasher because they didn’t come out clean the first time. Here are some tips to improve your dishwasher’s performance.

 

Use a High-Performance Detergent

It may be tempting to buy a discount detergent, but it really does make a difference what kind of dishwasher soap you use. Every model is different, so experiment with a few different high quality detergent brands until you find one that works best for your dishwasher.

Use a Rinse Aid

A rinse aid is a great way to avoid spots and streaks on your dishes and glasses. In addition to using a quality detergent, be sure to use a rinse aid as well.

Make Sure the Water is Hot Enough

Your dishwasher performs best when the water inside is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You can test your water temperature by using a thermometer under your running sink faucet. If your water is slow to heat, run the water in your sink until it’s hot before turning on your dishwasher.

Don’t Overload

When you overload your dishwasher racks, it’s hard for the spraying water to hit every item. Be sure to use the racks strategically and point bowls and glasses downward. If your dishwasher is overloaded, you’ll end up with some grimy dishes or leftover food debris.

Wash Your Dishwasher

About once a month, it’s a good idea to clean out your dishwasher. To do this, run an empty load with about two cups of white vinegar instead of detergent. Be sure to also remove the filter located at the bottom and scrub it clean.

 

Is your dishwasher not washing as well as it should? Have one of our professional repair technicians look it over! Give Express Appliance Service a call today.

Reasons Why Your Fridge May Not Be Maintaining Its Temperature

The whole purpose of a refrigerator is to keep your perishable food fresh. For food to stay fresh, it needs to stay at a cool temperature. So, your food will have a harder time staying fresh if your fridge isn’t maintaining its temperature. Sometimes, there’s an easy fix for this. But sometimes, you’ll need to call in the pros. Read on for reasons why your fridge may not be maintaining its temperature.

 

Dusty Condenser Coils

Your fridge’s condenser coils are under or behind the appliance. Condenser coils cool and condense the refrigerant that regulates the temperature in your fridge. If these coils get too dusty or dirty, the heat can no longer be released efficiently. This is usually a relatively easy fix. To clean your condenser coil, just use a handheld vacuum or a coil brush to eliminate all the dust and debris.

Frozen Condenser Coils

If your condenser coils aren’t dirty, check to see if they’re frosted over. If they are frozen, you’ll need to empty your fridge and freezer, unplug the unit and let it defrost for at least a day. However, you’ll still need to call a repair company. Frozen coils could point to a broken thermostat or other issues. Only a professional repair company will be able to diagnose the problem correctly.

Broken Condenser Fan

At the bottom of your fridge, there is a cabinet that holds its condenser fan. A condenser fan keeps both the compressor, and the coils cool. If it is broken, your fridge will begin to heat up. This is another situation where it would be better to call a repair company to diagnose the issue.

 

Is your fridge not getting cold enough or getting too cold? Don’t worry. The pros at Express Appliance Service can figure it out and get it fixed.

The Coolest Futuristic Features Appliances Have Today

There have been so many upgrades on home appliances in the last decade. Back in the 60s and 70s, the biggest news in appliances was the color choices. Today, you can buy refrigerators that text you a grocery list! Read on to learn about the most incredible futuristic features appliances have today.

 

High-Tech Functionality

When customers shop for new appliances, their two main concerns are style and function. However, when it comes to functional features, today’s options are straight out of a science fiction movie! One of the most futuristic functions of both ovens and refrigerators is being able to change the settings via phone or voice app. If you have a voice command device like Alexa or Google Assistant, you can preheat your oven from anywhere in your home or even have your refrigerator show its contents through a simple voice command. Laundry appliances are also fun – you can use your smartphone to change your washing machine cycle or set the dryer to fluff so your clothes are ready to wear when you get home.

Family Hubs

The Family Hub refrigerator from Samsung allows you to control your robotic vacuum cleaners, check your outdoor cameras, browse recipes, and tweak your weekly schedule – all while standing at your fridge. Your refrigerator can then connect with all the other smart appliances in your home, making it your household’s brain. You can set parental controls for your kids, so they can only control the things you want them to control while keeping some settings locked in place. To top it off, more companies are creating sleek chrome, black, or white finishes. This means you won’t have to sacrifice the matching color scheme in your kitchen to enjoy these futuristic features!

 

Keep Express Appliance Service in mind for all your futuristic appliance needs.

How an Expert Can Help You Diagnose Your Dryer Issue

Nothing is more frustrating than throwing a load of wet laundry into your dryer only to find it’s not working. Since there are so many possible reasons why your dryer isn’t working correctly, it’s hard to know just by looking at it. That’s where the experts come in! Only a trained repair professional can safely diagnose your dryer issue accurately and get it back in working order. Here are just a few reasons why.

 

The Danger of Trying to Fix Your Dryer Yourself

Dryers may seem like simple appliances, but the inner working of a dryer can be quite complex. And if your dryer is gas-powered, that adds a whole other level of caution you must take when poking around your broken appliance. Attempting to fix your dryer yourself is not only dangerous, but it could also end up making the problem worse than it was. Do yourself a favor and save the headache of trying to diagnose the issue on your own. Instead, call for help. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Experience and Accuracy

A reputable appliance repair company employs trained professionals that know what they’re doing. When you call a company like Express Appliance Service, you’ll get a trained appliance expert that can quickly identify and resolve the dryer issue you’re experiencing. Sometimes fixing a malfunctioning dryer is as easy as changing a belt. Other times, it could get much more complicated and require special tools or equipment. A trained repair person will have all the necessary equipment needed to get your dryer repaired to working order as soon as possible.

 

Ready to call in an expert? Express Appliance Repair can diagnose your dryer issues and get it back in working order in no time. Give us a call today for all your appliance repair needs!

How to Identify the Source of a Dishwasher Leak

A leaking dishwasher can be quite an inconvenience. It’s even more frustrating to see the leak and not know where it’s coming from. Fortunately, there can be visible clues when you have a dishwasher leak. You just have to know where to look. Knowing where the leak is coming from will be helpful during your call with an appliance repair expert. Here are some useful tips.

 

Is it a gasket?

Many dishwashers use multiple gaskets to regulate the flow of water. For instance, almost all dishwashers have a rubber gasket located on the inside edge of the door. This gasket helps keep the water and detergent inside when a cycle runs. However, if a gasket is torn or damaged, it could cause the water to leak out from the door. If you notice a leak coming from the front of your dishwasher, inspect the rubber gasket on the door for tears or cracks. Here’s an easy way to check if your door gasket is working:

  1. Take a piece of paper or newspaper and insert it towards the top portion of your dishwasher door along the side.
  2. Close the door on the paper.
  3. Gently try to pull the paper out of the door. Repeat this process along all sides of the dishwasher door. If the paper is hard to remove, your gasket is working correctly. If it slides out easily, it’s time to replace your gasket.

If the door gasket isn’t the issue, then a professional will be needed to inspect the other gaskets.

Is it the hoses?

Faulty hoses often cause dishwasher leaks. These leaks typically begin from the back of the appliance. If you notice a leak and can safely move the appliance forward, then do so and look behind it. Leaks that start from that area are typically a sign of a faulty hose.

 

If you don’t feel comfortable diagnosing your dishwasher leak yourself, call in the pros! Express Appliance Service will send a repair professional to inspect your dishwasher and get it back in working order in no time. Give us a call today!