Fire Dangers : What Are You Looking For?

Electrical Fires and How You Can Work To Prevent Them

Did you know that electrical fires are one of the top causes of the over 24,000 fires reported every year? October is Fire Safety and Awareness Month and we at Appliance Rescue Services wanted to do our part to keep you and your families safe. We'll dig in by talking about what are some of the most common causes, how to prevent them, and gear you should have in your home.

Fires: The Facts

Out of the 24,000 plus fires every year, Texas is one of the three leading the nation in fire deaths according to the US Fire Administration. The other two are California and New York. We will point out that these are fires caused from within the home rather than outside sources such as wildfires. Appliances are the number four cause of electrical fires within the home. 

Some of the top causes for electrical fires are wiring, overheating, and improper use of power cords. 

The wiring is the one that is the most clear cut. If cords are frayed,, exposed, or otherwise damaged the possibility of sparking and causing fires is a logical possibility. Some examples are inside of an appliance such as your oven or your dryer,or inside of an outlet that hasn't been properly grounded. 

When it comes to our homes, every year we add more electrical items. Naturally they require more power but we don't always have the number of outlets that we need for our new toys. So instead we might hook extension cord into extension cord and overheat the wiring by drawing too much power through it all. That can cause the internal wires to melt and allow the outer casing to deteriorate which can then cause fires.

Fires: Prevention

So how do you go about preventing these? For the first one, going over cables regularly is a good idea. You should also have your appliances checked out, in addition to the outlets that they hook into. 

It's also a good idea to clean out your dryer every 6 months to get rid of all the built-up lint. (Note that we're not talking about the lint-catch there. We're talking about the outtake duct. Your lint-catch should be cleaned out after every load.) 

Another thing to keep an eye on is if lights start to flicker. This could mean that the wiring from the switch to the light is damaged in some way. If your outlets have an odd smell when running you might look into how they're doing.  As for not having enough outlets; we suggest either having an electrician install new ones or carefully moving items around the room to make best use of the outlets you do have. Hooking extension cord into extension cord is never a good idea. 

Fires: The Gear

Now that we've covered the scary stuff, and the boring stuff, let's get into how to deal with fires. 

In this case the old adage a good offense is the best defense holds true. Your best bet when it comes to fires is to have tools and systems in place well before a fire ever breaks out.

When it comes to a fire it's not just the smoke and heat that are an issue but also carbon monoxide.

Installing dual sensors for both carbon monoxide and smoke is a first and basic step. You should test the batteries monthly and replace them yearly to ensure they stay in working order. The great thing about modern dual sensors is that many of them will be part of a system that you can have send information either to your local fire department or to your home monitor system.

You should also consider a home fire sprinkler system spread throughout your house. 

They can extinguish a fire if it's a small one . They can prevent it from spreading to other areas of the home. And most importantly they can decrease the chance that smoke and deadly gases will reach your family. 

If you're like many of our clients in the Frisco and McKinney areas then you probably have a two-story home. Every bedroom should be equipped with a fire escape ladder. This way in the event of a fire on the first floor you still have a way to get out. The good news is that these are collapsible and easily put away.

Having a fire blanket or two such as in your kitchen or in your garage is a good idea. These are useful for minor fires such as in the kitchen. they can also be wrapped around someone if their clothes have caught on fire.

Fire extinguishers are also something to have scattered throughout your home. You can get training from either your local fire department or a manufacturer. They'll walk you through both the PASS system as well as a few tips for before you use one.

P- pull the pin

A- aim at the base of the fire

S -squeeze the handle slowly and evenly

S- sweep from side to side

Some basic tips:

  Ensure that it's properly charged. This should be something you check once a month along with testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Make sure that your back is to an exit before using, you want to make sure that you can get out.

Make sure that everyone either is leaving or has left the house before using the fire extinguisher.

Even with all of this we know that we plan to start a fire in our backyards as the nights get cooler. Fire and electricity  are  like many things we've discussed, a tool to make our lives easier. So as we turn up the heat as temperatures get cooler, remember the boundaries of these tools. Keep your home and family safe and be aware of the way you use electricity. 

If you have any tips that you think we missed or tools that you'd like to recommend for fighting a fire please let us know over on our Facebook. And if you think that there might be an issue with one of your appliances you can always call us or go to our website to set up a maintenance appointment.

