Monthly Archives: December 2023

Tricks to A Perfectly Functioning Dishwasher

A dishwasher isn’t a necessity, but it really comes in handy. After all, who wants to deal with a massive mound of dishes after preparing and eating a meal? Unfortunately, you can’t enjoy your unit if it functions incorrectly.

Thankfully, you can do several things to ensure that the unit is always in top working condition. These things include:

Keep the filters clean at all times.

You should clean your dishwasher’s filter after each usage. That may seem like a lot of labor, but it’s worth it.

After removing the filter from the machine, just rinse it under running water to loosen any trapped particles, allow it to dry, and then replace it. If you can’t remember to do it after each usage, try once a week.

The beauty of cleaning the filters is that you don’t need to hire a dishwasher repair professional to help you. You can easily do it by yourself.

Always scrape food from the dishes.

To avoid clogging the filter, scrape your plates and remove as much food residue from pans and dishes as possible before adding them to the washing machine. Foods like Weetabix and porridge adhere to dishes if they sit in the dishwasher for an extended period before being run.

Put these plates in the sink to catch the water when you run the faucet. This will assist in soaking up the worst of the breakfast leftovers. Then, just before the cycle begins, place them in the dishwasher.

Some people have the notion that they should pre-wash the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, but you don’t have to. In fact, you usually end up causing more havoc when you pre-wash the dishes.

This is because when you pre-wash the dishes, you remove the adhering surfaces for the soap. As a result, the soap doesn’t clean the dishes as well as it should. The consequence is leaving you with dirty dishes even after running them in the dishwasher.

The right way to do it is to scrape the food from the dishes, and you are good to go. This will remove the food particles that can clog the unit and, at the same time, leave binding spaces for the soap so that it effectively cleans the dishes.

Keep the dishwasher salt topped up at all times.

Experts report that using salt is the key to a long-lasting dishwasher. Salt serves two functions in your machine: first, it softens the water and prevents the buildup of hard water deposits, and second, it helps keep the dishwasher clean by preventing bacteria buildup.

Some dishwashers allow you to tell how hard the water is where you live, but if yours doesn’t, you can find out the exact level by calling your local water board.

If your dishwasher has this feature, it will use the least amount of salt necessary to keep hard water deposits at bay.

A common misconception is that you don’t need to add salt if you live in a soft water area or have a water softener. This is not the case.

You must always add salt to the machine to keep it bacteria-free. If germs are allowed to multiply, your dishwasher’s water flow and wash performance will suffer.

Inhibiting the water flow over time may dramatically diminish the life of your dishwasher. And you don’t want this, do you?

Regularly check spray arms for blockages.

You should also clean the spray arms regularly with a mix of washing up liquid and water (how often depends on how frequently you use your dishwasher).

While you’re at it, look for debris in the jets, such as fruit pips and small food particles. A clever approach is to send water into the intake of each arm – if it flows freely, it is not clogged. If it is, clear it with a toothpick or something similar.

Besides unclogging the spray arms, check them to confirm they aren’t bent. If they are, straighten them. In some cases, you might find them too bent or damaged. In such a case, simply straighten them.

Deep clean the dishwasher

Dishwashers are one of the appliances that many people clean the least. This is because many people have the impression that they are always clean, but this isn’t the case.

According to survey, consumers clean their dishwashers three times per year on average. This is not enough. The best way out is to thoroughly clean your dishwasher every two months by running it empty on the hottest setting.

You should soak a cleaning cloth in hot, soapy water and wipe off the surface of dishwashers with plastic exteriors. Wipe it dry with a clean, dry cloth or a paper towel.

After this, fill a spray bottle with a homemade solution of one part vinegar to three parts water if your dishwasher is stainless steel. Spray it on the exterior of the dishwasher and wipe it clean with a cleaning cloth.

A screen in your dishwasher collects food and other particles. The screen becomes clogged with time, resulting in badly cleaned dishes and increased wear and tear on your dishwasher.

You should remove the filter from the bottom and spray it with hot water from the kitchen sink.

Soak the filter for 10 minutes in warm, soapy water before rinsing with hot water. Use a scrub brush to remove any leftover food particles or residue.

