5 Energy Saving Kitchen Hacks You Probably Don’t Know About

Whether you have energy efficient kitchen appliances or not, saving energy in the kitchen is a priority for most. Did you know that there are ways you can conserve energy that are simple and just require small changes to your daily routine?

Here are 5 energy saving kitchen hacks from Appliance Rescue in Dallas, Texas that you probably didn’t know about:

1.  Clean Your Cooktop

Over time, grime and grease can buildup on the burners and grates of your cooktop or range. This build-up creates a barrier between your appliance and the pot, making it less efficient. The best way to increase cooktop efficiency is to keep it shiny and clean.

2.  Size Matters – Use the Right Pots & Pans

Speaking of cooktops and ranges, did you know that using the wrong size pot can lead to a 40% reduction in energy efficiency? Make sure you are using pots and pans that match the size of the burner you are placing them on. Also consider using lids when appropriate as it holds the heat in.

3.  Consider Small Appliances

While those small appliances can be cumbersome and take up room in your cabinets, they can be handy when it comes to reducing energy usage. Using a crockpot, rice cooker, or steamer often uses less energy than the equivalent task on a cooktop or range. Same holds true if you use a toaster oven for a quick job vs. preheating your full-sized oven.

4.  Cook Less

Less time spent in the kitchen means less energy used. Think about ways to cook once – and then repurpose the meal again for night 2. For example, bake chicken one night – and then use it in a salad or wrap the next day. Meal planning is key to cooking less and increasing your energy efficiency in the kitchen.

5.  Cook Outside

Dining al fresco? It’s a great way to reduce energy consumption! Not only does it give your kitchen appliances a break, but it prevents the kitchen from getting too hot – which can cause the air conditioner to work overtime to keep it cool.

Hopefully these tips will help you reduce your energy consumption in the kitchen, and as always, if you suspect your appliances are not as efficiently as they should be and need appliance repair in Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, or any of the surrounding area – give us a call at Appliance Rescue Service! We’re your #1 appliance repair company! 

The Truth About Vent Hoods – Ductless vs. Ducted Range Hoods

Every kitchen has one, but few understand them.

Sure, you know that your vent hood (also known as a range hood or exhaust hood) needs to run while cooking, and you probably turn it on when things begin to smoke on the cooktop. But that’s just one of the many functions of a vent hood. Not only to vent hoods pull smoke from the kitchen (an important feature), but they also pull out particles in the air that we wouldn’t want in our food, moisture, fumes, etc.

Vent hoods can be either ductless or ducted, and today, Appliance Rescue Service - the appliance experts in Dallas, Texas - will explain the pros and cons of each:

Ductless Range Hoods

A ductless (or ventless) range hood does not vent out of the home, instead, it carries the debris and smoke form the air and filters it through a charcoal or carbon filter before releasing it back into the room. While many times this method is not as functional as a vented hood, it does work. You might find this method to be more noisy because more power is needed to pull the air out and circulate it. However, on the upside, ductless hoods can be put anywhere you want because they do not need to vent out.

Ducted Range Hood

As you might have guessed, a ducted range hood vents out of the home through ductwork. This will somewhat limit where the vent hood can be placed; however, you’ll find it to be more efficient at keeping smoke, moisture, and other unsavory air particles out of the kitchen while cooking.

Both types of range hood require routine maintenance and upkeep to ensure that they are working properly. Read your instruction manual about vent hood filter cleaning and other precautionary things to extend the life and functionality of your hood. And if you find that your range hood is not working properly and are in need of range hood repair in Dallas, be sure to give us a call at Appliance Rescue Service for fast, reliable appliance service in Dallas, Texas. 

Learn The Best Way to Clean a Glass Cooktop

You purchased a sleek, glass cooktop because you loved the way it looked, but how do you keep it clean and scratch free?

We’ll admit – maintaining a glass cooktop can be tricky, but with a few simple appliance maintenance tips, it can be done simply and cost effectively. Here’s the best way to clean a glass cooktop from the Dallas appliance repair experts here at Appliance Rescue Service:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies.

You don’t need any fancy cleaners to keep your glass cooktop sparkling and clean! Simply grab your baking soda, white vinegar, a sponge, a magic eraser, and a microfiber cloth, and you’re in business.

Step 2: Spray Vinegar.

Wait for the cooktop to cool down, then spray liberally with white vinegar. After it has sat for a minute or two, use your towel to wipe it up and begin loosening any food particles stuck to the glass cooktop.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda Paste.

