Refrigerator Storage Tips: Where to Store Fresh Fruits & Veggies

If you’re the gardening sort, then chances are your garden is bursting with color about now. Fresh tomatoes, peppers, maybe even a melon or two.

Even if you don’t have a garden, the local farmers market or grocery store are also full of fresh seasonal fruits and veggies. It’s easy to want to stock up when everything look so delicious – but where do you store everything? 

Did you know that there are certain parts of the refrigerator specifically designed to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher, longer? Read on to learn the tips and tricks of refrigerator food storage from Appliance Rescue – the appliance repair experts in Dallas, Texas:

The Magic of Crisper Drawers

Everybody has them, but do you know how to use them? The crisper drawers are designed specifically for fruits and vegetables, with a sliding vent that provides varying levels of humidity based on what each fruit or vegetable needs. 

High Humidity Setting

This setting is for things that wilt, so think green! All those leafy greens are likely to wilt and need more moisture to stay crisp and green longer. The high humidity drawer is perfect for fresh lettuce, and even heartier vegetables like cucumber, squash, carrots, green beans, and broccoli. 

Low Humidity Setting

Once you’ve set one drawer for “high” humidity, set the other for “low.” This is perfect for any fruits and vegetables that tend to rot quickly. This list can include cantaloupe, mangos, apples, berries, and basically any fruit is a safe bet in the low humidity drawer.

Counter Storage

There are some fruits and vegetables that just do better at room temperature. Keep your tomatoes, avocadoes, onions, bananas, and plantains out on the counter. If you notice any of them are their peak ripeness, you can then place them in the refrigerator in the low humidity drawer but eat in the next day or two. 

We hope you find these refrigerator storage tips useful when preparing to store your bounty of the season! And as always, if you run into an issue with your refrigerator or any other appliance, call the best appliance repairman in Dallas at Appliance Rescue Service.

Ice Maker Not Working? Troubleshooting Ice Maker Repairs

It’s summer in Texas, which means it’s HOT! You grab a glass to go fill it with ice water, only to learn there is no ice in your refrigerator! It’s a frustrating predicament, but one that Appliance Rescue Service in Plano, Texas knows all to well. Here are a few tips on troubleshooting ice maker repairs in Plano when the ice maker is not working:

Is there ice in the mold?

If there is no ice in the bin, check the icemaker mold first. Does it have ice? If so, then it means that water is reaching the ice maker, but it’s not ejecting the ice properly. If this is the case, first look at the ice maker arm. Did it accidentally get bumped up into the off position? If so, just lower it and you’re back in business! If this isn’t your problem, there is likely a mechanical or electrical issue occurring, and you’ll wan to call for ice maker repair in Plano. 

Is there no ice at all?

If there is no ice at all, then you may be dealing with frozen water in the water line to the ice maker. Simply unplug the refrigerator, turn off the water line valve, and then get a bucket of warm water or a hair dryer and try to warm the water line. This will melt any frozen sections of the line. Plug the refrigerator back in, and hopefully you are back in business!

If this doesn’t fix the ice maker problem, or you see a clog in the line that is obviously not ice, then please call a professional appliance repair service in Plano, Texas.

Is the ice too small?

If you’re seeing ice come through, but it seems oddly small, chances are this is again due to a clog or the ice maker needs a little adjustment in how much water to fill in the mold. Try the steps above for unclogging a water line, and if that’s not the issue, look to adjust the dosing in the freezer mold.

If these ice maker troubleshooting tips do not fix your ice maker problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. Call us at Appliance Rescue Service, one of the best appliance repair companies in Plano, Texas! We’ll have you back in business in no time! 

How to Clean a Washing Machine the Cheap & Easy Way!

We count on our appliances to clean our things. Dishwashers clean our dishes, washing machines clean our clothes…but do we ever consider that maybe those machines need a little TLC too?

Without regular cleaning, the basins of a washing machine or dishwasher can become dirty with soap scum and mineral deposits that reduce the effectiveness of the machine. And over time, the wear and tear leads to premature Dallas appliance repair. In order to avoid washing machine issues, and to get your clothes as clean as possible, follow these cheap and easy tips for cleaning your washing machine from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

Step 1: Grab Your Supplies

You ready for this; you only need two things: bleach and vinegar. Don’t worry – we’re not going to ask you to mix them (because that could be bad!). You may also want to grab a magic eraser to wipe down the inside.