Rinse your filter, then before putting it back in the dishwasher, check the drain for buildup and clean it with a sponge.

Parting shot

These are some things you need to do to ensure that your dishwasher is always in top working condition. Besides these things, also use your dishwasher correctly. As a rule of thumb, never run it when it’s too full, as it will fail to function optimally and reduce lifespan.

For peace of mind that your unit is in good working shape, contact appliance repair Fairfax professionals at least once a year to look at it and fix any issues it might be having.

Commercial Kitchen Appliance Service: Guide On How To Take Care Of Your Kitchen Appliances

appliance repiar

For your kitchen appliances to last for long you have to take good care of them. To help you out here are maintenance tips recommended by commercial appliances service providers:

Taking care of the commercial refrigerator

There is no restaurant that doesn’t have a refrigerator. In addition to keeping your cooking supplies fresh, it also contains the freezer where you get the ice to serve your guests. Since the unit is expensive, you need to take good care of it to avoid buying another. One of the things that you should never do is overloading it with cooking supplies. When you overload the unit, it works more than it should and this puts it at the risk of developing problems. The compressor also doesn’t work as effectively as it should thus compromising the effectiveness of the refrigerator.

You should also regularly clean the refrigerator. For ideal results clean the unit once a week. You should clean both the inside and outside of the unit and get rid of any stale supplies. Even if your unit doesn’t have any problem, it’s recommended that you hire a commercial refrigerators service provider to inspect the unit for any hidden problems.

Maintaining the garbage disposal

You need a garbage disposal that is in perfect working condition for your restaurant to continue working effectively. The simplest way of ensuring that your unit is in perfect condition is avoiding dumping items that would clog or damage it. You should avoid dumping things such as bones, potato peels and others that are known to clog the system.

You should also regularly clean your unit by filling it with hot, soapy water and letting water flush out of the disposal. Bad odors are a common problem with garbage disposals. To prevent them you should regularly put a lemon down the drain.

Maintaining the microwave

The microwave makes your work easy as it heats foods and drinks almost immediately. One of the ways of taking care of the microwave is ensuring that you don’t put any metal item in it. To avoid a fire hazard, remove the aluminum foil before placing the food in the microwave.

To avoid the rotten smell that is common with microwaves, clean the food spills and stains as soon as you finish using it. To avoid surprises, hire a commercial appliances repair Arlington at least once a year to inspect your unit.

6 Ways to Prevent Ice from Building Up in Your Fridge During Winter

Virginia Refrigerators Repair

As winter approaches, many people feel that they will face the regular issue of ice buildup in their refrigerators and freezers.

You should note that ice buildup not only affects the efficiency of your appliance but it can also lead to food spoilage and increased energy consumption. You don’t want this, do you?

Fortunately, there are simple and practical solutions to this freezing issue. In this post, we’ll look at six practical techniques to keep your fridge and freezer ice-free over the winter months, ensuring that you keep off a refrigerator repair professional, have your appliance performing optimally, and your food stays fresh and well-preserved.

These tips might help you have a stress-free winter, whether you’re a culinary aficionado or simply want to keep your equipment operating optimally.

Remove the excess ice buildup.

To begin dealing with excessive frost and ice, empty your fridge and freezer compartments. Set the thermostat to the highest temperature and leave some towels handy to absorb extra water.

Ensure all the compartments are dry before reinstalling your food and altering the temperature.

This simple procedure will guarantee that your refrigerator remains frost-free and performs at peak performance.

Adjust the temperature

You need to regularly check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer. Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer close to 0 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.

You should note that frost or ice may form if temperatures dip below these temperatures. To ensure the fridge is at the proper temperature, you must place the fridge thermometer in the right place.

Position the thermometer at the center of the refrigerator for the most accurate reading. Some fridge thermometers stand alone, while others can be hung on a shelf. You should place your fridge based on its design.

If you have a stick-shaped thermometer in your fridge, submerge it in water.

Because the warmest position in your fridge is usually near the door, it can be a suitable alternative location for your thermometer.

For peace of mind that your fridge is at the proper temperatures, you must regularly monitor the temperatures.

Your thermometer will need some time to calibrate to the correct reading. So keep the door closed as much as possible to maintain a steady temperature.

To tell the accurate temperature,  check the thermometer the next day to see if anything has changed.

If there are changes, adjust the unit.

Place the fridge correctly.

How you place your fridge can have a significant impact on ice formation. 

You should be cautious and place your fridge in the right place. As a rule of thumb, do not put the refrigerator in your kitchen if it doesn’t have an exhaust system.

Instead, select a location that offers enough clearance from the wall to ensure appropriate cooling for the refrigerator’s compressor.

Reduce the frequency at which you open the fridge and freezer doors

Frequent opening of the door raises the humidity levels inside your fridge and freezer, which can lead to ice buildup and frost.

With this in mind, avoid leaving your fridge or freezer doors open while determining what to eat or which ingredients to pull out.

Instead, prepare a fast mental list of what you’ll need and get everything out at once.

If you have a two-door fridge, open only one door at a time. You should close the doors as quickly as possible in under one minute to prevent as much humidity from getting in as possible. 

For example, combine the eggs, butter, and milk if you’re baking. You only have to open the door once this way.

If you have trouble remembering what’s in your fridge, keep a list of what’s inside posted on the fridge door. This way, you don’t waste time figuring out what is there and what isn’t.

Ensure you have a tight seal.

You should regularly inspect the seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors for air leakage symptoms, such as damp or frozen areas.

If a problem arises, you can use a simple process to replace the gasket.

The door seals are the long rubber strips that run around the edges of your door to keep cold air out.

If you notice cold air around the exterior of your fridge door or any visible damage, repair the seal to prevent your fridge from constantly running or warming up.

Close the door on a dollar bill to see if the fridge door seal is tight. Your seal remains intact if you encounter resistance when removing the dollar note. If it readily falls out, it’s time to replace them.

You can do the replacement if you have the skills, but if you have never done it before, let an expert help you.

You should note that the seals lining your fridge or freezer doors will not close correctly if they are caked with food residue or ice crystals.

Working on one door at a time, quickly scrape the inside of the seal with a damp cleaning cloth and mild dish soap.

Clean the frame of the refrigerator opening so the seal may sit flush against it. Wipe away any lingering wetness with a dry cloth before closing the door.

Ensure no moisture remains, as this could form an ice crystal.

Keep your fridge clean.

For the best fridge efficiency and ice frosting reduction, regularly clean your refrigerator’s cooling fan, vents, and condenser coils. You can remove the ice buildup with a hot, soapy cloth, pressing against frost and repeating until entirely melted.

You can do the cleaning without the help of an appliance repair Springfield professional, but if you notice a significant problem, such as the fridge giving off odors after cleaning, let an expert help you.

It can be tempting to deep clean a refrigerator using bleach and other chemical cleansers, but you should avoid it because bleach can damage surface materials and possibly release harmful toxins into your food.

To stay safe, use gentle dish soap and food-grade pantry staples like white vinegar and baking soda. This way, you can clean the interior of the fridge without risking chemical contamination or structural damage.

Glass Washer Repair: How To Save Energy And Repair Your Glass Washer

If you have a restaurant or bar you need to keep the glasses clean. To make it possible you need to have a fully functioning glass washer. For the glass washer to continue working effectively you need to take good care of it:

How to save energy with your glass washer

The cost of electricity has been on an upward trend. To reduce your power bill take measures that save you energy. One of the ways recommended by commercial appliances repair professionals is investing in a pre-rinse unit if you don’t already have one. The pre-rinse not only saves you energy, it also reduces blockage incidences; therefore, you don’t have to hire a repair professional every now and then.

Another way of saving energy is always running a full load. This way you clean plenty of glasses in one go thus saving you plenty of money. If you are located in a hard water area, you should regenerate your water softener 2-3 times a week. Your machine will consume plenty of energy if it has the wrong settings. If you have noticed that your energy bill is rising every day, you should check the settings. For ideal results, ensure that the rinse pressure is set between10-15 pounds per square inch. The wash tank should be set at 160ºF and booster heater at 180ºF. The hot water heater should be set at 140ºF.

