Habits that will make your kitchen appliances last longer are worth forming. It’s always a big inconvenience when an appliance suddenly stops working. We get so used to our fridges and microwaves working correctly that when they stop it can really put a cramp in our normal routines.
Here are simple steps you can take to make your kitchen appliances last longer. As a bonus, appliances that are working at their peak efficiency will save you money on your power bill as well.
How to Make Your Refrigerator Last Longer
Clean the seals on a regular basis. This is easy to do every week or two as you’re tossing leftovers, putting away groceries or doing your regular household chores. Crumbs can get into the seals, or sticky spills can leave the seals dirty. Dirty seals won’t allow the door to completely close, which can let cold air out and warm air in. This in turn makes your refrigerator work harder than it should.
Defrost your freezer. Newer models defrost the freezer automatically, but if you have an older fridge you should defrost it anytime you see up to a quarter inch of ice formed. Also, be sure the freezer vents are clean.
Vacuum the condenser coils. Unplug the refrigerator and turn off any water lines before you get started. You should follow your manufacturer’s instructions to clean the coils but there’s a how-to guide here. You should vacuum your condenser coils at least once per year.
Read and follow your user’s manual to set you refrigerator’s temperature settings correctly, and for information about replacing water filters.
Related: Do you need dedicated circuits for your kitchen appliances?
How to Make Your Dishwasher Last Longer
Clean the filter monthly. Or, anytime you notice your dishes aren’t getting as clean as you like
Just like your refrigerator, keep the seals on the door of your dishwasher clean,
Check out and clean the spray arms. Food and gunk can get stuck in the holes of the spray arm, and you should check the arm every month or so. Remove the arm to remove any blockages if you need to.
Run fewer loads. Don’t run the dishwasher until it is full. Also, don’t overload the dishwasher. Overloading keeps the dishwasher from doing it’s job, so you may end up re-washing the same load twice. Every use can whittle away at the lifetime of your dishwasher
Get rid of hard water residue (if necessary). Use a citric-acid based dishwasher cleaner.
How to Make Your Microwave Last Longer
Use the pre-programmed heating times
Clean up right away. Wipe up spills before you use the microwave again. Splatters or bits of food left on the surface of the microwave and cooked again can create hot spots that can damage the coating of the microwave.
Don’t slam the door. The door mechanism contains 3 or 4 switches that insure that the microwave will only work when the door is closed. Slamming the door can damage the switches and cause the microwave to stop working.
Keep the vents clean and unobstructed. In free standing microwaves be sure to leave a few inches between side vents and the wall or other appliances.
For microwaves mounted above stoves, stay on top of the grease traps. Grease from cooking on the stove can build up on the grease traps. Remove the grease trap periodically and soak it in the sink with dishwashing detergent. Along the same lines, turn on your exhaust fan when cooking in the stove beneath the microwave.
Only use microwave safe plates and containers, and don’t run the microwave when it’s empty.
How to Make Your Electric Range Last Longer
Clean, clean, clean Remove the electric coils and clean them with a damp cloth-don’t soak them in water. Keep the control panel clean with a damp cloth as well. It’s not a good idea to spray cleaners directly onto the control panel.
Be gentle with glass top stoves. Avoid scratches and cracks, and use flat bottomed pots and pans.
Use the oven’s self cleaning function regularly.Also, resist the temptation to line your oven with foil. It can actually melt into the oven’s surfaces
Small Appliances
For small appliances, like mixers, toasters and blenders, keep them clean and stored away from places they can get wet or dirty. Also, unplug your small appliances when they’re not in use.
Always read your user’s manuals for best practices.
A simple cleaning and maintenance routine can really help make your kitchen appliances last longer, potentially saving you thousands of dollars over the life of your home.
