Ovens, Ovens, Everywhere

Does It Matter Which I Pick?

Baking, boiling, steaming, roasting, if you want it, an oven can probably do it. After over 190 years we've made ovens that are capable of many different kinds of things. There are all sorts of shapes and sizes, there are even ones you can program with your phone! Which leads many of us to question, how do you choose the right oven for you? 

Let's start off with power sources. 

Gas ovens as the name implies use either natural gas or propane as the fuel source. While they are expensive up front if you have to install your gas line, they can save you money over time. Because of that upfront cost and the dangers that can occur, most new buildings won't install gas ovens. This is especially true for apartment buildings where leaks and hazards are more likely to occur. 

 However if you're willing to deal with the upfront cost gas ovens can be phenomenal at roasting meats and veggies. They heat quickly, retain moisture, and the open flame allows for more precise control of temperature. Many professional chefs swear by gas ovens. 

Your other option in terms of power is electricity. Electric ovens are cheaper to produce, but can be more expensive over time. They do take longer to heat up but once they are, they have a more consistent heat. They’re considered the ideal residential oven because they can handle almost any type of cooking you might want to use an oven for. If you’re looking to purchase a brand new oven, and you aren’t too picky about what it can handle, an electric is the way to go. 

We have to note, while there are products marketed as “dual fuel” ovens, they actually are an electric oven paired with a gas range. 

Next up let's take a look at size. 

Picture your ideal kitchen, how does it look? Do you have just one oven? Or do you want two? If you want two, are they together as one unit or two separate ones? All three of these are possible and the terms to go with them are pretty simple as well. 

Single oven - This is your standard “comes with most homes” combination oven and range unit. This term will also apply to single wall ovens. They come in a variety of sizes from 30 in to 36 in on average.  However, you can get them as small as 20 in or as large as 40 inches. 

Double oven - This is a single unit that contains two ovens that are the size of a standard oven when put together. They can be set to different temperatures and are ideal for cooking multiple things at once. You'll typically see these advertised around the holidays. 

Double wall oven - When you purchase this oven for slightly more than a mid-tier single oven, you get two separate ovens. Unlike the double oven, although these are stacked on top of each other they offer matching capacity. Why is this one called a double wall oven rather than something else? We don't know, we don't get it either. What we do get is that you're getting two full oven units for only a bit more.

Now… Where to put it? 

Have you decided on the size of your oven? Great! Now it's time to think about where you want it. Do you want it built into your wall? What about a cabinet? Or would you prefer having it as an island in the center of your kitchen? 

 Built-in Ovens - These are ovens that are slotted into your kitchen with the cabinetry then being built around it. It’s a very modern and sleek look that allows you to place your oven at any height for easy cooking. The downside here is that you’re going to have to have a separate range elsewhere within the kitchen. They’re also difficult to get at to repair if needed, and are tricky to move after installation. 

Freestanding Ovens - A freestanding oven is the all in one model. You’ll have an oven, a range and sometimes a grill, warming drawer or air fryer as well. The upside is that you can move them relatively easily, clean them (more) easily, and move around it as needed. 

Built-Under Ovens- These are very similar to the built-in oven, except they are meant to go under your countertops. Again you’ll need to purchase a separate range, but you’ll have an oven that blends more into your kitchen. 

Now now with all of that covered, what are you looking at getting? Is it a double gas free-standing oven? They do exist, although you'll have to find a specialty shop to custom make it. 

What type of oven are you thinking of getting? Do you want a built in? What about a double? We know we’ll be day-dreaming about a side by side double oven for a while. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or over on our Facebook page! We’d love to hear from you. 

If you’re here not because you need  a new oven but instead because yours is giving you fits, we’re still here for you. Whether it’s got a weird burning smell, it’s not heating right or someone melted plastic in it, we can help. Reach out to us via our website or by phone ((214) 599-0055) to schedule your appointment today. At Appliance Rescue Service, whether you live in Allen or the surrounding area, we’re here to help you. 