What you want to know about speed ovens

The best of both worlds or too good to be true?

How often do you rush home after work fighting to try and figure out something that you can make that won't take all of your remaining free time and is still healthy? How often does that end up being a meal you toss into the microwave and choke down because it's been turned to mush, cardboard, or rubber? Would you believe us if we said that there was a way to cook without spending hours or eating cardboard afterwards? Today, we're talking about speed ovens. A speed oven is a relatively new type of appliance in the realm of cooking. What are they really, are they worth the hype, and how much would you be spending if you decided to put one in your kitchen.

What is a Speed Oven? 

Let's start off with what they are. Speed ovens combine a convection oven, a microwave, and if you choose, a grill element. They're supposed to be able to reduce the amount of time it takes to cook with a conventional oven, while also avoiding dehydration of food like a standard microwave. They take very little if any time to preheat, which is a drawback of most standard ovens.They often come with a variety of different pre-programmed modes or recipes to make things even easier.

A typical program for example would be baking. Most of us bake even if it is just around the holidays or special occasions. Something that would typically take you say an hour to bake in a normal oven would take roughly half the time using a speed oven. (Depending of course on the model.) This would be something wherein you would have 90% convection and 10% microwave. This innovative combination of different methods of cooking allows the speed oven to shorten the amount of time it takes to make your food. Some people swear by them, some people hate them. We think it's best to keep your manual nearby so that you can learn the different modes and cooking methods and make the best of this nifty appliance. 

Most of them are built and modeled after wall ovens. While some do come with the option to be freestanding, the larger majority of them are meant to be built into your existing cabinetry.

Who makes them? 

The three top speed ovens currently in the field in our opinion at least are made by Miele, Wolf, and Thermador. 

Miele H6700BM Built In Stainless Steel 24” ContourLine

1.52 Cu Ft

M Touch Intuitive Controls

19 Operating Modes

Rapid Preheat

Roast Probe

Over 100 MasterChef Menu Options

Comfort Swivel Handle

Clean Touch Steel

Stainless Steel 

Price: $ 3899

We think this model is best if you regularly host small dinner parties or cook just for your family. This is great for those of us that could use a hand in learning to make more of our ovens

Wolf SPO30CM/B/TH 30” Built In Speed

Dual Convection

10 Cooking Modes

All in One Oven Versatility

Astounding Capacity 1.6 Cu Ft 

Stylish 

Quick Start Controls

Gourmet Mode

Convection Mode

Quartz Broil Element

Keep Warm Mode

3.5 Watt LED Light 

Approximately $ 2580

The Wolf model is something we think best fits the hostess. You're regularly hosting large dinner parties or called on to bring baked goods for PTA meetings and your kids bake sales etc. You know your way around the kitchen and you need an oven that can keep up with you and your demanding life.

Thermador MC30WP  30” Professional Series

1.6 Cu Ft

10 Microwave Power Levels

36 Cook Smart Auto Programs

2 Knobs

Kitchen Timer

Panel Lock

Touch Screen

Standard or Flush Install 

Rounding out our list is the Thermador. We include this one for the professional chef or Baker. You know what you're doing and how to do it and you need a tool that won't flinch at the amount of cooking you plan to do. The Thermador is built for professionals designed by professionals and is just what you're looking for.

So do you have any experience working with a speed oven? Do you think you would benefit from adding any of these to your kitchen? Let us know in the comments down below or over on our Facebook. We would love to hear from you. Although we hope that you've chosen a model that won't give you any issues.

 In the event that you have a speed oven and it's giving you trouble, we do service them. You can always reach out to us via our website or you can call ((214) 599-0055 ) and set up an appointment. We are here to keep  your home in tip top shape.

*Disclaimer: All images belong to their respective companies.

Wool Felted Dryer Balls - Are They Worth the Hype?

 They might be worth more than you expected.

Looking at that title you're probably wondering what are felted wool dryer balls and are we not talking about the stuff that gets caught in your lint trap? Nope!  We are talking today about the benefits both real and imaginary for dryer balls that you can make yourself.

