It's holiday time! 

    

And - like every Thanksgiving/Christmas season - we have an increase in customers looking to replace or upgrade their stove.   I thought you, the customer,would appreciate a guide as to what to expect from today's newer, higher performing ranges, and also what kind of questions your salesperson might be asking.

For the sake of this blog, let's assume you are replacing or looking at the traditional sized 30" wide range.  There are smaller width sizes, 20" and 24" wide ovens available (normally for smaller kitchens or apartments), and larger "professional" ranges in the 36" and 48" size.)  If you are looking for a standard 30" wide range, take heart:  ranges are much more standardized size-wise then refrigerators.  For example, there never have been 29" or 32" ranges!

Let's start with some easy questions:  

Are you looking for an electric or gas range?    (And if the range is gas, hopefully we're asking whether you have natural or LP gas?)

Are you looking for a "free-standing" range (a traditional style range with a back), or a "slide-in:"range.  These backless ranges have become more popular in recent years as people remodel and upgrade their kitchens.   The picture below should help (free standing range is on left, slide-in on right):

          

What color would you like?  If you have a white or traditional black kitchen, you willfind your replacement choices are beginning to become more limited.  Stainless steel, usually but not always with a coating to help resist fingerprints, has been the most popular appliance finish for at least a decade and probably longer.

Two nice improvements worth mentioning:! Oven cavities have become progressively larger over the years (while the stove itself still fits into a 30" opening).  Also, cooktops have become more powerful.  It is not uncommon for an eletric range to have a burner that exceeds 3000 watts (vs. 2100-2500w max a generation ago.)  Gas ranges boil water much faster!  Back in the late 90's for example, a 12,500 BTU burner was a big deal, and marketed as a "High Output" burner.   Today, stoves can have anywhere from 15K to as much as 21K BTU on one burner, (and usually have a lower BTU on the low end for better simmering as well!)

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Once these questions are asked and answered, it will become easier to hone in on models that match your wants and needs.

Some of the features on today's stoves, roughly in order of most basic to most expensive, include:

Self cleaning ovens.   Often, these stoves also include a steam clean feature, which is faster and more eco-friendly then the traditional high-heat self clean cycle.  What is steam clean?   Here's an explanation, courtesy of Frigidaire:

https://support.frigidaire.com/Owner-Center/FAQs/Cooking/RangesStoves-WallOvens-Cooktops/electric-and-induction/When-and-how-do-i-use-steam-clean/

Five burners vs. four.  The majority of electric smooth-top ranges include a fifth burner at the center rear of the cooking surface.  This burner serves as a "warming" burner, to help maintain temperature and simmer on a recipe item that has completed the cooking process.

(Note - in gas ranges, not only do many stoves include the fifth burner, but a griddle plate is often included, or at least available as an option.)

Convection and Air-Fry.  Do you have a table top air fryer at home?  If so, then you essentially have a mini convection oven.  The convection feature (forced hot air circulation, allowing more even and faster cooking) becomes available as an option usually about halfway into a manufacturers lineup.  In addition, recently many stoves include an air-fry button to the oven controls, using the convection fan and heating elements together.

Double oven.  Most manufacturers offer a couple of models with two ovens, one above the other.  This offers two advantages:  1) the ability to cook two different foods at separate temperatures, or 2) the ability to cook a small meal iusing the smaller, faster heating and more efficient, oven cavity.

This should give you an idea of what's available on a modern range.   Which range is the "right" range for you?  That depends of course.  Two of the most common factors are usually 1) budget), and 2) how much you see yourself using some of these nicer features (such as the speed and flavor retention of a convection oven.)

And, please -- enjoy the shopping process!  In case you're wondering, availability is just about back to pre-Covid 19 levels, so in most cases Manny's can deliver you a new range (and remove your old if desired) within just a few days.   

If you have any questions, you can reach out and speak to any of our professional staff in any of our ten locations.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

The Care and Maintenance of Your Appliance

One of my customers came into the store two weeks ago asking for my assistance on an unfortunate situation.  They had accidentally left a plastic lid on their electric smoothtop range.  The plastic melted, and adhered to the cooking surface.  I was asked what they should do, to which I had to reply, "I have no idea."  Frankly, I was stumped.  

