For a Stress-Free Holiday – Skip the Self Clean Mode!

Most ovens have it.

That handy little button that says “self clean.”

It sounds great, right?! A magic button you can press and your oven will just clean itself up – with no effort on your part! We know…you’re thinking to yourself, “Why doesn’t everything in life have a self clean mode?!”

We hate to burst your bubble, but the self clean mode is the last thing you want to use on your oven – especially before the holidays. At Appliance Rescue Dallas, we get so many calls from clients this time of year who have run their self clean mode to get ready for company, and now the oven won’t work.

Don’t less this be you! Avoid the self clean setting and here’s why:

#1: It Can Be Damaging.

If you haven’t run your self cleaning mode regularly, as in at least once every 6 months, then now is not the time to start. Self cleaning modes work by heating the oven to extremely high temperatures and melting off of the gunk and buildup on your oven, leaving you with nothing but ash to wipe out. This is great, except that those high temps can also damage the controls, racks if you forget to remove them, etc. They aren’t supposed to create issues, but they often to do, and it’s just not worth the call to an appliance repairman in Dallas before the holidays.

#2: It Can Give Off Harmful Fumes.

Research has shown that those high temperatures can also create carbon monoxide as it heats and reacts with the caked on food that is being melted off the oven – particularly those charred spills at the bottom of the oven. Other fumes can be harmful to pets, particularly birds, so if you must run your self cleaning mode, put the pets outside first.

Instead of causing yourself a headache before the busy holiday rush, simply clean your oven the old fashioned way and be sure to wipe up spills right after the oven has cooled down. If you do experience oven repair needs, be sure to call us at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas for fast, courteous service from experts you can trust. 

5 Tips for DIY Appliance Repair

Budgets are tight this time of year, so the last thing you want to do is call an appliance repair company in Dallas to fix your appliances. We get it! While not all appliances can be repaired without professional intervention, Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas is here with 5 diy appliance tips to get you started if you attempt to do a repair on your own:

Tip #1: Don’t Overlook the Obvious

It’s easy to over think an appliance repair! Before doing anything else, be sure to check to make sure nothing is unplugged, circuit breaker isn’t tripped, filters aren’t clogged, and that the unit hasn’t overheated.

Tip #2: Start with the Moving Parts

After checking all of the obvious sources of issues, move to the moving parts. As these are constantly in motion  - think fan blades or motors – there is a much higher chance that something might need to be replaced there.

Tip #3: Check the Hoses

If it’s not the motors and fans, then another common culprit is the hose. Dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines are all notorious for having leaks or issues with the hoses.

Tip #4: Google the Appliance Error Code

Wall ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and even washing machines may give you an error code. When you see these codes pop up, just google it! Type in the make, model, and error code and let the interwebs tell you what’s going on. It will help you understand whether or not the issue is something you can fix on your own.

Tip #5: Apply the 50% Rule

Not sure whether or not you should attempt to fix the appliance? Here’s a good rule of thumb: if the appliance is older than 50% of its average lifespan – and the repairs will cost over 50% of the cost of a new one – just buy a new appliance.

Hopefully, these tips help you with your next diy appliance repair, but if not, know that the experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas are always on hand to help! Give us a call with all of your Dallas appliance repair needs! 

Dishwasher Tips: Help Your Dishwasher Clean Better – Just in Time for the Holidays!

The holiday season is right around the corner, and chances are, your dishwasher will see a lot of action in the next month and a half!

Whether you feel like your dishes aren’t getting clean enough or you’re happy with the dishwasher’s cleaning performance, there are ways that you can help your dishwasher clean even better! Give your dishwasher a tune-up with these dishwasher cleaning tips from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

Run Hot Water First

We’ve shared this tip before with the washing machine, but it applies to your dishwasher too. Hot water is key in breaking down food particles and gunk, and if you start with cold water, it can affect the performance. Run your hot water at the sink until it gets hot, then turn it off and start the dishwasher.

Sanitize with Vinegar

Before the holiday season throws your dishwasher into overdrive, sanitize it with vinegar! Just pour a cup in the bottom of your dishwasher after unloading it and run a quick cycle. The vinegar will sanitize and help to break down any built-up food particles in your dishwasher.