 You've probably seen the commercial version of these in your local big box store or a DIY option on Pinterest. Felted wool dryer balls therefore are balls of wool; either wool yarn, unspun wool, wool batting, an upcycled wool sweater, that's been squished and fused together into roughly the size of a baseball. What matters here is that it is 100% wool without any acrylic or man-made materials in it. The reason for this is because the natural wool fiber has scales that, when wet,  will mesh and knit themselves together. Which is what you want in order to make a solid ball.  

On to what you really want to know about: what are they supposed to do?

On TV you'll probably have seen dryer balls touted as everything from alternatives to dryer sheets reducing your electricity bill by half lasting for years, the list goes on. What we can tell you is that there are many benefits to using wool dryer balls. They are not as extreme as you may see online or on TV but they certainly are benefits.

• They are a viable alternative to dryer sheets that you can make on your own.

• They don't leave any residue on your clothes or towels.

• They reduce static cling.

• Provided you use the recommended six balls for a load, they do reduce the amount of time and therefore energy needed to dry your laundry. They can also be used with auto-sensing dryers. 

• All-wool dryer balls don't release plastic or rubber chemicals when heated as tennis balls and the commercial plastic variants do.

• They soak up some of the moisture in your laundry and redistribute it evenly throughout the dryer to allow for a more even drying process. 

• A well-made dryer ball will last roughly 5 years. You can tell that it's time to make or buy a new one when it has begun to pill or pull apart slightly.

Those aren't just the benefits that are claimed but ones that we can say actually are legit. The reasons most people run into issues with using dryer balls, be they wool, plastic or tennis balls, is because they only use two or three in a load rather than six as is suggested. Using six dryer balls you are able to reduce your drying time by roughly 20% although this might not be the same for all dryers. We have to admit we can only test so many.

The next question many people ask is, “do they damage your dryer?” There is currently only one instance that we have found where they may injure your dryer. There are some older dryers whose inner drum is coated with paint. Those, when hit repeatedly by the dryer balls, will have the paint begin to chip and flake off. Given that that is meant to be a protective coating as well as appealing we don't advise using them in that case. For those of you with a stainless steel drum however we have yet to find any damage that is consistent with just using wool dryer balls.

Going into this we also wondered if they were a fire hazard. Due to the wet felting method that these particular wool balls are made with they do not shed as much as you might think. You do still need to empty out your lint trap and clean out your exhaust duct regularly, but a wool dryer ball isn't going to add to these things in any measurable amount. There is one trend though that we have to warn against, the use of essential oils. The scents that are used on dryer sheets are specially formulated so that they will not catch fire. Those are also the ones that are going to add residue into your towels and clothing though so it's a toss-up. The essential oils that you can purchase in the store and many people suggest adding to your dryer balls to make your clothes smell nice are not the same. These can and will ignite if left in a dryer long enough or if you've oversaturated the wool ball. So as October is fire safety month please do not use essential oils on your wool dryer balls. If you want to make your clothes and linen smell nice you might consider sachets or something similar to place in your cupboards.

The process for making your own wool dryer ball is more simple than you might think. Gather whatever material you're using and form it into a ball. Pack it tightly and then slide it into an old stocking, tie a knot tightly on either side. Then you wash the ball usually with another load of laundry on hot water and a cold rinse. You can run it through the dryer afterward if the ball feels dense enough. Otherwise, you can continue to wash on hot and then rinse on cold until it reaches that point. Since we haven't made these ourselves we're going to link you to another page that explains it in more depth.

So, those are the benefits of felted wool dryer balls. Did you learn anything new? Are you considering using them with your own dryer? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. Don't forget if you're having any issues with your dryer or any of your other large appliances feel free to call or set up an appointment using our page. We want to keep your home running in tip-top shape. 

3 Front Loading Washers, Under $1000

 If you’re looking for the best buy which one is it? 

How do you know what goes into a good washer? Do you do research? Do you ask friends? Do you ask Facebook (haha). For us, we compare and contrast to see how models stack up against one another. This week we are taking a look at three different models under $1,000. We're going to walk you through what's the same and what's different between all three of them before we tell you which we think is the best bang for your buck. The contenders for this week are all front load washing machines. Our contenders are made by Electrolux, LG, and Samsung. The specific models are as follows: the Electrolux EFLW317TIW, the LG WM3400CW, and the Samsung WF45M5500AW. 

It’s Like Looking In a Mirror! 