At this point we referred to Google (what did we do before Google and YouTube?), and were able to find a possible solution.  I never heard back from this customer, so I'm guessing the solution below worked.   

What was that solution, you ask?  Well, this is the solution we found, courtesy of  "Maids.com"

 https://www.maids.com/blog/how-to-get-melted-plastic-off-your-oven-and-stovetop/

"Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the melted plastic and let it sit for a few minutes. The baking soda paste will help loosen the plastic residue. Use a damp cloth or sponge to gently scrub the area until the plastic is fully removed."

So this got me thinking: what cleaning and care questions are we asked most often?  Below, I've listed a number of these questions and answers, with a focus on features that are relatively new to today's appliances.

"My refrigerator has the new, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel front.  What's the best way to clean the door?"

Per GE, the best way is:

1. Use a solution of mild soap and warm water with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber cloth.
2. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber towel to avoid streaking or water spotting.

Incidentally, GE also has a solution for removing scratches from stainless doors:

Apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush and work the solution back and forth over the scratch following the grain. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste and see if the scratch is gone. Repeat the process until satisfied and apply a light coat of stainless-steel polish or olive oil.

(If someone should decide to give this a try, I'd love to know your result!)

"My new dishwasher has a trap on the bottom.  What's the best way to clean this? How often do I have to clean this?"

The answer to the first part is easy:  

Twist the Ultra-Fine Filter assembly counterclockwise and lift to remove for cleaning. Rinse filter with warm soapy water and use a sponge to carefully remove any stubborn particles. 

As to the question "how often?", once every two months is reccommended.  If the dishes start to feel gritty after washing, you may want to check and clean the filter sooner.  Personally, we clean ours at least once a month.

"There's a 'steam clean' button on my new range.  What is that?  How does it work?  How does that differ from self clean?"

The answer to the "what, and how":

What is a steam clean oven? Some ovens feature a steam clean option that uses water to loosen soils to make wiping away easier. This option, which can last anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours, uses heat and water to soften grime and food residue from the interior of the oven.

The link below from "This Old House" elaborates further:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/cleaning/22665048/steam-clean-oven

As to the difference between self and steam clean:  This explanation is from Kitchenaid (the full link is below):

Steam-cleaning ovens work to soften messes and debris inside your oven. Water added to the bottom of the oven creates steam that loosens soils so you can easily wipe them away. Self-cleaning ovens work by heating up to a very high temperature and burning off food residue. You can then wipe away the resulting ash once the oven cools.

https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/major-appliances/self-vs-steam-cleaning-oven.html

Finally, one more question:  

"I've been told I should clean my dryer vent and lint filter.  How should I go about that?"

Here's the simple answer, courtesy of BobVila.com:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Detach the dryer vent hose from the wall.
3. Remove and clean the hose and vent cover.
4. Reattach the hose and clean the exterior vent.

Sounds simple, and pretty obvious, doesn't it?    For more elaborate instructions, I'm including this link:

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer-vent/

One final thought regarding your dryer screen:  Do you use dryer sheets?  If so, they can leave a film which over time can restrict air flow.  Washing your filter monthly with mild soap is an excellent preventive measure!

If you have questions about any other care and maintenance issues, check the "Use and Care" book that most manufacturers supply with a new purchase.  If that doesn't work (or you threw away your manual), then feel free to take advantage of the many resources the World Wide Web supplies, or just shoot me an email.

It's Black November -- time to go shopping!!

 

It wasn't that many years ago when Black Friday specials would create frenzied crowds like you see in the photo above!  People would wait in line for hours in the freezing cold, waiting for their favorite store to open (and often retailers would open at 1AM or earlier - once I believe Wal-Mart opened at 5:00 PM Thanksgiving Day!), all to beat the crowd on an extremely limited supply of fantastic markdowns on a few specific models.   

Fortunately, and for a lot of reasons (customer safety and staffing issues being the top two) the retail industry has gotten away from this.

Now, historically the appliance industry shied away from "Black Friday" specials, until the mid-2010s.  Today, the appliance manufacturers are just as aggressive as others when it comes to crazy specials.   The nice thing is, you don't have to stand in line in the cold for appliance specials.  Our specials have already begun, and run until the end of November.  Think of this as "Black November" instead of  "Black Friday"!

