With care, appliances get shot at longer life.
That ancient hand-crank washing machine may have been an enormous pain for our great-grandmothers, but it was built to last.
Today's modern appliances are built for energy efficiency and convenience for the user, but they also have a shorter lifespan.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers says today's washers need to be replaced about every 12 years, and most other appliances don't last much longer.
And as far as specific brands, none lasts significantly longer the others, according to Consumer Reports. Their studies show that, across the board, appliances from a wide variety of manufacturers carry similar life spans.
All appliances can break down before their optimal end dates or fail to work at peak performance if not properly maintained. To make the most of the life they do have, follow the maintenance suggestions in the user manual or try these tips from Consumer Reports:
Refrigerator
Life expectancy: 14-17 years
• Clean the compressor coils every few months or so (typically, coils are at the bottom of the unit).
• Keep gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer doors clean with mild detergent and water, not bleach, to ensure a good seal and prevent wasted energy.
• Check the gasket seal by closing the doors on a dollar bill; replace the gasket if the bill falls out or can be easily removed without opening the door.
Stove
Life expectancy: 17 years
• Place heavy pots and pans gently on smooth-top models to avoid breakage.
• Never cover drip pans and bowls with foil; it can short-circuit the burner.
• Keep reflector bowls (beneath burners) shiny and clean, which affects how efficiently they reflect heat up to the pan or pot. Replace them when they can no longer be cleaned.
• Gas stoves: periodically clean burner ports with a needle and don't poke the igniter or spray it with oven cleaner.
Wall oven
Life expectancy: 17 years
• Check door seals for damage.
• If heat is escaping from an older oven, adjust or replace the gasket.
Washing machine
Life expectancy: 11-14 years
• Remove grit from the screens where the hoses attach to the water supplies.
• Don't overload the washer beyond its manufacturer-recommended capacity.
• Install the washer on a level and well-supported subfloor to prevent vibration and banging.
Dryer
Life expectancy: 13 years
• Clean lint filter after each use to keep air flowing freely.
• Each year, clean the entire exhaust duct to keep it from clogging and creating a fire hazard.
Microwave
Life expectancy: 9 years
• Avoid turning on when empty and avoid putting metal inside.
Dishwasher
Life expectancy: 11 years
• Replace a dish rack with worn or rusted tines.
• When loading, make sure silverware and dishes don't catch the spray arms to avoid damaging the arms.
• Inspect the spray arms for paper, glass or other debris, which can clog holes. Remove any obstructions. If you find glass, inspect the pump housing for glass, as well as any seals that it might have punctured.
• If your dishwasher has a manual-clean filter, clean the filter regularly, as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Projection TV
Life expectancy: 30,000-60,000 hours, about 3½ to 7 years if used 24/7
• Screens can scratch easily, so be careful when cleaning them.
Conventional tube television
Life expectancy: 30,000 hours, about 3½ years if used 24/7
• Keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Remove dust from screen and vents. Keep screen brightness (contrast settings) low to prolong picture life and reduce chance of "burn in," a permanent disfiguring of areas of the screen.
Showing posts with label Oven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oven. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Range maintenance tips
Broiler pan: The broiler pan that comes with most range/ovens is porcelain-coated steel. Clean it with a non-abrasive cleanser.
Control panel: Most range/oven control panels are glass and/or painted metal. You can safely use non-abrasive cleaners on these surfaces.
Note: Never spray cleaners directly onto the control panel. Instead, put some cleaner on a soft, damp rag, then wipe the surface.
Cooktop: You can clean any porcelain cooktop with a non-abrasive cleanser.
Note: Don't pour the cleanser directly onto the cooktop. Instead, put some cleaner on a soft, damp rag, then wipe the surface.
Burner drip pans (bowls): You usually need to replace the drip pans or bowls beneath the grates on a gas stove/range and beneath the heating element on an electric stove/range every 2 to 3 years. That's because, once they're stained, it's usually not possible to clean them completely.
Glass cooktops and windows: Always clean glass and ceramic cooktops only with products made for this purpose. Clean your glass oven windows with any oven glass cleaner. Be careful not to clean glass surfaces that are hot!
Knob care: You may be able to safely clean the knobs on your range/oven with a little dish detergent and a damp rag. But, if the numbers or lettering have worn away, you may need to replace the knobs.
Light bulbs: You can replace the light bulb(s) in your range/oven, though you may need to remove a glass covering or dome to reach it. Most interior oven lights require a universal 40 watt appliance bulb.
Oven: If your oven is self-cleaning, consult the owner's manual for instructions on how to use this feature. The self-cleaning feature works by heating the interior of the oven to a temperature so hot that it incinerates the residue inside the oven. Normally, it is not a good idea to clean the interior of a self-cleaning oven with a spray cleaner; however, refer to your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer of your oven for further information.To clean a non-self-cleaning oven, use one of the many oven cleaners that are available at grocery and hardware stores.
Control panel: Most range/oven control panels are glass and/or painted metal. You can safely use non-abrasive cleaners on these surfaces.
Note: Never spray cleaners directly onto the control panel. Instead, put some cleaner on a soft, damp rag, then wipe the surface.
Cooktop: You can clean any porcelain cooktop with a non-abrasive cleanser.
Note: Don't pour the cleanser directly onto the cooktop. Instead, put some cleaner on a soft, damp rag, then wipe the surface.
Burner drip pans (bowls): You usually need to replace the drip pans or bowls beneath the grates on a gas stove/range and beneath the heating element on an electric stove/range every 2 to 3 years. That's because, once they're stained, it's usually not possible to clean them completely.
Glass cooktops and windows: Always clean glass and ceramic cooktops only with products made for this purpose. Clean your glass oven windows with any oven glass cleaner. Be careful not to clean glass surfaces that are hot!
Knob care: You may be able to safely clean the knobs on your range/oven with a little dish detergent and a damp rag. But, if the numbers or lettering have worn away, you may need to replace the knobs.
Light bulbs: You can replace the light bulb(s) in your range/oven, though you may need to remove a glass covering or dome to reach it. Most interior oven lights require a universal 40 watt appliance bulb.
Oven: If your oven is self-cleaning, consult the owner's manual for instructions on how to use this feature. The self-cleaning feature works by heating the interior of the oven to a temperature so hot that it incinerates the residue inside the oven. Normally, it is not a good idea to clean the interior of a self-cleaning oven with a spray cleaner; however, refer to your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer of your oven for further information.To clean a non-self-cleaning oven, use one of the many oven cleaners that are available at grocery and hardware stores.
Range FAQ
NOTE: When experiencing problems with any appliance, the first thing the customer should do is check to see that there is power going to the unit by checking the breaker box.
Why are the burners on my gas stove slow to light?
The air holes on the side of the burner that faces the center of the stove may be clogged. They help the pilot or spark igniter to light the gas. Try cleaning the holes with a toothpick.
There is a red glow in my oven, but it isn't heating. Why?
Most modern gas ovens and many broilers use a "glow-bar" style of igniter that glows red-hot to ignite the gas. If the igniter doesn't reach the proper temperature, the gas valve won't open. You may need to replace the igniter.
How do I use the self-cleaning feature on my oven?
Every self-cleaning oven is different. It's best to consult the owner's manual for the correct procedure for your oven. But often the steps are:
1. Set the start time for the time you want the cleaning to begin.
2. Set the stop time to a time 2-3 hours after the start time.
3. Close and latch the oven door.
4. Set the selector switch and/or thermostat to "clean."
Why won't my clock keep the correct time?
If your clock consistently gains or loses time, you'll have to replace the clock if you want to have the correct time. Such clocks aren't repairable.
Why won't my oven heat to the proper temperature?
If you have a gas oven, see "There is a red glow in my oven, but it isn't heating. Why?"
Should I leave the oven door open when broiling?
Maybe. Many ovens have the broiler built into the oven near the top. If this is true for your unit, it may be best to leave the oven door open a few inches. If the broiler is at the bottom--in a drawer--you can leave the door closed.
Is it normal for my electric burners and oven heating element to glow bright red?
Yes. Electric burners and heating elements glow red--or bright red--when set to one of the higher settings.
My surface burners work, but I can't get my oven or broiler to work. Why?
You may have inadvertently set the clock knob to Automatic. If your clock has a button that says "Push for Man," "Push for Manual," or something similar, try pushing the switch or knob back to manual operation.
Why does my oven smell so much during self-cleaning?
Ovens reach extremely high temperatures (800 to 1,000 degrees) during the self-clean cycle--to incinerate the grease, food splatterings, and drippings inside the oven. When all of that burns, it can smell pretty bad. Make sure you have good ventilation in the room where the oven is--at least when using the self-cleaning feature.
How do I convert my gas oven/range to LP gas?
Most gas appliances can be converted to LP gas. Often the small items needed to convert the appliance are already with the appliance itself.
Can I use oven cleaner on my self-cleaning oven?
Most manufacturers recommend not using oven cleaner on self-cleaning ovens. Check your owner’s manual for specific details.
Why are the burners on my gas stove slow to light?
The air holes on the side of the burner that faces the center of the stove may be clogged. They help the pilot or spark igniter to light the gas. Try cleaning the holes with a toothpick.