(Ok, maybe not) 

Let's start off with what is the same - before we go seeing what makes these three washers so different. 

All three of them are energy star rated. 

All three of them are stackable. 

All three of them come with a one-year warranty. 

Their dimensions are almost the same at 39 inches high, 27 inches wide, and 31 inches deep, with Samsung being the only outlier at 35 inches deep instead. 

Not one of the three of them connects to Wi-Fi. (Which, if you've read our posts regarding the Internet of Things or how your Samsung fridge can be dangerous, this might be a good thing.)

Where Are The Washers Different? 

Energy Efficiency - 

How much energy does it take for these to do the ‘standard’ wash, consisting of a warm wash and a cold rinse? In energy efficiency, both the Samsung and the LG are highly rated, with the Electrolux lagging slightly behind. Given the current prices for electricity in Texas, this matters greatly to us in suggesting the best option for you. The LG’s rating is affected by their focus on Cold Wash technology, ensuring that cold water washes as well as warm does. 

Water Efficiency -

Their water efficiency is a mix of how much water they take to wash a standard load and how much water it wrings out afterwards. Both the Samsung and LG are given five stars; again the Electrolux lags behind a step at four.

Noise Rating -

This one is important for those of us who live in duplexes or split homes, or if you live in an apartment and have to supply your own washer. (Or if you’re just like our blogger and sensitive to loud sounds.)  Ratings are based on how loud the washers are during all three stages of a wash: fill, wash and spin. We do also recognize that the amount that a washer vibrates is going to affect how much noise it makes. Once again the Samsung and LG are tied at 4 stars out of a possible 5. Samsung has taken time to include ‘VRT Technology’ to reduce the amount their washer vibrates. LG, on the other hand, has engineered theirs for both vibration and noise with proprietary terms like “LoDecibel™ Quiet Operation” and “ TrueBalance™ Anti-Vibration System.” The Electrolux, though, only has two stars. Listening to this is not quite as bad as having nails on a chalkboard - but very surprising in terms of just how loud it can be. And that was without having a dryer stacked either above or below it.

Vibration -

This ranking was based on how much the machines vibrated without having any support underneath them or anything to muffle them. Once again, we see that the LG washer and the Samsung contender are tied at four stars. The Samsung boasts “an innovative tub design and special sensors [to] keep heavy loads balanced even at high spin speeds.” The Electrolux is rated at a respectable three stars, but combined with the noise score, you would be forgiven for thinking it's a much lower rating.

Bonus Features -

Those of us who have to deal with very professional workplaces know that dry cleaning bills can be a hassle, and they stack up quickly. Many different companies (not just the three reviewed here) are now offering steam options on their washers. However, out of the three washers reviewed in this post, the only one that does offer a steam option is the Samsung. 

Gentleness -

For us, this was a very important factor: how well do the washers treat your clothing? The Electrolux was only given one star. This is a machine that is going to rip your cottons apart - perhaps not feed it anything more delicate. The LG model was only given  three stars, which is actually it's lowest score out of every facet we’ve looked at. The Samsung washer rated the highest (AT ZYX STARS?) -  which we found surprising, given some of the earlier stats. Perhaps their vaunted ‘diamond drum design’ has done them some favors. 

Our second to last, but certainly most important to us, is customer satisfaction. We rated this based on how often you're going to have to repair the washer within the first five years, barring an extended warranty or service plan. LG has five stars. Given the amount of work that they put into their products, we aren't terribly surprised by this one. What did surprise us was that the Samsung and Electrolux both ranked at three stars. 

Last of all, let's take a look at price. The Electrolux is going for $765. The LG is going for $720. The Samsung is going for $910 at a sale price as of this writing..

Comparing all of these things, we feel that the LG is your best bet for a front loading washer. Based on all of the different numbers we’ve crunched here, we feel that it's a solid buy if you're looking to spend under $1,000 on your washer. Whether you're looking for a temporary model until you can afford the washer of your dreams or whether you're looking to furnish a rental property, the LG is a solid model. Its energy efficiency, water efficiency, noise level, vibration, and how it treats your clothing while still cleaning properly all make it a good bet.  Most important of all is the high customer satisfaction rating. Although it sounds counterintuitive, we here at Appliance Rescue Service want our readers and our patrons to have their homes running in tip-top shape. And if that means you don't have to call us because you've purchased a fantastic washer, then that's okay.

