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Image by Mr Chris, licenced under Creative Commons
Clean your appliances regularly
As with any other products that you use daily, kitchen appliances are prone to getting dirty, and the mineral build up and residue can cause the life span of your products to shrink and the quality of their work to suffer. One product that will most noticeably suffer without a thorough cleaning is your coffee maker — you’ll quickly realise this, as the taste of your coffee is likely to be affected by it. A great way to clean your coffee maker and other kitchen products is with the use of a water and vinegar (2:1) mixture, which helps to cut through the build-up of grime and water deposits.
Shut off the power when not in use
One of the main reasons for electric products dying is overuse. This is fine if you just happen to be using your appliance a lot, but more often than not it occurs because owners leave the power on when the product is not in use. One way to ensure that your appliances are not wearing out without your knowledge is by unplugging them when you’re finished using them.
Wash and replace seals
Many kitchen appliances utilise seals, the most obvious, and probably the most expensive, being the refrigerator. Seals play an important role in the operation of your fridge and freezer, and a build-up of grime along them can force your refrigerator to work harder and will also eat-up extra power. By cleaning your seals regularly and replacing them when they begin to separate from the frame, you will reduce the stress on your refrigerator’s electrics, which will help it last longer and perform better.
Dust underneath appliances
Some appliances are known for gathering dust, crumbs, and other types of build-up beneath them, and left unchecked this can not only cause the appliances to not work properly, but can also cause kitchen fires. The most common culprit of this is the toaster, which can easily be cleaned by emptying the crumb tray regularly. It is, however, also important that you dust and remove objects from beneath larger appliances such as refrigerators. The coils beneath your fridge need to be kept clean in order to cool the unit efficiently.
Image by H.A.M Phtgrphy, licenced under Creative Commons
Empty filters and remove hard water deposits
This is a tip directed at households that use dishwashing machines. The majority of new dishwashers operate on a filter system that traps the food residue after it is washed off your plates and utensils, preventing pits, seeds, and other waste from clogging up the machine. To keep your dishwasher operating efficiently and to prevent breakdowns, check and clean the filter regularly. If your household uses hard water, remove the hard water deposits from the water jets in the spray arm of your dishwasher — you can do this with a toothpick easily.
Air out appliances
From the coffee to the dishwasher, this rule is key to all appliances that use water. It does, however, become exceedingly essential when using large appliances such as the washing machine. Opening the doors and lids to appliances will prevent moisture from accumulating within them, which can lead to mould and mildew problems.
Don’t overload your appliances
One of the main reasons why appliances break is due to stress, and this usually occurs when they are asked to perform a task that exceeds design standards. You may find that packing your coffee maker tight with grounds, or stuffing your washer with clothes has no immediate consequences, but over time the stress of overworking your appliances will cause them to operate less efficiently and breakdown more quickly. So be sure to abide by the maximum capacity labels and instructions.
By following these instructions as well as those provided with your appliances you will begin to find that your products not only last longer, but also perform to a higher standard, and operate on less energy. This will help you save both time and money.