There is a red glow in my oven, but it isn't heating. Why?
Most modern gas ovens and many broilers use a "glow-bar" style of igniter that glows red-hot to ignite the gas. If the igniter doesn't reach the proper temperature, the gas valve won't open. You may need to replace the igniter.
How do I use the self-cleaning feature on my oven?
Every self-cleaning oven is different. It's best to consult the owner's manual for the correct procedure for your oven. But often the steps are:
1. Set the start time for the time you want the cleaning to begin.
2. Set the stop time to a time 2-3 hours after the start time.
3. Close and latch the oven door.
4. Set the selector switch and/or thermostat to "clean."
Why won't my clock keep the correct time?
If your clock consistently gains or loses time, you'll have to replace the clock if you want to have the correct time. Such clocks aren't repairable.
Why won't my oven heat to the proper temperature?
If you have a gas oven, see "There is a red glow in my oven, but it isn't heating. Why?"
Should I leave the oven door open when broiling?
Maybe. Many ovens have the broiler built into the oven near the top. If this is true for your unit, it may be best to leave the oven door open a few inches. If the broiler is at the bottom--in a drawer--you can leave the door closed.
Is it normal for my electric burners and oven heating element to glow bright red?
Yes. Electric burners and heating elements glow red--or bright red--when set to one of the higher settings.
My surface burners work, but I can't get my oven or broiler to work. Why?
You may have inadvertently set the clock knob to Automatic. If your clock has a button that says "Push for Man," "Push for Manual," or something similar, try pushing the switch or knob back to manual operation.
Why does my oven smell so much during self-cleaning?
Ovens reach extremely high temperatures (800 to 1,000 degrees) during the self-clean cycle--to incinerate the grease, food splatterings, and drippings inside the oven. When all of that burns, it can smell pretty bad. Make sure you have good ventilation in the room where the oven is--at least when using the self-cleaning feature.
How do I convert my gas oven/range to LP gas?
Most gas appliances can be converted to LP gas. Often the small items needed to convert the appliance are already with the appliance itself.
Can I use oven cleaner on my self-cleaning oven?
Most manufacturers recommend not using oven cleaner on self-cleaning ovens. Check your owner’s manual for specific details.
Range Efficiency Tips
· Use toaster ovens, crock-pots or microwaves when cooking small meals.
· Glass or ceramic pans heat faster and more evenly, allowing oven temperatures to decrease by 50 degrees fahrenheit.
· Use small pans whenever possible as they require less energy.
· Copper bottom pots heat faster than regular pots.
· Cover pots to avoid heat loss.
· Whenever possible, cook several dishes in the oven at once.
· Preheat oven to the minimum heat required.
· Avoid opening the oven door when in use as large amounts of heat escape.
· Ensure that the oven door fits tightly and the door gasket is not worn or stiff.
· Do not use tin foil underneath the burners, as this will cause burners to run hotter and burn out faster.
· Refrain from using foil on oven racks as air needs to circulate.
· Using the broiler element eliminates the need to pre-heat the oven (since only the top of the food is being broiled).
· Self cleaning ovens are more efficient because they have extra insulation, heat is distributed more evenly and less energy is consumed.
· Use the self clean function right after cooking because the oven is already heated.
· To reduce cooking time, thaw food out before cooking.
· On gas ovens, electric ignition saves up to 41% of gas in ovens and 53% on top burners, in comparison to a standing pilot light, which burns continuously.
· Look for blue flames on burners (yellow flames mean that gas is burning inefficiently).
· Glass or ceramic pans heat faster and more evenly, allowing oven temperatures to decrease by 50 degrees fahrenheit.
· Use small pans whenever possible as they require less energy.
· Copper bottom pots heat faster than regular pots.
· Cover pots to avoid heat loss.
· Whenever possible, cook several dishes in the oven at once.
· Preheat oven to the minimum heat required.
· Avoid opening the oven door when in use as large amounts of heat escape.
· Ensure that the oven door fits tightly and the door gasket is not worn or stiff.
· Do not use tin foil underneath the burners, as this will cause burners to run hotter and burn out faster.
· Refrain from using foil on oven racks as air needs to circulate.
· Using the broiler element eliminates the need to pre-heat the oven (since only the top of the food is being broiled).
· Self cleaning ovens are more efficient because they have extra insulation, heat is distributed more evenly and less energy is consumed.
· Use the self clean function right after cooking because the oven is already heated.
· To reduce cooking time, thaw food out before cooking.
· On gas ovens, electric ignition saves up to 41% of gas in ovens and 53% on top burners, in comparison to a standing pilot light, which burns continuously.
· Look for blue flames on burners (yellow flames mean that gas is burning inefficiently).
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
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