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As a responsible homeowner, you want to keep your cooktops clean and well maintained, don’t you? The good news is that it’s possible to do it. All you need to do is to put into place these cooktop best practices:

Wipe the spills as soon as they happen

Spills might seem harmless to your cooktops, but they aren’t. According to appliance repair professionals, spills on your glass or ceramic cooktops are ugly to look at and hard to remove, especially when you let them dry on your surfaces.

Your cooktop controls are also affected and fail to respond as well as they should, especially when spilled with sugary liquids or grease.

Use the right cookware on your cooktop.

The cookware you use on your cooktop is of vital importance as it not only affects how well you cook, but also how long your cooktops last.

As a rule of thumb, don’t use cat iron cookware on a smooth top cooktop. This is because the cast iron cookware is most likely rough, and any movement of the top on the cooktop will leave scratches on the surfaces. You don’t want your cooktops to have any scratches, do you?

If you have an induction cooktop, don’t use any pan on it. Besides the fact that it doesn’t make sense to use a cheap pan on your expensive cooktop, remember that induction cooktops work extremely differently from ceramic cooktops.

They use a magnetic field under their surfaces to transfer heat directly to the pots and pans. As a result, they need special induction cookware with a ferrous base to transfer the heat as well as they should.

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Use a fridge magnet to tell whether your cookware will work with your induction cooktop. If the cookware doesn’t stick on the magnet, get new units.

As you are choosing the right cookware for your home, remember to go with pans that sit flat on your cooktops as they provide even heat distribution. They also tend to be more stable on the cooktop.

This calls for you to avoid pans and skillets with rounded edge bottoms as they won’t provide you with an even heat distribution. The pans also tend to rock while on the cooktop; you don’t want this.

Clean the cooktops

You need to clean the cooktops to not only keep them looking good, but also remove any damaging materials that might be there.

While you might want your cooktops as clean as possible, be cautious about the materials you use. As a rule of thumb, don’t use harsh cleaners as they will damage your surfaces.

While a glass cleaner might seem like an obvious choice, don’t use it as it can leave streaks on your cooktop surface.

The right way to go about it is to use a dedicated ceramic cleaner and a microfiber cloth. These won’t cause any damage and will leave your cooktops looking as good as new.

When cleaning the surfaces, don’t forget the knobs. You should remove any dirt and scraps that might still be trapped under them.

Besides the cooktops, keep the bottoms of your pots and pans clean. This is because when the pots are dirty, they transfer grease and other forms of dirt on the cooktop, and you don’t want this. While you can remove the grease and other forms of dirt from the surfaces, they are usually hard to clean.

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Don’t use your cooktop as a preparation space.

The smooth and tough nature of the cooktops can tempt you to use the cooktops as a food preparation surface, but don’t. The reason for this is that you can easily damage the cooktops.

To protect your surfaces, always use a chopping board.

Don’t stand on the cooktops.

The glass on your cooktops might appear tough and can stand your weight, but don’t stand on it. This is because it can easily shatter and break, especially when hot.

Don’t stand on the cooktops if you have to reach the top shelf. Instead, use a ladder.

Cooktop repair Northern VA also recommend against placing any heavy item on the smooth cooktops, even if you are doing it temporarily.

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Having a manufacturer’s warranty on a new appliance can give you some peace of mind. These warranties might offer some relief when it comes to paying for repairs. However, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions of your warranty, so you’ll know what’s covered. Keep these facts about manufacturer warranties in mind when purchasing new appliances.

Must Have Proof of Purchase

Most manufacturers require you to show proof of purchase before reimbursing you for the cost of repairs. When you purchase a new appliance, keep the receipt in a safe place, so you can easily access it if needed. Consider attaching your receipt to your warranty right away to keep it from getting lost or accidentally thrown out. This way, you’ll have it handy when you need to provide proof of purchase for appliance repairs.

Some Repairs Are Not Covered

Having a manufacturer warranty doesn’t mean all kinds of repairs are included in your coverage. Knowing what is and isn’t covered ahead of time can help you understand whether or not you’ll be paying out of pocket for repairs.

Which repairs usually aren’t covered? You might have to pay the full cost of repairs for damage resulting from misuse. For example, if you’re using your dryer, stove, or fridge incorrectly, your warranty is unlikely to cover these repair costs. Other kinds of repairs that usually aren’t covered include damage caused by poor or improper installation and cosmetic issues, such as dents or scratches.

