9 Electric Dryers at 3 Different Price Points

Pitting Electric Dryers Head to Head to Find YOU the Best Option

Welcome back everyone! This is the comparison on electric dryers that we promised you last time when we were pitting gas dryers against each other. Just like last time we’re hoping that if you’re looking for a new electric dryer that this will be your go-to guide. We’ve got 9 different dryers at 3 different price points, listing off all of the features they have and the ones they don’t, to help you find the best choice for your budget. At the end of each section we’ve put our vote in the ring based on what we know about the different models. 

800 or less

LG  DLE3400W - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $795

Features:

Moisture sensor 

Electronic controls

Ability to turn off your end of cycle signal

Drum light

Custom programs

Duct Blockage Indicator

Energy Star Rated

Features It’s Lacking:

Stainless Steel Drum

Drying Rack

Steam Option

WiFi

Samsung  DV42H5000EW - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $719

Features:

Drying Rack

Custom Programs

Moisture Sensor

Ability to turn off End of cycle signal

Troubleshooting from your phone

Features It’s Lacking: 

Stainless Steel Drum

Steam Option

Whirlpool WED7000DW - Front Loading Electric  Dryer Price: $719 

Features:

Steam Option

Moisture Sensor

Ability to turn off the end of cycle signal

Extended Tumble

Lint Filter Alert

Features It’s Lacking:

Stainless Steel Drum

Drying Rack

Custom Programs

WiFi

Our vote: Out of the three of these, we’re inclined to go with the LG dryer. Not only does it have the widest assortment of features, but it also has the best ratings out of the three. 

An important note: Because this post is all about comparing different electric dryers at the different price points you will encounter, we did include the Samsung model. It’s a good price, and if you’re not aware of its issues, it can look like a great buy. However, we want to take a moment to point out that this particular model is known for issues. Many people who purchase it note that the heating elements break down after two years. So, although we have listed it, we do not recommend getting this model. 

800-1200

LG  DLEX4000W - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price:$995

Features:

Steam Option

Moisture Sensor

Ability to turn off end of cycle signal

Extended tumble

WiFi 

Compaitible with Alexa

Compatible with Remote Monitoring

Compatible with Google Home

Can be controlled remotely

AI Fabric Sensor

Can detect the size of the load and the type of fabric to choose the right settings for drying. 

Duct Clog Sensor

Lint Filter Sensor

LoDecible Operation - LG has worked hard to make this dryer quieter.

Energy Star Rated

Features It’s Lacking:

Stainless Steel Drum

Drying Rack

Custom Programs

Maytag MEDB955FW - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $1185

Features:

Drying Rack

Electronic Controls

Steam Option

Stainless Steel Drum

Drum Light

Custom programs

Duct Blockage Indicator

Moisture Sensor

Ability to turn off the end of cycle signal

Features It’s Lacking:

WiFi connectivity 

Kenmore Elite 61632  - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $1150 

Features:

Moisture Sensor

Duct Blockage Indicator

Steam Option

Drying Rack

Stainless Steel Drum

Ability to turn off end of cycle signal

Electronic Controls

Drum light

Custom Programs

Features It’s Lacking:

Lint Filter Sensor

WiFi Connectivity 

Our vote: Surprisingly, we have to vote for the LG dryer in this group as well. The LG is priced lower, has both duct and filter sensors and can be controlled remotely. It also has sensors to judge what type of fabric you’re asking it to deal with to allow it to select the best drying settings. In the long run that means your clothes should last longer. All of these together make an excellent package so far as we’re concerned. 

1200-1800

LG DLEX9000V  - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $1795 

Features:

Moisture Sensor

Duct Block Indicator

Electronic Controls

Steam Option

Ability to Turn off End of Cycle Signal

Custom Programs

Drum Light

Stainless Steel Drum

WiFi connected

Smart ThinQ -Gives you Smart Adapt and Smart Access to let you download new cycles and control the dryer remotely.

Smart Diagnosis - Helps you solve problems from your phone. 

LoDecible Quiet Operation

Features It’s Lacking:

Drying Rack

Maytag  MEDB955FCC - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $1399

Features: 

Drying Rack

Extended Tumble

Moisture Sensor

Stainless Steel Drum

Custom Programs

Steam Option

Lint Filter Sensor

Energy Star Rated

Sanitize Cycle

Features It’s Lacking:

WiFi Connectivity

Samsung  FlexDry DVE60M9900V - Front Loading Electric Dryer Price: $1799

Features:

Dust Block Indicator

Moisture Sensor

Electronic Controls

Drying Rack

Drum Light

Steam Option

Multiple types of steam cycles

Stainless Steel Drum

Ability to Turn off End Of Cycle signal

WiFi Connected 

Secondary Dryer on Top 

Energy Star Rated

Reversible Door

Features It’s Lacking:

Custom Programs

Our vote

For this one our round goes to…. Not the LG! For this one we’re actually giving the Samsung our vote. This particular model has very good reviews, and really works to make your life easier. We love the different steam options it covers, from Sanitize, Wrinkle Refresh, and even a Static Guard function. Take that and add to it the constant sensor on the ducts to keep your home safe? As far as we’re concerned, this model is the best. 