I'm going to run through an example of the savings you can achieve if you decide to take advantage of these discounts. For purposes of this demonstration, we're going to put together a typical four piece,  mid to upper-level set of appliances.

Refrigeration.  Let's start with the refrigerator, as this is the appliance that gives you as a consumer the most style and size choices.  It's also the category that can have the most pitfalls, and requires your salesperson to ask you the most questions in order to ensure that the model you choose fits your needs, and also actually fits inside your home!

Some of the questions your salesperson should be asking you include:

1. What style would you like? (French door, single door bottom freezer, side-by-side, or top freezer.)
2. How much width and height do you have to work with? (usually 33" or 36" wide, and anywhere from 66' to 72" in height.
3. What color would you like? (Stainless steel is still by far the most popular.)
4. Full depth or counter depth? (Provided you have the space for a full size, contemporary style refrigerator, you might also have the option of a shallower fridge so that it doesn't stick out into the kitchen as far.)
5. Will the fridge fit through the front door? (Don't laugh - today's full-sized fridges are, in the words of one of my customers "Behemoths."

For the sake of this exercise, let's say you have plenty of room, and would like a stainless steel front, French Door refrigerator, with ice and water through the door.  After thinking about it for a bit, you decide you would rather have the full depth model because you do not want to lose the storage space  counter-depth units take away.

Your salesperson shows you the GE GFE28GYNFS.   You take a look at the inside of the unit, note the fingerprint resistant finish, like the layout and finish, and decide this is a good choice for you.

Cooking

Excellent!  Moving on to the range.  We'll have two big questions to narrow down the field:

1. Gas or electric?
2. Free standing or slide-in? (Slide-in ranges have a backless, more upscale looking style., They are also generally $300-$700 pricier.)

You decide you like the sleek look of a slide-in range.  You like to cook, but you don't consider yourself  a cooking "connoisseur" who needs all the "bells and whistles".   You choose the GE slide-in JS760SPSS. Your salesperson mentions that this is one of our more popular models, and has the same finish as the fridge

Now, I have found that once the fridge and/or the stove is picked out, the remaining pieces usually fall into place quickly.   

Venthoods.  Since we're discussing cooking, we'll look next at the choices for matching over-the-range microwaves, which give you a microwave and vent hood built into one appliance.  

It seems almost everybody chooses a microvent that matches the rest of their kitchen appliances, especially the range.  Your salesperson shows you a couple of different GE models, and after deciding you don't need one of the pricier models that includes a convection oven for normal cooking, you choose the JVM7195SKSS, as you like its oversized turntable and more-powerful-than-average 400 CFM exhaust fan.

And last but not least...the dishwasher:  You mention to your salesperson that you don't need a lot of extra features on the dishwasher (you just want it to clean the dishes!).  When asked, you decide that you do prefer a stainless interior instead of plastic, and that you like the third rack a lot of models now provide.  After looking at a couple of models, you decide on one of our mid-level models, the GE GDT650SYVFS.

You might be wondering at this point: Do all the appliances have to be the same brand?  The simple answer is "No, they don't!"  And while that is true, I have noticed over the years that most kitchens we sell do tend to be "branded."  There are two strong benefits to this:

1. The finishes, handles, and fonts will all match.
2. REBATE MONEY COMES INTO PLAY - see below!

So now let me show you the price on this suite with the Black November discounts.  Below is the Black November price for each product, with regular prices alongside for comparison purposes:

1. Fridge          GFE28GYMFS     Regular $3299  - November $1899
2. Range           JS760SPSS           Regular $1949  - November $999
3. Microwave   JVM7195SKSS    Regular $529    - November $279
4. Dishwasher  GDT650SYVFS   Regular $899    - November $529

Total price:  $3726 (a savings of  $2970!!)

There may be additional delivery and installation charges, depending on your situation.  Also, electric ranges require the purchase of a power cord for $25 (which we will install).  (And yes, these product do go on sale at other times during the year, but not to the extent that they are discounted in November.)

All this sounds good, I'm sure.  But -- Wait!! There's more!!  We have "package" rebates available as a bonus!!

On this particular four-piece kitchen, Manny's offers a $500 rebate in addition to the sale price!!  Various rebate programs will also apply to most purchases of two or more pieces in many different brands- (please note that the appliances have to be the same brand for these "suite"rebates to kick in).  

