Today's appliances can offer features and performance that would have been unthinkable a generation ago.
Refrigerators, washers, and dishwashers use a fraction of the electricity their elders required. Stoves burn hotter, simmer better, and offer more oven capacity. Dishwashers clean without needing you to prewash and use less water start-to-finish than handwashing requires in two minutes.
To maximize performance and life of your kitchen appliances, it helps to apply occasional care and maintenance. Below, I'd like to share answers to some commonly asked questions.
1) How do I clean the stainless finish on my refrigerator (and other appliances as well)?
A little caution here: Not all stainless finishes want to be treated the same! Basically, fingerprint-resistant finishes require less maintenance, but also different cleaners. For example, you do NOT want to use the spray-on stainless cleaners (such as Twinkle). You also want to avoid ammonia-based products (Windex, for example) as that can wear on the surface coating over time.
This three-minute video discusses an easy yet thorough method for cleaning both types of stainless steel and stresses the differences between them.
https://www.searspartsdirect.com/diy/article/how-to-clean-stainless-steel-appliances-video?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=NE_SPD_Bing_DSA_Product_Category_SB&utm_term=searspartsdirect&utm_content=1206164894057775_&utm_device=c&placement=&msclkid=8f9531f6101912cd342f581b78ebcb9c
2) What's the difference between "self-cleaning" and "steam cleaning" my oven?Let me start by explaining what happens when you use the more traditional self-cleaning cycle (I'm condensing here from a Google AI explanation).
- Uses high temperatures to burn off food residues and grease.
- Converts debris into ash, making it easier to wipe away.
- Typically takes several hours to complete the cleaning cycle.
- Requires the oven to be locked during the process for safety.
- Reduces the need for chemical cleaners, promoting a healthier cooking environment.
The biggest concerns I hear about the self-cleaning process are the high (exceeding 800 degrees Fahrenheit), and the cycle length. Also, if you don't use a vent hood you'll definitely want to open some windows and employ a fan or two to push the odors out of the house!
In the last decade, manufacturers have begun offering steam clean cycles as an alternative to the incineration of self-cleaning. Today some ovens only offer steam clean, some self clean, while others offer both.
So what exactly does steam-cleaning do?
Steam penetrates baked-on grease and food particles by softening their structure. You prime the oven with water, press the steam clean button, and the oven will heat just hot enough to convert the water into steam. Steam loosens the debris, causing it to lift away from the surface. The steam also sanitizes by killing bacteria and mold. After about 20 to 30 minutes of steam exposure, the buildup becomes easy to wipe off with a damp cloth.
Sounds simple, right? Customers who use it appreciate the time and energy savings.
Now, most manufacturers suggest you run this cycle every 2-3 months. My suggestion: use it a couple of times a month, and use it shortly after a messy meal. You don't want to let the oven debris build up too much, or the steam procedure may not be effective.
3) What's the proper temperature setting for my refrigerator?
This one's easy and quick to answer. Traditionally, you want your refrigerator, or "fresh food" compartment, to be at 37 degrees Fahrenheit, and your freezer at zero. If the fridge side is running even a little colder than 37, you may find your produce freezing. On the other hand, raising the temperature even a couple of degrees will speed the decay of dairy and meat products.
Just as an aside - if you have an older fridge, or you're just concerned whether the freezer is keeping proper temperature, check the consistency of your ice cream products! If the freezer section is running even a little above zero degrees, your ice cream will be noticeably softer. If you have a stand-alone freezer, which usually keeps food at approximately minus 15 degrees, soft ice cream can be an important warning sign!
4) Do I really have to clean my dishwasher filter? (If you ask my wife, I should have led off with this question!)
The simple answer: yes, you do. These filters perform an important function; they trap food particles and prevent these particles from possibly reducing performance (or even damaging your dishwasher.)
Manufacturers usually suggest cleaning the filter every 1-3 months, depending on usage. My suggestion: clean the filter monthly, or even more often if you use your dishwasher frequently.
The actual procedure for cleaning varies from brand to brand. The link below from Whirlpool is typical: Note - it's not that difficult!
I do hope one or more of these answers have helped you. If you have similar questions you can email me, or call and speak with any of the sales professionals at any of our locations spread across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
