You see front load and top load washing machines everywhere but can’t help wondering what the difference is between these two very similar appliances – you’re not alone. Most people just choose a washing machine based off what’s trendy or what they’re used to. While they’re both helpful in their own ways, there’s quite a bit that’s different between the two washers. What it comes down to is price, ergonomics, energy efficiency, noise level, capacity and more. It even depends on if you prefer the way one looks over the other. Learn more about these GE Front and Top Load Washing Machines to help you decide which one you should go with.

GE Top Load Washing Machine Pros

GE Top Load Washers are in no way cheap appliances in the way that they perform or look, but they’re usually less expensive than a front load washer. This may be the better option for you if you’re wanting to save some money. Another pro to owning a top load washing machine is avoiding strain on your back. With the heights of the washer being just above your waist, you never have to bend down and put stress on your joints. If you’re wanting a cheaper and more ergonomically friendly option, the GE Top Load Washer would be the appliance you’re looking for.

GE Front Load Washing Machine Pros

One of the best parts about owning a GE Front Load Washer is its incredible water and energy efficiency. If you’re worried about racking up a big bill, paying a little more for a front load washing machine at first will save you loads in the future. It’s normal for washing machines to use about 35 gallons of water during a single wash, but with a GE front loader, you’ll find that half that amount is being used per wash. Not only that but if your back hurts from loading and unloading clothes into the front part of your washer, all it needs is a little lift to fix things. With the help of the GE pedestal, you can add both height and washing capacity to your GE appliance. If you’re wanting a washing machine with more load capacity and with better energy efficiency, a GE Front Load Washer would be the appliance you’re looking for.

All GE Washing Machines are equipped with innovative features, making it hard to just generalize between top load washers and front load washers. It’s important that when you are searching for a washer, that you take the time to look at some in person so you can get a better feel of what you want.

Come by our store to take a look at all kinds of GE Washers and accessories. If you have any questions, we’d be happy to explain and give you more information on what sort of benefits you can expect from each feature. Drop by our appliance store today and you could be walking out with a brand-new GE Front or Top Load Washing Machine that is best suited to you!

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

When you’re picking out a new KitchenAid range, you want to make sure you get the perfect appliance to fit your – and your kitchen’s — needs. KitchenAid offers plenty of options to choose from, but freestanding and slide-in ranges are the two basic styles.

So, what’s the difference between the two, and how do you decide which one will work best in your kitchen? We’ll break down the differences between slide-in and freestanding ranges, and help you decide which one is going to be best for your next purchase.

The Basics

The primary differences between slide-in and freestanding ranges are style and convenience. Freestanding ranges are the most common type — controls for the oven and cooktop are located on a built-in blackguard that extends up against the wall. Most kitchens are configured for a freestanding range. Slide-in ranges tend to be more stylish — controls for the stove and oven are on the front of the appliance, allowing for a more seamless blend with the counter, the backsplash, and the rest of the kitchen.

Why Buy a Freestanding Range?

Freestanding ranges are more common, so you’ll typically find more options if you decide to go with a freestanding model. The abundance of freestanding range options means you can be choosier with other stove functions, without limiting your options. Most kitchens are already configured to fit a freestanding range, making them a more convenient option if you don’t plan to do any major remodelling.

Freestanding ranges are several inches deeper than slide-in ranges, so if you’re thinking about switching to a slide-in range from a freestanding model, keep in mind that you will also need to install several inches of countertop behind the range to fill that gap. Sticking with a freestanding range can be simpler, faster, and let you keep the rest of your kitchen the same. They also tend to be more affordable, so if you’re remodelling on a budget, a freestanding range might be the best option.

Why Buy a Slide-In Range?

If style is your primary goal, a slide-in range makes for a sleeker, more natural look. They’re designed to blend right in with your countertops and create a built-in look. If you have a custom backsplash, a slide-in range without a backguard will let you better display tilework and other kitchen décor above the range.

A slide-in model can also help keep your kitchen cleaner — most slide-in ranges include a lip that fits over the countertops on both sides, to prevent crumbs and oils from collecting in crevices. Slide-ins can also provide some extra safety and convenience during the cooking process — because the dials are all on the front of the unit, you don’t have to reach over hot burners to get to the controls.

Which Is Best?

Ultimately, the choice between a freestanding and slide-in range depends on your tastes, budget, and kitchen design. Both types have comparable cooking strength and offer options with more burners to maximize your cooking space. These guidelines can give you an idea of what to expect when you’re shopping for your next range, but with KitchenAid, you’ll be in good hands regardless of which type you decide to buy.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

You’re in the process of upgrading your kitchen, and you’ve already taken care of the fridge and dishwasher. But there’s something left. Something that can heat up things slowly at high temperatures. Something that can bake and broil. Something that rhymes with, oh what was it again, smoven?

Yup, it’s officially oven time.

There are different oven types, but today we are going to focus on wall ovens. Deciding anything more than that can be tricky though, especially with all the options that you have. The type of oven you ultimately end up with depends on your specific needs, and nobody is going to know what those are better than, well, you!

But, to help guide you through this appliance laden ordeal and help make your shopping and buying experience as easy as possible, let’s take a look at some of Samsung’s different wall oven options, and from there you’ll get a good idea of what you need to fill that oven-shaped hole in your heart … and your kitchen.

C-C-C-C-C-ombo Power

Are you looking for an oven that does everything an oven does, but then some? How about an oven that has all the cooking properties that you expect from an oven, but that also has some micropowers?

Samsung’s 30” combination microwave wall oven from their Chef Collection is just what the kitchen doctor ordered, then. Available in fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel — or regular stainless steel — this oven comes with a microwave attached right to the top of it. You can cook two birds with one stone, er, oven!

This oven has two convection fans, which means that your food will cook faster. It also has a whole host of other features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, steam cooking, guiding light controls, and gliding racks.

Double Trouble

Maybe you entertain a lot. Maybe you enjoy making batches and batches of cookies at the same time. Maybe you cook a lot of pizza pie. Or maybe you drew the short straw and have to host Thanksgiving dinner for both sides of the family at the same time this year and need to prepare an unholy amount of turkey. Gulp. Don’t worry. Samsung has your – and your Thanksgiving plans’ – back. The 30” double wall oven with Flex Duo is not one, but two ovens. The top oven of this winning duo can be divided into two different cooking areas to cook different dishes simultaneously with different temperature and time settings, or together.

A fingerprint resistant finish and Blue LED Knobs further propel this oven into the awesome futuristic-appliance category.

We’re pretty sure it’s the oven they use on the Starship Enterprise, but you probably shouldn’t go double check that.

Securely Single

Maybe you already have a microwave, or you don’t feel the need for having multiple ovens! That’s just fine. Nobody is here to judge your oven needs or wants. This is an oven-judgement free zone. Samsung also sells a 30” single wall oven. It has the same dual convection fans of the combo oven and also has wi-fi connectivity.

Don’t forget: If you have any questions about Samsung wall ovens and all the great things they can do for you, stop in today and we’ll be glad to walk you through the different models we have available and how they can turn your oven-game up a few notches.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

If there is one thing we can always use more of, it’s time. Doing dishes by hand or having a faulty dishwasher appliance can add to the stress of having no time, which is why having a dishwasher that works well is life changing. No more taking an hour to do a massive load of dishes – just put them away when they’re done being cleaned.

While there are a lot of great dishwashers out there, there is one brand of dishwashers that really stands out among the rest – Bosch. Is it because of the water and energy saving? Is it the enormous size of the kitchen appliance and how its extra rack allows for more items to be cleaned? Maybe it’s how quiet it cleans, that you don’t even realize it’s on. You could say that’s exactly why Bosch Dishwashers are top notch.

Water and Energy Efficient

Saving money is always a good thing, but when it is done in an environmentally friendly way, it’s even better. Bosch Dishwashers tend to use less water per cycle than other dishwashers while still getting tough food off dishes.

Extra Rack

Having an extra rack in your dishwasher allows for more utensils and dishes to get cleaned in one cycle. No more waiting for one load to finish so you can put the rest of the dirty dishes in there. Get it all done in one load!

Quiet as Can Be

When we say quiet, we mean almost silent. Who wants a noisy dishwasher interrupting your dinner party or even your “you” time? With Bosch dishwashers, you can start a load and forget about it in peace.

Looks don’t mean anything for dishwashers; it’s all about what goes on in the inside that counts. That’s not to say Bosch dishwashers look rough around the edges – au contraire! From built-in to stainless steel dishwashers, Bosch dishwashers come in an array of styles, but they never stop looking sleek. Whether you are looking to save some cash, wanting some extra room, or just need a little peace and quiet, Bosch dishwashers prove to be everything you could want and more. Visit your local appliance warehouse and talk with a sales associate to find the right Bosch dishwasher for you.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

Maybe you’ve decided it’s time to organize your wine collection in something other than a kitchen cabinet. Maybe you’re tired of your wine not lasting that long because it’s not sitting at the correct temperature. If you don’t feel like your reasons are justified for splurging on a Danby Wine Fridge, we can give you 4 substantial ones to just go for it.

1. Not as Expensive as a Cellar

A Danby wine fridge is a small price to pay for perfection. If you are a wine enthusiast, a small wine fridge is just what you need without going overboard financially. Creating a cellar is a lot of work and is made mainly for storing wine while a wine refrigerator has the ability to be used for other beverages in mind.

2. Multiple Uses

Like we said before, unlike wine cellars, wine fridges can be used for all kinds of beverages. From soda water to beer, you can store most chilled items in a wine cooler. When it comes to milk and other milk-based beverages that need colder temperatures, keep them in your refrigerator. While they may be ok in your wine cooler, it’s best that they aren’t stored there for too long.

3. Portability

Move it wherever you want! A Danby wine fridge can be put under the counter, built in, and moved anywhere you need. This is especially great for those times bottles of wine are needed for social gatherings, you can just bring your wine cooler along!

4. Temperature Control

One of the main reasons to get a wine fridge has to do with the perks of temperature control. The Danby under the counter wine fridge can have up to two adjustable zones, which is ideal for keeping red and white wine at the appropriate temperatures for serving or potentially for maturing at 12 degrees for a couple of years.

The Danby wine refrigerator is an appliance made for not just wine enthusiasts, but for anyone who enjoys a beverage at the perfect temperature.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

You’ve heard the hype about convection ovens, but you don’t really understand why. It’s just a regular oven, right? Nope. A Whirlpool convection oven uses the power of fans and heat to ensure you have a more evenly cooked meal. Not to mention, you can roast a whole chicken in 45 minutes! The benefits of having a Whirlpool convection oven are numerous and each amazing. If you love cooking, then a convection oven is the next kind of oven you want for your kitchen. Check out some perks below on why a convection oven will make your cooking dreams come true.

1. Quickly and Evenly Cooks

Like we stated above, a convection oven has the ability to roast a chicken in approximately 45 minutes. That’s fast! While it depends on the size of your chicken, a conventional oven takes on average an hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes. Can you imagine what other foods you could get cooked in such a short amount of time? A Whirlpool convection oven heats food inside and out to seal in flavours, using a fan to circulate air for even temperature. Cakes and other desserts are less likely to be runny in the middle which means you won’t always need to stick a toothpick inside it to check its consistency. The quicker you can cook or bake, the faster you can be done and enjoy what you’ve created!

2. Energy Saver

When using a Whirlpool convection wall oven or range, there isn’t usually a need for a very high temperature for cooking food. The combination of a low temperature and a quick cooking time generally means the overall energy used is kept to a minimum. And if you love to cook, then it’s always a nice perk to save money on your utility bills.

