Best New Refrigerators of 2013 - 2014

Bestselling Home Refrigerators 2013 - 2014

 

It's time to get a refrigerator and it can be a long process because of so many styles and brands. It all depends on your kitchen style/space, your budget, your preference on fridge and freezer layout, and color.

You can a great fridge, there are plenty of options out there. Narrow down your options and don't get overwhelmed and you can find the right one for you. Here is a short list of the best rated refrigerators of 2013 - 2014.

 

Sub-zero

If money weren't an option, lets face it we'd all have one of these. They are very pricey, but a top of the line refrigerator nonetheless. When someone buys a Sub-Zero fridge freezer there is a certain amount of status and prestige associated with the purchase. This is an interesting fact I found out about Sub-Zero Refrigerator. A key facet of this marketing strategy is a prohibition of publication of their prices online by their dealers. While the prices aren't listed I do know you are looking at about $5000 for one of these. It is very expensive however; if money is not an option, then go for one of these. It has all the bells and whistles. It has Integrated Refrigeration which means "anywhere" refrigeration.

While other companies merely use face panels to try to match the cabinetry, these integrated Subzero units blend perfectly into existing decor with almost no visible hinges, holes, or vents. It is also designed with a 24" depth. This way it can be installed to be flush with the kitchen cabinets, which have a standard 24" depth. To make up for the loss in capacity depth-wise, these refrigerators are often wider than their counterparts to help create an acceptable storage volume. A huge Sub Zero selling point and claim to fame, their sealing and insulation and if you get it with the optional glass door, you can choose what you want well before opening the fridge - which wastes energy. It consumes less energy than a 100 Watt light bulb which is Sub-Zero's big claim to fame.

Viking refrigerators This is another expensive option, but without a doubt, one of the Best Refrigerators of 2011. A key selling point is Viking refrigerators operate without disturbance. It works quietly. Had the door been left open accidentally, Viking refrigerators have its own signal, TruProtect, to monitor any temperature changes. Who loves to have ice always ready for a cold drink? I do. Viking Refrigerators can produce and store up to 35 pounds of ice. It actually has a feature removes bacteria and molds.
For your temperature-sensitive beverages, Viking fridges contain beverage centers that come with tempered glass doors and horizontal shelves.
A vast variety of styles and models along with its pride of quality, Viking refrigerators can convince you to buy one of these sate of the art refrigerators.

 

Whirlpool Gold ENERGY STAR French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator I really like this Whirlpool. They say you can depend on this model to keep temperatures perfectly even throughout and stable over time. Not always is the temperatures safe in the door, but studies found it was one of the few tested with door temperatures cool enough to safely store milk, butter, and eggs. If your family consumes sodas by the caseload like we do, you'll like the can rack under a refrigerator shelf and the caddy on the right door that holds a dozen cans and dispenses them one at a time, saving precious space on the refrigerator shelves. You'll find the controls on the door, where they're easy to access. You'll find fewer frills on this model than some. While handy for storing cold cuts or cheese, the snack drawer doesn't have a temperature control and thus can't keep items any colder than elsewhere in the fridge.

 

Best French Door Refrigerators 2013 - 2014          

GE ENERGY STAR 25.9 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator with Icemaker Model

This unit keeps safe temperatures steady over time, a big plus for keeping food fresh, that is a great GE is known for providing an extensive use and care manual and top-notch customer service. From shelf to shelf, you may find a variation in temperatures. They say the shelves don't slide out for easier access to items in the rear.

feature to have. All of the glass shelves are adjustable, and next to the icemaker there's a small shelf that flips up to make room for tall items like two-liter soda bottles, I like that. The deli drawer is temperature-controlled, so you can turn it to an extra-cold setting for storing perishables like meat. The freezer drawer pulls open easily and has a slot for stashing a 16-inch pizza. As the controls are right on the water dispenser, they're easy to access.

 

Kenmore Elite French Door Refrigerator Model I really like the Kenmore brand. They are a tried and true home brand and easy to work with if needed. The temperatures remain steady in this model over time. All the shelves in the refrigerator are adjustable and slide in or out, giving you lots of flexibility when you're stocking a week's worth of groceries. They pride themselves on being able to have sheet cakes and party platters that can be stashed in the pantry drawer, which I think is neat. The icemaker's installed on the door, not on a shelf, so you have more room to accommodate groceries, always a plus. When you pull on the freezer handle, the door tilts open. This lets you access the wire basket on the door without pulling out the entire drawer and gives you better access to the drawer's contents when it's fully open. Studies have shown that temps do vary a bit from shelf to shelf. We found that on some they were just a tad too high for safe food storage.

 

Kenmore French Door Refrigerator This unit doesn't fluctuate in temperature, which means foods will stay safe and fresher longer. All of the glass refrigerator shelves can be rearranged to maximize storage options. This is always helpful for parties or big dinners, or Holidays. The pantry drawer, which hangs from a low shelf, provides a place to keep cheese and cold cuts and is a great organizational tool. The icemaker is built into the left door, freeing up valuable space on the top refrigerator shelf. There are great variations in temperature from spot to spot , however, the top shelf was too warm for milk and the bottom one too cold for fruit. In fact, shelves near the top got as high as 45° F when we had the control set at 37° F that's five degrees above the USDA's recommended temperature for food safety. You'll want to select a lower setting to maintain food safety. None of the shelves slide out or flip back to accommodate tall items.

Maytag Ice20 Full-Depth French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator

They pride themselves on having the crisper drawer that kept a head of Boston lettuce fresh and perky for a full six days. The built-in door organizer can hold a six-pack of soda, very nice!. The digital controls are built into the ice dispenser on the outside of the door, so you can make adjustments without opening the fridge. The wide deli drawer is perfect for large trays or birthday cakes and has a temperature control that you can turn down if you're storing items that spoil quickly, like meats or cold cuts. On the door there's a "Beverage Chiller" compartment designed to store two one-gallon containers, and it's cold enough to store milk, juice, and yogurt safely. That is a fun feature. This model was not as good as other models at maintaining steady temperatures. In tests, temperatures varied, and the top refrigerator shelf was slightly above a safe temperature of 40° F with the controls set at 37° F. If you want to store milk on the top shelf, you'll need to adjust the settings, which could mean other foods will become too cold. You may have to play with the controls on the "Beverage Chiller" compartments, on the coldest setting, the section dipped well below freezing, not good. Dividers in the freezer compartment can't be adjusted. While your able to get in a 24-pound turkey, perfect for the Holidays.

 

Amana 25 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator This is not a huge name brand in my opinion, but a great option and great look. This Amana fridge is loaded with family-friendly features. Its black plastic water dispenser, though not upscale-looking, resists fingerprints, moms everywhere are cheering! The left door has built-in can storage for stashing a six-pack of soda without losing space on the refrigerator shelf. But best of all, it keeps steady temperatures in the fridge and freezer, which will help extend the life of fresh and frozen foods. In

the crisper, a head of Boston lettuce stayed fresh and vibrant for the six-day duration in their test. Adjustable, slide-out shelves in the fridge make this model easy to stock. A beverage compartment at the bottom of the right door stays cold enough to store perishable items like milk or yogurt - plus it's roomy enough to hold two one-gallon jugs of milk a great feature for families with kids, making it easy for little ones to grab a dri or snack without going through the entire fridge. In the freezer compartment, there's a divider that can't be removed or adjusted, although it doesn't prevent from fitting in a 24-pound turkey, that can be annoying. It is also, not Energy Star, so it might cost a bit more over the year in power.

Jenn-Air Euro-Style French Door Refrigerator This unit has a sleek appearance, with its flat doors and professional-looking handles. It really catches your eye. There are three pullout shelves plus one that can be raised or lowered by turning a crank so you don't have to empty and remove it to make room for taller items on or below it. I really like that.
On the right door, a special "Chillkeeper" compartment can hold two one-gallon containers at a colder temperature to give the kids easy access to the milk. That is always a fun feature. The controls, located up front on the icemaker, are easy to read and use. It is hard to organize food in the freezer, although you can fit a 24-pound turkey in one of the bins. Might not be the best for freezer space. Nice looking option for sure.

What's your best brand refrigerator?

Affordable Appliance Repair Service is here for all your needs, give us a call 214-731-4680.

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Good day all!

Self Cleaning Ovens: Problems After Using Self Clean Mode

Its that time of year where we all start to plan and prepare for all the baking were going to do.  What's the first thing we usually do?  If you said clean our ovens, then your right.  More than likely your reading this page because you've already used the self clean mode and now have one or more of these problems.

Each year we get several calls that start with “I just ran the self clean mode”. Does not seem to matter what brand or if its gas or electric. The common problem is that the self clean feature was just used, and now its not working, the glass broke, the clock doesn't work, the door won’t open or the door won’t close.

The oven gets up to about 900 degrees so that it will incinerate everything in it so it turns to dust and you can just wipe it up when its done.   The heat will sometimes not only burn the grime up but will also burn things that should not burn up like the wiring, controls, and motors... The wiring and controls are built to withstand high heat, although taking the oven to such high temperatures pushes everything to the limit. If something is not insulated perfectly or has shifted a bit then the heat can cause it to fail. Repeated heating also wears the insulation out and causes it to break down. For this reason the self cleaning features should be used sparingly if at all. I have seen countless ranges that failed the first time trying it. I know why even bother having it ??? You have now been warned!!!