9 Things Your Dryer Hates

Have you ever talked to someone that swears by putting their sneakers in the dryer? It sounds crazy, but it really works. On the other hand, there are some things that just don’t. We’ve talked before about things that don't belong in your dryer. But apparently there are even more things than we covered that time. Some of these things will ruin your dryer, some of them will be ruined by your dryer. That’s why we’ve split this list in two to make navigating them easier. 

Things That Will Ruin Your Dryer 

Towels & Beachwear Covered in Sand

Did you enjoy your time at the beach? Great!  Your dryer doesn’t though. Sand can easily get trapped between the gaps in the drum. This means not only will you be shaking sand out of your laundry for months after, but it can also damage your dryer over time Just like sand can be used to scrub away at stones, the continual rotation and scouring will wear away at your dryer’s components. 

Pet Hair, Your Dryer Don’t Care  

It gets everywhere and we even joke about feeling bad for people who don’t know this particular hassle. However, pet hair should not be allowed to get into your dryer. Pet hair, like lint and debris, build up in your dryer over time. If you don’t empty out your lint screen before every load, it’s also going to be building up in your dryer’s exhaust. All of these flammable materials slowly push your dryer towards the likelihood of catching on fire one day. 

Flammable Stains And Dryers Just Don’t Mix

Gas, paint, oil, and paint thinner. Your washer has a hard time getting these out of your clothes. So, while we might think it’s obvious not to put flammable things into the dryer, people still do with these. Unfortunately, just one run through the washer isn’t enough to get them out, which means the residue is still then when you transfer the load to the dryer.  Running clothes with any of these on them through your dryer can all too easily lead to fire, an explosion, or death. 

Chewing Gum Double Bubble Trouble

Bubble gum, bubble gum in a dish, how many dryers do you wish? Yes, we know that’s not the original lyrics, but we also know that chewing gum is just as dangerous to your dryer as it is to your clothes. While we don’t typically intend to toss clothes with gum into the dryer, it does happen occasionally, especially if you have kids. If you’re lucky, this means that the clothes will be permanently sticky. If you’re not lucky, this can mean the gum is stretched across the walls of your dryer. 

Rubber Backed Bath Mats or Carpets

We love these things. They’re fluffy, they’re easier to wash than scrubbing your floors and they keep you from slipping. 

Despite all that, tossing them into your dryer, causes quite a mess. The high heat dries out the rubber which then crumbles. As it works itself loose over time, it can make a mess on your floor or get stuck inside your dryer. And if there’s one thing we’ve seen so far it’s that letting things get stuck in your dryer is never good for that dryer.  

Things That Get Ruined By Your Dryer

Anything Embellished

Sequins and rhinestones and gems, oh my! 

This first one is capable of both being ruined by your dryer and also, depending on the garment, ruining your dryer. Yay a two-for-one! (No, we’re kidding there. Please don’t ruin your dryer.) Even the most well-secured embellishments don’t fare long inside a dryer. All too easily the threads, setting or glue can come undone and be lost in the dryer.  Then you end up with a much less impressive garment, and a noisy dryer. 

Tights or Pantyhose

Assuming that your tights are made of something other than plastic, they still don’t need to see the inside of your dryer. Even if they aren’t fused or stretched by the heat, they can still be destroyed by it.  Any tiny holes that you didn’t notice beforehand can quickly become a giant run that stretches the majority of one leg. 

Suede 

If you’ve ever accidentally left a plastic plate next to your toaster oven and then let the metal portion touch said plate, you’ve probably seen how stretchy plastic can be. So, while some suedes can definitely go through the washer, ironing and the dryer are most definitely out. 

Activewear 

While this one isn’t a threat to your dryer unlike the last, it is a threat to your wallet. Most activewear is developed from technical materials for a host of benefits. Everything from moisture-wicking, protecting you from the sun, and shaping components. Unfortunately, those technical materials aren’t meant to combat the high heat of your dryer and come out unscathed. So, rather than having to replace it, we advise hanging your activewear or laying it flat to dry. 

A few other materials that shouldn’t go through your dryer, for their own sake. 