3. Cook Everything at Once

Ok maybe you can’t cook EVERYTHING you want to at once, but if it fits in the oven you can. If your appetizers, main course, and desserts fit in like a perfect Tetris game, then they can all cook in your Whirlpool convection oven at the same time. With a regular conventional oven, your meals would need to go in separately because they may need different temperatures, different cooking times, and just to be placed in different locations throughout the oven. With a true convection oven, the heat is blown around by the fan, ensuring everything is cooked evenly.

We understand that using a convection oven is new and a little intimidating, but the best way to learn how to cook with it is by just jumping in and testing it out! Start out by making something easy – like chocolate chip cookies, for example. Experiment with them by putting them in the convection oven for a shorter amount of time and at a lower temperature to figure it out.

If you are a lover of all things cookery, a Whirlpool Oven with True Convection is the next best step to reaching precise cooking and baking. Visit our store today to find a Whirlpool convection range or wall oven that will fit into your kitchen and benefit your lifestyle.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

Comment peut-on faire un choix de nos jours alors qu’il y a tant d’options possibles? Par exemple, le plat à prendre au restaurant, où trouver le cadeau parfait pour son fils de 10 ans ou même les raisons de choisir un nouveau lave-vaisselle Samsung. Les recherches sur Internet sont utiles, mais l’information est tellement abondante qu’il est difficile de démêler le vrai du faux.

Toutefois, tout comme vous allez chez le concessionnaire pour obtenir de l’aide pour le choix d’une automobile, vous venez nous voir pour que nous vous aidions avec vos appareils électroménagers. Cela veut aussi dire de déterminer le lave-vaisselle qui répondra le mieux à vos besoins. Il y a tellement de fonctions et de modèles qu’il n’est pas facile de s’y retrouver tout seul! Voici quelques lave-vaisselle Samsung qui vont laver et désinfecter votre vaisselle de façon impeccable.

1. Lave-vaisselle Samsung avec technologie StormWash

Si vous êtes convaincu que vous ne devez jamais rincer une assiette avant de la mettre au lave-vaisselle, le lave-vaisselle Samsung avec technologie StormWash est sans doute fait pour vous. Le système de lavage StormWash a la capacité d’éliminer la graisse et de nettoyer entièrement les casseroles dont même une brosse à récurer n’aurait pu venir à bout des aliments collés. Les jets d’eau pulvérisés dans un mouvement circulaire s’attaquent à tous les angles de votre vaisselle, qui sera propre comme vous le souhaitez.

2. Lave-vaisselle Samsung avec technologie WaterWall

Parfois la vaisselle a besoin d’être nettoyée plus à fond, mais avec un lave-vaisselle doté de la technologie Waterfall, vous n’aurez plus à faire un deuxième lavage. En effet, un système de lavage linéaire puissant crée un mur d’eau coulissant pour s’attaquer à la vaisselle sale et donner des résultats remarquables. À la fin du cycle, la porte s’ouvre automatiquement pour permettre à la vapeur de s’échapper, et un ventilateur génère un rideau d’air pour protéger votre plan de travail. Cette fonction automatique améliore jusqu’à 35 pour cent les résultats de lavage!

3. Lave-vaisselle Samsung à commandes frontales et cuve hybride

Vous voulez un lave-vaisselle qui offre à la fois un lavage puissant et un espace de rangement fonctionnel? Vous avez de la chance! Avec un lave-vaisselle Samsung avec cuve hybride, vous pouvez placer tous vos chaudrons, Tupperware, vaisselles, couverts, ustensiles et plus encore sans avoir à vous casser la tête pour tout faire rentrer. Les trois paniers réglables sont faits pour que vous puissiez y placer toute la vaisselle, quelles que soient la forme et la dimension, ce qui vous permettra de remplir le lave-vaisselle facilement et rapidement.