Some Parts Have Extended Warranties/Coverage

Manufacturer warranties typically expire after a year, although this can vary. You might not realize that certain parts or components of appliances sometimes come with extended coverage or warranties. For example, circuit boards or motors inside appliances might be covered for up to 10 years instead of just a year. Go over the details of your warranty to see if your appliances have parts with extended warranties or coverage.

Warranties Are Not Transferable

When you sell your home, warranties on the roof or other components sometimes transfer to the new owner. However, this isn’t the way manufacturer warranties work. If you sell your home, the warranties on appliances won’t transfer to the new owner. Likewise, if you purchase a home, the warranty for any appliances that are included won’t transfer to your name. You should expect to pay out of pocket for appliance repairs in this case, unless you’re purchasing new appliances.

Warranty Technicians Work for an Independent Company

While you might assume that warranty technicians work for the manufacturer, this isn’t the case. These technicians work for independent companies, so they’re not responsible for being familiar with the terms and conditions of your warranty. They also can’t authorize any product replacements. Warranty technicians are only responsible for fixing your appliance. If you have any issues or questions about warranty coverage, you’ll need to talk to the manufacturer.

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If you have a dishwasher, you want to get the most from it, right? Are you asking, how do I get the best results from my dishwasher? There are plenty of ways to go about it, with the common ones as given by dishwasher repair professionals being:

Use hot water

To have an easy time cleaning the dishes, use hot water as it has been shown to clean better. It’s always wise to check the hot water temperature at the kitchen faucet using a candy or meat thermometer. For best results, the temperature should be 120 degrees.

If the water is colder than this, adjust the settings on your water heater.

To ensure you have hot water throughout the dishwasher, run hot water in the kitchen sink before you start your dishwasher. This way, you ensure that, the tub fills with all hot water, which ensures that you thoroughly clean your dishes.

Scrape the food off the dishes

You might have heard that you should remove as much food from the dishes as possible to give your dishwasher an easy time. Removing some of the food from the dishes before washing them is wise, but you should avoid overdoing it.

As a rule of thumb, don’t rinse the dishes as you will not only be wasting water, but also worsening the detergent’s performance.

The right way to go about it is to scrape the large food particles from the dishes and then put the dishes in the dishwasher.

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Run a balanced load

You should run a balanced load to prevent your dishwasher from making noises as it’s working. This calls for you to ensure that your dishes are balanced in all areas.

To ensure this happens, follow the recommendations given by your manufacturer on the proper loading of the dishwasher. As a rule of thumb, don’t crowd or overload the dishwasher, as you not only risk your appliance not running smoothly, but also risk blocking the spray arm and preventing the water from reaching all the surfaces.

Use the right cleaning cycle.

Most modern dishwashers come with different cycle settings meant to clean different dishes. These cycles include: regular cycle for normal cleaning, the heavy-duty cycle for deep cleaning, and the light cycle for china and fragile items.

You should use the right cycle to get the most from your dishwasher. If you aren’t sure about the right cycle for your dishes, consult the owner’s manual or an experienced professional.

Go easy on the soap

Using a lot of soap will get you cleaner dishes, right? Well, no. As much as you would want spotless dishes, using too much soap than necessary doesn’t give you the best results.

Besides still having soap on your dishes after running a cycle, using too much soap can ruin your dishwasher.

When choosing a washing cycle, refer to the instruction manual for directions on the best soap to clean the dishes and the right amounts to use.

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Keep your machine clean.

Since your washing machine is responsible for cleaning, you don’t need to clean it, right? Well, no. Like other appliances, you need to clean your washing machine.

By doing so, you not only always have clean dishes, but also have a properly functioning dishwasher that is beautiful to look at.

To clean your dishwasher, run the appliance on a normal cycle using two cups of white vinegar. As a rule of thumb, don’t use a detergent to do the cleaning. This way, you remove any materials in the appliance and eliminate awful smells.

If you want to go the extra mile, wipe down the interior walls and racks of the appliance with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Remember to rinse the surfaces properly after going over them.

Regularly inspect the dishwasher.