Step 2: Fill the Basin with Bleach Water

Set your washing machine on the hottest wash setting and begin filling the empty basin with hot water. As it begins to fill, add 1 quart of bleach to the water. Close the lid to let the cycle begin for a few minutes and mix the bleach, then open the washing machine’s lid and let the hot bleach water sit and soak for about an hour. After an hour, close the lid and let the cycle run its course and drain.

Step 3: Fill the Basin with Vinegar Water

For Step 3, you do exactly what you did in Step 2, but this time you use vinegar instead. This step will further disinfect the inside of the basin and break down residue. 

Step 4: Wipe it Down

Once all the water drains, inspect the interior of the basin and see if there is any remaining buildup on the agitator in the center. If so, grab your magic eraser and wipe it down.

And just like that, your top loading washing machine is now sparkling clean and more effective! We hope this cheap and easy washing machine cleaning tutorial helps extend the life of your appliance, and should your washing machine ever have any issues, be sure to call Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas – the best appliance repairman in Dallas!

Beat the Heat with these 5 Summer Cooking Tips

Summers in Texas are brutal!

The weather is already heating up, and sometimes it can be difficult to manage the heat in your kitchen from cooking. Not only can it get uncomfortable, but it raises your energy bills. No bueno.

Appliance Rescue Service is a top appliance repairman in Dallas, Texas, and we know that those kitchen appliances – ovens, cooktops, etc. – can really raise the temperatures during the summer months. Try these 5 tips to keep it cooler!

1.  Add a Fan

Adding a fan will circulate air and keep your kitchen cooler with minimal effort. No need to install a permanent one (unless you really want to!), a tabletop fan will work just fine.

2.  Lean on Small Appliances vs. Large Appliances

Dig through your cabinets and get out the small appliances that are taking up room – but you never use. Griddles, Panini presses, toaster ovens, etc. are all great appliances to use when making a quick, simple meal on a hot summer evening.

3.  Change Your Cooking Time

If you have the opportunity to cook and prep in the morning before you leave for work, then take that opportunity to do so before the hottest hours of the day arrive in the evening. It will be less taxing for your air conditioner, and you’ll have everything cleaned up by dinnertime!

4.  Skip the Oven

Your oven is the biggest culprit for adding heat to the kitchen, so rely on small appliances or no-cook meals to get you by. Salads make a wonderful summer dinner and require little effort.

5.  Take the Cooking Outdoors

Start up the grille, outdoor cooktop, or smoker and take the cooking outdoors! It’s an easy, fun way to stay cool in the home and enjoy those beautiful summer evenings.

If you notice any issues with your appliances this summer and suspect appliance repair in Dallas is needed for your refrigerator, oven, cooktop, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher, etc., call us at Appliance Rescue Service! Our fast, friendly technicians will have your issue resolved in no time! 

3 Ways Summer Temps Can Affect Your Appliances

The weather in North Texas is heating up, and it’s a sign that summer is on its way. School will soon by out and it will be time for vacations, pool parties, and cookouts with friends. 

The last thing on your mind is likely your appliances, but did you know that the hot summer temperatures can also affect them? Here are 3 ways those higher temps can wreck havoc on your home appliances:

Overworked Washing Machine & Dryer

All of those dirty beach towels and sports uniforms don’t clean themselves! In the summer you might notice extra loads of laundry due to the kids being out of school, extra practices for sports, beach towels from the pool, etc. Those extra loads can affect your washing machine and dryer’s performance levels and lifespan. Keep an eye on them and if something seems off, be sure to call an expertly trained Dallas appliance repairman.

Refrigerator Could Struggle

Did you know that more refrigerators die during the summer months than any other time of year? This is likely due to the higher temperatures. When temperatures outside creep up into the 90s – and even 100s – internal temps creep up too. Today’s refrigerators are typically built to battle the heat just fine, but keeping your home cool is a must for helping your refrigerator not to work overtime.

Water from the Water Heater Gets too Hot

Just like everything else during the summer months, water temperature in the pipes will heat up too. And as that water is transported through your water heater, it could come out the other side a little too hot. If this happens, lower your water heater’s temperature slightly during the summer months.

If you sense that the summer heat is affecting the performance of your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washing machine, or any other home appliance, be sure to call the appliance repair experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas!