Care & Maintenance

Most of us buy new appliances when we move into a new house or when the old machine finally dies. So by the time the new appliance is delivered, removed from its packing and installed, we're usually so desperate to cook/wash/dry something that we don't take time to read the owner's manual. Or we assume the new one works pretty much like the old one.

But modern appliances are more technologically sophisticated than their predecessors, and by jumping right in without reading the manual, you could inadvertently lessen an appliance's performance or even cause permanent damage.

To entice you to read the manual — and to impart a smidge of wisdom to those of you who won't — here's a cheat sheet of common features and cautions.

Can't locate your manual? Did not receive one? Go to managemylife.com

Click on manuals and search by model number.

Refrigerator

• If your new refrigerator has a water dispenser, after installation press the dispenser tab for at least two minutes to remove trapped air from the water line and fill the water system.
• New, high-efficiency refrigerators run longer than their energy-sucking older relatives. In a room at 70 degrees F, expect your new refrigerator to run 40 to 70 percent of the time — longer in a warmer room.
• It takes about a day for the temperature to adjust after you add a lot of food, so don't be alarmed that the refrigerator runs more after a big grocery-shopping trip.
• You'd think that the spare refrigerator in your garage would have less work to do on super-cold winter days. Truth is, it's hard for it to operate when the temperature approaches 0 degrees F. So if you find it isn't keeping food cold, turn the temperature control to a colder setting. By the way, putting a refrigerator where it operates outside the recommended conditions voids the warranty.
• Pull the refrigerator away from the wall every few months and use the vacuum cleaner's brush attachment to remove the dust from the condenser coils on the back (all those black tubes and wires). While you're back there, vacuum the long-lost Cheerios off the floor.
• If the door is hard to reopen right after you open it, it could be that the pressure has to equalize — give it about 5 minutes. If the door never opens well, wash off the sticky gunk that's built up on the door seal, using a mild soap solution.
• When the weather is humid, it's normal for condensation to form on the outside of the refrigerator. Simply dry the refrigerator with a non-abrasive cloth.
• If the ice from your icemaker is cloudy or colored, replace the filter. You can order one thru us.

Stove

• Before using your oven for the first time, peel the protective plastic sheet from the oven door — otherwise, it can melt permanently onto the door. Then, to burn off odors, run the oven empty at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes.
• Old ovens lose their temperature calibration over time, so you might find your new, well-calibrated oven undercooks or overcooks your recipes. Adjust your cooking times.
• It's normal for the window in the door to have a rainbow effect from some angles — that's the heat barrier coating. That window is breakable, by the way, so treat it as gently as you would any window.
• On some models, the oven won't work if the clock isn't set.
• Warped pans cook unevenly. To check if a pan is warped, set a ruler against the bottom.
• A sugary spill can pit an electric radiant cooktop. To remove the spill, turn on the surface elements for a minute to soften the spill, and then turn them off. Wearing oven mitts, use a metal spatula to scrape off the spill. Let the cooktop cool.
• If gas burners don't light, or light just halfway around, clean the burner ports with a needle.
• On some models, you can turn off the beep that sounds each time you press a button on your control panel — just press and hold the START TIME button for 7 seconds.

• When using the metal cooking rack, set cook time and power manually.
• When not using the microwave, store the rack outside the microwave.
• Clean the grease filters on an over-the-range microwave once a month. They're under the microwave.

• New dishwashers have longer run cycles than older ones, but still clean better and use less energy.
• You can't wash everything in the dishwasher. Most items on the do-not-wash list are old or delicate: anodized aluminum; cast iron; antique or hand-painted china; antique or delicate crystal; gold plated flatware; disposable plastic dishes; silverware (either sterling or silver plated) with a commercially darkened finish; wooden items.
• Only use dishwasher detergent, not detergent for washing dishes by hand or, saints preserve us, laundry soap or hand soap.
• The garbage disposer must be clear of waste before you run the dishwasher.
• Be sure to scrape and rinse most dishes before loading. It is called a dishwasher not a food washing machine
• During loading, make sure no dishes block the detergent dispenser.
• For best cleaning, the water reaching the dishwasher should be 120 degrees F.
• Regularly using a high-heat setting can permanently cloud glasses — so can pre-washing. Instead, use a rinse aid, which improves cleaning and drying at normal temperatures, so you don't have to use a high-heat setting.

Washer

• Judge how full the machine is when the laundry is dry — that extra space that magically appears when the clothing is wet doesn't mean you can add more garments.
• Not only does a cold water rinse save energy, it prevents wrinkles.
• The wash temperatures in Energy Star washers are cooler than other washers,
• If you have high-efficiency washer, you must use a specially formulated laundry detergent, labeled with the he logo, to prevent over-sudsing and to discourage mold and mildew from growing in hidden parts of the machine.
• Dispensing balls for fabric softeners don't operate correctly in all types of washers.
• Detergent doesn't completely dissolve in water colder than 60 degrees F.
Use liquid bleach. Most machines aren't designed for powdered bleach.

• You know to clean lint from the lint screen after each load, but you should also wash the screen every 6 months or so to keep the machine running efficiently. You know it's time when lint falls right off the screen. Scrub the screen with hot water and liquid detergent.
• Adding fabric softener sheets to a partially dry load can stain clothing.
• Clothing with unstable dyes, such as blue jeans, can discolor the dryer drum. The discoloration is harmless, but you can prevent it by turning the garments inside out
• If you've not used your dryer in awhile, it might make a thumping noise for the first few minutes you run it.
• Lint builds up in the exhaust pipe over time, which can increase drying time and is a fire hazard. If you don't feel air coming from the outside exhaust hood when the dryer is running, it's time to clean it out.
• The dryers must be in a room warmer than 45 degrees F. If it's in a closet, the door must have slats for ventilation.

How to Clean a Smooth Top Stove

1. Remove any spilled food. Some food may be baked on which is where a sharp razor blade will come in handy. Scrape the food off; but be careful not to scratch the surface. Apply pressure evenly while holding the blade at an angle.

2. Wipe up the scrapings with a paper towel.

3. Apply the special smooth top stove cleaner to the surface. Wipe it evenly over the entire stove. Allow the product to sit for a couple of minutes.

4. Using a clean paper towel buff the product off of the stove top. Move the towel in small circles until the entire product has been wiped up.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the razor after every few cleanings. It's important to have a sharp blade.
• Do not use any abrasive sponges or products on the surface. This could leave scratches.