The same way you should regularly clean the dishwasher is the same way you should regularly inspect it and fix any issues it might be having. You can do the inspection yourself or hire a dishwasher repair professional to help.

When hiring professionals, ensure they are experienced and know what they are doing. Don’t hire a novice that will be a liability to have.

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Whether it’s a refrigerator, washing machine, or any other appliance you have in your home, you want it to last for as long as possible, don’t you? The cool thing is that it’s possible to do it. Here are tips given by appliance repair professionals that will ensure that your appliance lasts for as long as possible:

Pay attention to the instruction manual

If you are like other homeowners, you don’t even pay attention to the instruction manual. You look at it once, then throw it in the trash can, don’t you?

Don’t do this for your appliance to last a long time. Besides the manual telling you how to use your appliance properly, it also contains information on how to use it correctly so that it lasts for a long time.

You should regularly refer to the manual to know how to keep it in top shape.

Don’t overload the appliance.

Whether it’s the washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, dryer, or any other machine, you should never overload it.

You might have the impression that stocking more items in an appliance will save you time and money, but this isn’t the case in most cases.

When you put more clothes in the washing machine, the machine doesn’t run the cleaning cycle as well as it should, resulting in some of the clothes being dirty. As you can guess, this forces you to repeat the cleaning.

The same thing applies to the refrigerator. When you stock too much food there, you prevent the effective flow of cold air, which leads to some of the food getting spoilt, which, as you can guess, is costly.

Put only the required items in your appliances to stay on the safe side. Never overload them.

Keep the appliances clean.

Clean appliances are beautiful to look at and last for a long time, so you should strive to keep your appliance clean at all times.

The beauty is that you don’t need to use specialized cleaning materials—the good old soap and water is often enough.

To have an easy time, clean your appliances immediately after using them, then at least one thorough cleaning, once a week.

If there are hard-to-remove stains, remove them using vinegar or other tough material.

As you clean the appliances, pay close attention to the smells and ensure that you remove them.

Repair the appliances

Even the best-maintained appliance will break down at a certain time. When this happens, you should move with haste and fix it before the problem worsens.

Some homeowners ignore minor issues with their appliances, which is dangerous as these issues worsen over time and become hard to handle.

To stay on the safe side, fix even the smallest problem as soon as you notice it—don’t let it sit, hoping it will go away.

For peace of mind, ensure that the repair work is done by an expert that knows what they are doing.

As the contractor repairs the appliance, they also should inspect the unit for any other issues it might be having and fix them.

Use the right accessories.

Every appliance comes with its requirements and specifications. For example, a juicer should have the correct juicer attachments for it to function at an optimum level. The same thing applies to the sandwich toaster. To properly cook the bread, you must place it in the right slot.

For your appliance to last for long, you need to use the right accessories. This means that the manufacturer should recommend the power appliances, replacement parts, and other accessories.

Don’t mishandle your appliance.

The same way you don’t mishandle your car is the same way you shouldn’t mishandle your appliances. This means that you shouldn’t bang your refrigerator door. You also shouldn’t close the washer door with your leg.

Sometimes you will find that you can’t close your washing machine as well as you used to. If this happens, don’t force the door to close. You should realize that this happens when you have a problem, and you should find the source instead of forcing the door to close.

If you have encountered a similar problem before, you should try to fix the issue, but if the problem is new, let an experienced appliance repair professional help you.

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Your freezer is more than a convenient way to have ice cream always available. It’s an important part of your family’s health and safety. Improperly frozen food can become contaminated and have an impact on the health of your whole family. Some issues are simply annoying, but can indicate a problem that may become dangerous.

Freezer Not Freezing.

If your food isn’t actually freezing, then you are at risk of illness, in addition to losing food. It may indicate dusty, dirty coils, or it may be a problem with the evaporator fan motor, or the starter may not be working right. If you want to deal with the issue right, contact one of the experts at Dave’s Appliance.

Frost Buildup.

Frost buildup can be irritating. It decreases storage space in your freezer, and it may trap odors, or encourage freezer burn. Frost buildup can indicate a number of issues. It may result from improper fridge position, poor seals, dirty coils, or clogged freezer drain. Too much frost buildup results in improper freezing of food, so it’s best to deal with it right away.

Freezer Runs Constantly.

