Kitchen appliances are one of the most essential things that complete a home. They are designed to operate in making meal preparations and even food storage easier and more efficient. They even simplify the chores and other tasks you have to do on a day-to-day basis. It is even more enjoyable when you know your appliances will be working without any issues and problems. And this is only possible when you incorporate the right and proper maintenance measures that will make your appliances have a longer shelf life. Though at some point in time, you have to replace them. However, you can extend their lives by simply taking care of them.
The kitchen appliances operate with just a matter of pushing a button, letting it do its thing on its own. That means there is relatively little maintenance required on a daily basis, as a means of keeping the kitchen appliances in good working order. Which is why it is essential to learn about your appliances first, so you can tell what is normal from what is not. An effective way to understand how everything works with regards to your appliances is to read the booklet containing the instructions that came with the appliance itself. Maintain them by keeping them clean and properly working as needed.
And given that the kitchen is deemed to be the heart of the home, the equipment and appliances must always be properly maintained. This will not only let them work better when cleaned, but it can also last for a longer period of time. It can even improve their energy efficiency, and cut down on costly repair bills, too. Moreover, purchasing brand new ones is not cheap. Thus, it is important to just integrate a proper cleaning method rather than to spend a huge amount of money to buy a new one, when you know that you could have done better to maintain those kitchen appliances.
Keeping refrigerators and freezers, stovetops and ranges, and microwaves clean and working is composed of just a few things. Inspect, clean, and maintain. Nothing makes a kitchen sparkle with clean and well-maintained equipment and kitchen appliances.
Refrigerators and Freezers
One of the most important and functional kitchen appliances would be the refrigerator. This stores all of the perishable goods, as a way of preventing them from spoiling, rotting, and being wasted. And to keep the refrigerators serving its purpose of storing them properly, you have to follow the right cleaning methods — from its interior to its exterior parts.
The first thing you have to do for the cleaning and maintenance would be having to remove everything inside the refrigerator. Check and dispose of those that are already spoiled, rotten, or food which are already past the expiration dates. Removing them all from the fridge can help you clean those tough-to-reach corners. In cleaning them and scrubbing the interior, it is ideal to use a soft cloth and a mixture of warm water and soap. In cases where there are stains, you can use baking soda to remove them. Once you have cleaned the interior, along with all the corners of the fridge, dry any wet spots first with a separate cloth or towel, then put your food back in.
In cleaning their exterior, on the other hand, you have to first examine the condenser coils that are placed at the back of the fridge for dust. Use a broom or any safe cleaning tool to remove them. Then check and maintain the seals of the refrigerator after. You might want to vacuum the unit’s compressor coils at least twice a year. The compressor coils, which are positioned at the back or bottom of the fridge, are critical for keeping it cold. Coils that are dirty or dusty might have a difficult time extracting heat from the unit, causing it to run often for longer periods of time, and to run hotter in general. All of these factors can lead to early failure of these types of kitchen appliances.
For refrigerators with freezers, it is essential to defrost them at least once to twice a month to prevent the ice inside the freezers to form thick layers, accumulating the cold temperature that should have been for freezing the goods and other food items. The multiple layers of ice may even result in the difficulty of keeping the freezer cold. And when they are sealed poorly, it allows cold air to escape, forcing the appliance to run more frequently to keep the temperature stable.
Lastly, do not overfill the fridge so it does not overwork itself. Apply the trick of packing the fridge with newspapers and a tray full of charcoal. Let them sit for a while before removing them if items go bad in the fridge. They are done to absorb the foul odor in a short period of time.
Stovetops and Ranges
For the maintenance of stovetops and ranges, it is important to clean them regularly, as the food stains created from all the cooking can affect the overall performance of the stovetops. It can even look unpleasant and might be a breeding home for germs and bacteria. Remember, the kitchen should always be clean, hygienic, and sanitized because this is where meals are prepared. And it is important to keep the meals free from all the harmful elements to avoid the risk of certain conditions.
In cleaning these types of kitchen appliances, use cleaning agents that are proven to be effective in removing all the stains, burned ash from all the cooking, and others. Some cleaning agents might be very strong, so it is recommended to wear a mask and gloves if in use. If you cannot find the cleaning agents, unscented ammonia can be a good substitute. And for tough spots or hard-to-reach corners, you can use a scraper to remove the dirt and built-up debris. Failing to clean out the debris could result in the clogging of certain parts of the stove. This, then, can greatly affect the performance of the kitchen appliances in the long run.
For electric stovetops, you can use a basic cleaner to wipe off the dust and the stains. But for gas stove tops, on the other hand, it might be quite trickier and more difficult. It requires you to take each of the components off from the range to be able to clean them properly. Ensure that all the parts are thoroughly maintained, so it will still perform its role effectively in the long run.
Microwaves
Microwaves can get a little bit tricky when cleaning. Its interior is quite small. This means that it is kind of tough to get into. There always seem to be splatters of whatever food has been heated up inside. Though this is the case, you have to still carry on cleaning the unit as a means of prolonging its life.
Perform regular cleaning on its interior by removing its glass plate first, then clean it separately from its actual unit. Use a heated cup of water, then place them inside the microwave itself. Letting it sit inside causes it to evaporate, emitting steam that can help remove spills that seem to stick around. Then, use a paper towel, a sponge, or a piece of cloth to wipe it. Once done, you can use soapy water to disinfect. And with the glass plate, scrub it carefully so that no spots are missed. Before putting the plate back inside, make sure that it is dry first.
For its exterior, use an all-purpose cleaner on a cloth or sponge for cleaning them. Be careful not to spray cleaner directly on the appliance because it may enter the ventilation holes. Then, examine the glass outside the door for fingerprints, dirt, spatter, or filth on a regular basis.
Key Takeaway
Whatever type of kitchen appliances you have, always remember to regularly and properly maintain them. This is so that they would function in their optimal state, running smoothly without any faults. This will also keep them functioning for a longer period of time. Apply the tips mentioned above, and regularly do them so your kitchen appliances will always be in their good condition.