Those are three sets of different electric dryers at three different price ranges. Which one do you think you’re going to go for? Do you have any that we missed? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you. 

If on the other hand you came here because you need someone to fix your current dryer, we are more than happy to help. We aim to be the best appliance repair service in Dallas and the surrounding areas and that means keeping your home running. Whatever appliance malfunction you’re dealing with, we won’t stop until we fix it or you tell us you’re done. You can reach out to us by calling us at ((214) 599-0055) or by making an appointment on our website. 

A Note About Pricing

Pricing on our blog is for reference only and may be subject to change. Prices fluctuate as demand and sales occur. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at the time of publishing. Please call the stores linked in the article for the most accurate pricing when you do your own research or purchasing

Slow Fast Food

Buffing up your lunch to turn it into a meal you’ll look forward to.

Do you ever get sick of pulling out your lunch and having it the same as several of your other coworkers? This week we're showing you how to start off with a basic cup of ramen, or other similar cup of Asian noodles and turn it into a proper meal. This should probably be done the night before, although if you get up early enough, you don't have to. If you add enough vegetables, you can also turn one cup of noodles into two separate meals. 

This recipe is meant to buff up a single cup of ramen or other Asian noodle fast foods. If you want to just feed yourself, think about each vegetable in the list as "how much of this can I eat in one sitting" rather than "what exact amount do I need." 

Ingredients: 

Ramen (cup)

Canned Meat (chicken or pork works best, but you can make other varieties too!) 

carrots

chives

celery 

onion 

cabbage (Napa if possible) 

baby spinach

mushrooms 

garlic 

Sesame oil (or vegetable oil if you don't have any) 

hard boiled eggs

Seaweed for garnish

Sauce Options

Sriracha

Hoisin sauce

Fish sauce

Peanut sauce 

Start with your cup of noodles. Admire the foam cup. Now set it aside. You're not going to need that 'til the very end. 

Now, let's go back over to your ingredients. Start by chopping up your vegetables. 

The point here is to get your veggies into sizes that are going to give your ramen different textures and layers. 

For the carrots, you'll want to either slice them like matchsticks or on a diagonal into thin layers. 

For the chives, you'll want cut them into slices, no more than 1/4 inch in length. 

Moving on to celery, this one is up to preference. You can do a fine chop and just use it for garnish, or you can slice them diagonally into chunks about 1/2" in length.

Next up is your onion. Again, this is up to preference. We like to go for strips rather than cubes because it adds more flavor and texture. However, you also have the option to dice them into chunks and just use them to flavor the ramen. 

Moving on to cabbage and baby spinach. For both of these shredding them is the best way to go, and both options work. 

Mushrooms, depending on the variety, have all sorts of options, based on the texture you want. We like to leave them whole, but you can dice them, turn them into chunks or matchsticks, whatever you like. 

Now that you're done with your vegetables, go ahead and mince your garlic. 

Heat a pan and toss in about one tablespoon of oil. Bring it up to medium heat and toss in your carrots and garlic. Once your carrots have begun to soften, add in the onion and the mushrooms. Your onions will be your unofficial guide for when to move on to the next step. You want to wait until the onions are partially translucent, and then add in the cabbage, spinach, chives and celery. At this point, turn the heat up and stir constantly. Keep the vegetables moving as you work them around. You can also add in any spices you want. A good place to start is white pepper and sea salt. Once your vegetables are fully cooked, go ahead and turn off the heat. Set the pan to the side.

Now heat up some water and make the packaged ramen. While that is cooking, pull out the can of chicken or pork or whatever other protein you chose and crack that open. Make sure to remove any fats or liquids that naturally come about from the canning process (a quick rinse can also help if the meat tastes too much like the can it's been housed in). Use a fork to shred the meat, but don't remove it from the can just yet. 

Once your ramen is done cooking (usually about four minutes), dump it into a bowl and add all of your cooked veggies and the meat.  Toss in some sauce if you'd like, and garnish with some of that seaweed you totally didn't buy just for this recipe. Mix well and plate it up, for you or any other adventurous eaters. 

