When your major appliance breaks down, you need to determine if you want to buy a new one or have your existing one repaired. This is an important decision because, in some cases, time may not be on your side. For example, if your refrigerator goes out then you need to get it back online so that you can start bringing food back into the house. You also run the risk of having all of the food that is in the unit going bad as well. Public Laundromats are expensive and not everyone has the time to wash dishes. If your appliance is under warranty, then the decision is easy. If it is not currently covered, then you have a decision to make.

Sometimes repairing or replacing an appliance is a matter of semantics. If your appliance is 20 years of age or older and is no longer enough to support your growing family, then you will want to replace it. For example, that old refrigerator you and your wife started out with before the kids came along was the perfect size for the two of you. But as the years have gone by, the capacity of the refrigerator is no longer enough to allow you to provide food for your family. That is when it is time to allow the old appliance to be replaced. Many major appliance sales organizations will take away your old appliance for no charge when they deliver your new one.

But what if your appliances are only 10 years old and still doing the job? You may not want to replace it because of the color, size of the opening, time spent shopping for new or you just like the way that it operates. The best place to start is scheduling a service call from a factory trained technician. These service calls are an insignificant investment compared to the potential cost of replacing your appliance.

When an appliance stops working, the first thing to do is to find out exactly what’s wrong. A good place to begin looking for answers is the manufacturer’s manual for the appliance. This guide often contains basic troubleshooting information that can help you pinpoint the primary concern. If you don’t have the owner’s manual, you can often find similar information on the Internet. If your appliance is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty or an additional home protection plan, contact the warranty company before you attempt any self-repair work.

If you can’t diagnose the problem yourself, it’s time to call in the professionals. We will send an experienced trained technician to your home to evaluate the problem. We have a minimum service charge to come to your home and diagnose the problem. Our technician will give you a diagnosis and cost to repair at which time you decide the next course of action.

Something has probably been pushed into the fan blade on the motor that cools the compressor. Roll the refrigerator out and remove the back panel. Look at the fan blade and see what is stuck in it. Most of the time it is a big dust ball or papers that have got sucked under the refrigerator. Just remove, reinstall back, and in a couple of hour the refrigerator will cool down again once the fan removes the extra heat.

Your freezer has numerous essential functions, so keeping it at peak performance is important. There are ways you can help your freezer run more efficiently. By following a few easy tips, you can extend the life of your stand-alone or built-in freezing unit.

1. Keep the freezer stocked: If you don’t have enough food to fill the unit, place jugs of water or several ice blocks in it.

2. Do not place hot food into the freezer: This will affect the freezing capabilities of the unit. Instead, allow food to cool down in the refrigerator first.

3. Get in and out of the freezer quickly: Keeping the freezer door open raises the temperature rapidly inside the unit.

4. Pay attention to the temperature: Keep your thermostat regulated, If you are uncertain about temperatures, place a thermometer in the freezer and check it often. A freezer should not go above zero degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Keep the unit away from any heat sources: such as the oven, dishwasher or heating vents. Allow air to circulate behind the freezer.

6. Regularly clean the coils on the unit: Vacuum or brush them to remove dust or dirt buildup. Dirty coils prevent the freezer from running effectively. Read more about this on our Refrigerator page (insert link here)

7. Keep the door seals clean and in good condition: If a seal is broken or soiled, air can easily get in and out of the unit, which impacts the freezing function.

8. Defrost the freezer regularly: Units that don’t have self-defrost functions will need to be de-iced consistently.

This is caused by using too much soap, the wrong soap, or both. Most washing machine manufacturers state that, depending on the water hardness, you should use approx. 1 tablespoon of regular strength soap, 1/2 of that if 2x concentrated, this of course is dependent upon how dirty/greasy your clothes are, but this is a guideline as a starting point.

Also, it is recommended to keep the door open when not in use, though it doesn’t have to be wide open, 4-6″ would be sufficient unless it is more convenient to keep it fully opened. Prevention is always the best medicine, but if the problem has already started, there are some commercial products that you can use to get the smell out. We sell Washing Machine Magic and Affresh. Depending on how strong the odor is, it may take more than one treatment to completely remove the smell.

The discoloration on the boot seal caused by the mold is usually permanent, though it will fade somewhat with the passage of time. Usually, the only way to remove it completely is to replace the boot, though this would be done for cosmetic reasons, as it rarely effects the performance of the part. They also suggest wiping the boot area dry when you have finished washing for the day, being sure to wipe off the glass, especially in the seal area, and inside the boot by carefully pulling it back while wiping it dry. Doing these things, along with using the Extra Rinse option each load, will go a long way in preventing Stinky Washer Syndrome.

Dishwashers simplify our lives considerably. At its most basic a dishwasher is just a machine that circulates water, adds detergent, drains the water and then adds fresh water to rinse. The number one problem we see today is the use of too much detergent and overloading. Both of these are easily corrected without a service call.

Dishwasher Soap

The soap can be liquid or powdered and is squirted or placed into a designated area or receptacle. Another option is a small packet in which dish-washing soap is contained which can be thrown inside a dishwasher almost anywhere. Once loaded and with soap placed inside, users close and often lock the dishwasher before turning the device on.

Once on, the dishwasher takes in water from connected water hoses, heats the water to a high temperature, and then sprays the dishes with the hot water, rinsing them thoroughly. The process is repeated when the device adds the dish-washing soap or detergent to the hot water spray at high pressures, scouring stubborn stains, dirt and grease from dishes. A final step included on many dishwashers is a dish dryer, which leaves dishes warm, dry and free of spots. This last addition is awesome, as spotless dishes make it appear as if I hand-dried my own dishes before putting them away.