I feel obligated to point out that this four-piece suite rebate is NOT available at the so-called Big Box stores!  I often call this the "Thank you for buying local" rebate when working with my customers.

And no -- the savings I've illustrated above is by no means unrealistic!  Similar savings can be found on many different products, and from many of our manufacturers.   

Manny's professional sales staff can help put together a kitchen package with you, and will inform you of any rebates that apply to your purchases.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions if you'd like.  You can also speak with a salesperson at any of our ten locations, or - even better!- stop in and visit one of our showrooms.  

Finally, two thoughts: Inventory levels are almost back to pre-covid levels, and these November discounts are the most aggressive we've seen in years!

Happy shopping!

A Top Ten Appliance Model List

 

One rainy Wednesday afternoon last week my coworkers and I got into a discussion speculating as to which models were actually the most popular.  I decided to do some research, and was able to come up with a "Top Ten" list, which you can see below.

A couple of thoughts here:  First, I am in no way, shape, or form suggesting that these models are the "best" in the industry, or that these are the specific models you should buy.  This is simply a list based on the best selling SKUs year to date in our buying group, a distributor which feeds almost every independent retailer in the northeast.

So, without further ado, here we go!

#1  GTW465ASNWW  (Current sale price $559)

This mid-level GE top-loading washer is the best selling "SKU" in our buying group.  It features a huge 4.5 cubic foot stainless steel tub with the traditional auger-style agitator.  It also is one of the last washers that offers a direct water level control dial.

#2  MVW4505MW (Current sale price $579)

No surprise here.  This Maytag top-loading washer also offers a 4.5 cubic foot capacity stainless steel tub with an auger agitator.  As with all Maytag branded products, this machine also offers a 10 year warranty (parts only, not labor!!) on the motor and basket.

#3  JVM3160RFSS (Current sale price $239)

Our best selling over-the-range microwave.  While this is a relatively basic model feature-wise, it still comes with all the essential features and buttons (such as a "popcorn" button!.  This model has a stainless steel exterior (easily still the most popular kitchen color!) and a two-speed exhaust fan that can be either ducted out or converted to recirculate through a charcoal filter.

#4  TC5003WN (Current sale price $1329)

Now, this was a very pleasant surprise!  I did not expect to see this washer on the top ten list, only because of the price.  If this machine can fit your budget however, I think it is well worth the money (my wife also will attest - I have one in my home.).  This machine comes with a five year warranty on both parts and labor, fast cycle times, and - sound the cornets please! - no lid lock!  In short, a workhorse... a machine almost universally reccommended by service technicians.

#5 GTD42EASJWW  (Current price $549)

This is the "companion" electric dryer to the #1 GTW465 discussed above.  Super capacity,

multiple temperatures, a defeatable end-of-cycle signal ... in other words, all the essesntial features customers expect on a dryer without getting into the world of "smart appliances."

#6  JB735SPSS  (Current sale price $849)

Our best selling electric range.  True European style convection, a huge oven, multiple burner sizes on the cooktop, and both self-cleaning and steam-cleaning options for the oven.  You'll have to step up to the GE Profile series if you want your range to be "smart", but other than that you'll find this is a full-featured, tried-and-true range.

#7 MDB4949SKZ  (Current sale price $599)

Our best selling dishwasher, this is an energy-star rated machine with a stainless steel tub and a fingerprint resistant stainless finish.  Not the fanciest as far as features go (no third rack or adjustable upper rack for example, and reasonably quiet but not what I would consider silent), but a strong mid-level machine, US made, and from a US owned appliance company (Whirlpool).

#8 GFW550SSNWW  (Current sale price $779)

This huge 4.8 cubic foot machine is easily our most popular front-loading washer.  Some recent innovations from GE on this washer series include a reversible washer door (one of only two companies, Electrolux being the other, to offer this feature), and vents in the door that allow you to keep the washer door closed when not using (while still allowing the washer to "air out" to prevent the beginning of mold buildup.)

#9 JB256DMWW  (Current sale price $549)

Who knew??  A coil-top range makes the top ten?!  This self-cleaning, white (also available in black and stainless) range dominates the coil range category. This model is always a favorite among landlords, or for people who for some reason do not want the more modern smoothtop ranges.