Now that you have the basic concept, take a look at the produce section next time you go to grocery store. What vegetables do they have that you could add in? Do they have any meats or seasonings that you could add to yours to make the dish taste better? It's fun to keep an eye out as you go through the store to see what combinations you can come up with, it also keeps lunch fresh and interesting. 

We hope you enjoyed this week's recipe, and that if you do try it, you'll let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. 

Don't forget that we're not just looking out for your meals. We also want to look out for your home. In the event you need something fixed, or if you're just interested in regular maintenance for your appliances, ARS wants to be there for you. Whether you're in The Colony or Coppell, we aim to be the best appliance rescue service for you and your home.  You can always call us at ((214) 599-0055) or get hold of us via our website.

Blogger VS Professional Shopping Guide 2021 - The Professionals

This year, it’s all about the trends

Welcome back everyone! This is part two of our Blogger vs Professionals 2021 piece! Last time we showed you what our blogger would have picked if she could go shopping for an entirely new suite of appliances. That was based on the features of the different models,  and was meant to show off how the average consumer shops. This week we’re showing you what our professionals go for when they’re tasked with the same thing. 

Refrigerators 

Built-In  Refrigerator

Model: 42" Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Brand: Jenn-Air 

This first fridge is for you if you really like the look of everything being hidden away in your kitchen. The Jenn-Air is panel ready, for whatever look you’re wanting to attain in your kitchen. Not only is it wonderfully organized which makes life easier for you, but it also focuses on the important bits of a refrigerator. The Jenn-Air not only has specialized controls to ensure that the proper temperatures are always maintained, but they also have ethylene filters. These absorb the ethylene gas that fruits and vegetables produce to keep them fresher longer.  Our professionals love this fridge because it focuses on what a refrigerator is for, keeping your food accessible, cool and at peak ripeness. 

Stand Alone Refrigerator

Model: 19.9 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator in Black Stainless Steel

Brand: KitchenAid

This second refrigerator is for those of you that want to see your appliances for what they are. The KitchenAid is counter depth, and like its Jenn-Air counterpart is all about keeping your food fresher, longer. Like the Jenn-Air it has an ethylene filter. Unlike the Jenn-Air though it has two separate compressors, one for the fridge and one for the freezer. It also features a second filter intended to filter out odors from inside your fridge, for when you get to cooking something with very strong spices. 

Washer 

Model: 3.2 Cu. Ft. Top Load Electronic Washer in White

Brand: Speed Queen 

Our Professionals are still swearing by Speed Queen for washers and dryers this year. The washer this year however has a new interface system to make choosing the settings for your wash even easier.  It also has a solid steel drum which means not only is it gentler on your clothes than most, but the machine will also last longer. 

Dryer

Model: 7.0 Cu. Ft. Gas Dryer Classic Touch in White

Brand: Speed Queen 

The Speed Queen dryer has also received an upgraded control panel, but it also has sensors within it that allow you to select how dry you want a load to be. Do you prefer to iron your clothes  while they’re still slightly damp? This dryer lets you do that. 

Dishwashers

Family 

Model: 24" Built-In Bar Handle Dishwasher with FreeFlex 3rd Rack and LED Interior Light in PrintShield Stainless Steel

Brand:  KitchenAid

If you’ve got kids, you know just how many dishes you use up. This dishwasher gives you the space you need for all of them. Not only does it have a third rack for last minute dishes, it also has a flexible middle rack to fit whatever you’re washing. This model also has a sanitizing cycle and a microfiltration unit to constantly clean the water as the dishwasher is running. 

Single /Couples

Model: 24" Professional Built-In Double Drawer Dishwasher in Stainless Steel

Brand: Fisher and Paykel

If on the other hand you’re single living on your own, or a couple without kids at home, you might not need something as large as the KitchenAid. Instead, our professionals have suggested this Fisher and Paykel model. This model can either come as a single unit, allowing you to just have the dish compartment, or as a double drawer. The double drawer option lets you choose as you need whether to run both drawers simultaneously or to run just one at time. You could have one for dishes, and one for pots and pans. 

Wall Oven

Model: 30" Combination Wall Oven 

Brand: KitchenAid 

For wall ovens our professionals only had one suggestion and that was KitchenAid. “There really isn’t a better one that we can recommend. It’s a hard working oven that does what it’s meant to, while still having a few special features.”  The lowe oven is a convection oven, while the upper is a microwave oven. If you want to do a lot of baking, use the lower oven for  for perfect baking. If you’re short on time for making dinner, that’s when the microwave oven shines. It also has a temperature probe so that you can ensure that you what you set the oven to is what it really is. 