If your oven will not unlock after the cycle you have a few things you can try.

First make sure that you wait long enough before you try to open the oven. If it has not cooled completely it will not open. Do not run a clean cycle when you do not have the time to let it cool completely before you need it. Sometimes if you cycle the power to your oven off and then on again you can reset the oven and it will open. Turn off the breaker to your oven for a good minute or two before reapplying the power again.

If that fails to unlock the door try this Set the self-clean cycle again and only allow it to work for 15 minutes. Cancel the self-clean cycle and allow the oven to cool. Gently try moving the door lock lever (is so equipped) or opening the door.

If you've interrupted the clean cycle by opening the door and the latch engaged and now the door can't be closed, there may be a door activated switch on the front face of the oven. In this case you may need to manually press that door switch while at the same time canceling the clean cycle to get the latch to retract so the door can close fully again.

On some Frigidaire built ranges, the switch is located behind the RH side panel and activated by the RH door hinge. On such a model, that side panel may need to be removed to access a malfunctioning door switch.

Still not working

Most self cleaning ranges today use one of 3 different types of door locking systems. One design is solenoid driven, another is heat activated and the last, motorized.

* A solenoid type can be identified by the lever that must be set to lock the door, also a noise (sometimes loud) can be heard when locking or unlocking the door.

* The heat sensitive lock mechanism also has a locking lever but makes no noises. It instead utilizes a heat activated coiled spring to slowly lock the door as the oven heats.

* The motorized design has no lever to move, the motor locks the door by itself when the range is set for self clean. The motor may have made an audible whining or ratcheting sound when in use, a sure sign it failed.

A motorized or heat sensitive style lock will usually be located beneath the cook top on free standing ranges. The cook top would usually need to be lifted to access the locking mechanism. On built in ovens, the oven must usually be removed from its enclosure (or at least partially) in order to remove the top panel to gain access to the locking mechanism. Some will also require removing a cover on the back of the range to access the motor and micro switches (if equipped). On some built in oven models, the lock assembly may be able to be accessed by removing the control console.

Heat sensitive lock assembly on the heat sensitive style (illustrated), there are no electrical parts used to operate the lock which could fail, so the whole mechanism will usually need to be replaced if not operational. This is the least likely to fail in my experience.

With the motorized lock mechanism, an ohmmeter is required to try to determine why the locking motor will not operate. The failure could be in the motor itself or the power supply leading to it, including a door activated and/or console mounted switch and switches on the latch mechanism itself. Check the motor terminals with the ohmmeter you should have about 1 ohm on most . Also check from 1 terminal to a good ground you should have none. Inspect the motor and wiring for burn marks. If all is good make sure you have power going to the motor when activated. Check each micro switch if equipped for continuity. Sometimes the cam on the motor will be in between micro switches, in that case take a screwdriver and push in the tab on one of the micro switches to activate it. The micro switch should have no continuity when the tab is not depressed and should have continuity when depressed.
On solenoid activated designs, the solenoid coil is a common failure point which is often mounted on the back of the range. On many of these models, the lock mechanism can be accessed by removing the rear panel of the appliance. Some models such as built-in ovens or slide-in ranges may have the mechanism mounted towards the front, under the top.
Failure of a solenoid style lock is most often caused by a bad solenoid. Once the lock is located, the solenoid coil can be checked for continuity. If it has none replace it. Some latch assemblies also have micro switches in the power supply that will need to be checked (follow the above procedure).

Now if the control is not working at all. First check to see if power is reaching the control. If it does have power going in you will need to replace the main control. Now if you have no power going into the control your range may have a safety fuse that has blown. To check the fuse check it for continuity. If it has none replace it. To find out if you have a safety or thermal fuse enter in your model # above and check the diagrams. Most will be located on top of the oven compartment or the back up high.

Now you will probably never use the self clean feature again. If you do plan on using it bookmark this page you will need it.

I hope some of these tips will help you. If your still having problems please give Affordable Appliance Repair a call (972) 772-3680 we will be more than happy to come help.

Have a wonderful day! 

HELPFUL TIPS FOR YOUR WASHING MACHINE:

Here are some helpful tips to keeping your washing machine running smoothly and to prevent damage to your washer and home.

Washing rubber backed mats can cause problems by putting added strain on a washer and possibly causing unbalanced loads. In addition, the rubber backing can break down and separate, infiltrating the wash system clogging hoses, pumps, filters and valves. At the first sign of wear of the backing, you should discontinue washing it.

 

Any water leak should be tended to immediately. Water can damage bearings, motors and even the transmission. First look for leaking hoses, if you cannot determine where the leak is, call a service technician.

Unusual noises should be tended to quickly. A squealing or grinding noise may lead to a water leak or more extensive damage.

 

 

Before washing brassieres, check for worn edges. The under wires frequently separate from the garment and cause major damage to the washing machine and dryer components.

 

 

 

 

 

This little handy bra holder can be found in the laundry section at most local super stores. It holds your bra in its natural shape and prevents hook and straps from getting caught in washer.

 

Heavy clothing such as jeans and towels should be spread out over two or more loads. These fabrics absorb lots of water and can put added strain on the machine.

The water taps for the washing machine should be shut off when the washing machine is not in use. Most rubber fill hoses are not meant to withstand constant water pressure and can burst. If in an awkward position and difficult to reach, purchase high pressure, braided metal fill lines.

 

 

I hope some of these tips were helpful. As always if you do have a problem and don't know how to make the repairs yourself, please call a professional.  Trying to make repairs yourself could cost you more in the long run.  Call Affordable Appliance for all your household appliance needs (214) 731-4680. 

 

Have a nice day!

Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX; 3 Important Guidelines To Follow Before Hiring A Refrigerator Repair Company in Dallas and surrounding cities!

When your refrigerator stops working you must find Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX right away. The problem a lot of people have is searching for an experienced appliance repair company that is reliable and qualified, that also has reasonable prices.  Read on for 3 important guidelines to help you in your search.

 

Hiring the right Refrigerator Repair Company in Dallas TX can be difficult, especially if you have your Refrigerator break in the middle of the night and you don’t know who to call. Many people find it hard to find a company that is dependable and experienced.

Here are some important guidelines to follow when doing your research:

1: Look for dependability in your Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX
When looking for a Refrigerator Repair Company in Dallas TX be sure that you find a company that is reliable and honest.  Another important thing to look for is that they offer same day service because you never know when your appliance will break down.  Another important guideline when searching for Refrigerator Repair Company in Dallas TX is to be sure that they have quality technicians who are experienced in your area so they can get there in a timely manner.

2: Be sure your Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX is professional.
It’s essential that if you want your refrigerator repaired correctly you hire a company that has only the most professional and experienced technicians. A professional company will have good customer reviews and address any complaints. A professional Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX company will make sure that their technicians stay up to date on repairing all the different appliance brands and latest techniques.

3: Research your Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX
The most convenient and best way to research a company before you hire them is by going online. Review the company’s website first and be sure they meet all your Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX needs. Be sure to read all of the blogs, reviews or comments good or bad about the company to see if what they are offering is really what they deliver.

When looking for Refrigerator Repair in Dallas TX call Affordable Appliance Repair at: (972) 772-3680gin_of_the_skype_highlighting (214) 731-4680 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting. At Affordable Appliance Repair we offer the most Reliable, experienced, honest, and dependable technicians. We have same day services available and competitive pricing. Call Affordable Appliance at: (972) 772-3680 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (214) 731-4680 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting for Refrigerator Repair Dallas TX.

How to prepare your appliances for electrical outages

Its spring time here in Texas and all of us know that there's a big chance of thunder and lightening storms to occur.  Also, with a lot of construction going on in many neighborhoods the chances of your power going out are high.

Below I've listed a few things to do with your appliances when a storm is coming or you notice large electrical / construction company trucks around your neighborhood doing some work.

Disconnect any of your appliances that have an electronic control (that includes any unit that has a digital clock, but not including your refrigerator or freezer) when not in use. You can flip off the breaker or unplug the unit.

If you have a gas range you can still light the top burners by using a match or lighter even though it is unplugged.

If your power does go out try not to open the refrigerator doors or open them as infrequently as possible. And when you do have to open the door, be as quick as possible. You can preserve temps inside for as long as 48 hours or more when the doors remain shut. Fill a cooler full of ice and place all of your heavy use items such as milk and lunch meat or any foods that have an expiration date on it. This will allow your frozen foods to stay frozen longer and will preserve all your other refrigerated items for longer periods of time.

I hope you find some of these tips useful. As always if you do need appliance repair don't hesitate to give Affordable Appliance Repair a call (214) 731-4680, we will be happy to assist you.

Have a nice day!



Tags: electrical outages and storms can damage your appliances, prepare your appliances for electrical outages, protect your appliances from costly repairs, things to do to your appliances if power goes out, unplug your appliances during electrical storms, appliance repair Texas, refrigerator repair, electric range repair, stove repair, ice maker repair, gas range repair

Washing Machine Buying - Top Load Vs Front Load Washers

Washing machines in the past only have but few basic features - the control dial for wash cycle options (from delicate to heavy wash), the load size and the drier. But now, with better than ever technology, washing machines have innovated from simple to sophisticated home appliance. In this washing machine review, we will tackle the features that you should look for when buying a washer. But always keep in mind that the best machine for your washing is the one that suits your need; you don't necessarily have to get a washer with complete features.

1. Durability - Average washing machines have a lifespan of 10 years at the most, even longer than that with proper care and usage. You want to make sure that your machine will indeed last for 10 years. There are several machine reviews that offer a comprehensive report on the machine's performance tests; you can check the best washing machine brands when it comes to durability.

2. The tub - Would you prefer the plastic tub or a stainless steel one? How about porcelain? The steel tub/drum is more suitable for rinsing and drying than the plastic kind. The porcelain looks good, and is scratch-resistant. Nevertheless, they are all sturdy and long-lasting.

3. Load size - How much laundry do you wash per load? Do not forget to take the load size into account. Dumping a heavier load of laundry than the washing machine can normally allow for it to function properly may cause the appliance to break down.

4. Energy efficiency - How much energy does it consume? Nowadays, most washers are made to be energy-efficient.

5. Water efficiency - Does it require more gallons of water per kilogram of wash loads than the other machines? The best washing machine is water-efficient - the one that consumes lower amount of water per wash load.

6. Spin efficiency - A washer with efficient spin cycle removes more water from the clothes, which means clothes will take minimum energy and time to dry.

7. Rinse performance - How well does it keep the dirt in the water and out of the clothes during the cycle? How well does it rinse the detergent? If you want to know how certain machine brands performed in this aspect, you may check the data in washing machine reviews. Basically, the fewer amounts of detergents left in clothes after washing, the better its rinse performance. This is an important consideration since detergent residues in clothes may cause skin irritation.

8. Noise level - If you do your laundry in the basement where few people go, noise may not be much of a problem; but if you do it in a room that is adjacent to other rooms, especially bed room, it can be a problem. Consider the location of your laundry area.

9. The controls - Dial or digital? Dial-style controls are easier to use; however, the digital controls offer more options, such as setting the exact water temperature and wash settings.

10. Other features - LCD display, time delay capability and extra rinse may be some of the features that you look for.

Hope some of this pointers will help you find your next great washing machine.

Happy shopping!

HELPFUL TIPS - DISHWASHER

I know we all depend on our dishwashers to help us out after a long days work.  The last thing we want to do after cooking dinner is to clean. So what do we do....we hide our dirty dishes in the dishwasher.  Below are a few helpful tips for keeping your dishwasher running smoothly.

 

With a low 40 decibels, this Jenn-Air® TriFecta™ dishwasher with 40 dBA is the quietest model we offer. This luxury dishwasher also brings you thoughtful features like the One Hour Wash and Rinse Only cycles, beautifully meeting your entertaining needs.

 

 

Keep items of different metals separated in the silverware basket of the dishwasher. Cutlery can discolor if dissimilar metals (stainless steel, silver, etc.) are touching when washed. The heat and water can cause electrolysis to occur that blackens or pits the surface of metal utensils.

 

 

Scrape your plates free of solid food particles before washing them. Large particles can get into or puncture seals causing water leaks and clog filters resulting in wash ability issues. But do NOT rinse under a tap prior to washing.

 

Bread bag clips, corners cut from bags of milk and elastic bands can unknowingly get stuck to the underside of bowls and plates and get put into the dishwasher. These items can clog up the pump and lead to expensive repairs. Be sure to dispose of these items into the garbage.

 

Upon finding a broken glass in your dishwasher, do an extensive search to find all the broken pieces. Check the filter and at the bottom of the unit. Glass shards can get into the pump and cause serious damage and even water leaks.

 

Check the bottom of the silverware basket for holes. Cutlery can extent through the hole and inhibit the spray arm from turning, causing poor wash ability. When the technician arrives and the load has been removed, the problem cause may not be apparent.

 

Any water leakage should be looked into immediately. Water can get into motors causing major damage, or cause flooring to rot.

 

Only use a rinse agent if you have hard water. If you use it with already soft water, foaming can result which could lead to poor washing and leakage.

 

 

As always if you are not sure how to do minor repairs and self cleaning call to have a professional appliance repair technician come and service it for you to avoid further damage. 

 

Affordable Appliance Repair serving the DFW area is the place to call (214) 731-4680.

 

Have a great day!