#10 MED4500MW (Current sale $579)

The companion to #2 above.  Super capacity, multiple temperatures, and a reversible door in case you have your dryer on the left side of the washer.

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I also decided to dig a little further, and have come up with a list of the best selling models in some of the more popular product categories:

Top Load Washer:   GTW465ASNWW (see #1 above)

Front Load Washer:   GFW550SSNWW (see #8 above)

Dryer: GTD42EASJWW (see #5 above)

Electric Range:  JB735SPSS (see #6 above)

Gas Range:  GE JGB735SPSS ($749 - essentially the gas version of the JB735SPSS above)

Refrigerators -- Here I'm breaking the category into the various styles:

Top freezer: FFTR1835VW $849  A mid-priced, white top-freezer that fits into a 30" space.

Bottom freezer: WRB322DMBM $1399  The single door bottom freezer category suffered terribly from stock issues during the pandemic, and these fridges are only recently becoming available again.  Having said that, this Whirlpool model ships with an icemaker, is energy-star rated, and fits nicely into a 33" space.

Side by Side*  WRS321SDHZ $1299  (A quick note here:  This unit is built for a 33" wide kitchen opening, a size that offers relatively few model choices.  Most modern kitchens allow 36" to accommodate larger units.)

For full sized side-by-sides, our #1 seller is the Frigidaire Gallery GRSS2653AF ($1249), which has a fingerprint resistant front, plenty of adjustable shelf storage, and an exterior ice and water dispenser.  It also features the widest interior freezer in the side-by-side category.

French Door:  GNE27JYMFS  $1599 This huge 27 cubic foot, full sized, full depth - be sure to measure your doorway!! - Energy-star rated unit comes with an icemaker, a water dispenser inside the fridge, and a fingerprint resistant stainless front door. Note the cavernous interior below!

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Now once again, this is simply a popularity list.  Feel free to consult with any of our experienced sales professionals to help determine the "right" unit for you and your needs!!

"So, what's new and different with dishwashers today?"

I can only think of two occasions where the above question usually gets asked:  1) When your dishwasher breaks, or 2) when you are renovating, and have decided to replace your dishwasher because you're upgrading all the appliances.  Even then, the dishwasher tends to be a "tag-along" piece -- it's usually the refrigerator or stove that drives the decision where appliance brands and style are concerned.

Still, almost every modern kitchen leaves a space for a dishwasher.  So just "what is new, you ask?  Well actually (since you asked), quite a bit!  

Size

With the exception of a couple of sizes used for ADA kitchens, dishwashers are all the same size externally:  24"wide, 34" high (with a little flexibility for installation purposes), and 24" deep (same as a typical kitchen cabinet).  Internally, however, manufacturers keep finding ways to create more space, which is especially handy for platters and other oversized plates!

Style

Today's dishwashers tend to be sleeker looking.  Controls are often located at the top of the dishwasher instead of the front.  This gives the appliance a more "minimalist" look, keeping with general kitchen design trends in recent years.  Depending on the model, you can purchase a model with a towel bar handle (nice if you are "branding" a new kitchen, where all appliances have the same look and detail), or a unit with a "pocket" handle.  As an example, take a look at the pictures and links below of Frigidaire Gallery dishwashers displaying both handle and pocket models.

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/fgid2476sf.html

https://www.mannystv.com/products/Frigidaire/frig/fgip2468ud.html

Noise

Sometime around twenty years ago, companies began to pay more attention to noise when designing and promoting their dishwashers.  I remember back in the late 90's selling Bosch dishwashers.  These models would sell for about $100 - $200 more than average (which meant around $499 - $699 back then!), and were promoted as not only a superior built product, but also noticeably quieter!!  Through the '00s and 10's, most companies began to brag about their machines' quiet operation.  Decibel (dba) ratings became part of the product spec sheets.  Now, generally speaking, you pay for "quiet" today.  As you progress through fancier and more expensive models in a brand's lineup, the decibel ratings reduce as th dishwashers get quieter.  

Safe to say however, as long as you aren't buying an extremely "entry-level" model, you will be getting a dishwasher whose noise level will at the least not offend you, and (for pricier models) is virtually silent!

