Appliance, Microwave

Preventative Maintenance for Microwaves

Microwave maintenance is easy and does not consume time. Moreover, when you care and look after your microwave, you will end up saving electricity, increasing your microwave’s life, getting tastier food, and saving cash on unnecessary repairs. Here are some preventative maintenance tips for your microwave:

1. Before you start working on your microwave, read its manual and fully understand the safety and maintenance instructions.
2. Ensure that you never ever place any substances in your microwave that have the potential to harm it. For example, you must not place metal, plastics or Styrofoam containers inside your microwave. Use microwave cookware. Remember that plastics and Styrofoam contain toxic chemicals and that these chemicals can potentially get into your food if you use them in your microwave.
3. Do not overcook food in the microwave.
4. While heating liquids, ensure that the liquid container is covered with a vented lid.
5. Do you use your microwave to directly heat packaged food? If so, follow the microwave instructions on the package.
6. Avoid spills inside the microwave. If your microwave does not feature a removable glass plate, then place the food item on a paper towel before heating.
7. Wipe microwave clean after cooking a meal.
8. Wash your microwave regularly (once a week), but don’t use strong detergent. Use very mild detergents.
9. Soil builds up around the door edges and you must prevent and eliminate any soil on and around the door. A buildup of soil can keep the door from closing tightly and this can impact your microwave’s health.
10. If dried food items get stuck on your microwave floor or wall, then boil some water in a microwave container and place the container inside the microwave. The steam generated will soften up the dried debris, which can then be gently wiped dry.
11. If your microwave smells funny, then wipe its interior with warm water containing 1 tablespoon baking soda. Rinse and wipe the interior dry. Using 3 parts warm water and 1 part lemon juice works well too.
12. Do not use any abrasive materials to clean your microwave.
13. Do not use your microwave for deep-frying or heating baby bottles.
14. Always set the heat timer as per instructions and from experience.
15. Do not use the microwave to dry any items – for example, clothes. You risk starting a fire if you use your microwave for drying anything.
16. Heat fatty foods in microwave-safe glass containers. This is because fatty foods get very hot very fast. If you’re unsure whether your glass container is microwave-safe, then place an empty glass container inside the microwave for one minute and heat. If the glass container is lukewarm, then use it for reheating; if it is cool, use it for cooking; if it becomes hot, don’t use it.

These are a few microwave preventative maintenance tips. Follow these if you want your microwave to live long and keep churning out lip smacking food.

Appliance

McHappy Day

 

McHappy Day continues to be McDonald’s® signature fundraiser benefiting RMHC and other children’s causes around the world.

This fundraiser is just one more way McDonald’s, its employees, owner/operators, suppliers, and customers demonstrate how small contributions can add up to make a huge difference in the lives of children. Since 2002, countries around the world have raised more than $170 million during McHappy Day® events. Here are some examples of how McHappy Day will be celebrated this year around the globe:

McHappy Day and “Give A Hand®” in the U.S.: Bringing Hope and Happiness to Families in Need

McHappy Day is November 10 and kicks-off McDonald’s annual “Give A Hand” fundraiser to support RMHC. The fundraiser will be in participating U.S. restaurants November 10 – 20, for customers to show their support for the Charity by purchasing a paper Hand for $1, $3, or $5. All proceeds from the paper Hand sales will be donated to RMHC. And, with every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal® or Mighty Kids Meal® throughout the year, a donation is made to RMHC. These fundraisers are a few ways McDonald’s encourages customers to give back and help bring happiness to families in need.

McHappy Day Hong Kong: Run for Fun, Run for Love

To raise awareness among children and families about RMHC Hong Kong, McDonald’s Hong Kong hosted the seventh annual McHappy Day Kidathon on November 6, 2011. This signature fundraising event not only raises money for the Charity, it also encourages children to not just run for the love of running, but to run with a purpose; running for children who are sick and need support from their families. Children trained for the event with the help of a partner athletic club and they also were able to join in other fun runs.

 

McDonald’s Hong Kong has been supporting McHappy Day events for years. From 2007 onwards, McDonald’s customers and the Company have collected and donated almost US$2.7 million for the organization. Year-round Happy Meal donations, in-store promotions, RMHC Donation Boxes in restaurants and merchandise sales have also been implemented to raise funds for the Chapter. RMHC Hong Kong has served over 1,000 families for the past 15 years through their Ronald McDonald House program.

 

McDia Feliz Brazil – Exceeds 2010 Record

Some countries like Brazil have already celebrated McHappy Day in true style. McHappy Day, coordinated nationally by Instituto Ronald McDonald, the RMHC Chapter in Brazil, surpassed the record set in 2010 raising US$10.8 million in 2011.

On August 27, one hundred percent of proceeds of Big Mac sandwiches sales were donated to support children and adolescents with cancer. McDonald’s restaurants sold 1.6 million Big Mac sandwiches in one day throughout Brazil. Proceeds will benefit 59 institutions across the country whose mission is to fight cancer in children. It’s estimated 30,000 children will benefit from the money raised.

McDia Feliz in Guatemala: Turns BigMac Sandwiches into Smiles!

McDia Feliz in Guatemala is considered a national celebration, a holiday, and every year citizens anxiously wait to participate and make a difference. This year, McDia Feliz took place on October 5 and presidential candidates along with celebrities, celebrities, journalists, sports personalities and national media actively supported the Day by promoting it and volunteering at McDonald’s restaurants. From the time that the doors opened at 9 AM till they closed at midnight, a total of 438,513 Big Macs were sold, raising US$1.2 million to benefit children and families served by the Fundación Ronald McDonald Guatemala. McDia Feliz certainly turned Big Mac sandwiches into smiles!

For the past 13 years, McDia Feliz has raised US$6.5 million benefiting children and families in Guatemala. Funds raised this year will support the operations of two Ronald McDonald Houses and a Ronald McDonald Family Room benefiting over 11,000 children and families.

 

Appliance, Dryer Vent

Dryer Vent Cleaning

 

THE BAD VENT WARNING SIGNS

Clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans & towels. No lint visible on lint screen. Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle. Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle. Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle. The top of your dryer hot to the touch  while running. There’s excess lint left on your clothing. Take our FREE online energy saving analysis.

THE FLEET TECHNICIAN KNOWS WHY

90% of all appliance fires are dryer related. Clogged dryer vents run much hotter and longer. Improper venting will kill your dryer, we see it happen a lot. A plugged dryer vent will create an enormous amount of dust. Dryer vent cleaning will improve the air quality in your home. Excess heat created by poor venting can ruin your clothes. TIME, How much time do spend waiting for your clothes to dry?

WHO NEEDS DRYER VENT CLEANING?

Commercial laundries Town homes Condominiums Apartments Duplexes Single-family homes Spring and Fall are ideal times to schedule a dryer vent cleaning.

YOUR DRYER VENTS ARE ALL-IMPORTANT

There are many things that contribute to the proper operation of a clothes dryer. The venting is perhaps the most critical. Below we describe a dryer’s functions and how its venting plays a part.

MOISTURE

One of the most important functions of a dryer is the elimination of moisture recovered during the heating of damp clothing. This moisture is held in the warm air produced by the dryer as humidity, and is normally expelled to the outdoors through the dryer’s vent. If this air can not be adequately removed, poor drying will result.     This moisture can also condense into pools of water in the dryer vent, eventually leaking out. Any moisture accumulation inside the dryer ducting is a sign of poor venting which should be looked into. Schedule the Dryer Vent Wizard for a dryer vent cleaning and inspection.

Appliance, Range/Oven

MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR YOUR STOVE OR RANGE

If you own a stove or a range, you know that extending its life and making sure you can use it for a longer period of time depend on taking care of it very carefully. A stove or a range range can also get quite expensive, so it is also in your best economic interests to take care of the one you currently have very well. The following are some tips on how you can take care of your stove and maintain it well.

Your oven comes with a broiler pan that is, in most cases, porcelain-coated steel. This means that you have to approach your broiler pan in the appropriate manner. In the case of a broiler pan that is made from porcelain-coated steel, it needs to be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner due to the sensitivity of the material. Cleaning your broiler pan regularly will prevent you from having to replace it on your oven, which will cost you extra money unnecessarily.

If your stove / range has a control panel that is made out of either painted metal or painted glass, you have to also utilize a non-abrasive cleaner on its surface. Some examples of a non-abrasive cleaner are a liquid degreaser as well as a glass cleaner. When you use one of these kinds of cleaners, you must always keep in mind never to spray it right onto the control panel. Instead of doing this, spray some cleaner onto a rag that is damp and soft, and then wipe the control panel’s surface.