Range 

Model:5.8 Cu. Ft. Slide-In Gas Range

Brand:  KitchenAid

Just like the wall oven, the gas ranges had one standout winner for our professionals. Another KitchenAid, this slide in range is built to impress. With 5 burners, a steam rack and a built in steam cleaning system the team agreed that this was the best. 

Whichever models you go for, you can know that these are the ones that our professionals approved with you in mind. We want to keep your homes running smoothly, whether that means fixing your old appliances or helping you find the best new ones.  We at ARS are always keeping our clients all over the Dallas area in mind. You can call us at ((214) 599-0055) or reach out to us via our website. 

Which ones do you think you’d like? Do you like the Professionals version or the Blogger? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. 

Breakfast Apple Oat Cake

The Perfect Get-Going Food For A Winter Morning

By now, your winter break is probably over. That means the kids are back to school, too. We aren't sure about your house, but in this house, we're all slow to get moving on cold weather mornings. That lag often translates into running late for school, hurrying to work, and forgetting a decent breakfast.

Even if your kids are remote or hybrid learners in the ever changing school landscape that is so common this year, they're not freed from the constraints of having to get out of bed on time; most schools are tracking attendance based on what time they log in! The remote learners just have a shorter commute - from wherever they sleep to wherever the computer is kept.

Clearly this whole winter situation wasn't designed to be easy. Who really wants to get up before the sun when it's freezing out? You need something tasty to look forward to in the mornings - something that you can prepare ahead of time, and just grab and go during your busy out the door rush.

We think you might just need our special apple oat cake. It's full of fruit and grain, and it even has a little boost of protein from the addition of some nuts. (That extra protein is to help you stay feeling full.) It's also low in sugar, so you won't get that wilted sugar-crash feeling like a bowl of cereal or a muffin sometimes leaves you with.

You can bake it in an eight inch round pan and cut it up into soft triangles, or you can spread it in a thin layer on a rimmed sheet pan and cut it into crispier bars. You can keep it simple and make it the same way we did, or you can jazz it up with goodies like maple syrup or chocolate chips. Experiment with it and find what you like!

Ingredients

2 cups oats (quick cooking or old fashioned are fine, but NOT steel-cut)

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce

2 eggs

1/2 cup (one stick) butter or margarine, melted and cooled

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sliced almonds, chopped walnuts or peanuts

1/4 cup dried berries or raisins

Tools

Mixing bowls, whisk or fork, measuring cups, spoon, pan (8 inch round or 13 by 9 inch sheet), aluminum foil

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350.

Mix together your oats and applesauce in the mixing bowl. Add your salt and baking powder and stir until both are incorporated.

Stir in your sugar, cinnamon, nuts and berries. Feel free to add other goodies here, too, like a spoonful of honey or some favorite spices.

In another bowl, whisk your two eggs lightly. We'll be adding them to the first bowl at the same time as the melted butter or margarine, so make sure you've let the heat come back down some on the butter/margarine. The last thing we want to do is end up with scrambled eggs in oats. (Certainly someone out there must like eggs and oatmeal, but we don't think they go together too well.)

Mix your whisked eggs and melted butter into the first bowl and stir thoroughly.

Line your pan with aluminum foil to help make sure everything comes out in one piece and can be cut up neatly, rather than coming out of the pan in misshapen lumps of varying sizes.

Pour your oat mixture (we hesitate to call this a batter, as it's quite thick and rather lumpy) into the pan you prepared. Smooth it down with a spoon and nudge it into the corners or up to the edges of the pan - it won't spread very much on its own.

Once it's nice and level in the pan, place it in the oven on the middle rack. For a round pan, it should take about 40 minutes. If you used a sheet pan, cut that time down to about 25 minutes and check it frequently to avoid burning the bottom or edges.

Once a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, and the center of the cake looks solid and lightly browned, it's ready to come out of the oven.

Allow it to cool for eight to 10 minutes before using the aluminum foil to lift it up from the pan and place it on the counter. Cut into slices or bars, whichever you like.

Store in an airtight Tupperware, wrapped in plastic wrap, or wrapped in aluminum foil. They'll keep up to four days at room temperature. Alternatively, you can freeze them, and then pop them in the toaster oven in the morning. They're pretty tasty if lightly toasted and buttered or drizzled with melted peanut butter.

Sure, it's not quite as alluring as visiting the local drive through, but it's more convenient! And it might make you feel a little better about your progress on those new years resolutions. Let us know what you’re planning for year ahead over on our Facebook page, or in the comments below. 