Loading

As I mentioned above, today's dishwashers have more room on the inside.  The tubs tend to extend closer to the ground, adding about 2" vertically to the interior space.  As you progress in price, you will find bowl tines that can be flipped down to make loading odd shaped items easier.  Dishwashers have also become easier to load.  Many models employ adjustable upper racks that can be moved up or down about an inch and a half, creating more space for large plates or glasses.  I think the biggest innovation in the last decade plus is the addition of a third rack at the top of the tub.  This can be used to lay tongs, serving ladels, lids, etc., across the rack, freeing up more space on the other racks for your other dishes.  No more squeezing the grill tongs between the glasses on the upper rack, for example!!   

These racks tend to be flat, in order to minimize the loss of height on the traditional upper rack.  In the case of Kitchenaid shown below however,  the third rack adds more depth, making this rack even more useful!

https://www.mannystv.com/products/KitchenAid/kta/kdfm404kps.html

Efficiency

The D.O.E. has mandated substantial reductions in energy usage and water consumption on all household appliances, and dishwasher energy consumption has been substantially reduced as a result!  Almost all dishwashers that we sell qualify for "Energy Star" status, which might - depending on your town - qualify you for a small rebate from your utility company.  Even if you aren't rebate eligible, you will still enjoy significant savings in both electric and water usage.  

Even if you don't have a full load, go ahead and run your dishwasher anyway!  On average, you will use more water handwashing dishes in two minutes than your dishwasher uses throughout the entire cycle!  

Segueing from efficiency, I would like to address the (by far) most common complaint about today's dishwashers:

Cycle times are - greatly - increased!!

Yes, your new dishwasher will take longer to perform its duty.  The "normal" cycle on your unit will be slightly over two hours - and no, there is nothing you can do about this - other than use the "short" cycle (48-60 minutes), or the "1 hour" wash cycle many models provide in response to consumer complaints regarding, well, long cycle times!  At least you can hopefully take solace in the fact that you are saving both water and electricity (this is true, even though the unit runs longer).  Also, today's dishwashers generally run much quieter than models in the past.  You won't find yourself raising your voice or turning up the TV to compensate for dishwasher noise anymore!

There's one last feature in today's dishwashers, probably the most important:

Dishwashers clean better!!

The modern dishwasher is meant to live up to its name.  Manufacturers have added internal water heaters to raise water temperature to 140 or even 160 degress to help dissolve grease better.  Improved filtering systems do a better job capturing food particles, preventing these from being redeposited on your plates and glasses.  Racks are designed to work better in conjuction with the wash arms.  

Hopefully this helps.  Your salesperson can help you find the combination of features, color, and price that matches your needs.

Two final thoughts:

1) Installation.  Dishwashers are considered a "built-in" appliance, as opposed to say a refrigerator or clothes washer.  Professional installation is often needed.  Manny's does offer replacement installation for a reasonable fee (see your local store for specifics).

2)  This is my favorite "helpful hint", one that I share at the end of any dishwasher sale!  Unless you have "instant hot" water in your kitchen, prime your hot water before running the cycle!  As mentioned before, today's dishwashers employ internal water heaters to help improve performance.  All dishwashers, including premium brands such as Kitchenaid and Bosch, still benefit from starting with hot water.  Simply turn the sink's hot water on until it begins to feel hot to the touch, then run the dishwasher.  Your dishes will appreciate the boost!

Things Fall Apart

A little over a month ago I flew out to San Franciso to spend a few days visiting my son and his fiance'.  I planned on taking the "Red-Eye" back, so beforehand I stopped in at a Barnes and Noble to find something to read on the overnight flight.  I stumbled across "Things Fall Apart".  If you're not familiar with this novel (and to my embarrassment I had only vaguely heard of it - my loss!), it is an universally acclaimed, relatively short, and very readable story of the beginnings of European encroachment on an African civilization.  

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/things-fall-apart-chinua-achebe/1116754130

When I returned to work a couple of days later, it occurred to me that this title, "Things Fall Apart", also applies in a way to my own profession.  At Manny's we sell what economists call "Household Durables", that is, products that are designed to last a certain number of years. However... appliances do not last forever.  At some point, and it is impossible to predict with any certainty just when this point will occur, your refrigerator, washer, or range is going to break. 