When your freezer runs all the time, it is definitely working too hard. It may result in variable freezing of the food, and it is certainly costing you money in the electricity used. The easiest solution is that the temperature is set too low. Otherwise, it could be the condenser fan motor or evaporator fan motor. Those repairs need the expertise of Dave’s Appliance.

Clicking Sound.

A clicking sound from your freezer means that you should call Dave’s Appliance. Almost certainly, it’s not something that can be easily rectified. It may be a malfunctioning starter relay, or it could indicate that coolant is not moving through the coils properly. In any event, it is an issue that requires professional attention.

Defrost Drain Issues – Leaking Water

If it is only the freezer and not the refrigerator that is leaking water, it is probably a clogged or frozen defrost drain. It is possible for you to remove the cover to expose the freezer drain and check if there is an obvious clog. If you can do so easily, extract it. If the drain is frozen, you may want to contact Dave’s Appliance.

Defrost Drain Issues – Frozen Drain
If you’re uncomfortable removing freezer covers to expose the defrost drain, or are worried about what you may find once you do, just call Dave’s Appliance. In addition to the typical issues with the defrost drain outlined above, there’s the possibility that the drain strap may have fallen off or deteriorated. If so, Dave’s Appliance can fix or replace it.

Like any appliance, your freezer benefits from regular maintenance. If you’re having issues, try these maintenance tips to see if the problem disappears.

Position. The refrigerator needs to be located away from the wall slightly to allow enough room for the air to circulate. The heat from the compressor needs to have sufficient room to dissipate.

Temperature. Sometimes the temperature setting becomes moved by mistake. Your freezer should be set to 0º to keep food properly frozen. It’s a good idea to keep a thermometer in your freezer to monitor the temperature.

Door seals. The seals of the freezer should be clean and in good repair. Simply use soapy water and then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to maintain the seals.

Coils. The condenser coils can become dirty and dusty. Use a vacuum to clean the debris off.

You should be able to enjoy the food from your freezer without fear. You don’t want to take chances with your family’s health, so If you have any concerns about your freezer working properly, call the experts at Dave’s Appliance, and we’ll be able to diagnose and fix the problem.

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Your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your home. You use it multiple times every day, and a malfunction could mean losing all the food in it. If your refrigerator isn’t working right, it could also mean health problems for your family. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common problems refrigerators have, and what you can do about them.

Refrigerator Leaking Water

One of the most common problems with refrigerators is the appearance of water on the floor near the fridge. Most people assume that the fridge is leaking water. Sometimes that’s the case, but sometimes it’s not. Refrigerators are designed so that condensation accumulated in the interior of the fridge drains through a drain hole and then into a drain pan underneath where it evaporates. So the water is a symptom, but you need to find the cause. There are several possibilities:

Refrigerator’s Position

If the refrigerator is completely level or tipped slightly forward, the water may not be able to flow into the drain. All you have to do is adjust the front legs so that the refrigerator tips back slightly. That tilt also makes the door swing closed after you turn away from the refrigerator. Be careful when adjusting your refrigerator, though. It is designed to be nearly level, and tipping it too much can create significant problems with other systems.

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Refrigerator’s Seal

When your refrigerator doesn’t seal properly, it runs constantly causing excessive condensation on the coils, and water overflows the drain pan. Check the rubber door seals on your fridge and freezer to make sure you’re getting a proper seal. If you find a problem, wash the seals with warm water and soap and apply a thin film of petroleum jelly.

Damaged Drain Pan

The problem could be as simple as a cracked or damaged drain pan. Remove the drain pan from underneath your refrigerator where it is located. If it has a crack or is otherwise damaged, contact Dave’s Appliance about getting a replacement as soon as possible.

Refrigerator Freezing Instead of Chilling

Another common problem is when food is freezing instead of cooling. Most often, you can determine the reason for this problem and perform the refrigerator repair yourself.

Temperature Gauge

If the milk is suddenly frozen, then the most likely cause is that the temperature gauge has been accidentally bumped and is set too low, or too cold. That’s easily rectified. Just set the temperature to medium or 5. If you can designate an actual temperature, set it to 40ºF.

Freezer Seals

If the freezer is part of the refrigerator unit (either above or below) rather than a side-by-side design, it may be that the freezer seals are not functioning properly. The same techniques outlined above for dealing with the seals of the refrigerator doors will fix this problem, too; warm soapy water and some petroleum jelly.