The burner drip pans (bowls) of your stove/range are another story entirely. While you can always try cleaning them anyway, in most cases, it will not be possible to entirely succeed at removing all of the dirt and stains that have accumulated on them over the years. What you are going to be forced to do instead is to replace these burner drip pans every 2 to 3 years, and that applies both to those that are placed under the grates on your gas oven or under an electric oven’s heating element.

The glass cooktops and windows on your stove/range must always only be cleaned by way of products that are especially made for these areas on your oven. An example of such a product would be a rangetop cleaner. The windows on your stove/range will be made out of glass, so rely on a specific oven glass cleaner for best results. Just as a note of caution, you should make sure that the glass surfaces of your appliance are not hot when you start cleaning them

The knobs on your stove/range deserve some cleaning, too. If you notice that they are dirtier than you can tolerate, you can usually find some success by cleaning them with just a little bit of dish detergent on a damp and soft rag. However, you have to be realistic about the condition of your knobs. If either their numbers or letters have already been worn out, then you might need to replace them entirely.

 

Appliance, Dryer

DRYER VENTING

 

THE BAD VENT WARNING SIGNS

Clothes are taking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans & towels. No lint visible on lint screen. Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle. Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle. Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle. The top of your dryer hot to the touch  while running. There’s excess lint left on your clothing. Take our FREE online energy saving analysis.

THE FLEET TECHNICIAN KNOWS WHY

90% of all appliance fires are dryer related. Clogged dryer vents run much hotter and longer. Improper venting will kill your dryer, we see it happen a lot. A plugged dryer vent will create an enormous amount of dust. Dryer vent cleaning will improve the air quality in your home. Excess heat created by poor venting can ruin your clothes. TIME, How much time do spend waiting for your clothes to dry?

WHO NEEDS DRYER VENT CLEANING?

Commercial laundries Town homes Condominiums Apartments Duplexes Single-family homes Spring and Fall are ideal times to schedule a dryer vent cleaning.

YOUR DRYER VENTS ARE ALL-IMPORTANT

There are many things that contribute to the proper operation of a clothes dryer. The venting is perhaps the most critical. Below we describe a dryer’s functions and how its venting plays a part.

MOISTURE

One of the most important functions of a dryer is the elimination of moisture recovered during the heating of damp clothing. This moisture is held in the warm air produced by the dryer as humidity, and is normally expelled to the outdoors through the dryer’s vent. If this air can not be adequately removed, poor drying will result. This moisture can also condense into pools of water in the dryer vent, eventually leaking out. Any moisture accumulation inside the dryer ducting is a sign of poor venting which should be looked into. Schedule the Dryer Vent Wizard for a dryer vent cleaning and inspection.

HEAT

The heat is another important function of a dryer. Many current dryer models have a ‘one-time’, non-resettable, thermal fuse or safety. These safety devices will open should the dryer’s vent not be installed properly, or if it becomes restricted. Once this happens, the dryer will no longer heat and will require the part to be replaced to correct the condition. On some dryer designs (usually gas) failure of one of these thermal fuses will totally stop the dryer operation altogether. On older models without one of these thermal safeties, poor venting can cause the dryer to cycle on its safety thermostat, instead of the temperature control thermostat. This usually contributes to poor drying and can cause overheating. On some models, the malfunctioning of the timer operation affects some cycles.

 

Appliance, Dryer

GETTING A DRYER WITH COOL FEATURES

 Clothes dryers of today are more convenient and efficient than ever before. They are built in with cool features and technologies and larger capacities. In this way, laundry has become a set and forget type of task because of many auto functions in these dryers. These features and functions have made life easier than ever in the past. Below are some cool features of dryers that you can keep in view before replacing your old dryer.

Appliance, Range/Oven

FENG SHUI KITCHEN TIPS – OVEN PLACEMENT

 The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house from a Feng Shui perspective as it is where food, the body’s fuel is prepared. With importance comes responsibility however and so great care should be taken to ensure that energy is allowed to flow around the kitchen in a natural, balanced and positive way.

A lot of advice is published on the web around where your kitchen should be situated, how a kitchen should be decorated, where your oven should be positioned, the direction your workshops should face and so on. A lot of the advice given warns of dire consequences and problems you may experience in your life if you do not adhere to good kitchen placement. The problem with a lot of the advice given is that it assumes that you are either building a house and can therefore choose where your kitchen is to be located or have an enormous kitchen and a large budget to totally redesign it. It is true that the kitchen can be one of the most problematic areas of the house but like everything in Feng Shui any problems can be very simply overcome without having to resort to a sledgehammer or a bank loan.