We feel that the Samsung is an acceptable secondary option - although given its current ratings, we don't feel that it's worth its price tag. If that comes down in the future, or if you might snap it up at a clearance event, then we might reconsider. 

Do you have any experience with these models? Do you disagree with our opinion? Would you like us to assess another characteristic next time? Let us know over on our Facebook or in the comments below because we'd love to hear from you. Don't forget: if your current washer is giving you trouble and you don't want to replace it, you can always give us a call. We'll help you get it back up and running. You can make an appointment on our web page or give us a call at (214) 599-0055.

Taking Proper Care Of Your Blender

Why they’re more like pets than you might think.

We've all heard 'how is a raven like a writing desk', but have you ever thought 'how is a blender like a pet?' Blenders, much like our pets are finicky and need care. Also like our pets, they give back even more than we give them. Read on to learn all about caring for your blender to keep it going for a long time.

Let’s work up to a full run. 

Just like you work up to an all out run with your dog, your blender needs to warm up. Even if you’re only using it for a few minutes, start at low and work your way up too high.  This not only is easier on the gears, it also protects your kitchen. Think about it, how many times have you hit high, only to end up with something spattered on the walls? 

All of their shapes have a purpose. 

It’s like a lab’s webbed toes, or a blood hound’s nose, the ridges of a blender have a purpose. They’re there to fold the contents of the mixture back into the center rather than leaving the same food at the same levels. 

If it gets too upset, it starts to gnash its teeth. 

Just like many dogs, if your blender gets too stressed out, it starts to grind and ruin its teeth. 

To prevent this, follow these 3 tips: 

-Always make sure the top of the blender is properly seated in teh base. 

-Don’t rock the blender while its blending. 

-Make sure the blender has fully come to rest before you take off the top. 

It’s louder than your dog… 

Or your other appliances for that matter. 

A blender, on standard anyway, emits 92 decibels. That’s louder than any other (properly working) appliance. It’s even louder than many outdoor appliances. The only things that are louder are an electric garbage disposal, an electric drill, a leaf blower and a chainsaw. 

Hot temps and blenders don’t always mix! (Some blenders love the heat, others are more like huskies and need to avoid them.) 

Before you go pouring in hot liquids, check if its safe.  Two go-to places are the manual and the blender’s lid. If a blender can handle hot temps it will have a feeding hole in the lid that allows steam to escape. The manual will also tell you in the warning section if it isn’t made to handle the heat. 

Sometimes it gets stuck. 

Just like your dog, cat, or cow, (yp we’ve seen it happen) your blender can get stuck. Unlike your pet, the issue is an air bubble, and  not it climbing somewhere it shouldn’t. If you still have the blender on, but the mixture isn’t moving, an air bubble might be trapped around the lbande. 

To fix this, turn the blender off and grap a rubber spatula. Use it to scrape down the sides and push the blade around a few times. If it happens again, your mixture might need more liquid. 

Give it a bath regularly. (No one wants a smelly blender.) 

Even though many of today’s blenders say that they can go into the dishwasher, they really shouldn’t. Just like knives, a blender is better served being washed by hand. 

Most of the time that just means pouring in 2 cups of water (or ½ the container’s max volume), a few drops of dish soap and running the blender on high for a minute. 

It needs to breathe too! 

That max fill line isn’t just for looks! Fill a blender beyond that point and one of two things will happen. Either your blender won’t work. Or you’re going to have food and liquids everywhere. The space that’s at the top makes sure that your blender can create a vortex. This brings the whole ingredients down to the blade and pushes liquids up. 

Make its pulse race! 

What’s the best button on a blender and the least used? The pulse button. 

Whether you’re making smoothies or salsas, milk shakes or just dicing up fruits,. This your best friend. It’s able to use small powerful bursts to chop foods down to a uniform size and handle ice. So you can make chunky salsas or creamy milkshakes with ease. 

So, what do you think? Did we cover all the ways they're alike? Did we miss any? Do you have any idea why a raven is like a writing desk? Let us know over in our Facebook.

If you're having issues with your larger appliances, we're more than happy to help. Just give us a call or set up an appointment on our site.