Common glass washer problems and how to fix them

Just like any kitchen appliance, it’s common for the glass washer to develop problems. While it’s recommended that you hire a glass washer repair professional to fix the appliance when it develops problems, not all problems require the attention of a professional—there are some that you can fix on your own.

White film on the glasses: If there is a white film on your glasses, this is usually due to hard water minerals. To fix the problem you need to regenerate the water softener more often. For ideal results, you should regenerate the water softener at least twice a week.

Glass washer not heating up: This is a common problem when the heating element, thermostat or both are faulty. You should check the multimeter for 115/220 V if this is the voltage there and replace the heating element. If you can’t get any measurements consider replacing the thermostat.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about the glass washer. If there is a problem that you can’t fix, ask a commercial kitchen appliance Arlington to have a look at it.

Commercial Dishwasher Repairs: Taking A Look At The Common Dishwasher Problems

commercial dishwasher

As a hotel or restaurant owner, a dishwasher is of paramount importance to you. While you may want it to be in perfect condition the entire year, this is usually not possible as it tends to develop problems every now and then. Here are some of the common dishwasher problems and how to fix them:

The dishwasher doesn’t clean well

The reason why you installed the unit is because you want it to clean your dishes. If it doesn’t clean them properly there is no point of having it. According to commercial kitchen appliance repairs professionals, the main reason for this is because the dishwasher is dirty. You should check the strain screen, door gasket and sprayer arms for grease, debris, and food particles. If dirty, clean them. If the spray arm is worn out, replace it.

Kitchen appliance professionals also report that the dishwasher can fail to give you ideal results if the detergent you are using is too old. If the detergent has been sitting in the cabinet for months you should consider replacing it.

There is Water at the bottom of the dishwasher

This is a common problem if you have used the dishwasher for only a few times. The problem results due to clogging of the drain. The drains can be blocked by foils, chicken bones, and other items. For the water to go away you need to unclog the drains. You can unclog the drains by yourself or hire a drain contractor. To prevent the problem from happening again always clear off all the items before putting the dishes in the unit.

The dishwasher has an awful smell

If there is always an awful smell after you are done with cleaning the dishes, it means that there are food particles and grease trapped in the dishwasher. The particles are usually located in the strainer screen. You should clean these areas then run a full cycle without dishes.

The dishwasher doesn’t start

If your unit can’t start, commercial appliances service providers recommend that you start looking at the fuses and circuit breakers and ensure that they haven’t blown or tripped. Also, ensure that the dishwasher is plugged in properly. Professionals also recommend that you look at the door latch and ensure that it isn’t faulty. If you have tried everything and the unit doesn’t start, you should consider contacting a commercial appliances repair Fairfax to take a look at it.

Commercial Garbage Disposal Service: Taking A Look At Garbage Disposal Clogs

garbage disposal

Garbage disposal clogs are one of the most common problems that you have to contend with as a hotel or restaurant owner. According to commercial garbage disposal service providers, the clogs come about due to many reasons that include:

Lack of enough flushing water in the garbage disposal

Due to ignorance or to cut on water consumption, some restaurant owners fail using enough water when grinding the kitchen waste. Since the water isn’t enough, the water present in the disposal doesn’t carry the waste material fully through the drainage system. This results in the waste building up in the drain lines and as a result, clogging comes about.

Using the garbage disposal to grind the wrong items

This is probably the most common cause of garbage disposal clogs. Some business owners, grind egg shells and coffee grounds which is wrong. The two create a tiny granular waste that sticks to sludge in the pipes and quickly create a clog. Potato peels have also been found to be notorious clog makers. When you grind them they form a starch paste that is similar to mashed potatoes. The paste is the one that clogs the garbage disposal.

The easiest way of preventing clogs in your garbage disposal is using plenty of water when grinding. Commercial kitchen appliance service providers recommend that you keep water running 30 seconds after you are done with grinding. This is to ensure that even the smallest items are flushed down.

As you might have guessed, you also need to avoid grinding the wrong items. Potato peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, and banana peels should never find their way into your garbage disposal. To keep your unit in top form experts recommend that you regularly grind up lemon peels and ice cubes.