And, let's face it -- when your fridge or range stops working, when the ice cream is melting in your freezer, or you can't cook that roast when your daughter's bringing her boyfriend to meet you for the first time, well, to say you are not going to be pleased is an understatement!

So... now what?  In an earlier blog I wrote about the life expectancies of different appliances.  

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5695512488839797470/7593492381966636773

Let's say you decide that since the appliance is only a few years old, you decide to call Manny's for service.  Like many people, you probably feel your appliance should have worked for more than a few years, which just adds to your frustration at having to make a service call.  We get it, we really do.  But, with only a few exceptions (Speed Queen laundry being a notable example) the manufacturer is only willing to warranty and stand behind their product for a year.  After that, like it or not, repair becomes the consumer's problem.  

So, you decide to give our service department a call (855-8-MANNYS, or 855-862-6697).  At this point your call is answered by one of our service reps, whose job is to schedule a call as soon as possible, at a day that works with your schedule as well.

Debra, one of our service reps, looking up from a service call to smile for my camera

Now, like all servicers (unless the product is still under manufacturer or extended warranty) there will be a diagnostic, or "trip" charge.  This is a necessary fee to cover the transporation, time, and labor cost of being a servicing retailer.  A trained and qualified service technician will drive to your house and diagnose the problem. While it would be great if we could stock every single part on all the various appliances in the market, past and present, that is unfortunately impossible.  If parts have to be ordered, the tech will call our service office and place the parts order, with the intent of returning to your home as soon as possible.

Mike, one of our service reps, in our Wilbraham service department back room checking in a parts order.

How long will this take?  It depends.  Sometimes the part can be overnighted, but sometimes the needed part may be on backorder - at which time we will receive an ETA from the supplier, a date that sometimes changes due to factors outside of our control.  We do carry an inventory of parts in our service department, but carrying ALL parts is simply not feasible.

Normally, this process takes anywhere from two to ten business days.  And the vast majority of the time, your appliance is repaired, functions as expected, and life goes on.

Mike (different Mike), service manager, repairing an electric range

I think the most frustrating service call for consumers is the just-out-of-warranty call.  Yes it would be great if manufacturers would either offer longer product warranties, or make more concessions if your unit is just beyond the warranty date, The reality is that more and more, manufacturers are reluctant to help out once the original warranty period (again usually one year) expires.  Think of it this way: after one year is up, the manufacturer of your appliance is passing the responsibility of maintaining that appliance from them to you!  

Now, there is a "proactive" solution that you can take when buying a new appliance:  Consider adding an extended warranty!  Manny's offers reasonably priced warranty plans that take the manufacturer's original warranty out to five years.  We also add additional benefits beyond the original warranty such as clogged pump repair, food loss reimbursement, and a 25% credit if you don't need to use the warranty (see brochure page below for details)!

In summary, we know that an appliance repair is at best inconvenient, and is often an unexpected expense.  We will our best to minimize your discomfort, and will do our best to repair your unit - properly - in a timely manner!!

Exhaust Vents - The Boring Appliance. A primer.

 

It can be exciting to help a customer pick out new appliances, especially if they're moving into a new house or undertaking the remodel of an existing home.  Oh sure, there are lots of decisions, from the big ones like "how much can we spend?" to less life-altering, but still important decisions such as color, style of refrigerator and/or range, cabinet and countertop materials, and so on.  These decisions can be anywhere from fun to nerve-wracking, but the end result is a kitchen, or maybe just a new range or refrigerator, that says something about you, your taste, and your house.

One thing that almost no one asks about is ventilation.  First of all, ventilation is boring!! I've been sitting in front of my laptop for a while now, and I still have no idea how to jazz up this subject!

While we do get the rare customer whose rangehood just died, and they need to replace it, for the most part the exhaust fan is either not considered by my customers, or is an afterthought, a throw-in to the rest of their appliance package.  I've learned that for the most part consumers are not up to speed on how to choose a hood. Consumer magazines and consumer-friendly websites often go into great detail rating stoves and fridges in different fuels and styles, but you have to search to find a decent discussion of vents. (I've also noticed that a lot of salespeople are less than enthusiastic about the ventilation discussion.)  My hope in this blog is to give you at least an overview of your choices.

Essentially, there are three types of ventilation units:  Overhead hoods, Over-the-range microwave-hood combos, and Downdraft vents.  