Spandex - Again, the stretchy components get degraded by the heat and shrink way too far. 

Silk - Silk, and dryers do not mix. Period. Excessive heat dulls silk and can cause it to shrink. Additionally, the friction between the silk and the dryer can cause snags in the material and white streaks. 

Lace - Lace is very delicate and can easily be torn, snagged or stretched out by rattling around your dryer. 

Did we miss any? Do you know of ways to safely put any of these through the dryer? Let us know over on our Facebook, or in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you. 

If on the other hand you /did/ put one of these through the dryer and now said dryer is being uncooperative, we get it. If you live in Addison, or the general area, we’d love to help. Appliance Rescue Service is here to help, whether you’re facing off with a dryer that has too much sand, or a refrigerator that’s forgotten how to keep things cool. You can reach out to us via our website or by calling us at ((214) 599-0055 ). 

Additional Reading:


What You Want to Know About Heat Pump Dryers

Dryer Deep Dive

6 Things Your Should Never Put In Your Dryer

Why You Need To Clean Your Dryer Vent 

9 Things Your Dryer Hates

9 Electric Dryers At 3 Different Price Points

What Tools Do You Have to Have In A Small Kitchen

And How Small Can You Get?

How small can you make a kitchen and still call it a kitchen? That’s what we were wondering last week and decided to look it up. While we enjoy our spacious kitchens with full-size appliances and lots of counter space, we know there are people who don’t. People who love the idea of living in a tiny house or an RV. They still need a fully functional kitchen though. That is where this week’s post comes in. 

What to Keep

Let’s start off with the things we won’t budge on. A full size sink and either a coffee pot or tea kettle. The sink is needed because there is nothing worse than trying to scrub a burnt cookie sheet and spilling water all over because your sink is too small. So, a single or double sided sink, it’s your choice. We’re going to stick to a double though, as it means more space for dishes to dry. An added point of having a full sink means you don’t have to have a dishwasher under the counters. Now, while you can certainly have a wide range of options for both tea kettles or coffee makers, we will wager that a large percentage of the population relies on one or both to get through the day. 

What to Cut

Now that we have the two that have to stay, let’s look at what we can cut. Take a look at your range or stovetop. That? It’s at least 30” by 22” of wasted space. If you’re not cooking for many people a single or double electric burner can work just fine. Plus, when you’re done it can easily be stored away in a cabinet. 

What about the oven though? Roast vegetables, cookies, breads, heck, even a turkey. How can you do without those? Easy, you don’t have to. Toaster ovens are an option, and, having tested them, they can most certainly handle everything we rattled off. They cook as well as a standard oven, but they take up ¼ of the space. As an added bonus, you’ve also eliminated the need for a toaster. 

Moving on, let’s look at an Instant Pot. Whether you go for the name brand or not, what matters are the features. With an Instant Pot you can replace 90% of your pots and pans. Just like the electric burner, you can unplug it and stash it away when not in use. The only thing we haven’t tried on ours yet is the ability to make yoghurt. Everything else that we’ve tried from air fryer donuts, to corned beef, to rice has turned out perfectly. 

The last appliance we’ll look at is the Foreman grill. Our team was split on this one. We eventually decided to call it as an “if you have the space” item. On one hand, this makes cooking many different meats very easy. You can also unplug it and store it away when not in use. We don’t feel that it’s a “have to have it.”  So, if you can, if you want it, go for it. It also makes for a wonderful panini press. If you can’t, though, there’s no major loss in that.

So, we’ve ripped out the stove, the oven, 90% of your pots and pans, a toaster and your microwave.  With what’s left, how much space does it take up? The Instant Pot, a single electric burner and the Foreman grill can be fit into a single cabinet measuring 22” high by 30” wide and 16” deep. The toaster oven is the largest on its own, and depending on what size you purchase, requires at least a space of 10” x 15” x9”. However, in most cases, you could fit the coffee pot or tea kettle in the same cabinet as it. So, two mid-sized cabinets and a sink are all you absolutely need to hide away a kitchen at the end of the day. The only other thing to consider is your refrigerator. If you’re short on space, a half fridge can be easily fit under a countertop. 