How to get rid of a garbage disposal clog

A telltale sign that your sewer system is clogged is slow draining or no draining at all. Most of the clogs happen in the drain trap that is located after the disposal discharge. To get rid of the clog, you should disconnect the drain trap and remove the trap from the discharge drain of the disposal. If there are no clogs there, it’s most likely in the line going into the wall or beyond the vertical pipe. To get rid of this clog you need to use a sink auger. If you can’t get rid of it, you should hire the services of a commercial garbage disposal maintenance Alexandria.

Water Heater Repair: Taking A Look At 3 Of The Most Common Water Heater Problems

water heater repair

Just like any other appliances, electric water heaters develop problems that you should fix for you to continue enjoying your unit. Here are some of the most common problems:

Water heater leaks

When your water heater is leaking you will see a puddle around the bottom of the unit. In some cases the puddle may leave a trail leading back to the tank. Water leakage comes about due to leaking valves, connections or crack in the tank. You should take a look at the valves and connections and if they are loose fix them. If doing so doesn’t fix the problem hire a water heater repair professional to have a look at the unit. If the leaking problem is as a result of corrosion, the professional may try to get rid of it. You should note that it’s sometimes impossible to get rid of the corrosion if the damage is extensive. In such a case you may be required to install a new water heater tank.

The hot water is not enough

If the water heater is working properly, but the water gets used up fast, it means that you have increased your needs for hot water. The best way of fixing this problem is installing a new, larger water heater. To save energy and ensure that you have enough hot water, you should install a tankless water heater. If you haven’t increased your hot water needs and the water heater seems to be producing less hot water, ask a commercial appliance services provider to take a look at your unit. The professional will inspect the unit and find out whether the problem is due to leaking, mineral deposit or any other problem.

Hot water is discolored and has a bad odor

This is a very common problem and when it happens many people think that it’s due to corrosion of the pipes or water tank, but it’s not always the case. Before you run into conclusions take your time to determine where the odor is coming from. If the cold water has a bad smell, chances are that the problem has to do with the water source. If the bad smell is from the hot water, the problem is most likely due to corrosion inside the tank. The problem could also due to failing of the sacrificial anode rod. To be on the safe side you should hire a commercial appliances repair Falls Church professional to inspect the unit and fix the problem.

Commercial Refrigerators Service: 3 Things You Should Do To Your Commercial Refrigerator

commercial refrigerator

Do you have a refrigerator in your place of work? Here are some of the things recommended by commercial refrigerators service providers that you should do to your unit:

Commercial refrigerator cleaning

For your unit to look good you have to clean it regularly. To make your work easy, get rid of spills as soon as they happen. In addition to this, dust the outside of the refrigerator as often as you use it. If you actively use it, you should clean it daily. Most of the business owners only clean the outside of their units, but this shouldn’t be you. To keep your unit clean you should also clean the insides.

You should unplug the refrigerator, remove food, glass shelving, interior plastics and any other items inside it and wash all the interior surfaces. Commercial appliances service providers recommend that you use warm water and soap to clean the interior surfaces. You can also use warm water and vinegar or baking soda. If there are stale foods in the refrigerator get rid of them.

To prevent bacteria from growing in the refrigerator set the temperature at 40°F. Regularly use a freezer or refrigerator thermometer to keep the temperature in check. If you are storing frozen food, store it at 0°F.

Commercial refrigerator maintenance

To keep your refrigerator in good working condition you should take good care of it. In addition to regularly cleaning both the insides and outsides of the air conditioner you also need to do other things. You should inspect the seal or gasket located on the doors of the fridge and if brittle, gapping or cracked, replace it. If you don’t have the skills you should hire a commercial refrigerators repairs service provider. Also take a look at the water filter and if dirty replace it. It’s also important that you replace the light bulb so that you can see the insides of the unit when you open it.

Commercial refrigerator repair

Even with the best refrigerator maintenance it’s common for the refrigerator to develop problems. The most common problems that you have to contend with include: refrigerator noises, failure of the refrigerator to start, more cycling than normal, leaking and many others. For the problems to be professionally fixed you should hire a commercial kitchen appliance service Vienna to fix it for you. For peace of mind ensure that the professional is certified and experienced enough.