Appliance. net

Appliance news, reviews, ratings, forums, reports and buyers guides.
Locate repairs and parts. for home and kitchen appliances.

You are here: Home / Archives for NightOwl

NightOwl

Extend the Life of Your Appliances

By

One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your appliance is with some preventative maintenance. Don’t spend your hard earned money on new appliances when applying some of these simple tips can keep your laundry, kitchen and small appliances running smoothly.

Washing machine – Make sure this is set up on an even flat surface. Unbalanced machines cause uneven distribution of wash loads and may cause the appliance to “walk” or move little by little, which can eventually damage the barrel.

Don’t load your wash to above the maximum capacity. Every six months, check the hose for leaks and kinks, and replace promptly if needed as cracked hoses waste water. Periodically clean the lint screen by turning it inside out and washing it with soap and warm water to eliminate buildups. Check the hose vent for clogs.

Refrigerator – After delivery of a new refrigerator, wait at least eight to 10 hours before plugging in. Let the Freon settle down first. If you live in areas where electricity fluctuates, protect your fridge with an auto-voltage regulator (AVR).

Twice a year, clean the condenser coils located either at the back (for older models) or the front (newer models have grills that cover the coils near the bottom) of your refrigerator.

When defrosting freezers, never scrape ice from the walls to avoid damaging the appliance. Merely it turn off and remove all the food. Clean the refrigerator’s interior while you’re at it. To check the gasket, close the door on a piece of paper and pull. If it easily slides out, it’s time to replace the seal.

Air conditioner – Always follow the rule of starting the unit in fan setting for a minimum of three minutes before turning it up to high-cool to avoid overworking the compressor. Sustain airflow by cleaning the filter monthly with soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth and remove all debris from the central air unit to maximize air current.

Electric fan – Once a week, remove and clean the blade and grills. If you are adept at dismantling things, you can remove the shaft and apply industrial grease/oil to postpone wear and tear of the bushing parts. Let the grease dry for about three hours before using the unit again so the oil won’t enter the motor.

Television and DVD player– Avoid placing the TV near a window where splashes of rain could damage the circuits. Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. Clean DVD players using a commercial disk cleaner once a month and remember to wipe CDs thoroughly with a soft, non-abrasive cloth before playing. Take good care of the remote controls as well.

Microwave – Never put any metals inside and don’t let splattered food stay inside for long. Use only microwavable dishes for heating. Before cleaning, heat a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl for three minutes. This makes it easy to wipe off all sticky food particles with a sponge or soft cloth right after. Don’t forget to clean the door gasket too.

Rice cooker – Dry the bottom of the pot before putting it over the hot plate every time you cook rice. Position the cooker on a flat, even surface. Clean up any overflow on the sides right after cooking.

Electric air pot – Always boil water at the correct water level. Avert or remove hard water deposits by pouring pure white vinegar just above the water stain. Boil in one cycle, leave overnight, then clean as usual. Remind members of the family to gently press on the controls so as not to damage the pads.

It may take some extra effort, but you’ll find the both savings and the piece of mind of knowing everything is running smoothly are worth it. You can read more here.

Recall: Bosch and Siemens Model Dishwashers by BSH Home Appliances Corporation Due to Fire Hazard

By

Name of Product: Bosch® and Siemens® Model Dishwashers

Units: About 476,500

Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.

Hazard: An electrical component in certain model dishwashers can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: BSH Home Appliances has received 51 reports of incidents, including 30 reports of fires resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves certain Bosch® and Siemens® dishwashers manufactured from May 1999 through July 2005. The brand name is printed on the dishwasher’s front control panel. Model and serials numbers are located inside the dishwasher door panel on the upper right side.

Brand Model Numbers Must Begin With Serial Numbers Must Begin With
Bosch SHE43C, SHE44C
SHE46C, SHE56C
SHU33
SHU42
SHU432
SHU43C, SHU53A		 FD8503 – FD8507
FD8501 – FD8505
FD7905 – FD8505
FD8407 – FD8505
FD8004 – FD8211
FD8205 – FD8507
Siemens SL34A FD8308 – FD8505

Sold at: Appliance and specialty retailers nationwide from May 1999 through December 2006 for between $550 and $1,100.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the listed model dishwashers and contact the repair hotline for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the BSH Home Appliances at (800) 856-9226 anytime or visit the brand’s Web site at www.boschappliances.com or www.siemens-home.com

Haier’s Portable Washing Machine

By

If you lack space at home for a full size washer, and are tired of having huge dry cleaning bills, or lugging pounds of washing back and forth to the laundromat, here’s a small product with the answer to big laundry problems.  A portable washing machine.  These compact units hold less than full size washers, but they do they same job.