What do you think? Are we on the mark  with our math? Or are we batting 0? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. If you happen to have a tiny kitchen of your own, show us please! We’d love to hear how you make it work. 

Just because we talked all about small appliances all day today, doesn’t mean we’ve given up on repairing your normal appliances. Whether you’re dealing with a dishwasher that’s bathed your kitchen in a recreation of the Great Flood, or an oven that won’t turn on, we’re here. We can fix anything you throw at us, so long as you live within Allen or the surrounding area. Reach out anytime via phone ((214) 599-0055), or our website and we’ll be there. 

Disclaimer: These are rough estimates on space. Let’s face it, with how many different options there are for every appliance we named, it would be near impossible for us to account for all possibilities. We also didn’t account for dishes or silverware for the same reasons. 

3 All in One Washer Dryer Combos From LG

We’re looking at the Good, the Bad and the Ugly about these compact appliances. 

A few weeks ago we were looking at dryers, both electric and gas and came across something new. Well, new to your blogger anyway. An All-In-One washer and dryer combo. Now, the majority of our clients don’t need them, but you might have children going off to college or moving out on their own. These units are.. Interesting, and that’s what we’re going to be taking a look at today. We’ve chosen to look at three of them from LG to see what can be done to best exemplify what the machines can do. 

 

Model: WM3488HW All in One Washer and Dryer Combo

Brand: LG 

 

Features: 

Sanitize Setting

Short Cycles

Can dry thick or bulky items

Nine Wash cycles including hand wash garments

Dryer mode kicks on automatically. 

Ventless Dryer 

Notes: An average wash and dry cycle should last between 2-4 hours, depending on size. It’s not the best on the market, but it’s also not the worst.  

Model: WM3998HBA  All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo

Brand: LG

Features: 

4.5 cu ft drum

Three and half hours for a full cycle

Connects to your phone

3 different dryer cycles

Specialty settings including for activewear and wools

Model: LUWM101HWA Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Washer and Dryer Combo

Brand: LG Signature 

Features:

Can be remotely controlled

Has an automatic dispenser for detergent

Can be paired with a pedestal washer. 

Has one of the largest load sizes at 2.8 cu feet

The digital touchpad can be a bit finicky, which is something we don’t like about it. Much like your phone you swipe left or right to access the full menu. Also like your phone, you need to ensure your hands are dry or else the input isn’t recognized. 

The automatic dispenser will gauge the load size and dispense the correct amount. 

After looking over the three different models from LG, here are the good things we could see about an all-in one. They can fit just about anywhere. Depending on your home this could mean that you could tuck it into a corner of your kitchen, or you could have a storage room that you keep it in when its not in use and just wheel it to where you want when it’s laundry day.  If you have a 120V outlet you can put one of the units there, and then when you’re done, wheel it back into storage.  The majority of the models out there, not just the three that we showed today, are ventless. This is great because you don’t have to have external ducting and you don’t have to worry about them filling your home with lint while they run.  Many models are engineered to be conscious of water and energy use.  There are models that can handle thicker materials like bedding, towles and dog beds for those who need those features. 

Naturally though, there are some downsides, and here is where the all-in-one hits some problems. They cost as much, if not more just buying a standard washer and dryer set. They do radiate moisture from both the front and back panels, which is something you need to be aware of whether you set them in one space or have them mobile.  Not all of them are ventless many are, but not all. Then you have the issues that any washer or dryer is going to have, like vibrating, noise levels, and having specific detergents that you can or cannot use. Still we think that despite these drawbacks, an all-in-one does have its uses, depending on what your needs are. 

So, that is three different models of all-in-one washer dryer combos made by LG. We still think that they’re a better option than having to drag your clothes over to the cleaners or a laundromat every week. They do have some drawbacks, but we think that for what they are, they are incredibly useful.  What about you? Do you know anyone who could put one of these to use? Or are you looking to revamp your laundry room and turn it into something else? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you. 