En plus de son espace de rangement, cet appareil rend la vaisselle étincelante de propreté. Le système de lavage avancé procure une grande puissance de nettoyage, ce qui est exactement ce dont vous avez besoin pour le lot de vaisselle sale accumulé après un repas entre amis. Ce lave-vaisselle vous sera bien utile quand vous ne pourrez pas gratter les œufs brouillés qui auront collé dans la poêle ou lorsque la sauce à spaghetti aura décidé de s’incruster en permanence dans votre casserole.

Nous comprenons que le choix d’un bon lave-vaisselle puisse être une grosse décision. Heureusement, lorsque vous choisissez un lave-vaisselle Samsung, vous ne pouvez jamais vous tromper. Passez à notre magasin dès aujourd’hui pour découvrir notre gamme de lave-vaisselle Samsung et en apprendre davantage sur toutes les caractéristiques avantageuses qu’ils peuvent vous offrir.

Amanda, votre experte en électroménagers

There’s nothing better at putting pep in your step on a dreary Monday morning than a hot cup of joe – except maybe a chilly glass of cold brew coffee!

Cold brew has been taking the world of coffee by storm recently, and for good reason. Cold brew isn’t just iced coffee (which is made by mixing double strength hot coffee with ice): it involves a nearly 24-hour-long process of using cold water to slowly extract all that caffeinated deliciousness from your coffee beans. It can take up to 24 hours to make a perfect batch of cold brew, but when you’ve got the recipe just right, the smooth and refreshing flavour of your morning coffee will be well worth the wait!

When it comes to achieving that perfect cold-brewed cuppa joe, one of the most important tools to have at your disposal is a good fridge. Brewing your coffee in the right fridge can make a big difference in the texture, taste, and overall quality of your coffee. That’s where GE comes in. If you’re interested in entering the world of cold brew, you’ll definitely want to keep your eye on a GE fridge. With top-of-the-line features and functions, your GE fridge is the best tool you could have to make that perfect batch!

Convenient Storage

GE fridges go all out on storage. Adjustable shelves and deep door racks give you plenty of space to put a French press, coffee carafe, or any special brewing system you might be using for your cold brews. Most other fridges have limited shelf space, forcing you to partially push down your French press plunger or tip the container on its side. This kind of uneven brewing won’t do your coffee any favours. But with GE, you’ll always have plenty of space to store your cold brew, no matter how big the batch is!

GE also offers fridges with door-in-door storage. That means a panel at the front of the fridge opens independent of the rest of the fridge for easy access to snacks and drinks. So, when you’re rolling out of bed before work and all you can think is “CAFFEIIIIIINE,” you can open up the front of your fridge and have your delicious cold brew right there waiting for you! No stress, no hassle, no more cracked eggs and spilled OJ on the floor when you’re digging around for your coffee fix in the early hours of the morning.

Flavour Leakage Prevention

The biggest challenge of properly storing your cold brew is flavour leakage. Cold brewed coffee has a more complex, delicate flavour than traditional heat-brewed coffee, and that taste can easily be ruined by lingering flavours and odours. Flavours like that old salmon filet or those leftover burritos you’ve been keeping in your freezer for emergencies. Yuck. But with GE’s TwinChill evaporators, which cycle fridge and freezer air separately, your cold brew won’t have any unwanted flavour contamination.

Safer Brewing

Although you don’t technically need a refrigerator to brew cold brew coffee, using your GE fridge can make the process much simpler and safer. Lots of people make their “cold” brews at room temperature, simply leaving the coffee to steep on the counter all day. However, this opens up the possibility of contamination and spoiling, especially if your home tends to be on the warm side.

Plus, leaving your coffee out in the open makes it much easier for kids, pets, or even a groggy, sleep-deprived morning-you to knock it right onto the floor, putting all that precious coffee to waste. It’s just not worth the risk. Keep that delicious drink safe in your GE fridge instead!

