With the holiday season upon us, it’s important to give your appliances the attention they need so that you’ll be able to entertain worry-free this season.
Appliance Tips for the Winter
Self-Clean Your Oven Well Before You Need It
The self-clean cycle of your oven reaches very high temperatures and can act as a stress test, revealing components that are close to failing. Although it is unlike that you will have a problem, crunch time is not when you want to find out there is one. Cleaning several weeks prior to the occasion would allow time for service if needed.
*We recommend using a natural oven cleaner and a little elbow grease less than a month away from a holiday meal.
Check Your Oven Temperature.
If you want to be sure that Great Aunt Betty’s famous dessert turns out perfectly; a test run with “Betty Crocker” or “Duncan Hines” could be just the recipe for success. Traditional family recipes are wonderful but may vary by a pinch or dash which can make the results vary as well. By using a “Box Cake” as a test the variables of the ingredients is removed revealing whether the cook or the “cooker” is responsible for the results. Or you can put your fears to rest by having the temperature checked by a professional at Don Bacon Appliance Service.
Check Vent Cover Flaps
Cooler temperatures this time of year drives the critters to try to get in where it is warm. Ventilation covers have a flap to stop cold air and pest from entering your home. Insect and bird’s nests or a dent by a lawnmower for the covers mounted near the ground can cause a flap to stick open. These points of entry can allow pests to wreak havoc on your appliances and home. If you find a flap stuck open, clear the problem and test the free operation of the mechanism or call us for service.
Maintain Your Refrigerator
Winter is the best time to maintain your refrigerator; some have coils that need to be vacuumed regularly. Checking for component failure, cleaning the door seals, the drain, and drain pan are all part of the scheduled maintenance service offered by Don Bacon Appliance Service.
Clean Out Dryer Lint from Vents
Did you know that dryer lint is the number one cause of home fires? This is because lint is very flammable and can easily ignite if it builds up in the wrong places. To prevent lint-related fires and other issues, it’s important to clean your dryer and its lint trap and vent regularly.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to do this:
- Begin by unplugging your dryer and pulling it away from the wall so that you have access to the back.
- Locate the lint trap and gently remove any visible lint. You can use a dryer lint brush or a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to do this.
- Next, locate the dryer vent, which is usually a flexible hose or a metal duct that leads from the back of the dryer to the outside of your home.
- Using a dryer vent brush or a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment, carefully clean the inside of the vent, making sure to remove any lint or accumulated debris. If the vent is particularly clogged, you may need to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to remove larger pieces of lint or debris.
- Once the lint trap and vent are clean, clean inside, behind, and underneath the dryer, as lint can also build up in these areas. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any lint or debris that you find.
- Finally, replace the lint trap and plug the dryer back in. Test the dryer to make sure it’s working properly and drying clothes efficiently.
It’s important to clean your dryer’s lint trap and vent regularly to prevent lint-related fires and other issues. Some warning signs that your dryer vent needs to be cleaned include:
- Drying times are taking longer than usual
- Your dryer is getting hot when you’re using it, and your clothes are being damaged
- You can’t see any steam or hear any noise outside your house at the wall vent when you run the dryer
By following these steps and being mindful of these warning signs, you can help keep your dryer running safely and efficiently.
Prep for Frozen Water Lines
Dishwashers located on an outside wall, especially in older homes that have little or no insulation, are susceptible to having their water supply lines freeze and burst. Keeping the adjoining cabinet doors open during really cold periods may prevent the freezing.
If you have any questions about a particular problem or would like to be scheduled for maintenance please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Leave a Comment