Common Induction Issues

Having a problem with your induction stove can be quite a pain. They are not as easy to fix as traditional stoves and may cost more to replace. You will be able to find troubleshooting articles in the manual or on the internet if you search in the right place. This article is also handy for giving you an idea of what may be wrong with your induction stove. Hopefully you can fix your problem and do not have to replace the whole stove. Or you can give us a call for any type of oven repairs. So, what is going on with your induction stove? If you have no power (heat or lights), check to make sure the stove is plugged in to a 120-volt outlet. If this is not the issue, check for a dedicated 15-amp line. If this is not the problem, check the fuses. It is common to have a blown fuse in an induction stove. The fuse is going to be a 250v ceramic, 20-amp fuse. Image source: Valeria BM If the stove has been handled roughly or has been dropped, you may experience issues and it will need to be evaluated. Another issue that may arise is that the power cook and hold temp light is flashing even though the pan is on the unit and the unit is not heating. This could be becuase the cooktop is not sensing the proper pan, the pan may be too small or too large, or the pan is not centered. The pan should be no larger than 12" and no smaller than 7". If your cooktop stops heating, this could be because there was a power shortage when the unit was in use. If you are using another electric appliance, this could have drawn power away from the stove if it is on the same circuit. Another cause of this is a blocked air vent. There must be a 2" clearance for air circulation on both sides of the unit. If you have left a pan on the unit. the safety shut-off has been activated and this may be why your cooktop has stopped heating. Still having issues such as the pan not getting hot enough? Check the hold temp button because the cooktop will not generate more than 800 watts of power if this button is activated. If the button is on, switch it over to power cook. If you are using an extension cord, this will not give enough power to the stove if it is over 10 feet. If your pan is getting warm enough but it is not cooking evenly, this could be an issue with the pan you are using. Make sure you are cooking with a CookTek pan or an induction compatible pan. The pan may also be the wrong shape, the wrong size will cause cooking issues, as stated above. Hopefully you have figured out what is wrong with your induction stove. It would be a shame if you had to buy a whole new one because they are not cheap. Giving the Appliance Repair Pros a call can save you a ton of money rather than replacing your stove.

Common Induction Issues See more on: http://www.appliancerepairpros.ca

Induction vs Gas vs Electric Cooktop

An important question when choosing home appliances is deciding the type of cooktop (also called range) to get. In general, you’ve got four different choices to pick from:

• Induction cooktop - these work by means of an alternating current that induces heat in the appropriate type of cookware. They are safe to touch.
• Gas cooktop - these rely on burning gas to transfer heat to your cookware.
• Electric coil / solid hotplate cooktops - these are inexpensive cooktops that use electricity running through a resistive hotplate or coil to heat the cookware directly.
• Electric ceramic radiant cooktops - these comprise of halogen lamps or coiled metallic elements which emit heat from underneath via a tempered ceramic surface of glass.

Image source: designmilk

Advantages and Disadvantages

The type of cooktop you should go for depends on your budget, fuel availability, and to some extent, the kind of cuisine you want to prepare. Here are some pros and cons of each type, to help you decide:

Induction Cooktops:

• Advantages:
  • Safe to touch, so ideal for families with little children.
  • Highly energy efficient.
  • Instant heat up.
  • Stylish look.
  • The flat surface can be easily cleaned; the food doesn’t get baked on them.
• Disadvantages:
  • May be costly.
  • Cookware has to be iron or stainless steel.
  • Repair / replacement may be difficult.

Electric coil / hotplate cooktops:

• Advantages:
  • Inexpensive purchase and repair.
  • Don’t require a specific kind of cookware.
  • Great for simmering and low temperature cooking.
• Disadvantages:
  • Considerable heat up time.
  • Generally sluggish temperature change.
  • Comparatively inefficient.

Electric ceramic radiant cooktops:

• Advantages:
  • Stylish to look at.
  • Flat surface can be cleaned easily.
  • Reasonably temperature responsive.
  • Don’t need a particular type of cookware.
• Disadvantages:
  • Costlier than conventional coil/hotplate electric cooktops.
  • Repair might be complicated.

Gas burner cooktops:

• Advantages:
  • Instant heat up.
  • Respond well to temperature changes.
  • Cheap operation.
  • Can work with special trivets and wok burners.
  • Can be used to char-grill capsicum on open flame, just like on television.
• Disadvantages:
  • Require gas supply.
  • Difficult to clean as compared to radiant or flat induction cooktops (enamel can be cleaned more easily than glass or steel).
  • Higher risk of combustion/fire because of naked flame.