The main reason that the kitchen can be problematic is because it can encourage a destructive flow of energy. The focal point of the kitchen is the oven which represents fire. However the majority of the other large items in the kitchen are all water based. Think about the average kitchen. Normally it will contain a refrigerator, sink and dishwasher. The fire energy from the oven can be overcome with water energy if steps are not taken to provide the oven with some much needed support, leading to jerky and destructive energy in the kitchen and possible fractious relationships between the occupants of the home.

Fortunately there are a number of ways in which to provide support to the oven to promote a positive flow of chi. Some of these support tools may already be in place without you having to do anything at all. If your oven is on a south facing wall then it will automatically be strengthened by it’s placement in the fire area of the room. In the same way strength will be gained if the kitchen is in the south east or south areas of the home. If your oven or kitchen is not in one of these directions then you can use colour to provide support. Green is an excellent colour for a kitchen as green represents wood which supports fire while taking it’s own energy from water. To introduce green to your kitchen you do not necessarily have to paint the walls. Introducing some green kitchen items like utensil jars, cups, plates and bowls can work just as well. Red can also work well in a kitchen but should be used sparingly as you do not want to overdo the fire element. In our own kitchen which faces south I have a large red and green fruit bowl displayed in one corner to help strengthen the fire element.

One of the most important problems that needs to be overcome relating to the oven is if it is directly next to water, for example if the oven and sink are next to each other. If this is the case you will need to bring in some sort of barrier between them. This can be done by placing crystals in a bowl between oven and the sink. Excellent crystals to use are crystals which represent the element wood or fire like Carnelian and Citrine which can be placed in a small decorative wooden bowl or box. If there is really no room between the oven and the sink, fridge or dishwasher then you will need to place the crystals on top of the water based element, or in the case of the sink behind the sink.

As the oven is seen as the heart of the kitchen it goes without saying that it should be kept clean and in good repair. Any faulty burners should be replaced immediately. If you keep your oven well maintained and clean and use it often and with love then the energy around your kitchen will be healthy even though some items may not be perfectly placed. By following these simple guidelines even the slightest enhancements can make a big difference to the fortunes of your home.

Appliance, Dryer, Washer, Whirlpool Washer

TIPS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WASHING MACHINE FOR YOUR FAMILY

 A washing machine is a very important home appliance. We have become so dependent on the washing machine that if it dies, we are at wits end on what to do until we get another one. This being the case there are a number of tips that will help you not only to choose the right one, but to even save some money in the bargain.

Tip 1 – Decide on the capacity that you want to get. Most manufacturers charge only for the size as the controls and software is not much of a cost for them. A 4 cu ft washing machine will cost you much more proportionally than a 3.5 cu ft machine, so plan on getting only what you need.

Tip 2 – Check consumer reviews in independent forums.Sometimes even companies that you were under the impression were very good will turn out to have glaring flaws that come out only when you start using the machine and not before. If someone has experienced a problem and if this problem is echoed in other places, it is better to drop that manufacturer.

Tip 3 – Go for what you need not what you think that you will use. Having a sanitize wash option or a steam wash may sound really cool, but then if you are not the allergic sort or do not go rolling around in the dirt, neither of them are needed. Go instead for a higher spin speed which allows you to wring out your clothes better or automatic dispensers that will save you from the hassle of doing it manually.

Tip 4 – Check out the manufacturer. Not all of them are geared towards providing a good product although they all advertise that they do. Many of them are just interested in selling you their product and will not do anything in follow up. Even companies that have a good name like LG fall short when it comes to customer service.

Tip 5 – Most manufacturers have only a few base models on which a number of options are given, at a higher price of course. Going for this base model is a good idea because it will usually be more than sufficient for most of your needs. For example Bosch’s cheapest model costs $900 but when you compare it to their top of the line one that retails at $1600 you will find that you just get additional features and a better looking outer casing. Even the capacity is the same at 4 cu ft. Going in for the base model means that you get everything that you need including a really quite machine that has the bacteria free rinse and you have just saved yourself $700.