Clean the Gaskets & Dishwasher Trap

After running the vinegar cycle, grab a sponge and wipe down the interior with warm, soapy water. Be sure to pay extra close attention to the rubber gaskets on the outer part of your dishwasher and the dishwasher trap at the bottom.

Overcrowded Dishes = Dirty Dishes

During the holidays, you may want to pack in as many dishes as possible – but don’t! Overcrowding leads to “hot spots” where the water can’t spray, leaving you with gunk and debris stuck to your dishes.

Hopefully these tips help get you ready for the holiday season! And if you suspect your dishwasher needs service or a dishwasher repair, don’t get stuck in a pinch before the holidays! Appliance Rescue Service is the best appliance repair company in Dallas, Texas with expertly trained technicians you can trust. We’ll have your dishwasher repaired before you can say “pumpkin pie!”

5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Garbage Disposal

As the holiday season approaches, the last thing you want is for your garbage disposal to go out! You’ve got company to host and meals to cook, and no time for garbage disposal repair!

Before we enter into the crazy holiday season, remember these 5 tips for extending the life of your garbage disposal from Appliance Rescue Service:

1.  Cold Water Only

You may think you’re helping to kill germs and clean the disposal when you use hot water, but think again! Hot water makes food in your disposal mushy and more likely to stick to the edges. On the other hand, cold water will harden the food, preventing sticking as it grinds.

2.  Follow with Water + Dish Soap

After the disposal is done grinding the food, put a little dish soap in the stream of water and allow the disposal to keep running for another 30 seconds to a minute. The dish soap and water will help clean the disposal and drain pipe, all while preventing a clogged drain by adding a little extra run time.

3.  Run it Once a Day

Make an effort to run the garbage disposal once a day. Running it regularly will prevent any buildup or residue in the disposal and keeps everything is good working order.

4.  Citrus Freshens

Any time you are cooking with lemon, lime, or oranges, throw the peel in the disposal instead of the trash! The citrus peel is great at providing friction on the blades that breaks down any residue, and it also freshens and disinfects naturally.

5.  Remember what NOT to Throw In the Disposal

While garbage disposals can handle a lot, there are certain items you should never put in the disposal:

·     Non food items: glass, rocks, etc. have no place in a disposal – unless you want to break it.

·     Starchy foods: pasta, potato peels, rice, etc. will cling to the blades and cause clogged pipes.

·     Fats: oil and cooking fat should never go down the drain.

Hopefully these tips keep your garbage disposal running smoothly through the holiday season and beyond! As always, if you ever need an appliance repair company in Plano or the surrounding Dallas area, you know that Appliance Rescue Service is here for you! 

3 Tips to Get Your Oven Ready to Bake and Roast This Season

It’s fall, which means the season for baking and roasting is right around the corner.

 

Not only do you need to stock up on vegetables to roast and butter for baking, you also need to make sure your oven is in its best working condition so that your meals turn out perfect every time.

Need some tips to get started? Try these from our team at Appliance Rescue Service, the top appliance repair company in Dallas!

Clean Your Oven

When was the last time you cleaned your oven? If you can’t remember, then it’s time! Typically, you’ll want to clean it at least every 6 months. While you can use the ovens self clean option, we do not recommend it. Because the self clean option makes the oven extremely hot to melt away debris, there is just too much risk that something will get damaged in the process. Instead, make a baking soda and vinegar paste and apply it all over the inside. Then, take a scouring pad and hot water and wipe it clean. Easy and all natural!

Check the Oven Temperature

Did you know that your oven temperature can be off by 20-30 degrees? It’s true. We often get calls about ovens not being properly calibrated. Before you call for an oven repair in Dallas, try testing it yourself by setting the oven to 350 degrees and putting a probe thermometer on the middle rack. Check it periodically over an hour’s time to see how accurate the temperature reading is. If you are concerned about an issue, call us for an oven calibration service.

Put a Pizza Stone in Your Oven

Adding a pizza stone to your oven adds mass to the oven. It’s smart to store a pizza stone on the bottom rack of your oven, because as the oven heats up, the stone with absorb the heat as well and keep oven temperatures more steady as the oven opens and closes, perfect for keeping roasts cooking evenly and cookies too.

Hopefully these tips get you prepared for the fall baking season, and if at any point you notice your oven needs be serviced, call us at Appliance Rescue Service – the best appliance repair company in Dallas, Texas.