If your appliances are giving you fits, don’t forget that we’re here to help. Whether you need someone to take a look at your oven, or you just want some maintenance tips for your dryer, we aim to be the best. For you and all of our clients in the Coppell area, Appliance Rescue Service is just a call or click away. 

Call us at (214) 599-0055

Caring for Your Countertops

How to clean and care for your countertops, whatever the material.

Have you ever accidentally left something on the counter overnight and woke to find a stain? Then, no matter what you do, that stain just won’t come up. It’s one of the most frustrating things. We’re here to help. This week we’re diving into 6 of the most common types of countertops and how to clean and care for them. 

Concrete

Concrete is a relative newcomer to the countertop arena. It’s heavy and complicated in terms of installation. However, the various ways that it can be customized with texture and acid staining make it worth it for some homeowners. It is also heat and scratch resistant. The biggest  downside is that concrete is naturally porous. In order to care for it, you need to seal it regularly, or every one to three years. 

For cleaning, what you need isn’t difficult.  You’ll need a sponge, dish soap, water, rubbing alcohol, a spray bottle and a dish towel. Start off by cleaning the counters from any small appliances, or crumbs. Then using just regular soap, water and a sponge to scrub the counter down. Rinse the sponge and wipe it down to remove the bubbles and gunk. Once you’ve gotten the counter clean mix ¼ cup rubbing alcohol to 2 cups of water in your spray bottle. Spray them down, wait for 3 minutes and then wipe them down with the dish towel. The point here is to disinfect the counters after they’ve been cleaned. 

Granite

Granite is THE countertop material if price isn’t something you’re concerned about. It’s strong and durable, with almost 3000 colors and types available for you to choose from. The downside to it is that it is still a porous stone that requires sealing to avoid stains. Unlike concrete, a resealing schedule isn’t a ‘schedule’ so much as ‘when you see it needs it.’ You should be looking at the color and porosity of the granite to determine how often you have to do it. Most of the time, that’s going to be between 1-5 years. 

Cleaning granite is much the same as cleaning concrete. However, it can get stubborn stains. These can be removed using a razor. You’ll want to try this after you’ve cleaned down the counter to the best of your abilities. Lay the edge of the blade on the counter and scrape away at the built up gunk. Once you’ve gotten rid of it, wipe down the counter again with a sponge and soapy water.

Marble

This beautiful stone is  gorgeous to look at, but a pain in the neck to maintain! It has a penchant to scratch and stain, because of how pale most marbles are. Fortunately there are newer sealers that can slightly curtail these issues if they are applied on a regular schedule. Marble has the shortest resealing time at every 3-6 months. However there are sealant sprays that you can make use of on a monthly basis that make the process much easier.
Cleaning marble however is easy to do and just takes a sponge and some soapy water. 

Soapstone

Soapstone has a very recent reappearance in the countertop arena, having previously been deemed too dark. It is a very attractive alternative to granite in that it takes on a patina over time that is gorgeous. It must be treated regularly with mineral oil. The reapplication process is easy  enough, and is determined by how often you cook in your kitchen. Some people might need to reapply it every month, while others might manage every three.  

Cleaning soapstone is easy and a sponge with soapy water will usually do the trick. If you have something really stuck on there you can use something like Ajax or Comet, or a ny other standard household cleaner. 

Laminate

Laminate is one of the most affordable options on our list, and also the easiest to clean. Laminate doesn’t stain anywhere near as easily as some of the other options on our list. However,it can be scratched or chipped, so we don’t advise cutting directly on your laminate countertops. When it comes to cleaning, the most difficult spot might be the seams where the backsplash and the counter meet. Food can get into them and be a pain to get back out. We advise carefully taking a razor blade to them to clean out any debris and built-up gunk. 

Butcher Block

If you want the look of wood,  but something a bit heftier, go for  butcher block. It’s easy to clean and lasts for an age if properly looked after. It can be cut or scratched by knive. Water and stains can also do damage over time. However, these damages can be sanded out and resealed as needed. Much like soapstone, butcher block does need to be oiled regularly. However with butcher block, it’s a standard of once a month at minimum. This is to prevent your lovely butcher block from drying out and cracking. 

Those are six of the most common  countertop varieties and how you go about caring for them. Which type do you have? Did we miss something important about caring for those we listed? Do you have any questions about a type we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page. 

Don’t forget that while you’re caring for your counters, we want to help care for your appliances. So whether it’s in your kitchen or your laundry room, we’re here to help. We aim to be the best in appliance repair for Addison and the surrounding areas. If you need help, we’re here for you. You can get hold of us via phone ((214) 599-0055) or via our website to schedule an appointment.