3 Signs Your Range Hood is Not Working Properly

A range hood, or vent hood, is an appliance many take for granted. Even at eye level, we don’t always think to clean it or pay it much attention – until it stops working properly.

In order to prevent range hood repair, start paying closer attention to your range hood when it is on. Here are 3 signs to look for that may indicate a range hood issue:

Issue #1: Even on the highest setting, the range hood will not clear the smoke from the room.

If you have a true vent hood that vents air outward, then an inability to clear the smoke from the room could mean several things: 1) Check your duct work. It is very likely to be clogged with grease. 2) Check the motor. The motor may have given out or covered in grease, causing the fan to malfunction. 3) Check the air filter for clogs or debris and give it a good cleaning if necessary.

Issue #2:  The motor is very loud or constantly humming.

Any abnormal sound from your range hood is a sign of an issue. Most commonly, the motor is just dirty and rubbing or grinding against some grease or debris. If cleaning doesn’t help, then your motor needs to be replaced.

Issue #3: Lights or buttons won’t work properly.

If you have already attempted to change the light bulb and your lights still do not work, then the problem is likely the control board. If you are experiencing any sort of electrical issue on your range hood, call an expert immediately.

Problems with your range hood? Give Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas a call today. Our team of expertly trained technicians can handle any range hood issue, no matter what brand you have. Proudly serving Dallas, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, Irving, Garland, and the surrounding areas.

5 Tips for Cleaner Dishes

It can be frustrating to begin unloading a dishwasher full of dishes, only to discover that your clean dishes aren’t really clean. Think you might need a dishwasher repair? Not necessarily. Sometimes the problem begins before the dishwasher even begins running! Follow these simple tips to cleaner dishes today:

1.     Don’t Overload the Dishwasher:

It’s tempting to pack your dishwasher to capacity, but resist the urge. Leave appropriate gaps between dishes so that the water can spray into the cracks and get everything sparkling clean.

2.     Pre-Rinse with Water:

Even if you have one of the best dishwashers on the market, pre-rinsing all of the food off of the dishes will improve functionality. Be sure to rinse with water only, because soap residue can stick to the dishes and leave a film.

3.     Make Sure Your Water is Hot:

Have you ever turned on your kitchen sink and had to wait several minutes before hot water arrived at the spout? This same effect can take place in your dishwasher, which means your dishwasher is filling with cold water – not hot water. Hot water is optimum for getting the cleanest dishes. Ensure the best clean by running water at your kitchen sink until hot water comes out, then turn it off and start the dishwasher.

4.     Less is More with Dishwasher Detergent:

Repeat after me, “my dishes will not get cleaner if I use more soap.” Use the recommended amount of soap, and do not overfill the dispensers. Again, too much soap will leave a film on the dishes and make them appear dingy.

5.     Place Detergent Tablets in the Bottom of the Washer:

If you use detergent tablets for your dishwasher, place the tablet in the bottom of the dishwasher – as opposed to in the soap dispenser. This allows the dishwasher more time to dissolve the soap tablet and rinse all of the soap off of the dishes.

Still need a dishwasher repair in Dallas to get your dishes cleaner? Give Appliance Rescue Service a call today! 

Ask an Expert: What do I do if my oven temperature seems off?

Your oven – whether it’s a Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Jenn-Air, Wolf, Viking, etc. – will come preset from the factory with an oven calibration. The oven should be calibrated properly once installed, but Appliance Rescue Service has seen instances where oven calibration is necessary even on brand new ovens.

Temperature Testing

Before modifying the oven calibration, buy an oven thermometer and test the temperature in different parts of the oven. Do the temperatures line up with what the oven temperature is reading?  Are they all the same?

Checking the Thermostat Sensor Bulb

Sometimes a variation in temperature is simply due to a loose or misplaced thermostat sensor bulb. Look in the back of your oven for the thermostat sensor bulb, a cylindrical rod that will be attached to the oven. Make sure this rod is not loose or touching the interior walls of the oven. Make adjustments if needed, then check the oven temperature again.