Don’t forget that if your appliances are giving you trouble, we’re here for you. Whether you live in  Carrollton or the surrounding areas, we can help. If you’ve got an appliance that’s broken, or you just need some tips on how to maintain them, we want to help. You can give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or reach out to us through our website. At Appliance Rescue Service, we aim to be the best for you.  

Just How Green Is Your Kitchen Routine?

Do you have room to grow or are you the reigning royalty? 

How green is your kitchen routine really? Sure, you recycle some things, and you work on cutting down your electric bill. But is there more that you can do, without having to go overboard? That's what we're tackling this week with a quick true or false quiz. We'll take a look at different things in your kitchen and what you can do to start making a change in your home. 

True or False: Cooking isn't somewhere you can conserve energy. 

Surprisingly enough, this is false. There's actually a couple of different ways that you can tackle this one. You can start by just not opening your oven while you're cooking or baking. Just like with your fridge, every time the oven door is opened it needs to bring the oven back up to temperature, which means more electricity used. You can also look at reorganizing how you cook your meals. Using an instant pot or making one-pot meals both go a long way towards reducing the amount of energy you're using without being too time-consuming. You've also got batch cooking. By that we mean that you'd do most of your cooking just one or two days during the week. You'd organize your meals for the week so that you used similar components several times, in different ways, you're cutting down on both energy used, grocery money and saving yourself time. 

True or False: I know what cleaners I can make at home, and which I need to purchase. 

This one is as much about being green as it is about being safe. Some cleaners you can make at home, like everyone's favorite mix of vinegar, water and dish soap. Others, like CLR aren't something you want to try mixing, no matter what internet recipes say. Remember, chlorine is not something you should EVER be mixing with other chemicals. 

True or False: My refrigerator is performing at optimal cool. 

This is one we've talked about in the past for cutting down on your electric bill. You can help your fridge run its best, by keeping the coils free from dust, and by leaving enough room for air to circulate in the fridge. So, don't stuff the fridge to the maximum is what we're saying. By packing everything in there, your  fridge can’t breathe and needs to work twice as hard to cool everything down. 

True or False: I let my dishwasher handle the heavy work. 

You've heard it before, but letting your dishwasher run without it being full just wastes your water. If you make sure to run it at night during non-peak hours, and that it's fully loaded, you'd be surprised by how much you can cut back your water and electricity usage. According to Energy Star, you actually save 75% on your water and energy bills compared to washing by hand or running the dishwasher when it's not full. 

True or False: I know all about reusable containers.

You have your standard plastic containers, we all know those. But there are other options these days that might be more versatile to your needs. You can get beeswax reusable wraps, instead of using plastic wrap. Or you can get silicone pouches to replace using ziploc bags. You can also choose to replace your existing plastic containers for something like stainless steel or glass. You can even be really smart and use all of the glass canning jars from different crafts you meant to do off Pinterest. 

True or False: If I buy it, I'm going to find a way to reuse it. 

Speaking of Pinterest, have you ever noticed how many different ideas there are for how to reuse things? You have so many options ranging from containers made from coffee creamers to using soda bottles to make ropes. 

True or False: A leaky faucet isn't that big of a deal. 

Nope. Your blogger thought this wasn't that big of an issue either, and was summarily trounced by her next water bill. A faucet that leaks at 1 drop per second can add up to more than 1500 gallons of water per year. Which means the water isn't being utilized, and it's also costing you. 

So how did you rank? Did you learn anything new or are you the green kitchen queen or king? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page, we'd love to hear from you. We'd also love to hear any other suggestions you might have on how to green up other areas of your home. 

While we did talk quite a bit about cutting back on your electric and water bills, there's something else that you can do to help. By calling in for regular maintenance for your appliances, you also help cut back on those bills. After all, a machine that isn't running properly isn't going to be using energy efficiently. Whether you want us to take a look and give you tips, or you  have something you need fixed, we're here. We want to be the best in appliance repair for Frisco and that means doing our best by you, our patrons. You can reach out to us via our website or by calling us at ((214) 599-0055).