Once you’ve wiped off the vinegar, sprinkle the cooktop with baking soda. After it’s evenly coated, place hot, wet rags over the baking soda to let the cooktop “soak” for 15 minutes. The baking soda, when combined with the hot rags, creates a powerful abrasive cleaner.

Step 4: Wipe It Down.

Now that the debris should be loose, gently scrub the debris off of the cooktop and clean thoroughly with another wet towel. If there are still some stubborn spots, work at them with a magic eraser.

Step 5: Polish.

Once it’s clean, give the glass cooktop a once over with a microfiber cloth to buff and shine, and you’re set!

Hopefully these tips on glass cooktop cleaning help keep your appliance in excellent working order! However, if issues occur with your glass cooktop and you need cooktop repair in Dallas, Texas, call us at Appliance Rescue Service. We serve the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and we are the best appliance repair company in Dallas. 

5 Signs It’s Time to Call a Dallas Refrigerator Repair Company

Your refrigerator is the heart of the kitchen, and chances are that if it went out, you’d be in more of a bind than you realize.

At Appliance Rescue Service, we specialize in Dallas refrigerator repair. Our goal is to fix the problems before you ever realize you have one! While they may not be broken yet, most appliances will give you a sign that there is a problem. Here are 5 signs it’s time to call a Dallas refrigerator repair company before it’s too late:

1.  Refrigerator is Constantly Running

We’ve all heard the joke, “Is your refrigerator running?” “Then go fix it!” Well, there is some truth to that. While your refrigerator may make an occasional noise, it shouldn’t be overly noisy or cycling on and off all the time. Try opening the door and closing it or getting some ice, and if this doesn’t solve the issue, then it’s time to call a licensed professional to diagnose the issue.

2.  Food Takes Longer to Cool

If you put food in the refrigerator and it seems oddly warmer than it should, then something is definitely off with your refrigerator. Today’s refrigerators are very effective and are able to hold a constant temperature very well without foods getting warm.

3.  Condensation at the Seal

When opening and closing the refrigerator, do you see condensation on the seal? If so, this is a sign that your refrigerator is in need of Dallas refrigerator repair and is not cooling properly.

4.  Puddles on the Floor

If there are puddles on the floor near your refrigerator or inside the food storage area itself, it could mean an issue with the water line for the ice maker or the defrost drain. If you don’t immediately see an issue, call an appliance repair specialist to diagnose and fix the issue.

5.  Rising Energy Bills

Today’s appliances are very energy efficient, but if you notice that your bills are going up and you can’t seem to pinpoint a reason, it doesn’t hurt to have a Dallas refrigerator repair company like Appliance Rescue Service evaluate your refrigerator and other appliances to make sure they aren’t overworking and causing the spike in cost.

How to Clean Your Ice Maker

Is your ice cloudy?

Does it have a strange odor?

Is the taste a little off?

If any of these things apply, then it’s likely time to clean your ice maker. Ice makers can harbor sediments that are left unfiltered in the water, or can even absorb odors or flavors from the freezer. These changes to your ice may not only be unpleasant, but left unchecked, it can lead to ice maker repair. This is why it’s so important to make ice maker cleaning at least a bi-annual affair.

Here are 5 steps from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas for cleaning your ice maker and creating delicious, fresh ice every time:

Step 1: Cut the Power

Most ice makers have a bar that – when raised – stops ice production. Go ahead and lift that bar, and if you can’t find out, look for an on/off switch behind the ice maker or just unplug the refrigerator all together.

Step 2: Remove the Bin

Slide the bin out of the freezer and inspect for any issues or debris that has been trapped in the freezer area. Empty the full contents of the bin into the sink and discard.

Step 3: Clean the Freezer Cavity

Using a warm, soapy rag, wipe down the inside of the freezer where the ice maker sits. You may even want to follow up with a diluted bleach solution or white vinegar, just to make sure everything is thoroughly sanitized. Wipe it down one more time with a clean cloth to remove any standing water.

Step 4: Clean the Ice Bin

Check the refrigerator’s user manual to see if the ice maker bin is dishwasher safe or not. If so, run it through the dishwasher; otherwise, hand wash in warm, soapy water.

Step 5: Reactivate the Ice Maker

Replace the ice bin, lower the arm, and you’re set!

If you feel like your ice maker has more complicated issues and is in need of ice maker repair in Dallas, then give Appliance Rescue Service a call today! We are the #1 appliance repair company in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and beyond.