Other steps to consider when picking a cooktop

Besides considering the pros and cons of various cooktop technologies, you should also answer a few essential questions with regards to your purchase of a cooktop. These can be:

• Would you do better with a combination cooktop i.e. one that combines multiple technologies, as opposed to one that uses just a single technology?
• What’s the size of the family? A larger family, or one that cooks a lot, might be better off with a six burner cooktop rather than four.
• If you’ve decided on a gas cooktop, will a wok burner be a part of your future cooking endeavours?
• What sort of warranty are you looking for?
• Will you require new cookware, if you’ve decided on an induction based cooktop?
• Does the cooktop’s style match the style of your kitchen?

Regardless of which cooktop you choose, Appliance Repair pros can fix any stove.

The following blog post Induction vs Gas vs Electric Cooktop was originally seen on Appliance Repair Pros

Common Gas Stove Problems and Solutions

So, you go to start dinner and see that your stove is not working properly, what are you going to do? You can always give us a call for any oven or stove repair needs. Stove issues are more common than you may think, whether it is gas or electric. Unfortunately, sometimes you may have to end up buying a new stove, but lets hope you aren't in that situation. Obviously, whether you have a gas or electric stove will determine how they are going to be diagnosed and fixed. Image attribution: https://en.wikipedia.org/ If your gas stove is no longer lighting, the first thing you want to do is check the pilot light. This light stays on until you choose a temperature and then it will ignite the flame for the stove and the oven. If the pilot light is not lit, just relight it with a match or a lighter and try turning it on again. If your burner flame is weak, this could mean that you have a clogged burner flame opening or there is too little gas or air going to the burner. If your oven burner doesn't light, this could mean that your pilot light is out. If the pilot will not light, check the igniter and the thermal cutoff thermostat. A common solution to this issue is to make sure your clock-timer is correctly set. A big concern with stoves is a gas odor. If you smell gas when the pilot flame is not on means that you need to open the windows, ventilate the area and relight the pilot light. If you have an electric stove and the pilot is lit or igniter is plugged in, this means that the burner is not completely shut off. Check all of your burners . If that is not the issue, call your local gas company, turn off the supply to the stove and ventilate the area. Another common issue is a noisy burner flame. If you have this issue, that means that the gas stove has either too much air or gas getting to the burner. Adjust the air shutter and see if it helps. Last, but not least, a common problem almost everyone has had, is a greasy surface. To prevent a grease fire, clean the surface after every time you use it. This will help the stove run more efficiently and avoid a fire. All of these common issues can easily be fixed. Sometimes, if there is a problem that is too complicated to fix on your own, you may have to call a professional or buy a new stove completely. You need to decide if the stove is worth paying to fix or if it would be more beneficial to just buy a whole new one. These issues usually just take a few minutes to troubleshoot but be sure to take the proper safety precautions when doing so. Either way, the safety of your home and family should be considered, especially if you have frequent gas problems with your gas stove. Call your local gas company and they will be more than happy to asssit you.

Common Gas Stove Problems and Solutions was originally seen on Appliance Repair Pros Service Blog

How to Choose Your Refrigerator

There are four basic factors that you need to consider when looking to purchase a refrigerator for your home:

The Door Style

This is the first thing you need to consider. A few decades ago, the majority of these appliances had a refrigerator in the lower portion and a freezer in the upper. Now, the trend has shifted to side by side refrigerators, and more recently, French door style refrigerators that have a lower freezer and two upper doors. There are other form factors available e.g. bottom freezer versions, but these three are the most common ones these days. When you’re deciding on a particular door style, think about your refrigerator habits. Go for a French door style refrigerator if you often store large food trays for parties, which won’t fit in side by side refrigerators. But if freezer space is what you really want, then a side by side refrigerator will be a better choice.

Water and Ice Dispenser Location

You may not think of this as crucially important, but you’ll need to decide on whether you want a water dispenser in your refrigerator or not. If you’ve got a house filter for your water, you can forego the dispenser. If you decide that you want a dispenser, you’ll have to choose between a bottom freezer refrigerator and a side by side refrigerator, since dispensers aren’t normally available with other door styles. In any case, most refrigerators come with an ice maker, even if they don’t have a water dispenser, and this can take considerable space. The ice maker may be present in the door, in a freezer tray, or on the refrigerator’s top shelf. The location for the ice maker which suits you really comes down to whether you can compromise on the space which the ice maker will be occupying or not. For instance, an ice maker present in the door means that you’re giving up space in the door shelves so you can’t store more than condiments inside them. If you don’t want to lose refrigerator space, go the freezer ice tray route.

Size

Image source: http://www.acrofan.com Besides the overall size which can fit into the space you have, you should also think about the cubic size of your refrigerator, since there can be considerable diversity between models. Models ranging from as small as 10 cubic ft. to as large as 33 cubic ft. are available. Height and width are a couple of the factors that determine the fridge’s size, but there are also modern refrigerators which have a counter depth or standard depth, which is a good feature, in that they won’t jut into your precious floor space.

Energy Star Rating

Any time you purchase a new appliance, you should ensure that it is rated by Energy Star. This rating means that it works efficiently so you don’t have to foot a large electric power bill, which would be the case if you got a non-rated appliance. You can also get extra rebates from your utility company by purchasing an Energy Star rated appliance. Also keep in mind that an efficient refrigerator is much less likely to break down, even though we’re a professional repair service, we say this in the best interests of our clients, and the environment. Of course if you already like the fridge you have and don't want to get a new one and just need some repairs, call a fridge repair service to get you back up and running before your food spoils.

The following blog post How to Choose Your Refrigerator Find more on: http://appliancerepairpros.ca

Dryer Vent Cleaning 101

You’ll need the following items for cleaning up your dryer’s vent:

• Clean toilet brush
• Old towel
• Gloves
• Screwdriver
• Broom handle / similar long wooden piece
• Duct tape

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• First of all, if you find any of this overwhelming and don't want to deal with it, consider hiring a dryer repair specialist to take a look.
• Unplug the dryer (be it electric or gas).
• Turn off the gas supply if you’ve got a gas dryer. If you aren’t able to do so, or you aren’t sure about how to do it, contact a specialist to get the job done for you. In any case, never try to clean your dryer vent without disconnecting it from the gas and electric supply.
• Pull your dryer away from the wall so you are able to easily get behind it and unhook the vent (roughly 2 feet).
• Once you’re behind it, unscrew the clamp which holds the vent and dryer together, and take the vent off.
• Take the vent off the wall and put it on the floor next to the dryer.
• Insert the toilet brush inside the flexible vent and move it around gently to remove any build-up of lint. You may also use a vacuum cleaner with its wand attachment, but this may require another person to keep the vent in place as you vacuum its insides. Using a coat hanger isn’t recommended, as is any other sharp object that can lead to an inadvertent hole inside the flexible vent.
• Wrap the wooden piece with the old towel and secure it with duct tape.
• Slide this makeshift device inside the vent, from the laundry room to the outside, and move it back, forth and around until the towel comes out clean from the other side.
• Go to the house’s exterior and locate the external dryer vent.
• Remove the outer vent’s louver covering (normally fastened with screws) and give the interior a visual inspection for any obstructions. If you see an insect nest e.g. wasps etc., proceed with caution to avoid getting stung. Hornets and wasps can be tough to deal with, so it may be a good idea to call the experts instead of trying to get rid of them on your own.
• If you can reach the obstacle with your arm, and it is safe (i.e. not an insect nest), remove it using a gloved hand.
• If you aren’t able to see / identify the obstruction, put the broom / towel contraption inside and move it up/down/around gently until it comes out more or less clean.
• Wash the louver cover using warm, soapy water, then rinse and replace.
• Go back inside and reaffix the flexible vent to your dryer using its clamp.
• Now reattach the vent to the wall.
• Reconnect the dryer and run a fluff cycle on it for a few minutes, then switch it off.
• Once again, go outside and check the outlet vent for any other obstructions which may have gotten pushed forward. If so, reach out and remove it with a gloved hand, or with the broom cleaning technique described above.
• Fix the louver cover to the external vent.
• Push the dryer back to the wall and turn the gas back on.

If you need a little more info, take a look at this page for more help.

The post Dryer Vent Cleaning 101 See more on: Appliance Repair Professionals

Installing Your Refrigerator

Whether you just bought a new refrigerator, had one given to you or just need to move it and put it in place, installing a refrigerator involves many tasks. They are big, heavy, need to be measured to see if it will actually fit into where it needs to go and more. Not only is it a matter of placing the fridge, you also have to figure out the plumbing and location of the plumbing.

Step 1. Measure

The first thing you need to do is measure out a spot where your refrigerator is going to go. It is going to be near the sink so that you can tap into the water line to run to the fridge.

Step 2. Get Your Tools

You are also going to need a tube cutter, tape measure and soldering torch to do the job and 1/4 inch flexible tubing, 1/2 inch copper pipe, copper tee, and water supple stop valve. In order to do this, you need to locate that closest cold water source to the refrigerator. You will find these either under the sink, in the wall, below the floor and even sometimes in the ceiling.

Step 3. Water Line

Refer to this page for more info. In order to keep lines out of harms way, run them above storage areas and behind drawers if you can. You then need to figure out which water line connection you want to use. You can choose from a regular tee fitting that is soldered, a saddle valve or a compression tee fitting. You are then going to want to do the recommended thing and remove a section of cold water pipe then solder a copper tee that is 1/2 inch, which is standard. When you are connecting the lines, make sure your water is turned off at the main valve. You then want to drain your pipes by running the faucets. You are then going to solder a 3-4 inch piece of copper into the tee under the sink then solder the valve that stops the water supply at the other end. After that is done, turn the water back on and check for leaks. After attaching everything that needs to be attached, you are going to want to flush out the tubing. In order to do this, run a gallon or so of water through the new lines via bucket before you attach the refrigerator. Use the owners manual to attach the tubing.

Step 4. Plug it in

You are then going to move the refrigerator into place and plug it in. You are going to want to wait until it gets to temperature before putting food in it to avoid anything prematurely thawing. Installing a refrigerator is more complex than just throwing it in and turning it on and if you need help you can call us for our refrigerator installation and repair service. If you are putting it in a place that already has the hook up, then it will be as simple as just throwing it in, but if you are installing one in a brand new place, be sure to follow the owners manual to avoid voiding your warranty by incorrectly installing your new refrigerator.

Installing Your Refrigerator was originally published on Appliance Repair Pros

Fridge Hacks

Organizing your refrigerator is something that everyone wants to know how to do. Sometimes, there are certain things that you just cannot fit in your refrigerator without squashing and dropping bottles or food. So, some genius people have come up with ways to hack your refrigerator and keep it organized and neat. An organized refrigerator means that what you are looking for will be easy to find and you won't have to move food around to get to it.

Do You Have An Issue With Keeping Bottles Where They Are Suppose To Be?

One easy way to stack them without them falling all over the place is to attach a binder clip to the rack and stack the bottles against it. This will keep the bottles from slipping and rolling all over your refrigerator.

Organization Hacks

Another great hack for keeping food organized is to take your lazy susan to a whole new level. Place your prepped food in the containers and place them in the refrigerator. This means that you will never have to worry about forgetting about your food that you have in the fridge. Magazine filers are the perfect way to organize your freezer and make space. They are also great for refrigerators.

Hate Cleaning Your Fridge?

If you are the type of person who just does not have the time to constantly clean your fridge, line it with cling wrap. When the cling wrap gets dirty, just remove it and put more on.

6 Packs

Another great hack is 6-pack containers. Place these on the door and put your bottles in it. This will keep them from falling over when the door is opened. Same goes for soda containers. Cut them in half and store them with the cans facing upright. This will save room and keep the cans from rolling out of the box.

Labels

If you are the type of person who likes to keep things labeled, place baskets in your refrigerator and label them with whatever is in them. Have one basket for fruits, one for vegetables, cream cheese, sandwich fixings and more. This will save time when it comes to looking for all of the things that you need if you are in a hurry or just don't feel like moving everything around. It is also a good idea to take things out of the refrigerator that do not need to be refrigerated. A

Smelly Odor Hack

Another good hack for the fridge is to put a container of activated carbon in it. This will eliminate any odors that you may have floating around in there. You can also try baking soda. There are many hacks for keeping your refrigerator clean and organized. Many people just like to throw their food in the fridge and call it a day and others like to keep it clean, tidy and hassle free. These hacks are great for those who like to have an organized refrigerator. It makes things much easier to find, less messy and you never have to worry about bottles falling over and rolling around. Nothing is worse than opening your fridge and having a bottle come flying at you from the top shelf. These hacks will take care of that issue for just a few dollars. If hacks aren't going to fix your fridge problems, consider give a refrigerator repair man a call.

Fridge Hacks is available on http://www.appliancerepairpros.ca/