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A Perfect Appliance For Everyone: 2015 Holiday Gifting Guide

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The holiday season is officially upon us, which means it’s time to buckle down and get those gifts sorted, even if you are cutting it a bit close. Don’t feel overwhelmed, though—we’re here to help with this perfect little appliance gift guide! Let us help you find the perfect appliance-related item for everybody on your gift list this year.

For the kids:

What kid doesn’t love character goods? Treat your kids to some breakfast kitsch and cool with a cute themed toaster, like this Darth Vader Star Wars model that prints the Star Wars logo onto toast. So fun! Plus, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters, everyone will be buzzing about the franchise.

For dad:

This Kikkerland mini BBQ briefcase is totally genius for the grill-master-on-the-go! Dad will love being able to tote his trusty grill with him anywhere and everywhere, making him the life of the party—or tailgate.

For mom:

Not all moms love baking, of course, but those who do will fall in love with this adorable pink mixer from KitchenAid. Not only is it totally cute and chic, but it’s also a really great, professional model right from their Artisan series.

For the teens:

The teenagers in your life might not be as enchanted by a character toaster as the little ones, but they’ll love these super cool water speakers. These speakers feature water streams and colorful lights that literally dance along to the beat of the music playing, and they’re totally device connectable.

Got someone else on the list that’s just too darn hard to shop for? Why not treat them to our Preventative Maintenance Service? We’ll service the appliances in their entire home so they don’t have to worry about anything. Check out our service here and give us a call if you’d like to set someone up on your holiday list with service!


5 Ways You’re Probably Doing Your Laundry Wrong

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Drop in the dirty clothes. Pour in the detergent. Fill ‘er up and hit the start button. Doing laundry is that simple, right?

Wrong—as in, you’re doing it wrong! Or at least, you’re probably doing a few things the wrong way when it comes to your laundry.

1. Dark Clothing

Sure, you know to wash your dark clothes with cold water, inside out, to prevent them from fading. But did you know that the most damage to dark clothes occurs in the dryer? Heat will fade your colors into oblivion in no time, so the key is to actually air-dry your dark clothing, which will keep them looking bright and new.

2. Swimwear

You might think that washing your swimsuit after a dip in the pool is an obvious choice, especially if you carefully place your bikini or trunks in a mesh bag and use a cold water gentle cycle. What could go wrong, right? But actually, this washing ritual can destroy your suit after a while! Instead, skip the wash altogether and simply rinse your suit with cold water soon after swimming. To get the smell of chlorine or saltwater out, you can even mix in a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar.

3. Towels

Everyone loves a nice warm, soft, fluffy towel, no? Unfortunately, when you use fabric softener or dryer sheets, your towels become less absorbent—kinda defeating the purpose of the towel in the first place. In addition, you should always wash your towels on the longest and hottest cycle, and be sure to remove soon after the wash is finished as to avoid funky smells or mold buildup!

4. Comforters & Thick Blankets

Thick blankets and comforters can get terribly clumpy and heavy in the wash, so it’s important to put these through a second rinse and spin cycle to get all the soap residue off and remove excess water before drying. Even better, if you can take your comforter to a local laundromat and wash them in a heavy-capacity unit, that’s your best bet!

5. Detergent Overdosing

More detergent, more clean, right? Wrong. More detergent makes more bubbles which can end up lifting dirt above the clothes instead of actually washing it away. To this effect, more detergent can inadvertently lead to dirtier clothes! So be mindful with how much detergent you use, using only 1/3 to 1/2 of the cap instead of the whole thing.

Are you guilty of any of these laundry mishaps?

Here’s Why You Should Keep Your Kitchen Appliances Clean—And How To Do It Easily

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Keeping your kitchen appliances clean is not only incredibly important for the health and well-being of your family (after all, remember: the food you’re eating is coming into the contact with these machines), but also for the longevity of your appliances, too. Over time, grime, food residue, and dirt build-up can impact both the operation and lifespan of your appliances, so it’s crucial to keep these machines as tidy as possible. And while cleaning your kitchen appliances may seem like a pain, it’s really not that difficult or time-consuming if you know the proper technique.

To help you keep your appliances shiny and fresh, just follow these simple guidelines below:

CLEAN YOUR REFRIGERATOR:

One of the dirtiest spaces in your entire home, believe it or now, isn’t in the bathroom. It’s actually in the kitchen—specifically, behind your refrigerator, where food, dust, spillage, and other dirty debris has likely been collecting in one nasty square foot of filth for months… maybe even years! Ew.

To clean, shift your fridge forward (or to the side) and mop up that space until it sparkles. Also be sure to vacuum the refrigerator coils and the space under them, which will help prolong your machine’s life.

You should also clean the outside and inside of the fridge itself by using a mixture of water and white distilled vinegar (diluted 50-50) to get rid of any icky food residue or mystery spills. This will keep your refrigerated food safer from contamination, too.

CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE:

Sometimes food pops and spurts when cooking in the microwave, getting splattered on the top of the machine. Then, the next time you go to cook something in there, there’s the possibility that the old food residue can end up in what you’re cooking… Yuck! Plus, caked-on residue can have negative impacts on how well the microwave cooks for you in the future.

Thankfully, cleaning your microwave is super easy and quick to do. First, fill a microwaveable cup with water and a few slices of lemon, placing it in the microwave and on high for three minutes. The steam will help to loosen spillage (while the lemon will kill bacteria and odors), making it easy to wipe down the inner walls with a washcloth soaked in warm, soapy water afterwards.

CLEAN YOUR DISHWASHER:

As your dishwasher gains gnarly build-up over each use, your dishware becomes harder and harder to clean completely, resulting in you having to wash extra cycles afterwards—and thereby defeating the purpose of the thing in the first place! Plus, there’s nothing more icky that pulling out a “freshly cleaned” dish with some gunk still plastered on it. Blech!

It’s important to give your dishwasher a deep clean once in a while, and it’s easier than you think. First, wipe down the interior and racks gently with a cloth and warm, soapy water. Afterwards, fill the detergent cup with white distilled vinegar and run an empty cycle to wash out any lingering stains or lime deposits. Be sure to give the outside a refresh with some appropriate all-purpose cleaner, too!

The ABCs of Storing Fruits and Veggies in Your Kitchen

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Is there anything more frustrating than finding the fruits and veggies you just purchased a few days ago all moldy, dried out, or mushy—all before you’ve even gotten to eat them? We’ve all been there, and yes, it’s quite the bummer.

The truth is, no fruit or veggie is the same, so just storing everything that grows from the earth in the fridge is actually not always a foolproof way to keep things fresh. Some produce needs to be kept dry, while others need to be kept damp; some need to be stored at room temperature, while others need the cold to thrive. And yeah, sometimes it can get a bit confusing… which is exactly why we’ve created this handy guide just for you!

From A(pples) to Z(ucchini), we’ve got the ABCs of how to properly store fruits and vegetables in your kitchen.

STORING VEGETABLES:

Asparagus: Place loosely in a glass or bowl upright with water at room temperature. (Will keep for a week outside the fridge)
Avocados: Place in a paper bag at room temp. To speed up their ripening‐ place an apple in the bag with them.
Basil: Basil does not like to be cold or wet. Store in an airtight container or jar loosely packed with a small damp piece of paper towel and leave on a cool counter.
Broccoli: Keep in an open container in the fridge or wrap in a damp towel before placing in the fridge.
Carrots: Snip the tops off to keep them fresh longer. Place them in closed container with plenty of moisture, either wrapped in a damp towel or dunk them in cold water every couple of days if they’re stored that long.
Celery: Place in a bowl of shallow water on the counter. If you want to keep it in the refrigerator, wrap it in tin foil.
Corn: Leave un-husked in an open container.
Cucumber: Wrap in a moist towel in the fridge.
Garlic: Store in a cool, dark place.
Green beans: Store with a damp cloth draped over an open or loosely closed container.
Herbs: Store in a closed container in the fridge to be kept up to a week. Any longer might attract mold.
Lettuce: Keep damp in an airtight container in the fridge.
Onion: Store in a cool, dark and dry place with good air circulation.
Mushrooms: Keep mushrooms in the refrigerator in its original wrapping. If you are using some of the mushrooms, open a corner of the plastic wrap and only take what you need. Then, cover with a paper towel and cover with more plastic wrap and place back into the refrigerator.
Peppers: Store in a plastic bag before placing in refrigerator.
Potatoes: Store in cool, dark and dry place; a paper bag also works!
Spinach: Store loose in an open container in the fridge.
Tomatoes: Never refrigerate. Tomatoes can stay for up to two weeks on the counter.
Zucchini: Leave out on a cool counter, even after cut. Wrap in a cloth and refrigerate for longer storage.
 
STORING FRUITS:

Apples: Store cool on a counter or shelf for up to two weeks.
Cherries: Store in an airtight container.
Bananas: Take bananas apart when you get home from the store. Keep them on the counter.
Citrus: Store in a cool, ventilated area.
Berries:Store in a paper bag and only wash before you plan on eating them.
Grapes:
Fridge is fine; just don’t wash the grapes before putting them in the fridge as the moisture can cause the grapes to get soggy.
Lemons/Limes: 
You can store lemons or limes on a counter at room for up to a week; if not, put them in the fridge and they’ll last for up to a month. Make sure they have room to breathe or they’ll grow mold.
Melons: If uncut, store in a cool and dry place for up to a few weeks; if cut, store in the fridge.
Oranges: Store at room temperature in a basket.
Peaches: Only refrigerate when fully ripe; if not ripe, store on the counter.
Strawberries: Keep your strawberries dry and store in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week.
Watermelon
: Uncut watermelon can be kept on the counter for up to 10 days; store sliced watermelon in the fridge for up to 2 days.

 

Know How to Check Your Home Appliances for Manufacturer Recalls

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Knowing if an appliance in your home has been subject to a manufacturer recall can make all the difference between safety and catastrophe in your home. While it may seem intimidating, trying to figure out if any of your appliances have been recalled, it’s actually much simpler than you may think. And it’s super important.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which watches over 15,000 kinds of consumer products used by the public here in the United States, provides a web site for consumers to check on which items in their home may be subject to a recall. Here is that web site.

The site makes it super easy, too, by allowing you to search by product, enter the product name, or find recalls by company. Be sure to give the site a look-over a few times a year to make sure your appliances haven’t been recalled for any potentially dangerous issues! Even the slightest factory malfunction can cause a major or threatening issue with your appliance, so keep your family and your home safe by checking in with the directory regularly!

 

 

On The Brink: 3 Signs Your Washing Machine Is On Its Last Leg

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Did you know that the average American family runs nearly 300 loads of laundry each year? That’s a lot of laundry!

Of course, your trusty washing machine isn’t meant to last forever… though it should give you a few decades of good work. Somewhere in there your machine is bound to start acting up—but by being aware of these three signs of trouble, you can avoid higher cost repairs or, worse, having to replace your machine, simply by catching and fixing the issue ahead of time.

The Washer Rocks Excessively:

If the washer starts rocking during the spin cycle, it likely means that the washer is off balance. Simply open the lid and rearrange the clothes so they’re more even within the drum.

However, if the issue continues, you may have a loose drum or motor mount,which calls for a professional repair. If you continue to run your washer with this problem it could damage other components and result in a more costly repair.

The Agitator Isn’t Working:

The agitator is located in the center of top-loading washing machines, and it jerks back and forth rapidly during the wash or rinse cycle to thoroughly clean clothing. If the motor engages but the agitator doesn’t, your transmission may be bad. To check, simply lift the washing machine lid during the wash cycle to see if the agitator is shifting your clothes. If not, get it fixed asap—or suffer through load after load of unwashed clothes.

Clothes Remain Soaking Wet After Spin:

If your transmission is broken, the water may drain, but the spin cycle may fail to start. The spin cycle removes as much water from the clothes as possible so your dryer doesn’t have to work overtime to dry your clothes (something that can lead to dryer issues, by the way). So if your transmission is done for, get that fixed stat so you don’t run the risk of damaging your washer, or dryer, further.

Pesky Stain Removal 101: Gum, Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate

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Well, damn — you’ve stained your favorite shirt. Now what!? First things first: Don’t panic; we’ve got you covered. Check below to see how you can easily and efficiently remove some of the hardest stains around!

COFFEE + TEA

Coffee and tea stains are notoriously difficult to remove… But it’s not impossible! The first thing you need to do rinse a fresh stain in hot water. If you catch it quickly enough, you can remove it completely. However, if the stain is old and stubborn, you have two options: Soak it i dishwashing liquid, or use a mixture  of 2 tablespoons Borax and 1 cup water to scrub the stain out.

GUM

Gum stains are pretty gross, and despite being in a sticky situation, gum isn’t as hard to remove as you may think. Just follow these three rules: Freeze the affected spot (in the freezer or with ice), scrape the hard gum (a butter knife is best), and then soak the remaining stain with white distilled vinegar.

CHOCOLATE

What starts out great (um, chocolate, yum!) turns terrible when you spill or melt chocolate onto your shirt. That’s a hard stain to remove! To keep chocolate from saturating fabric, turn your garment inside out to scrub from the back (pushing the substance off and not deeper into your clothing). Use a combination of ammonia, dishwashing lidquid, and water to then blot the stain with a lint-free cloth onto a paper towel.

Pesky Stain Removal 101: Grass, Ketchup, and Wine

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Is there anything more tragic than getting a big ol’ green grass stain on your favorite pair of jeans? It’s the worst! To help save you from a laundry headache, below we’ll lay out simple ways to remove three of the worst, most annoying types of stains in our lives: grass stains, wine stains, and ketchup.

GRASS
First, apply a stain treatment directly to the stain, scrubbing with a toothbrush before you rub the fabric together. Then, use diluted white vinegar or ammonia to remove any remaining color. Easy peasy!

WINE
The first thing you need to do is cover the stain with a handful of salt, which should begin to absorb the color, turning it pink. Then soak the garment in cold water with enzyme detergent and allow it to soak overnight. Tip: If you can’ wash straight away, spot treat with club soda.

KETCHUP
Whenever possible, rinse the stain under cold running water right away. Then, soak it in warm water and dab the stain with a sponge that has been coated with dishwashing soap. f the stain is too stubborn, treat with methylated spirits. Finally, apply a stain treatment and allow it to sit for 15 minutes, using diluted white vinegar to remove any remaining color afterwards.


Keeping Your Pantry Organized: 5 Methods To Stop the Madness

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Aside from the closet or garage, the pantry tends to be the most disorganized space in one’s home. Exploding with cans and boxes and foods of all varieties, along with kitchen and cooking utensils, it can sometimes be impossible to find what you’re looking for. But keeping your pantry organized is not as much of a chore as you may think! Here, we lay our five simple, affordable, and quick ways to keep your pantry on point.

Stackable Storage:

Stacking containers allow you to store mixed items like pasta, cookies, and grains in such a way that you can easily see what’s inside. This eliminates the headache of searching through countless containers to find what you’re looking for! This containers will also allow you to get rid of unnecessary bulk, like half-full cereal boxes. And the airtight plastic seals will keep your food fresh.

Portable Storage:

Rolling carts allow you to transport your food and cooking utensils easily, such as mixing stands and cases of water. You can even store entire meal ingredients (well, sans perishables, of course) on a single cart so you can have everything ready and at your convenience.

See-Through Storage:

Clear storage allows you to find exactly what you’re looking for without the hassle of checking labels or digging through containers. You can also easily see how much you have left of something, making it easier to tell when you need to replenish an ingredient! Easy peasy.

Can Rack:

Cans taking up space or making for awkward organization? A vertical can rack is a genius way to easily stack and organize your canned goods! Just grab what you need and a new one will roll into its place to replace it.

Label Everything:

Labeling containers allows you to easily find out what items you already have, and which you don’t or need. Plus, you won’t accidentally grab the wrong thing is your containers are properly labeled!

Five Clever Grill Hacks For Summer BBQ Bosses

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Summer is here, which means it’s grilling season! And while hot dogs and steaks are always great, there’s always room to improve your grilling skills with a few simple and useful BBQ hacks. From cleaning tips to cooking hints, here are five of our favorite and most clever summer BBQ grill hacks!

Use Aluminum Foil to Clean:

Don’t have a grill brush handy to clean your still-warm grate? No worries! Just make a ball out of some aluminum foil, grab it with a pair of tongs, and start scrubbing the metal grates of the grill to get all the little charred and burnt-on bits off.

No-Stick Fish Using Lemon:

Grilled fish is delicious, but can be notoriously difficult to successfully make. Flaky fish like salmon, tuna and halibut tends to stick to the grill, and when you go to remove it pieces can rip off, destroying part of your meal. To avoid the fish sticking to the metal grates of the grill, place the fish on top of lemon wedges on the grill instead. Not only will the fish not stick, but it will retain some of the bright tangy flavor of the lemon being grilled into it. Yum!

Convert Your Grill Into a Smoker:

Just because you don’t have a smoker doesn’t mean you can smoke your food. How, you may wonder? Place an aluminum pan full of water in your grill and arrange your pre-soaked wood chips atop the charcoal. Light ‘em up, add your food to the grates (brisket or ribs are especially delicious when smoked), close the lid and voila! You’re smokin’, baby.

Grill Juicier Chicken Using a Brick:

It can be hard to evenly grill chicken. Often you’ll end up with one part over-charred and one part under-cooked. Overcooking and drying chicken out is unfortunately easy to do as well. However, there’s a simple way to ensure evenly cooked and super juicy chicken! Just wrap a brick in tin foil and place over your chicken to flatten them out. This will cook them evenly as the tin foil heats up. Meanwhile, the pressure will keep juices inside so they won’t drip or evaporate as quickly.

Toast Your Buns:

Everyone knows the age-old trick of grilling your buns nice and toasty to serve with your hot dogs and hamburgers. And adding a little butter is always a good idea, too! But did you know you can also grill other flavors into your buns? Try a little olive oil/salt and pepper mix, or perhaps garlic butter for a delicious twist.

Five Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Summer Drinks

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The summer heat is upon us here in the States, which means its time to stock your fridge — and backyard parties! — with a wide array of beverages to keep that thirst quenched and under control.

While sodas are too sugary (and, well, not very good for you) and plain water is a little boring, we have five refreshing ideas to take your non-alcoholic summer drinks to the next level, from fruity spritzers to remixed lemonades and iced teas. The best part? They’re super easy to make and look just as delicious as they take. Oh, and the kids will love them. Score!

Non-Alcoholic Sangria
This family friendly version of the gown-up fave is super yummy and fresh. Just mix 4 cups of white grape juice with 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup cranberry juice. Add in the juice of 2 limes, 2 oranges, and muddled blueberries, raspberries, and peaches. Top with fresh apple and peach slices, and lots of ice!

Fizzy Pink Lemonade
Fresh lemon juice combined with pureed strawberries and club soda make for a tangy, spritely refreshment. Just add a pinch of natural sweetener, like agave nectar or raw sugar, for a little sweetness.

Lavender Lemonade
This naturally sweet lemonade has a nice, earthy, herbal undertone to it, making it soothing for summertime. Fresh lemon juice, coconut water, crushed ice, and lavender syrup come together  for a unique spin on summer’s favorite beverage.

Blueberry Lime Iced Tea
Fresh, crisp iced tea gets a kick of sweetness with pureed blueberries and lime juice! Mix all in a blender with crushed ice for a slushy spin on this tropical drink.

Watermelon Mint Water
An asbolute favorite — and super simple to make! — there’s nothing more refreshing than the bright taste of watermelon mint water. Plus, it’s super healthy! Just infuse chunks of watermelon and sprigs of fresh mint in two gallons of water overnight. Add ice before serving, and enchant your guests, and yourself, with this delightfully sunny concoction.

3 Hacks to Keep Cool in the Summer Heat

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Do you find yourself begging for winter as July approaches? After all, it’s not like you can take your air conditioning outside of your car and home, so when you’re out there having all that summer fun, you’re stuck feeling the summer heat, too.

Luckily, we’ve got a handful of cool summer hacks up our sleeve which will keep you nice and comfortable while you enjoy the sun.

Chill Out… Your Pants:
If you have to wear full-length denim or pants during the summer, stick them in the freezer overnight. Then, put them on just before you leave the house. The cooling sensation will keep you nice and comfy as you venture into the heat, and help with anti-sticking. (Summer heat + leather car interior = UGH!)

Don’t Sweat It:
Find yourself super sweaty and overheated? Don’t focus too much on it! Hyperawareness of the heat will only cause you to feel even more unbearably hot, which will lead to more sweating. Instead, keep cool in your mind and your body will follow!

Ice to Meet You:
If you need a quick cool-down, nothing helps faster than an ice cube to the inner wrist!The wrist is the center of a pulse point, where blood vessels gather closely towards the surface of your skin. Applying an ice cube here helps to cool your blood, and in turn, your body.

And don’t forget to hydrate with plenty of water out there!

Fourth of July Fireworks Bonanza: Three Ways to Celebrate in New Jersey

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With the Fourth of July only days away, it’s time to start thinking about where you and your family will be catching the fireworks this year.

New Jersey, though small in geographical stature, has a plethora of options all up and down the state where you can celebrate July 4th. From North to Central to South Jersey, we’ve got you covered on where to find the best celebrations, displays, and views.

 

 

NORTH JERSEY

Freedom and Fireworks Festival (Jersey City, NJ)
Nestled just south of New York City, but far enough removed from the madness of Manhattan, you can catch a grand production of fireworks with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Fireworks will explode over the Hudson river at night, but get there early — the event takes place all day at Liberty State Park, where there will be carnival rides, food, concerts, games and more! Don’t forget to bring your beach chairs.

CENTRAL JERSEY

26th Annual Oceanfest (Long Branch, NJ)
If you’re going to stick around the center of the state, hit up Long Branch’s 26th Annual Oceanfest, which runs along a half mile stretch of beach and boardwalk. Open 10 am to 10 pm, you’ll see musicians, carnival entertainment, food, crafts, shopping, face-painters and more… Oh, and fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean at 9 pm, of course.

SOUTH JERSEY

Atlantic City Fireworks (Atlantic City NJ)
The fireworks in historic Atlantic City tout “one of the top five July 4th displays in the country,” and they’re not kidding. The sky over the ocean will light up at night, while daytime activities include hitting the pier for games and rides, shopping, casinos and more! If you have the luxury to, why not say overnight in one of the oceanfront hotels?

How To Clean a Greasy Stove-Top With Only Soap and Water

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When it comes to cleaning a grimy, greasy stove-top that’s covered in caked-on stains and burnt-on mess, you’d be forgiven for assuming it will take 10 products, 2 hours and a whole lot of elbow grease to get the thing shining again.

Thankfully, we’re here to tell you that that’s not the case. You may feel like you need the latest, greatest, most heavy duty cleaner available in the cleaning aisle of your grocery store, but in reality, a little Palmolive, Dawn or Meyer’s goes a long way.

Read below to see how easy (and affordable) it is to give your stove the deep clean it deserves!

Materials You’ll Need:
Dish soap
Cleaning cloth/sponge
Scrub brush
Kitchen towel

Instructions:
1. If you are able to remove the knobs and grates from your stove-top, do so.

2. Before you wipe down the stove-top, toss the knobs into a bowl of soapy water and let them soak.

3. Take your cleaning cloth or sponge and squirt a small drop of dish soap onto it, and then wet it. Squeeze out the excess water into the sink.

4. Wipe and scrub at any grease stains and sauce spills, reapplying soap and water where necessary to create suds. (Tip: Do NO worry about any soapy residue yet; this will help to continually loosen the grime and grease while you scrub at other spots!)

5. Make sure to rinse the sponge out until the water runs clear, to ensure you’re not just spreading dirt around instead of actually getting the surface clean.

6. With long strokes using the wet sponge, wipe away any lingering soap residue, rinsing the sponge as you go. Really scrub at any lingering, crusted-on stains with the rough side of the sponge.

7. Buff lingering water streaks using a clean, dry towel; wipe in the direction of the grain if you have stainless steel.

8. Continue to buff surfaces until they are shiny and free of streaks.

9. Scrub the grates in the sink using a soapy scrub brush; rinse and dry completely.

10. Vigorously scrub the knobs which have been soaking; rinse and dry completely.

11. Wipe everything down… everything! Replace knobs and grates when stove-top is dry and viola! You’re done, and should have a sparkling stove-top.

10 Reasons Your Oven May Be Failing

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Many ovens have a traditional style thermostat which helps to control the internal temperature of the oven. But if that oven is overheating on the outside and your food is becoming burnt, this could potentially be the work of a faulty thermostat!

But like all appliances, ovens are comprised of countless parts — many of which could be at the root of an overheating issue. Here are just a few reasons why you may be having this type of issue according to Sure Wise.

And remember, it always safer, more efficient and more precise to have a professional appliance repairman diagnose your appliance issues for you.

  1. Thermostat knob:  A faulty or poorly secured knob can result in an inaccurate temperature setting in the oven.
  2. Thermostat-sensing bulb: If the bulb is loose or damaged, the thermostat can overheat the oven.
  3. Grime: Occasionally your thermostat can malfunction because it is covered with grime.
  4. Oven-vent: A vent blockage can also cause your oven to overheat.
  5. Control panel: A power outage can make your oven’s control panel and electrical components malfunction.
  6. Thermostat: If the oven temperature is higher than the setting then the thermostat may require replacement.
  7. Heating elements: The oven can also overheat if there is a malfunction with its heating element, though damage may not be easily visible.
  8. Temperature sensor: Electrical ovens have a temperature sensor, but a sensor issue can cause the oven to overheat.
  9. Selector switch: The selector switch acts as a communication device between the thermostat and the heating elements. If shorted out, it may read a lower temperature, causing the heating elements to overheat.
  10. Oven fan: A broken or laggy oven fan may cause the oven to overheat.

Vote For Us in the 2016 Asbury Park Press Readers’ Choice Awards

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It’s time once again to vote, vote, vote! The Asbury Park Press is running this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the Best of 2016, and we need your help to win! We’ve won four years in a row; can you help us make that five!?

Voting for Immediate Appliance Service is quick and easy. Just click hereand find your county. Once in your county (Ocean or Monmouth) just nominate us under these two categories:

1. People & Services > Heating & Air Conditioning

2. Shopping > Appliance Center

Thank you!

Smelly Fridge? Here’s How to Get Rid of Refrigerator Odors and Stains

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A smelly, cluttered, sticky fridge is literally the worst.

It makes taking anything out for cooking an unpleasant chore… and even grabbing a cold drink can be annoying. Who wants to be hit with a yucky odor when you open the fridge door? No thanks!

But life doesn’t have to be this way. Follow these quick and simple steps below for a through but easy clean for your refrigerator:

First things first: Take what you can out of the fridge and put on the counter. Throw out anything that’s out-of-date/has gone bad, or things that you won’t honestly use.

Anything that may need to be transferred into another container (like plastic Tupperware or a Zip-Loc bag) should be transferred, and any jars or packages that has spills on them should be wiped up (like a relish jar that may have some sticky spillage on the side of the jar, etc.).

Next, wipe up any lingering spills or sticky spots. This is where bacteria flourishes, creating nasty odors that not only make it unpleasant to open your fridge, but can also make other foods in your machine stink. You may need to scrub a bit and use a heavier cleaner to get these off.

Then you’ll want to wipe down the door of the fridge, making sure to clean out any spills or clusters from the corners.

Once the door is sparkling, take out the fresh food bins and rinse them out with soapy water. Dry completely.

Take a water and white vinegar-soaked sponge to the interior and racks of the fridge, scrubbing clean until there is no odor and discoloration left.

Finally, dry every surface with a paper towel to ensure all moisture has been eradicated (to avoid mold growth or general mustiness). Make sure not to leave any soap residue.

As an added odor-prevention method, leave a small tray with coffee grounds on the top rack of your fridge to wick away any lingering smells that you don’t want.

5 Ways to Elevate Movie Night With Homemade Gourmet Popcorn

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Staying in for the evening with your family? Why not spend some quality time watching movies together?

Just because you’re not going to the local movie theater doesn’t mean you can’t have some movie-watching fun — nor does it mean you can’t munch like you do at the movies! If you’re tired of the typical microwave popcorn, there’s another way to elevate your go-to cinematic snack without breaking the bank. Here are 5 seriously simple recipes to try:

BUTTERMILK RANCH POPCORN
Savory and tangy
After popping your corn over a stovetop, mix in 4 tablespoons butter (melted), 3 teaspoons buttermilk powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 3/4 teaspoon onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon dried dill.

SMOKEY BBQ
Sweet and smokey
After popping your corn over a stovetop, toss in a melted mixture of 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder and 2 teaspoons kosher salt.

ZESTY CHILI-LIME
Spicy and sour
After popping your corn in vegetable oil, mix in 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon finely grated lime zest. Squeeze fresh lime over popcorn after tossing in mixture.

CINNAMON SUGAR
Sweet and salty
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. On the stovetop, melt butter and add in 2/3 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. After popping your corn, pour melted mixture and mix into popcorn well. Add to roasting pan and bake for ten minutes.

SALT AND VINEGAR
Salty and sour
After popping con on the stovetop, mix and toss in 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon vinegar powder and 1 tablespoon salt.

What’s the Perfect Temperature For Your Fridge?

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It may seem like water under the bridge (erm, air in the fridge?) but the temperature of your refrigerator can be a—pardon the pun—temperamental issue if even off by a few degrees.

Sure, your fridge is supposed to keep your food cold, but if it’s too cold, fruit and vegetables could potentially freeze and begin to rot. And if it’s too warm? Consider yourself spoiled!

So how can you tell what temperature to keep your fridge set for optimal cooling and storage? We have your answer, below…

What’s the Right Temperature?

The goal of your fridge is simply to slow the growth of bacteria on food without freezing it, so the ideal temperature range for any fridge is roughly 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bacteria growth begins to escalate near the 40 degree mark and items tend to freeze at 32, so 35 to 38 is the sweet spot.

How Can I Tell What Temperature It’s At?

More modern refrigerators may have digital displays, but if your unit is older, it may have a built-in thermometer with a temperature dial. If you still have your manual, you can see what the numbers mean. But if you don’t, you may want to pick up a refrigerator thermometer so you can receive an accurate temperature reading. A thermometer can also reveal which parts of the inside of the fridge are coldest and warmest generally, so you can store foods appropriately.

How Do You Keep the Right Temperature?

First of all, try to minimize the number of times you open the door (specifically, when you’re cooking be sure to take out everything you’ll need for the recipe all at once). Also, have an appliance repairman check your door seal for any tears or gaps, and replace as needed. It’s also smart to keep your fridge stocked, which will encourage a steady temperature flow inside.

Finally, let your food cool before putting in the fridge. If you have leftovers that are still steamy, let them reach a room temperature before storing or else you may risk heating the fridge up and displacing the cold air.

(via The Kitchn)

How to Clean Your Clothing Dryer Within 5 Minutes

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Your dryer does a lot to make your life simpler—so why not return the favor with a little much-needed TLC?

Dirt buildup in your dryer can affect its efficiency, as well as get onto your clothing. Ew! But did you know it only takes about 5 minutes to give your drying machine a proper clean? And you only need to do it once every six months? Here’s how:

1. Remove everything from the top of your dryer—you know, all the stacks of folded clothing and random change you’ve been storing on top of it. Also, collect and dispose of any lint build-up in the lint trap.

2. Use a dry cloth or washcloth to wipe the lint trap and remove dust buildup from around the vent.

3. Use the hose from your vacuum cleaner to remove any lingering lint, dust or debris from around the lint-trap area. Afterwards, using a damp cloth to gently wipe down the interior of the drying unit.

4. Prior to replacing the lint trap, wipe it down with warm, soapy water (dish detergent is fine), drying it with a dry cloth before reinstalling it. Do the same with the lint trap to remove any lingering buildup.

5. Using a flat screw driver, gently pry open the top of the dryer (if you feel comfortable) and vacuum around the drum. After replacing the top, pull the dryer out gently from the wall and vacuum the discharging  vent at the back of the dryer. If you don’t feel comfortable moving the machine like this, you can skip this step.

Also, be sure to have your dryer vent cleaned by a professional at least once a year! Call Immediate Appliance today at 1-800-323-3023 to set up your appointment now.

(via Popsugar)

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