Temperature Control

When you open and close your refrigerator throughout the day, the warm air it lets in can change the temperature of the whole fridge. Temperature changes during the cold brewing process can result in an unpredictable batch of coffee – even if you’ve made cold brew a hundred times, one change in temperature can totally throw off those flavours you know and love!

GE’s Turbo Cool option is perfect for maintaining an even temperature through the whole dilution process. It keeps the fridge temperature stable no matter how many times you open and close the fridge doors, so daily life doesn’t get in the way of an incredible cup of coffee.

When it comes to sleepy mornings, GE and our appliance experts have your back every time. Don’t trust your cold brewed coffee out on the counter or in a fridge that won’t keep it chilled to perfection! The perfect cold brew is made in a GE every time. For questions about GE’s amazing features or how you can improve any food with a GE fridge, come down to our store and talk to one of our expert associates.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

“I want a gas range.”

“Great. What kind of ventilation do you want?”

“What? Do I really need ventilation?”

Um. Yeah. You do.

We sell appliances, and ventilation is what our clients most overlook and undervalue in their kitchens. But for the health and safety of your appliances, your home, and your family; you need to get it right.

A ventilation appliance is the most important part of your kitchen. Shocked? Don’t be. Your range ventilation is responsible for removing heat, odours, particulates, and harmful fumes from your home. Get it wrong and you could end up damaging your appliances, harming your air quality, or even worse starting a fire.

If you’re thinking about remodelling your kitchen or even just upgrading your cooking appliance then you need to be considering your ventilation solution. Like right now.

Moving the Air

The first thing you have to do is calculate how much ventilation you actually need. Ventilation strength is measured in CFM or cubic feet of air moved per minute, and blowers range anywhere from 200 CFM to 2000 CFM.

Start by measuring your cooktop. It’s recommended that you have 100 CFM for every 12 inches of cooking space so a 30-inch cooktop would require 250 CFM. For an electric cooktop, that’s probably plenty – but gas is a whole other story.

Gas generates more heat and more emissions than electric cooktops and needs more CFM per inch. To calculate the minimum CFM you need above a gas cooktop, add 100 CFM for every 10,000 possible BTUs and at a minimum, many building codes require 400 CFM above a gas cooking appliance.

The length of your ductwork, as well as the type of food you cook, can also affect your CFM requirements. Be sure to speak with a professional installer if you have any concerns before you buy.

Choosing Your Ventilation

Once you’ve determined your CFM, it’s time to choose your new hood, and your kitchen design will go a long way to determining what type of hood you end up with.

Chimney style or pyramid hoods are amongst the most popular. Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. These units mount to the wall above the cooking surface and duct through a chimney vertically to the roof, or horizontally to an exterior wall.

Chimney Style Range Hood

Under cabinet hoods, vent similarly but they’re mounted under cabinetry (duh) and typically aren’t as deep as a chimney design. Similarly, inserts and liners are installed inside an existing cabinet or fascia and are hidden from sight.

Under Cabinet Range Hood

If you’ve got an island design, or your cooktop is installed away from the wall then you’ll need to consider an Island Range Hood. Similar in appearance to a Wall Mounted unit, Island hoods have in comparison a 3360-degree finish. Expect to pay a bit more for island hoods as they typically vent vertically through a chimney duct to an external cap on the roof.

Island Range Hood

Finally, downdraft ventilation is installed in the countertop next to the cooking appliance. It draws air down from the cooking surface and vents it downwards where it is either recirculated or vented outside. Most models lower into your countertop when not in use.

Downdraft Range Hood

Blowing Hot Air

The last thing to consider when choosing a ventilation appliance is the position of the blower. You’ll have three options; interior blower, inline blower, and an external blower. An internal blower is mounted in the hood, an inline blower is mounted along the ductwork inside the house, and an external blower is mounted in an enclosed unit on your home’s exterior.