Tip 6 – If you have decided on a particular model, try a few online stores. You usually get massive discounts with them that can amount to more than a couple of hundred dollars. Most times you will still be saving on quite a bit even after you factor in the shipping charges, although this is something that you need to keep in mind when calculating the total cost of the machine.

Keeping these tips in mind is a very valuable thing when you go shopping for a washing machine. Many manufacturers rely on the fact that most people who buy washing machines need one immediately and therefore go out of their way to ensure that you buy their product immediately. The problems start only after that, and why compound an already existing problem with a new one.

Appliance, Freezer, Refrigerator

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING FOR UNDERCOUNTER REFRIGERATORS

 Like many people you may find yourself short of refrigerator space. You may also wish to find a solution to the hassle of interrupting your meal preparation to walk to your full size fridge every time you need something from it. A mini fridge offers you extra refrigerator space. The size makes it convenient to place virtually anywhere you want to. It is great for a small apartment or an office, as it is for a family home.

Undercounter refrigerators are an asset to every kitchen. They are also great to place under the counter at a bar or a restaurant. Such an appliance allows you to use the available space under a counter in an efficient and versatile manner. There are several issues that you would need to keep in mind when shopping for a mini fridge.

The first and most important, of course, is how you expect to use the refrigerator. Do you intend to use it to store beverages, fruits and vegetables, or do you want to use such a fridge for extra freezer space? If you are looking for additional freezer space then you need to shop for a freezer that can be accommodated under the counter. Do choose a model that doesn’t open outwards as you would find it difficult to open and access.

Your choice of refrigerator and the brand would depend on your requirements and your budget. You also need to consider the space where you intend to place the undercounter fridge. It is important that the size of the fridge is such that it can be easily placed under the counter, with some space to spare.

You would need to think about which side the door of the refrigerator would open from. You don’t want to risk banging the door against a wall when you open it to take out or put food in. Some brands offer undercounter refrigerators that allow the door to be installed on either side, while others don’t have such a feature. Others have drawers. So, you would need to make your choice rather carefully.

It is best to choose from frost free undercounter refrigerators. This would ensure that you don’t need to defrost it to clear it of excess ice. A refrigerator that doesn’t offer such a feature would be difficult to clean and defrost. You would need to take it out from under the counter in order to drain away the water from the melted ice. It is recommended that you do an online research that will help you choose the model and brand that meets your specifications.

Appliance, Range/Oven

RESTORING YOUR ANTIQUE STOVE

 Basically, antique stove is of varying sizes from small to big. Also, it can be made of several components like soapstone and cast iron. Aside from that, these woodburning stoves are usefully in a sequence of sets. There are which are mostly for in-the-kitchen usage as several are intentionally for outdoor activities. However to achieve the superior of them, correct attention must be given to both external and internal of the antique stove.

A chimney that acts as channel for smoke must as well be given important sweeping concentration since they can mainly influence the creative and careful usage of the woodburning stoves. Before installation, this component must be well measured to avoid expulsions and troubles. Thinking that you’re aware regarding those matters but you’re still not closer yet in choosing or keeping the woodburning stoves. Relatively it is about repairing it. In this article you will know some basic steps on how to restore your antique stove.

Initially, no matter if you are using a woodburning stove, hunter stove or some other type they’re vulnerable to dirt and rust. To eliminate those you can use a wire brush. Also, you can use a hammer or chisel to eliminate old and depreciated cement which you want to take away. Secondly, to restore and load cracks and seams, you may use a putty blade to situate new stove cement. Before that you have to damp the portion with a towel or tissue. If you’ve done some fault to the use of the cement take it away immediately with a damp paper towel.

After that, wait for one day to parch the cement. Thirdly, clean the surface of the antique stove by using a damp rag. Then put a stove covering by using a soft cloth. Provide additional focus on the attractive part of the old stove. And finally, let the covering dry for some minutes and then polish the outer surface of the antique stove. Allow a day goes by and you’ll be able to utilize again your new looking stove. Now, if you are planning to buy antique stove you can continue with the installation or if you are planning to restore your old stove, you proceed with the process of repairing.

There are several companies which can tender you installation for free but it might cost you extra fee. When you’re restoring your antique stove you can just do it all by yourself or hire somebody to work it for you. In obtaining an old stove, you have lots of option either you purchase a latest one or tell your grandmother to offer their old stove for you and repair it. It is very inexpensive repairing it than purchasing the classic one because it will cost lots of money.

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