Bringing the Temperatures into Alignment

Temperature variations of 100 degrees or more are not normal and a professional like Appliance Rescue Service should be called immediately to remedy the issue.  If you have an oven with a knob, it is possible to remove the knob and make manual adjustments with a screwdriver for minor temperature issues. However, most ovens today have electronic panels, requiring a professional to service the oven calibration issue.

If you suspect an oven calibration issue in Dallas, call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service today! We service nearly every zip code in the greater Dallas area, including Garland, Coppell, Carrollton, Plano, Richardson, Little Elm, Frisco, and more. Just put in a service request via the website, a text message, or a phone call, and a friendly staff member will call you immediately to set up a consultation. And no work is done until you give us the go ahead! Trust Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, TX to give you all costs up front and fair, honest service. 

Is Your Dryer Vent a Hazard?

A dryer is a marvelous invention that we take for granted daily. Most people use a washer and dryer at least a couple of times a week. But how often do you clean it?

Dryers – and dryer vents – are one of the leading causes of household fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryers cause over 15,000 fires a year. So what can we do to prevent clothes dryer failure?

Properly Clean the Dryer Filter

It is recommended that you remove the dryer lint after each and every load of laundry that you dry. Look for loose pieces of lint that may have blown out of the lint filter, that are now in the dryer. These loose pieces of lint can move into the dryer vent hose, causing buildup, inefficiency, and even fire. In fact, 32% of dryer fires were caused by a failure to clean the unit.

Professionally Clean the Lint Hose

Even with the utmost care in cleaning your lint filter, lint can escape to the lint hose, causing buildup in the line. Have a professional out to inspect and clean your lint hose every 6 months with high dryer use; once a year for moderate use.

Only Run the Dyer When you are Home

In order to keep an eye on your dyer performance, it’s best to only run your dryer when you are at your house.

Always Vent a Dryer Outdoors

This one is important! There are lots of opinions out there on where is safe to vent, but the safest bet is to just vent outdoors. Easy as that.

Are you in need of dryer repair or need professional dryer cleaning in Dallas? Our team at Appliance Rescue is expertly trained in every clothes dryer manufacturer to diagnose issues and repair the work in no time. We can also inspect your dryer for issues and clean out any clogs in the dryer hose. Give Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas a call today! Proudly serving Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Forney, Plano, Allen, and the entire DFW Metroplex.

Wine Coolers - Why It's Important to Keep Temperatures in Check

If you are not fortunate enough to have a giant wine cellar in your home, then the next best thing is a wine cooler or wine refrigerator in the home. Not only do they add pizzazz to a kitchen or butler’s pantry, but they really do extend the life of your precious bottles of wine. But how much? What if I don’t keep my wine cooler properly calibrated?

These are questions that wine storage owner’s frequently ask Appliance Rescue Service. Here are a few reasons to make sure your wine cooler is properly calibrated:

Extreme Temperatures Cause Harm

If you own a wine refrigerator, then you want to keep bottles of fine wine safe from harmful temperatures. Most wines need to be kept between 45 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize their flavor and lifespan.

Accelerated Aging

When wines are stored over 65 degrees, they are likely to age more quickly. Have you ever left a bottle of wine in your car on a hot summer day and noticed a difference in taste? High heat – even just indoor ambient temp – can cause wine to be more acidic or have a more vinegar-like flavor.

Prevents Wine Maturation

A good, fine wine is meant to be kept longer than 6 months – sometimes years – and gets better and more full bodied with time. When wines are stored at temperatures below 45 degrees, the wine is too cold to fully mature and flavors to develop.

Do you have a wine storage unit and are unsure if it’s keeping consistent temperatures inside or need help calibrating it? Or maybe you need a wine cooler repair? Call the experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas. Our team specializes in all Dallas appliance repairs – from wine coolers, to refrigerators, to ovens, and more. Our expertly trained technicians always outline the job in detail before performing work and will give you “tricks of the trade” to help maintain the unit in the future. Give Appliance Rescue Service a call today!