Most standard refrigerator models will last around thirteen years. For compact refrigerators or mini-fridges, the lifespan is a couple of years shorter. However, it’s important to remember that these are just average estimates. Some specific brands, makes, and models will last longer than others. But if you neglect your refrigerator, or don’t take care of it properly, expect to shave a few years off its life. Here’s a closer look at the fridges with the longest lifespan.

GE French Door Refrigerator

If you have a large family or cook often and need to store large containers of leftovers, the GE French Door fridge is a great choice. It has all the room you need at 36 inches and 27 cubic feet of capacity. Plus, its LED lighting and ample shelving makes it highly convenient and energy-efficient. These fridges are built to last, so you’ll get up to the high end of average with its lifespan.

Samsung Counter-Depth Side by Side

This Samsung model is a great choice if you’re looking for a counter-depth, side-by-side refrigerator. With a 22 cubic foot capacity and stainless-steel finish, it also features temperature-controlled drawers for meat and vegetables, along with gallon bins on the doors. This fridge should last you at least 13 years, with probably a couple of bonus years if you keep up with its necessary maintenance.

LG Side by Side

LG refrigerators are known for their long lifespan and durable components. Their side-by-side model also offers plenty of convenient shelving options and a water dispenser whose filter only needs to be changed twice a year.

Whether you own these refrigerators or a different model, keep Express Appliance in mind for all your fridge installation and repair needs! We can help you identify how many years are left on your fridge’s lifespan.

Long gone are the days of hanging your laundry out to dry in the backyard. Thankfully we have our trusty dryers to do that for us. They are a piece of modern technology that is taken for granted sometimes. However, most people miss the luxury as soon as it breaks! If you have ever experienced dealing with a broken dryer, then you are already familiar with this feeling. To help you avoid experiencing that for as long as possible, here are some ways to help you extend the lifespan of your dryer!

Clean Out Your Exhaust Vent

Most repair companies will recommend cleaning out your exhaust vents at least every two years. If you use your dryer frequently, like every day or every other day, you may want to check your vents every year. Dirty exhaust vents not only make your dryer work harder than it must, but they could also be a fire hazard.

Don’t Overload Your Dryer

Your dryer was designed to dry a certain amount of clothes at a time. If you overload it, your dryer will work harder and longer to dry it, taking a toll on its motor and components. You’ll also use more energy this way. Plus, if you’re mindful of your dryer loads, you’ll in turn be mindful of your washer loads, expanding the lifespan of both appliances.

Deep Clean Your Lint Screen

You’re already emptying your lint screen after every load, which is good. However, you should also deep clean your lint catcher every three months or so. Just pull it out and give it a quick scrub with dish soap and warm water. This will remove any film and gunk that builds up after a while.

If you’re having any issues with your dryer, give us a call! Express Appliance is here for all your home appliance needs.

Drinking water is an essential asset in your home. You want to be sure the water you’re giving to your family is clean, safe, and of the highest quality. Thankfully, most refrigerator models offer water and ice dispensers, making it extremely convenient to get filtered water and ice whenever you need it. But when it comes to water filters for your fridge, there are so many different options. How do you know which is best for your home? Read on to learn more.

The Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fridge Filter

First, you’ll need to determine which water filter model is compatible with your fridge. You can usually find this information in the refrigerator owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Check their affordability once you’ve determined which filters work for your fridge. How much do they cost? How many will you need? Are they easy to find in stores or do you need to order online? These answers will help you decide which fridge filter you want to go with.

NSF Testing Standards

NSF International is a non-profit organization that tests and certifies certain products to ensure quality and compliance with regulations. The organization uses different classifications to test fridge filters. Here’s what you need to know:

• NSF 42 Filters: You’ll want a filter with at least a rating of 42. This means your water will have chlorine and a crisp, clean taste and odor.
• NSF 53: Filters with a rating of 53 can remove a broader range of contaminants that cause health problems, including arsenic, mercury, radon, and asbestos.
• NSF 401: These are powerful fridge filters. When using a filter with a rating of 401, your water is extremely clean and pure.

Express Appliance Repair has got you covered for any refrigerator water filter problems or any of your home appliance needs. Give us a call today!

Your freezer needs to stay cold enough so that your food is safe to eat. But there could be a point where it’s TOO cold. So, what is the right temperature for your freezer? And how do you know if it’s hitting that temp?

The Perfect Temperature for Your Freezer

The FDA says your freezer should be kept at 0 degrees. Yup, a solid zero. This is the perfect temperature for meats to stay solidly frozen, as well as dairy products, vegetables, and anything else you stash in the freezer. Anything higher than this, and your food could begin to thaw, making it unsafe to eat. But on the other hand, anything lower than 0 could cause freezer burn, which could cause your food to be inedible.

