Helpful Hints
First things first, always try to reset your appliance.Either unplug your appliance or turn the breaker off to the appliance for 10 minutes. Modern appliance control boards can get scrambled and sometimes a simple rebut can fix it.
Washing Machines:
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Front Load vs. Top Load: We get this question a lot, which is better? Front-load washers use less water and are gentler on clothes. However, the modern agitatorless top-load washer has closed the gap in water use and efficiency. Both now offer similar load capacities. However, the Front load is gentler on your delicate clothes and garments
How to reduce wrinkles: setting the spin cycle to low during the wash cycle, will help stop wrinkles from setting.
Is more soap better? NO! NO! NO! You have to understand how soap works. In the simplest terms: The soap attaches to the dirt and then it washes free of the clothes. If you use too much soap the soap will attach to the dirt and STICK to the clothes. If your clothes come out over-smelling of laundry soap, your clothes are not clean. Save yourself the money and only use 1/4 cap soap per load and use an extra rinse.
Washer not draining: First, try a spin-only cycle. If it does drain some but not all the water, the drain cleanout may be clogged. Some washers have a clean-out in the front, provided for the homeowner to clean out themselves.
How often to replace your washer hoses? Replace rubber hoses every 5 years and stainless braided hoses every 10 years.
How to keep my washer from smelling: Use a washer cleaner every month. If your washer does not have a “clean washer cycle” set it to Heavy Duty/ Whites with Hot water.
What if my washer already has a smell? Now if your washer already has a smell, run three clean washer cycles in a row. I recommend using “Affresh” but there are several other washer cleaners on the market that work.
Dryer
How often should I have my dryer serviced? Outside if repairs for the dryer not working it is recommended every 5 years, it is a very good idea to have your dryer serviced and cleaned out. Not only to keep the unit working properly, but also to remove the lint build up in the dryer that could eventually lead to a fire.
When to use Auto dry or Timed dry: Auto dry is a great feature and should be used for medium to large loads. Timed dry should be used to dry single items or very bulky items. The reasoning is that most dryers have sensor strips that sense the moist cloths as they tumble against them if you only have one item it may not tumble past the strips and shut off prematurely.
If your dryer heats but takes several cycles to dry: 99% of the time, it is a clogged or smashed dryer vent. First look behind your dryer to see if the vent is smashed, then check the outside vent of your house. On the outside of your house the air out of the vent should be blowing out as strong as a hair dryer. Also you should be able to hear the echo of the dryer running through the vent.
Range
How An Oven Cooks: This may sound like a no-brainer however there’s a little more engineering to it. Ovens do not cook your food by the direct heat of the bake elements but by the radiant heat from the hot oven cavity. That is why it is a must to wait 15 minutes after turning on your oven to get an even bake. If your doing any precision baking I highly recommend waiting 15-20 minutes.
Wondering if your oven is at the correct temp? To test your oven set it for 350 degrees. (oven calibrations can only be done at 350 degrees.) Now using a medal oven temp gauge wait 25-30 min, this will give you an accurate reading of the temp of your oven. note: the oven cycles on and off to maintain temperature. So you will notice the needle on the temp gauge will go back and forth from 345-355.
When my gas range lights I sometimes smell gas or hear a poof sound: As gas stoves get older the ignition glow bar may become weak or your burner flume by need cleaning. This is a time to call for service for repair or maintenance.
Refrigerator
What is the correct fridge and freezer temperature: Fridge temp should be set between 37-38 degrees and your freezer at zero degrees. 37 degrees is the lowest temp you can set your fridge to insure you won’t freeze or crystallize you foods that contain water, aka fruits and vegetables. In your freezer zero should be your temperature setting because every food product in your fridge freezes at 5 degrees.
How to get a smell out of my fridge: Coffee, yes coffee. Take a scoop of fresh coffee grinds and put it in a bowl. Place on bowl in the fridge and one bowl in the freezer the smell will be gone in a few days
Should I have frost in the back of my freezer: No, if you have frost on the back interior wall of your freezer that means the fridge did not go through defrost. Just defrosting it for a day will only allow the fridge to run for another week. A part has failed will need to be repaired.
Dishwasher
Dish washer cleaning issues: First always run your water at your sink tile it gets hot before starting your dishwasher. Your dishwasher needs 120 degrees to clean properly and activate the enzymes in the dish detergent. Second always use a rinse aid if using a powder or liquid detergent; without a rinse aid you will have streaks and spots. Third if you have a disposal, turn it on for a few seconds before starting the dishwasher because, most dishwashers drain through your disposal and if it is blocked so will the dirty water leaving your dishwasher. Finally if your dishes are still not clean give us a call because there is a problem with the dishwasher.
Dishwasher not draining: check under the sink where the drain line for the dishwasher attaches to the disposal or piping. Is it clogged? Also if you just installed a disposal check to see if you knock out the drain knock out for the dishwasher.
Contact G H Appliance Repair today at 252-573-2814, or browse the website for more information about appliance repairs.
Schedule Your Appointment
Dryer
How often should I have my dryer serviced? Outside if repairs for the dryer not working it is recommended every 5 years, it is a very good idea to have your dryer serviced and cleaned out. Not only to keep the unit working properly, but also to remove the lint build up in the dryer that could eventually lead to a fire.
When to use Auto dry or Timed dry: Auto dry is a great feature and should be used for medium to large loads. Timed dry should be used to dry single items or very bulky items. The reasoning is that most dryers have sensor strips that sense the moist cloths as they tumble against them if you only have one item it may not tumble past the strips and shut off prematurely.
If your dryer heats but takes several cycles to dry: 99% of the time, it is a clogged or smashed dryer vent. First look behind your dryer to see if the vent is smashed, then check the outside vent of your house. On the outside of your house the air out of the vent should be blowing out as strong as a hair dryer. Also you should be able to hear the echo of the dryer running through the vent.
Range
How An Oven Cooks: This may sound like a no-brainer however there’s a little more engineering to it. Ovens do not cook your food by the direct heat of the bake elements but by the radiant heat from the hot oven cavity. That is why it is a must to wait 15 minutes after turning on your oven to get an even bake. If your doing any precision baking I highly recommend waiting 15-20 minutes.
Wondering if your oven is at the correct temp? To test your oven set it for 350 degrees. (oven calibrations can only be done at 350 degrees.) Now using a medal oven temp gauge wait 25-30 min, this will give you an accurate reading of the temp of your oven. note: the oven cycles on and off to maintain temperature. So you will notice the needle on the temp gauge will go back and forth from 345-355.
When my gas range lights I sometimes smell gas or hear a poof sound: As gas stoves get older the ignition glow bar may become weak or your burner flume by need cleaning. This is a time to call for service for repair or maintenance.
Dishwasher
Dish washer cleaning issues: First always run your water at your sink tile it gets hot before starting your dishwasher. Your dishwasher needs 120 degrees to clean properly and activate the enzymes in the dish detergent. Second always use a rinse aid if using a powder or liquid detergent; without a rinse aid you will have streaks and spots. Third if you have a disposal, turn it on for a few seconds before starting the dishwasher because, most dishwashers drain through your disposal and if it is blocked so will the dirty water leaving your dishwasher. Finally if your dishes are still not clean give us a call because there is a problem with the dishwasher.
Dishwasher not draining: check under the sink where the drain line for the dishwasher attaches to the disposal or piping. Is it clogged? Also if you just installed a disposal check to see if you knock out the drain knock out for the dishwasher.
Refrigerator
What is the correct fridge and freezer temperature: Fridge temp should be set between 37-38 degrees and your freezer at zero degrees. 37 degrees is the lowest temp you can set your fridge to insure you won’t freeze or crystallize you foods that contain water, aka fruits and vegetables. In your freezer zero should be your temperature setting because every food product in your fridge freezes at 5 degrees.
How to get a smell out of my fridge: Coffee, yes coffee. Take a scoop of fresh coffee grinds and put it in a bowl. Place on bowl in the fridge and one bowl in the freezer the smell will be gone in a few days
Should I have frost in the back of my freezer: No, if you have frost on the back interior wall of your freezer that means the fridge did not go through defrost. Just defrosting it for a day will only allow the fridge to run for another week. A part has failed will need to be repaired.
Contact G H Appliance Repair today at 252-573-2814, or browse the website for more information about appliance repairs.