Dirty Coils

If the coils on your fridge are dirty or dusty, then the compressor needs to work harder and longer to keep the freezer temperature constant. When this happens, the refrigerator can overcool and freeze food and drinks.

These are the most common issues with refrigerators, and you can deal with many of them yourself. If the trouble persists or your particular problem isn’t described here, it’s best to call Dave’s Appliance. Importantly, if you think your fridge might be leaking refrigerant rather than water, call Dave’s Appliance immediately. Refrigerant is a toxic material and you need to address this issue as quickly as possible in order to avoid subsequent health risks to you and your family.

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Dishwashers are such a welcome part of your kitchen. Not only do they virtually eliminate the tiresome task of washing dishes, cutlery, pots and pans by hand, they also ensure that germs are eliminated as well. So it’s a real problem when your dishwasher isn’t working right. In this post, we’ll look at some common dishwasher problems and what you can do about them.

Maintenance – Clean the Filter

The filter sits at the base of the inside of the dishwasher and traps large food particles that might otherwise get into the mechanisms and cause significant issues. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning it once a month, and it’s really worth it to follow that schedule. A dirty filter can cause noxious odors, and it’s hard to believe your dishes are actually clean when they come out of a stinky unit. Cleaning the filter isn’t hard; it’s designed to be clipped in and out. Simply take it out and give it a good clean with hot, soapy water. If it’s been damaged, it’s probably replaceable.

Maintenance – Spray Arms

Spray arms are the longish, flattish plastic arms that spray and rinse the dishes and other items you put in the dishwasher as they spin about. If your dishes are coming out with food particles still in place, it probably means that the spray arms are clogged. These, too, are designed to be removed easily, cleaned, and reinstalled. And remember to clean the mounting too. This maintenance job doesn’t need to be done monthly; 3 or 4 times a year should do the trick.

Repair – Bottom Basket Wheels

If getting the bottom basket out is difficult or it is unstable, it may mean that you should replace the wheels. They are designed to snap on and off, and most models have parts readily available at any reputable appliance store.

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Repair – Hoses

The fill hose brings water into your dishwasher, and the drain hose removes the wastewater. In time, these can corrode, degrade, or get clogged, reducing the performance of your dishwasher. It’s usually possible to get replacements and not too hard to install them yourself.

Repair – Door Seals

A leaking dishwasher may indicate an issue with the door seals. Depending on which seals are not working, it may be an easy fix. Check the upper door seal, the one that goes from one side around the top and down the other side of the door. If it is cracked or damaged, you can replace it. Usually a new seal costs $30 or so, and it’s a repair you can do yourself. If it’s the lower seals, though, that’s another matter. It involves disassembling the entire door, and is best left to the professionals at Dave’s Appliance.

Repair – Door Hinges

Another reason the dishwasher may be leaking may be faulty door hinges. If the door drops heavily or seems misaligned, that’s a sign that something’s wrong with the hinge. This is another repair where it’s probably best to call the experts. If you choose to do it yourself, you’ll need to remove the side panels. It’s a good idea to watch a video on replacing the mechanism and remember to find one that deals with your specific make and model. Additionally, if you replace one side, you should do the other too.

Repair – Detergent Dispenser

Sometimes the detergent dispenser gets damaged and needs to be repaired. While this is something you can do on your own, it is a more complicated repair, so you might want to ring the experts at Dave’s Appliance. If you decide to do it yourself, you’d be well advised to view an online video, especially if it treats your specific model, and to have all the tools you need immediately on hand. The front panel of your dishwasher is going to have to be unmounted, electrical connections undone, and everything replaced.

Repairs that Require Professionals

If there’s still a lot of water in your dishwasher when it’s completed its cycle, there’s probably an issue with the drain pump. It probably needs to be disassembled and cleaned. If the water isn’t heating up, that’s a serious problem since the intense heat kills the bacteria on your dishes and cutlery. It might be that the heating element has burned out. Here again, you should contact the experts. If the dishwasher isn’t filling, it’s another case where experts will need to remove wires, check everything with a multimeter, and replace the faulty parts.

Remember, a dishwasher that’s lasted 10 years may just be done. It might be time to get a new one.

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