How do you know if your freezer is cold enough?

The very best way to know if your freezer is at the right temperature is to keep an appliance thermometer inside. Some models come with one built-in. Otherwise, you can pick one up at a hardware store or you could use this simple and fun coin test:

1. Place a container filled with water inside your freezer.
2. As soon as the water is completely frozen, put a coin on top of the ice.
3. Leave the coin on the ice overnight.

If your freezer is failing or having temperature issues, the ice will begin to melt and allow the coin to sink a bit. If it’s steady and working correctly, the coin will be right where you left it the night before. This test is also a great tip if you leave your home for more than a few days. For instance, if you go on vacation for a week, you wouldn’t know if your fridge lost power for a significant amount of time only to regain power and refreeze everything without noticing. In this case, the coin would be at the bottom of the cup.

If you suspect your freezer isn’t staying at the right temperature, give Express Appliance Repair a call. We can help with all your home appliance needs.

Nothing is more frustrating than preheating your oven, throwing a frozen pizza or a casserole inside, setting the timer…and then it doesn’t cook all the way. What’s going on? If your oven isn’t heating correctly, there could be several different reasons why. But all should be diagnosed by a professional repair company. However, there is an inexpensive way to tell if your oven isn’t hitting the right temperature. Once you confirm that it isn’t, you’ll know it’s time to call a pro.

How Your Oven Works

Ovens can be tricky because they aren’t exactly made to be precision appliances. Instead, ovens work on approximations. So, what does this mean? Well, your oven has a tolerance zone for the temperature you set. When its internal temp hits the lower threshold, the oven’s heating element will kick on until it reaches its upper threshold temp. Then, the heating element will switch off. So basically, your oven temperature bounces back and forth throughout a cooking cycle. The overall goal is to hit an average temperature around the number you set.

How to Test Your Oven Temperature

If one or two meals come out undercooked even after setting your oven to the proper temperature, that doesn’t necessarily mean your oven is broken. However, it should compel you to do some testing. The best way to do this is to purchase an oven thermometer. You can get one at a hardware store for around $6. Then, do the following:

• Hang the thermometer in the center of the middle rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wait 20 minutes and check the temperature on the thermometer. If it’s between 345-355 degrees, it’s preheating correctly.
• Take more readings every 20 minutes for a period of up to two hours. Add up all the temperatures and divide by the number of times you checked. If the average is between 345-355, your oven is heating correctly.

If your oven isn’t heating properly, it’s time to call in the pros. Give Express Appliance a call and we’ll get your oven working in no time.

Stovetops come in a variety of shapes and sizes. While the traditional style is a gas stove with burners, glass stovetops are becoming very popular. The flat stovetop offers a unique look and makes a countertop look seamless. It is also much easier to clean. However, don’t just use any cleaning method. Use one of the ones below.

Wipe it Down With Water

While this might be relatively obvious, it’s also very effective. Quickly removing food and other particles before it has a chance to set is an excellent way to maintain the shiny look of your glass cooktop. It is recommended that you do it after every time you cook. This will help prevent the buildup of food particles that will be much more difficult to clean after sitting for too long.

Cleaning Solution

Many people are surprised to learn that there are cleaning solutions made for glass stovetops. The solutions not only disinfect the surface, but they can also apply a stove-approved polish to make your stove look brand new!

Razor Blade

One of the lesser-known ways to clean your glass cooktop is with a razor blade. This method should only be used on small patches of stubborn grime that the cleaning solutions couldn’t tackle. Make sure to use a razor blade holder and never use the corners of the blade.

Cleaning Objects To Avoid

While durable, the glass cooktop is still susceptible to damage and stains. Almost all stains and grime can be removed, just be selective with what you use to clean it. Try to avoid coarse objects like the rough side of a sponge, brillo pads, and other abrasive materials.

If you are having any issues with your stove, whether it is gas or electric, then give us a call! Our team is ready to schedule your repair date. Most repairs can be accomplished in just one day!

Have you ever tried to go to the kitchen and get a glass of water from your refrigerator only to have it sputter and leave your glass dry? How about when you try to get some ice? You extend your glass, press the button, and instead of hearing the clank of ice cubes – you hear a mechanical sound, or worse, you don’t hear anything at all!  Don’t worry, it’s happened to us all…

So, what do you do?

First, check to see if you can hear the machine trying to dispense the water or ice. If you don’t hear anything, you may need to stop here and consult a professional, as it could be electrical or broken components.

If you do hear something, try the water. Check to see if there is enough pressure or if it seems like the water is clogged or jammed. If the water pressure seems low, the first thing to check is the filter. When was the last time it was changed? Water filters typically have a life of about six months, but this estimate could be more or less depending on how frequently it’s used.