First, the traditional overhead hood:

At first glance you might find the price range of hoods intimidating!  It's still possible to get a hood for less than $100, and it will look very much like the hood I had in my first apartment in the 80's.  It will taper toward the front, have a toggle switch that gives you low and high speeds, and if you look underneath you will see one or two tiny filters that are supposed to "capture" all the heat and smoke and grease from your food and either duct it to the outside, or pass all that through a charcoal filter and recirculate that cleaner air into the kitchen.  I'll have more to say about recirculation in a bit.

You also can get a shiny stainless steel or glass island hood that suspends from the ceiling, has a much stronger blower, much larger filters to capture grease and smoke, and is aesthetically pleasing, adding to the flavor and decor of your kitchen.  Expect to pay somewhere between $1500 to $4000 for such a piece.

Then there's the middle ground, where most people wind up.  Pricing is usually $250-$800.  More $$ gets you a stronger blower (measured by CFM, or cubic feet per minute, of air movment), better capture, nicer lighting, and a nicer "fit-and-finish".  

Basically, hoods are mounted under an existing cabinet, or suspend from the ceiling.  Ceiling hoods are naturally more money, not just for the simple reason that there is more body to the hood, but also because a ceiling hood has more "eye appeal".  Just as backless ranges and shallow refrigerators cost more, you will pay what I call a "fashion premium" for nicer looking hoods.

Recirculating vs. ducted setups

Now, perhaps your kitchen is set up so that you can't duct the heat and the grease out.  Most hoods offer "recirculating" options.  Do they work?  Well, yes and no.  Dave, one of my long-time co-workers, will often tell his customers flat-out "No!  Don't even bother!".  I think that may be a tad too pessimistic.  I do think a recirculating hood is better than no hood at all, but it is also no match for a ducted hood.  The article below articulates this better than most, I think.

https://kitchenambition.com/do-ductless-range-hoods-work/

If you are going to recirculate, you will get better performance by changing the charcoal filters regularly, something almost no one remembers to do once the hood is purchased and mounted!

Over-the-range microwave- hood combination units

Over-the-range (OTR) microhoods have been a very popular option since the early 90's. Often this can be the right solution for smaller kitchens, as you are combining two appliances into one, thus getting the microwave off the counter and freeing up valuable prep space.  The CFM varies from 300 to 450.  Is that enough power?  Nominally yes.  Will they do the same job as a conventional hood?  Not quite.  OTRs are limited by their design to the amount of capture space they can offer, so they don't "suck up" quite as much smoke as traditional hoods with their full side-to-side filters.  Nonetheless, they will still do an adequate job.  

Hint:  if you're cooking something with a strong smell, such as onions, turn the vent on BEFORE you start cooking!  This way you will already have an updraft, and you are allowing the microhood to do its job better.

Downdraft ventilation

Downdrafts became popular as far back as the 70s and 80s, as companies like Jenn-Air introduced "grill ranges", offering a grill/griddle insertable module on their electric or gas ranges.  They employed a blower motor inside the stove that pulled all the smoke and grease down through a vent in the stove, and then through ducting into your basement.  Did it work?  Well, again, not as well as an updraft.  The main appeal of a downdraft is usually in the aesthetics, espcially in an open-floor-plan setup, rather than performance. 

A passing thought: feedback I received from customers over the years is that they almost never grilled indoors (too much grease and cleanup!)

Finally, two items I'd like to touch on:

1) "Make-up air".  More and more towns are requiring a makeup air system on new homes if the CFM of the hood exceeds 399.  Why is this?  This article explains:

https://kitchen.services/your-guide-to-make-up-air-system/

(So if you notice while hood-browsing that a lot of hoods seem to have 395 CFM, now you know why - these hoods stay just under the threshold for makeup air requirements!)

2) Noise:  The last time I checked the Internet for a list of quietest hoods, I noticed that every model on the Quiet list had one other aspect in common:  They weren't very powerful!  At full power, a venthood is going to make noise.  Just about every hood has multiple speed settings, so if you don't need to run the blower at full power, simply turn it down, and your hood will instantly be quieter!  There's not much one can do about insulating a hood to make it quieter without decreasing performance at the same time.

*** If you have any questions on any of this, please feel free to reach out to me via email, or talk with any of the sales professionals in our ten stores. ***