The biggest meal of the year is on the horizon, is your oven up to it? You may have found your refrigerator has to work harder for it these days. Or consider when you last put any mind to the dishwasher with the holiday crowd due in.
Should such questions give you pause, do not think you are the only one. We at Signature Appliance have been putting kitchens to work in Southern Tennessee and Northwest Georgia for some time now, since 2008 in fact. But before we get to a few fall maintenance tips to put you ahead of the rush, if you prefer to let a professional do the heavy lifting, our number is (423) 380-1088.
Making Fall the Time to Get Ready
There is no other period in the year that puts as much of a demand on your appliances as the holidays. The oven will be running for hours on end. The refrigerator is opened and packed to the shelves dozens of times. The dishwasher is put to overtime. A minor thing you put off in September can become a breakdown at the worst possible moment, when guests are there.
An hour or two of checking over your major appliances prior to Thanksgiving is a very sensible way to ensure a trouble free holiday and spare yourself the stress down the road.
Put Your Oven and Stove in Good Order
The oven is what the holiday kitchen is all about so it should have your focus. Before you put in an order for a 15-pound turkey, see to the following:
- An inexpensive thermometer will tell you if the oven is heating true
- Put in some effort to remove old grease and bits of food which would otherwise smoke up or smell in a long roast
- See that the door seal is in good shape to keep the heat in
- Verify the interior light is working, you do not want to be opening the door to check on things
- Make certain the stove burners come on in a timely and even fashion
If preheating is a drawn out affair or the temperature is suspect, best to make something of it before you need to put your trust in it for a holiday dinner.
Tend to Your Refrigerator
It will be on double duty in short order to put away the drinks and ingredients for the house. These are simple steps but they make a difference:
- Vacuum the condenser coils for the sake of efficiency and to avoid overheating
- Inspect the gaskets on the door for any gaps or cracks
- Put the fridge and freezer at 37 and 0 degrees respectively
- Dispose of anything past its date to open up space for groceries
- Give ear to any odd sounds from the fan or compressor
One does not want to overlook the ice maker either; it is a frequent source of trouble when all want a cold beverage.
A Word on the Dishwasher
You will be using it more than most. To avoid having to put in the time to hand-wash after a large dinner, clear the filter, do a cleaning cycle and make sure nothing is clogging the spray arms.
For the RV, Boat and Outdoor Kitchen
You will not hear many appliance companies say this but specialty and outdoor equipment requires its share of seasonal service. Whether it is a grill, an outdoor kitchen or the appliances on an RV or boat, fall is when to have them done up before the winter and any travel plans. It is an area where we have a real expertise, you will not find it at your average repair shop. We deal in marine and RV as well as the usual indoor fare.
Leave it to the Pros
You can do some of the upkeep yourself. Yet with a luxury brand like Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele, Dacor or Cove, or if there is an issue of consequence, it is better to have someone familiar with the system. As an Authorized Samsung Service Center we cover a broad spectrum of brands, Bosch, GE, LG, Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid and others.
Our work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and we hold an A+ with the BBB. The team is here Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 8:00pm.
There is no sense in having your oven fail you on Thanksgiving morning. Have us look at your appliances so you can cook without a care. Call Signature Appliance at (423) 380-1088.
