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 Spots in the Kitchen to Clean Before the Holidays

With the holidays upon us, now is the time to jump in and get your kitchen ready for entertaining and holiday baking. While we all remember to wipe down the countertops and mop the floors, Appliance Rescue is here to share some kitchen nooks and crannies that are often forgotten:

Range Hood

When cooking on the cooktop, we often look down. But do you ever look up? Grease and dust often accumulate up there and it’s not a pretty sight. Use a degreaser and stainless steel cleaner to get it sparkling clean in no time! (P.S. this also helps extend the life of your range hood.)

Small Appliances

Toasters, blenders, and other small appliances often accumulate food debris that goes unnoticed. Take all the appliances out and look at them with fresh eyes, giving them a once over to get them ready for company.

Trashcan

Grab a wet sponge and some soapy water and wipe down your trashcan to remove any spills that can get stuck on the trashcan. If you have a can with a lid, be sure to wipe any food particles out of the cracks.

Oven

We see a lot of holiday baking in your future, so make sure your oven is ready for the action! Create a paste with baking soda, warm water, and a sponge and gently wipe down the interior of the oven. We do not recommend using the self clean function, as we’ve found it can often create more damage than good for your oven and result in Dallas oven repair.

Refrigerator

As we know you’re planning to stock your refrigerator with lots of goodies, it’s better to start with a clean slate. Throw away any long lost leftovers and remove all expired condiments. Wipe out crumbs and spills, and you’re all set for entertaining!

If any of your appliances aren’t working properly, now is the time to get them fixed – before the holiday rush sets in! Call us at Appliance Rescue in Dallas, Texas for a fast, professional appliance repair today! We proudly serve Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Richardson, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Addison, McKinney, Grapevine, and the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

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!”

Kitchen Safety: How to Prevent a Cooking Fire

The holidays are coming and that means lots of cooking and time spent in the kitchen!

Did you know that HALF of all residential fires are caused by cooking accidents in the kitchen?

Take these precautions from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas to prevent any kitchen accidents this holiday season:

Don’t Deep Fry Your Turkey in the Kitchen.

Many people like the taste of fried turkey during the holidays – us included! – but plan to do your frying outdoors if at all possible. Grease fires are very common when a ton of grease is used indoors, and those grease fires can be difficult to put out. If you ever find yourself with one in the home, pour baking soda or salt – not water! – on the fire.

Never Leave Food on the Stove Unattended.

If you’re boiling, frying, or grilling anything on your stove or cooktop, plan to be in the room at all times – particularly if you have a gas cooktop with a flame.

Keep the Cooktop Clean.

Not only do you need to make sure your cooktop is clean and without grease, but you also need to make sure that there aren’t any hot pads, plastic bags, etc. close to the cooktop that could catch on fire.

Check All Appliances Before Leaving the House.

Get in the habit of swinging by the kitchen on your way out the door to make sure all burners and appliances are turned off completely.

Establish a “Kid-Free” Zone.

Teach children to be safe around all kitchen appliances. The American Red Cross recommends having children stay 3 feet away from the cooktop area.

If you’re concerned it might be time for your appliances to get a tune up before the holidays, call us at Appliance Rescue Service, the top appliance repair company in Dallas, Texas! We’d be happy to come inspect your appliances and make sure everything is in excellent working order before the holiday season. Don’t delay in calling – we may need to order parts and we want to make sure everything is in perfect condition before Thanksgiving!