Haier makes three styles of portable washing machines.  These little numbers claim to do the work of the larger machines while taking up very little space in your home.  They are recommended  for apartments as well as houses.  These units don’t require a dedicated laundry room, they plug into any standard wall unit and the hoses attach to any faucet.  The catch is that you must move (drag, tug, maneuver) the unit into place by a sink.

Haier’s three units are sized 1.0 cubic feet, 1.46 cu. ft. and 1.7 cu. ft.  and come with up to four water level settings and a variety of wash settings including delicate.  Only the 1.7 cu.ft. model has bleach and fabric softener dispensers.

We found them to retail for between $180 to $280.

Haier also makes a matching set of dryers for these models.  Look for more on them here at appliance.net.

Netflix and LG get Together

By

I have to admit that I have a fairly low tech house.  We are unquestionably the last house on the block to have the thinnest HD TV, but yet we still have more clutter around the television than we should.  At last count there were two remotes, the Wii with its remotes and nunchucks, DVD player (and its remote).  Enough!

LG and Netflix are going to eliminate some of the clutter with new high-definition LG televisions that can screen Netflix movies directly from the Web without an external box.

The televisions, which use broadband Internet technology, will be available in four models — LCDs with 42-inch and 47-inch screens, and plasma TVs with 50-inch and 60-inch screens.

Sharper Image is Back

By

Remember the vibrating chair and the nose hair trimmers?   Sharper Image, the company who filed for bankruptcy and closed its stores in 2008, is remaking itself and has plans for a comeback.
This time, Sharper Image will be selling a variety of home electronics under their Sharper Image name, but in independent stores nationwide, not in their own stores.

From the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas:

The assortment of products, which range from iPod®-compatible bedside stereo systems to design-savvy wireless audio components and stress-relieving sound soothers™, are designed, manufactured and sold by Sharper Image Products (SI PRODUCTS), The Sharper Image licensee for Home Audio. The Sharper Image Home Audio product line will officially debut January 8th at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (Central Hall, Booth 12838) and will begin shipping in Q3 2009.

“Modern consumers want products that provide cutting-edge technology while reflecting their own personal style. Our mission at Sharper Image Products is to create products that offer style and innovation while enhancing and simplifying our customer’s busy lifestyles,” said Lynda Rose, VP of Product Development and Marketing, SI Products. “The Sharper Image brand is synonymous with creative technology and timeless design. We’re confident that these new offerings will not only meet, but exceed consumers’ expectations.”

“We look forward to launching the other categories that we’ve licensed, including Home Environment, Health and Wellness, Men’s Gifts, Concierge and Men’s Grooming.” said Ron Ferber, President of SI PRODUCTS, the licencee of Sharper Image.

“We look forward to launching the other categories that we’ve licensed, including Home Environment, Health and Wellness, Men’s Gifts, Concierge and Men’s Grooming.”

You can read more about the Sharper Image product line, which will be released later this year, here.

Recall: Propane Gas Fireplace Inserts by Wolf Steel Due to Laceration Hazard

By

Name of Product: Napoleon Propane Gas Fireplace Inserts

Units: About 1,200

Manufacturer: Wolf Steel USA, of Crittenden, Ky.

Hazard: Delayed ignition due to a build-up of propane gas can cause the insert’s glass cover to break, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Wolf Steel has received one report of a consumer who suffered minor lacerations when the glass cover shattered.

Description: This recall involves Napoleon propane GDI44 gas fireplace inserts. Model number GDI44 is located on the front cover of the operating instructions or on the rating label found behind the right side panel next to the insert’s viewing glass. The glass size is 36” wide and 22” high. Napoleon natural gas GDI44 inserts are not affected by this recall.

Sold at: Authorized Napoleon fireplace hearth dealers nationwide from July 2002 through September 2008 for about $2,000.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the fireplace and contact Wolf Steel to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Wolf Steel toll-free at (866) 539-2039 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.napoleonfireplaces.com

Recall: The Toro Company Reannounces Recall of Electric Blowers Due to Projectile Hazards

By

Name of Product: Toro Power Sweep Electric Blowers

Units: About 900,000

Manufacturer: The Toro Company, of Bloomington, Minn.

Hazard: The blower’s impeller, which is a rotating component on the blower, can break, resulting in pieces of plastic flying out of the blower. This poses a risk of serious injury to the user or a bystander.

Incidents/Injuries: Toro has received 162 reports of broken impellers, including 28 reports of minor cuts and bruises resulting from projected impeller pieces.

Description: The recall involves Toro Power Sweep electric blower model 51586 that was manufactured between 2000 and 2002. The recalled units have serial numbers that range between 000055100 and 220255609. There are two decals on the main housing of the blower. One decal reads, “TORO Power Sweep” and the decal on the opposite side of the blower contains the model number and serial number (shown by the letter “A” in the picture below). The recalled units can be identified by a black impeller fan, which can be seen through the air inlet screen on the bottom of the unit.

Sold through: Toro dealers and various mass retailers nationwide including The Home Depot, Lowes, Target and K-Mart stores from January 2000 through late December 2002 for about $32.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled blowers immediately and contact Toro to receive a replacement blower.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Toro at (888) 279-3191 between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Consumers can also visit the Toro web site at www.toro.com. The Toro Company has notified registered owners directly.

Quick Dishwasher Loading Tips

By

Today’s dishwashers really will do most of the work for you.  No more scrubbing before loading.  If you are the type of person who cleans the house before the housekeeper comes, this might be a hard habit to kick, but hey – think of all the other tasks you can do with the time you’ll save.  You can alphabetize your spices!

The tips:

* Soiled surfaces should always face the interior of the machine, where the spray is most likely to reach them. 

* Don’t put glasses over the prongs, because that impedes the water’s flow. Use the prongs to prop them up from the outside.

* Never overlap pans. Let the whole cooking surface lie face-down on the rack.

* Knife edges should point downward, forks should point upward, and spoons can go either way. (Just check that they aren’t nesting)

I have found that not rinsing the dishes works best if the dishwasher is being run right away, but your results may vary.

Liebherr’s Newest Integrated Refrigerator

By

Liebherr announces the new HRB 1110 – 24” fully integrated refrigerator with BioFresh and the HF 851 – 24” fully integrated freezer with icemaker.  These newest models went into production inNovemer and will be available through Canadian dealers early this year.

Biofresh is Liebherr’s patented  system providing the perfect climate for keeping your foods fresh longer. With the temperature maintained at just above freezing and at an ideal humidity level, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish retain their vitamins and minerals, delicate flavor and attractive appearance for up to three times longer than in a normal refrigerator, according to Liebherr.

These two new Premium Plus models have all the unique and green features of the previously released 24” integrated products and more, including:

Revolutionary new LED light columns in the refrigerator

Freezer drawers on smooth, telescopic rails and professional freezing technology (FrostSafe) to guarantee continual circulated air

Easy to install door-on-door technology for better design options

Soft close door system technology (used by high-end cabinet manufacturers)

ENERGY STAR® rating according to new standards effective since April 2008.

To read more about Liebherr’s BioFresh technology, please visit liebherr-appliances.com.

LG Electronics Wants YOU!

By

LG electronics has been around since 1958 when it was established as Goldstar.  In 1995 it changed its name to LG Electronics.  It has spent most of those years as a quiet second (or even third) choice electronics option or most people.  That it already changing.

Now Andrew Barrett, LG’s vice-president, marketing, for LG Electronics Canada Ltd. announces he has big plans for LG’s future in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

 “It seems like only yesterday that LG was a rather ordinary, personality-less, original equipment manufacturer. “The only way LG could shake the shackles of being lesser known,” Mr. Barrett says, “was to be seen as a brand of desire.” ”

The new strategy: To seed the company’s global operations with a marketing mindset geared to a sense of style.  Think red steam washing machines.

Style implies taste, and taste can be tricky. Consider Scarlet, the LG TV with the brazenly red back panel. “When your positioning is based on style … the TVs can’t just be a black box that looks like everybody else’s TVs,” he says. The reaction to the Scarlet has been polarizing. “There were some who absolutely loved it, and others who were appalled by it and never wanted to see it in their home,” he says.

Two weeks ago Mr. Barrett was tapped by LG HQ to lead the company’s just-announced global sponsorship for Formula 1 racing.

“There’s a social style, a social status, a premium-ness that sits around F1,” he says, expressing how he believes the style-technology harmony of the racing circuit makes a perfect match for the style-technology focus of LG. Think Monte Carlo and yachts and celebrities and cerulean vistas. “We think we’re the Monte Carlo of consumer electronics,” he says.

The job grows bigger. Any day now the company will announce a broadening of Mr. Barrett’s marketing responsibilities to encompass what he will define only as a “significant portion of the world’s geography,” reporting to the chief marketing officer for LG worldwide.