Choosing the right ventilation for your home will depend on your budget, your tolerance for noise and your CFM requirements. So feel free to speak with a sales professional before heading off to your local Brandsource retailer to buy.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

Aside from a house, or a car, major appliances are one of the largest purchases a family will make. And like any big purchase, it’s important to look after your investment.

With appliance repairs more common than they used to be, you want to ensure that you’re doing your best to take care of your machines. You’d be amazed by how much a little maintenance keeps things humming along.

At the end of the day, maintenance comes down to keeping your appliances clean. It really is that simple. A clean appliance performs closer to its manufacturer’s specifications is under less strain, and is less likely to suffer undue wear-and-tear.

I’ve created these helpful tips, to keep your appliances in tip-top shape.

Ovens and Cooktops

Cleaning your oven is easier than you think. Commercially available cleansers do a great job, but if you’d prefer a more natural solution then baking soda, vinegar, and even lemon will make the messiest oven sparkling clean. Self-cleaning programs are a big help here. Just make sure you remove the racks and bulbs before you start, and let the oven cool for a few hours afterwards before you wipe down ash.

A clean oven will improve performance and reduce the risk of fire. And that’s true of your cooktop as well. Glass cooktops should be regularly wiped down with soap and water to prevent stains and remove baked on food. While gas cooktops and electric coils should be carefully dissembled and cleaned piece by piece to remove food, grease and other particulates.

Don’t use aluminum foil on your cooktop or in your oven. No matter what you’ve heard, aluminum foil can short out your circuitry, block your vents or damage the coating of your oven. Don’t do it.

Refrigerator

Cleaning your fridge is a big deal. Not really. There’s a whole day dedicated to it. It’s that important.

Pull out the food, pull out the shelves, the drawers, all of it. Maintaining your fridge is a top to bottom job. Removing spoiled food will keep your fridge stain and odour free. And wiping down any sticky residue inside and out will make sure the gaskets and drawers aren’t working harder than they need to be.

Once you’ve wiped everything down, unplug the fridge and pop the kick plate off to expose the coil. A dusty, clogged coil is more likely to burn out so grab your vacuum and give them a good clean.

Manually defrosting your freezer and/or fridge will ensure that proper performance and optimum cooling temperatures are maintained. Aim to do it twice a year, or whenever the ice build up reaches two inches deep.

Microwave

Burnt and baked on food isn’t just unsightly. That excess waste can catch fire or burn the interior plastic of the microwave. A small dish of water cut with vinegar or lemon microwaved on high to produce steam for a few minutes will do wonders.
On the outside, be sure to wipe down any gaskets to prevent sticking, and carefully wipe down the control panels with a damp cloth or sponge.

Dishwasher

Keeping your dishwasher maintained is as easy as keeping the drum and filter clean. To sanitize the drum, run an empty hot water cycle with a cup of white vinegar on the upper rack. Afterwards, flush the drum on a hot water cycle with a few tablespoons of baking soda to scour build up, and eliminate stains.

Most dishwashers now have a manual filter located next to the bottom spray arm. Manually unscrew the filter and remove any captured food or residue. Remove the screen and give it a scrub under the hot water tap to remove any grease or odour causing bacteria.

Finally, scrub the spray arms, top and bottom using a toothpick if necessary, to unclog them.

Laundry

Keeping your filter’s clean is key for keeping both your washer and your dryer in good condition. On the washer, refer to your user’s manual to locate the filter. Unscrew and remove the filter from the machine, being careful to capture any water that drains, and scrub it with soap and warm water. Be sure to wipe down the cavity before replacing it. Once the filter’s clean, you can prevent odours by cleaning the drum with vinegar in a hot water cycle.

With your dryer, make sure you clean the lint filter before each use. It’s also very important to have the machine cleaned by a service technician once a year. Lint will escape the trap and settle inside the body of your appliance. And that’s a huge fire hazard. A service technician will be able to open and vacuum your machine for a small fee.

So grab your gloves, your bucket and your sponge. With a little TLC your appliances will perform trouble-free for years to come.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert