Beat the Heat with these 5 Summer Cooking Tips

Summers in Texas are brutal!

The weather is already heating up, and sometimes it can be difficult to manage the heat in your kitchen from cooking. Not only can it get uncomfortable, but it raises your energy bills. No bueno.

Appliance Rescue Service is a top appliance repairman in Dallas, Texas, and we know that those kitchen appliances – ovens, cooktops, etc. – can really raise the temperatures during the summer months. Try these 5 tips to keep it cooler!

1.  Add a Fan

Adding a fan will circulate air and keep your kitchen cooler with minimal effort. No need to install a permanent one (unless you really want to!), a tabletop fan will work just fine.

2.  Lean on Small Appliances vs. Large Appliances

Dig through your cabinets and get out the small appliances that are taking up room – but you never use. Griddles, Panini presses, toaster ovens, etc. are all great appliances to use when making a quick, simple meal on a hot summer evening.

3.  Change Your Cooking Time

If you have the opportunity to cook and prep in the morning before you leave for work, then take that opportunity to do so before the hottest hours of the day arrive in the evening. It will be less taxing for your air conditioner, and you’ll have everything cleaned up by dinnertime!

4.  Skip the Oven

Your oven is the biggest culprit for adding heat to the kitchen, so rely on small appliances or no-cook meals to get you by. Salads make a wonderful summer dinner and require little effort.

5.  Take the Cooking Outdoors

Start up the grille, outdoor cooktop, or smoker and take the cooking outdoors! It’s an easy, fun way to stay cool in the home and enjoy those beautiful summer evenings.

If you notice any issues with your appliances this summer and suspect appliance repair in Dallas is needed for your refrigerator, oven, cooktop, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher, etc., call us at Appliance Rescue Service! Our fast, friendly technicians will have your issue resolved in no time! 

3 Ways Summer Temps Can Affect Your Appliances

The weather in North Texas is heating up, and it’s a sign that summer is on its way. School will soon by out and it will be time for vacations, pool parties, and cookouts with friends. 

The last thing on your mind is likely your appliances, but did you know that the hot summer temperatures can also affect them? Here are 3 ways those higher temps can wreck havoc on your home appliances:

Overworked Washing Machine & Dryer

All of those dirty beach towels and sports uniforms don’t clean themselves! In the summer you might notice extra loads of laundry due to the kids being out of school, extra practices for sports, beach towels from the pool, etc. Those extra loads can affect your washing machine and dryer’s performance levels and lifespan. Keep an eye on them and if something seems off, be sure to call an expertly trained Dallas appliance repairman.

Refrigerator Could Struggle

Did you know that more refrigerators die during the summer months than any other time of year? This is likely due to the higher temperatures. When temperatures outside creep up into the 90s – and even 100s – internal temps creep up too. Today’s refrigerators are typically built to battle the heat just fine, but keeping your home cool is a must for helping your refrigerator not to work overtime.

Water from the Water Heater Gets too Hot

Just like everything else during the summer months, water temperature in the pipes will heat up too. And as that water is transported through your water heater, it could come out the other side a little too hot. If this happens, lower your water heater’s temperature slightly during the summer months.

If you sense that the summer heat is affecting the performance of your refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, washing machine, or any other home appliance, be sure to call the appliance repair experts at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas! 

Top 5 Mistakes You’re Making When Loading Your Dishwasher

A dishwasher is like an extra set of hands in the kitchen. It perfectly washes and dries your dishes with little effort on your part….or does it?

When you notice that your dishwasher isn’t cleaning properly, it could be because you aren’t loading it efficiently. Here are the top 5 dishwasher loading mistakes we’ve noticed here at Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas:

1.  Sorting Silverware by Type

When loading forks, spoons, knives, and other cutlery, it may seem orderly to organize each one by type. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work for getting them sparkling clean. One of the best ways to do it is to evenly distribute the silverware, with knives facing downward, forks facing up, and spoons going up and down so that they don’t nest.

2.  Pre-Rinsing Everything

According to Consumer Reports, modern dishwashers are designed to clean stuck on food and do an “very good” to “excellent” job of getting htem clean – even when they are caked in food particles. Go ahead and remove the big stuff, then let your dishwasher do the rest.

3.  Putting Last Minute Cups on the Bottom

You’re trying to use every last space – so why not put the extra cups on the bottom? Seems logical, but most dishwashers are designed to clean cups best when they are on the top rack. Read your user manual to learn about optimal placement and bottle jets that can reach hard-to-reach places in tall glasses or bottles.

4.  Dishes Don't Face Center

Another common mistake when loading your dishwasher is cramming plates and bowls into the bottom in every which way. In order to get the maximum clean, all plates and bowls should be facing the center of the dishwasher, so arrange them accordingly.

5.  Skipping the Pod Detergents

The leading detergent companies have spent millions perfecting the usage of pods, and research shows that they are more effective at getting dishes clean than the traditional powder and liquid detergents. Skip this common dishwasher loading mistake and buy the pods next time!

If you feel that your dishwasher is not cleaning properly after following these tips, call us at Appliance Rescue Service – your leading appliance repairman in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and the surrounding areas. We’re happy to take a look at your dishwasher and give it the necessary dishwasher repair to get it up and running beautifully. 

It’s Time to Clean Your Dryer – and Here’s Why:

Did you know that dryers – and dryer vents – are one of the leading causes of household fires?

Do we have your attention?

The National Fire Protection Association reports that dryers cause approx. 15,000 fires a year and the leading cause of these fires is failure to properly clean your dryer.

So today’s helpful tip from Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas is how to properly clean your dryer and keep your home hazard free:

Step 1: Clean the Dryer Filter Between Every Load

If you take nothing else away from this article, remember this: your dryer filter – or lint trap – must be cleaned out between each and every load in order to help your dryer run efficiently and without issues. Not cleaning the dryer filter is the #1 cause of dryer fires, so this is a must. Clean any particles that are in the lint trap, and don’t forget to look around the dryer for any loose pieces that might have escaped before they go up the dryer hose.

Step 2: Run the Dryer When You’re Home

When you leave the house, do yourself a favor and just stop the dryer. This is not a scare tactic, but merely a way to give you peace of mind and help you keep an eye on performance at all times.

Step 3: Vent the Dryer Out of your Home

Options abound on venting, but if your dryer doesn’t already vent out of your home, ask a professional to come and reroute the vent.

Step 4:  Call for Professional Dryer Service

Even with the most diligent dryer filter cleaning, some of the lint is bound to escape up the dryer hose – causing a hazard to your home as it builds up over time. Every 6 months (or a year if you only use your dryer moderately), call a professional dryer repair company in Dallas to service your dryer and get the lint out of the hose.

Appliance Rescue Service in Dallas, Texas is one your one-stop shop for all things appliance repair  - including the best Dallas dryer repair. Call us for all your dryer repair needs, including any questions as it relates to lint build up and dryer fire prevention.

5 Energy Saving Kitchen Hacks You Probably Don’t Know About

Whether you have energy efficient kitchen appliances or not, saving energy in the kitchen is a priority for most. Did you know that there are ways you can conserve energy that are simple and just require small changes to your daily routine?

Here are 5 energy saving kitchen hacks from Appliance Rescue in Dallas, Texas that you probably didn’t know about:

1.  Clean Your Cooktop

Over time, grime and grease can buildup on the burners and grates of your cooktop or range. This build-up creates a barrier between your appliance and the pot, making it less efficient. The best way to increase cooktop efficiency is to keep it shiny and clean.

2.  Size Matters – Use the Right Pots & Pans

Speaking of cooktops and ranges, did you know that using the wrong size pot can lead to a 40% reduction in energy efficiency? Make sure you are using pots and pans that match the size of the burner you are placing them on. Also consider using lids when appropriate as it holds the heat in.

3.  Consider Small Appliances

While those small appliances can be cumbersome and take up room in your cabinets, they can be handy when it comes to reducing energy usage. Using a crockpot, rice cooker, or steamer often uses less energy than the equivalent task on a cooktop or range. Same holds true if you use a toaster oven for a quick job vs. preheating your full-sized oven.

4.  Cook Less

Less time spent in the kitchen means less energy used. Think about ways to cook once – and then repurpose the meal again for night 2. For example, bake chicken one night – and then use it in a salad or wrap the next day. Meal planning is key to cooking less and increasing your energy efficiency in the kitchen.

5.  Cook Outside

Dining al fresco? It’s a great way to reduce energy consumption! Not only does it give your kitchen appliances a break, but it prevents the kitchen from getting too hot – which can cause the air conditioner to work overtime to keep it cool.

Hopefully these tips will help you reduce your energy consumption in the kitchen, and as always, if you suspect your appliances are not as efficiently as they should be and need appliance repair in Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, or any of the surrounding area – give us a call at Appliance Rescue Service! We’re your #1 appliance repair company!