If the filter isn’t the problem, you can try checking the waterline. Here you will want to look for any kinks in the line. The principle here is similar to a kink in a garden hose. The line needs to be as clear and straight as possible to ensure the fridge gets enough water at the right amount of pressure.

The other issue that can happen with a water line – they tend to freeze. If you keep your fridge at a low temperature or your water line passes too close to your freezer, you run the risk of the water line freezing and preventing water from reaching the dispenser.

If you have tried these and still have no luck, you should always consult with a professional. Contact us before going any further than these basic tips.

Appliances today can come with a lot of interesting features. Some examples are wireless access to features when you’re not home, the ability to download new features, built-in screens, and much more. Now, what about an appliance that can clean itself? Wouldn’t it be nice to have something that was able to clean itself without having to scrub it on your own? This feature, which sounds futuristic to some, is actually available in most ovens today. However, there are some things you should know about this feature before you run out and get an oven with it!

Not All That Futuristic

The first self-cleaning oven was actually released in 1963. The technology has improved since then, but the function has stayed relatively the same. The oven will increase the temperature to over 800 degrees. This extreme heat helps burn off the food splatter, oil, etc., but it doesn’t clean it entirely.

Still Needs A Little Help

While this feature does an excellent job of getting most of the grime on the walls loosened up, you still need to wipe it down. However, if you have ever had to scrub an oven entirely by hand before, then you know how challenging that project is. The extreme heat helps break up food build-up that may have taken a ton of elbow grease to clean yourself!

Set A Schedule

As with any type of cleaning, whether you clean manually or use some sort of automated function, the real trick is to do it regularly. The more often you clean the oven, the less likely you will encounter stubborn stains, and the more likely your self-cleaning function will work as you need it to!

If your oven doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to, then give us a call! We specialize in repairing all kinds of ovens, including ones with the self-cleaning feature.

Ovens aren’t the type of home appliances you can keep around even if they’re not working properly. In fact, a malfunctioning oven or stovetop can be very dangerous. If your oven isn’t working correctly, you shouldn’t be using it all. Here are some signs that it may be time for a new oven.

Oven Isn’t Get Hot Enough

If your food hasn’t been cooking properly, coming out halfway done, or you find yourself needing to add more and more time to a meal – it may be time for a new oven. When your stove isn’t heating properly, you most likely have a broken or malfunctioning heating element. Call a professional appliance repair company to see if it can be fixed. But if not, it may be time to shop for a new appliance.

Your Energy Bill is Higher Than Usual

If your energy bills have been creeping up, this could be an indication of a problem with your oven. When a stove isn’t working correctly, it may be using more energy than usual to heat up. Call a repair company to help you identify the source of the higher energy bills.

Strange Noises

Other than some subtle soft flicker of your pilot light, a properly working oven shouldn’t make much noise at all. If you hear buzzing, whirring, clicking, or cranking – that is a definite sign of a problem. If your oven is making noises, discontinue use right away and call a repair company for an inspection.

Rust and Grime

It’s ok if your oven isn’t sparkling clean all the time. However, rust and thick layers of grime are signs that your oven is old and not in great shape. If your oven has lots of grime, mildew, or rust that can’t be cleaned – it’s time for a new one.

Not sure if your oven is salvageable? The pros at Express Appliance Service can help you figure it out. Give us a call today!

Like any other appliance in your home, your microwave wasn’t built to last forever. Whether you use your microwave occasionally or frequently, it’s going to start failing you. Here are some signs that your microwave may not be working properly.

A Burning Smell

All you should smell while using your microwave is your food cooking. If you smell something burning or see smoke, there’s something wrong. Stop the microwave, unplug it, and discontinue use until you replace it.

Your Food Doesn’t Cook Enough

If you find yourself adding more and more time to the microwave, or your food just isn’t getting hot enough, it may be a sign of a problem. To test its cooking ability, put one cup of water in a microwave-safe mug or dish and heat it on high for two minutes. If that water isn’t piping hot with bubbles after two minutes, something’s not right.

Strange Sounds While Cooking

While on, your microwave should be no louder than a gentle hum. There’s a problem if it starts making grinding, buzzing, or rattling noises when it’s cooking. Noises could be a sign of a failing fan blade. It is probably better if you purchase a new one.

Malfunctioning Keypad

If one or more of your microwave’s buttons aren’t working, it may be time for a new appliance. Keypad issues aren’t usually fixable, so if you’ve cleaned the keypad and checked to ensure it’s plugged in properly, it may be time for a new one.

It’s Over Ten Years Old

Although some microwaves may work fine after the ten-year mark, this is the standard golden age for these appliances. If yours is older than ten years, it may be time for a new one.

In most cases, the best option is to replace a microwave if you are having any issues. However, if you have problems with larger appliances, like your stove, then give Express Appliance Service a call today!