Remember to read the manufacturers instructions about the quantity of detergent. More is not better.

Using Rinse Agents

Dishwashers are certainly time savers, but their efficiency lies in more than their ability to clean dishes quickly. The quality of their output should rival that of good old-fashioned hand-washing. More and more new products have come on the market to help these handy appliances clean better, and rinse agents are some the most recent newcomers to join the cleaning group. Used in conjunction with dishwasher detergents, rinse agents can effectively combat remaining residue on the dishes.

Rinse agents are formulated to help remove spot-causing, filmy residue from dishes, glasses and flatware. Regular dishwasher detergents are most active in the washing cycle. However, spots tend to form in the dishwasher’s rinsing cycle when most of the detergent is no longer present. Rinse agents cause the water to rinse off in sheets during the rinsing cycle. These clean-boosters lower the surface tension of water, “so the water sticks to itself” instead of forming droplets. Without remaining drops on the tableware, the drying cycle yields clean, spot-free, film-less dishes.

1. Make sure that you plug your refrigerator directly into a wall outlet. It is best not to use an extension cord, however, if you absolutely need to do that, be sure to use a heavy-duty extension cord that is rated for the amperage of your unit and be sure that it is properly grounded. Check your owner manual for additional specifications.

2. Refrigerators should be installed or located away from heat sources such as radiators, cooking ranges or windows that get a lot of sunshine. Make sure that airflow to the compressor and the cooling coils is not blocked or restricted. It is not recommended to locate your unit on top of carpeting given that most refrigerators have condensers located underneath the unit. Carpeting retains heat that can cause the compressor in your refrigerator to overwork.

3. If you are planning to be away for an extended period of time (several months), it is recommended to discard all perishable food, empty the freezer and the refrigerator, turn it off and leave the ajar (slightly open).

4. Make sure that you do not over-fill your fridge. This can prevent the circulation of cold air that is used to regulate the temperature and can lead to spoilage of food due to inconsistent temperatures.

5. Food should be covered or wrapped before being placed in the fridge to prevent it from drying out and from emitting odors. If food spoils, make sure that you remove it immediately to prevent foul odors.

6. Keep the interior of your refrigerator and freezer clean. This is best done by removing all food as well as shelves and drawers. It is best to use a mild detergent or baking soda dissolved in water to wash the interior using a soft cloth followed by a damp cloth to remove soap or baking soda residue. Also, clean the shelves and plastic parts in a similar manner or wash them in a sink or tub. Just be sure not to place glass parts in hot water as they may crack. Avoid use of any abrasive cleaners to prevent scratches.

7. It is important to clean the condenser coils (usually located underneath the unit). Clean gently using specially designed brush to remove buildup of dust. Do this regularly as buildup of dust can cause overheating.

8. The door gasket(s) are used to seal the doors when closed. These need to be cleaned regularly to maintain proper temperature and system efficiency. Clean using mild detergent and then remove soap residue with a damp cloth.

9. Keep the area around the refrigerator clean and free of debris and make sure there are no blockages that may prevent proper airflow.

Performing regular maintenance on your refrigerator will help it last longer and work more efficient. Each year you should carefully clean the condenser coils on the outside of your refrigerator. Listed below are directions on the proper cleaning of the condenser coils of your refrigerator. You will need a refrigerator coil cleaning brush, a light and your vacuum cleaner with attachments. If you do not have a condenser cleaning brush one can be purchased directly from our on line parts department or ordered through our office.

• Make sure any foods and/or liquids in your refrigerator are secure to avoid spillage.
• Shut of the circuit breaker for the refrigerator. Move the refrigerator away from the wall and unplug from the electric outlet.
• If you have an ice maker and/or a water dispenser, it would be prudent to shut off the water.
• The condenser coils in an older refrigerator can be found on the back, while the new refrigerators have coils on the bottom. When you find the coils, you may see a fan, which you will also need to clean.
• Before you start, check once again to make sure the power is disconnected. You can never be too careful.
• Use the crevice tool on your vacuum to gently vacuum the dirt and dust from the coils and the fan. Be careful you do not damage the coils.
• Use the brush to lightly brush away any dust and dirt the vacuum cannot get.
• Sweep and vacuum behind the refrigerator periodically to help keep the dust and dirt from returning too quickly.
• Reconnect the power and water, and then return the refrigerator to its place. Make sure that air can flow around the back.

New technology becomes available daily in every field. This is no different for kitchen appliances. One of these new and exciting technologies is induction cooking. Via a magnetic field and particular cookware, an induction cooktop will cook a meal within just a few moments, whereas an ordinary range would have taken hours for similar results.

This is a feature of a dryer with which very few people are familiar, and most owners never select it. To help you understand it and use it properly, Miller’s Appliance Service, an drying machine servicer in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has outlined the main usages of the Air Fluff Cycle.

A washer is always a big purchase, which most people plan to keep for a very long time before having to purchase another one. Unfortunately, a lot of people make mistakes when using their washing machine, which may lead to premature wear in the long run. To shed some light on classic errors committed by washing machine owners, Miller’s Appliance, a washing machine specialist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has prepared a short list explaining some common mistakes and their possible consequences. Be sure to call them up if you have any questions.