Appliance Series Maintenance of the Oven

One of the more heavily used appliances in the home the oven (stove) is far more likely to need cleaning, repair and maintenance. It is not difficult to keep the oven in solid working order when just a few simple steps are taken to ensure it lives a long and functional life.

☼ I know I will sound like a broken record here but cleaning the oven is the best way to keep it in top shape! The outside and door seal can be wiped down with warm soapy water to remove grime. For those who have a window in the door and want a streak free view in, use white vinegar and wipe it down with newspaper. Yes seriously, it will be streak free and sparkling! This can be done on all glass -- mirrors, windows, car windows, etc.

☼ Try to clean up spills right away to avoid baking on.

☼ Some models have a self cleaning feature which basically incinerates anything spilled in the oven and it allows the residue to be wiped out with a damp sponge. It will utilize energy but no harmful chemicals are sprayed into the air or the cavity in which we all prepare our foods so this would be a serious trade off decision.

☼ For those who do not have this feature however (like me) I found a better solution than spray on foams which contain propellant and other chemicals. Mix up 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda, a few drops of dish soap and 3-4 tablespoons of white vinegar. Make a paste, spread all over the inside and let sit for fifteen to thirty minutes. Wipe down using plenty of warm water and use a green scrub sponge if necessary to remove more stubborn stains.

☼ If the oven is beyond what seems repairable mix equal parts salt, water and baking soda into a paste. Apply and heat the oven to approximately 500 degrees and cook the mixture on for about an hour. Once cool a damp sponge should take care of the incinerated cleaner. (I have not actually tried this one myself but may do so at my dad’s rental property, I’ll keep you informed how it goes!)

☼ Unless there are spills, it is only necessary to clean the inside of the oven a couple times a year. Always be sure to wipe the inside of the oven to dry after cleaning.

☼ Make sure the temperature you set is the one you get. Pick up an oven thermometer to ensure the oven’s thermostat is in solid working order. Center a rack and enter the thermometer on that rack then turn on the oven to the standard temperature you use to cook with for about fifteen minutes (about 350 is good). Some fluctuation is normal but for differences of fifteen to twenty five degrees either way the thermostat should be replaced.

☼ Be sure there are no electronic malfunctions as this could potentially lead to bigger problems. Call a qualified repairman to service the oven if anything malfunctions.

Please note that these tips do not include information for continuous cleaning ovens as I personally have had no experience with this style oven. While doing research however it appeared that 99% of the stuff that was safe for conventional and self cleaning models was not safe for a continuous clean oven. It is always best to check the owners manual or manufacturer website prior to doing any cleaning or maintenance on an appliance but with a little ingenuity we can keep our entire kitchen sparkling naturally!

Appliance Series Small Appliance Maintenance

I was planning to do an entire post on just microwaves but as I dug around I began to discover that many of the cleaning products and maintenance tips I would be suggesting for it also worked with other small appliances in the home. When it comes to small appliances such as the microwave, coffee maker, toaster or other counter top units there is one universal theme for proper maintenance and increased life -- keep them clean!

Microwave
The microwave is such a popular small appliance that it can quickly become grungy and grimy. Suggestions for cleaning this piece are:
► Unplug it.
► Remove the glass tray and ring and either hand wash with soapy water or put in the dishwasher when running the vinegar cycle.
► To remove hard to get splatters and eliminate odors, put two - four tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl full of water and run on high for 5 - 7 minutes. As the water boils the steam will help to loosen stuck on food and vapors from the lemon will mitigate yucky smells. Be sure to use a soft cloth that will not scratch the inside. Old torn up T-shirts made into rags are perfect for this!
► Just like all other appliances, using a warm, soapy water wash around the door seal will ensure a proper fit and eliminate gaps. That soapy water will make the outside sparkle as well. Be sure to thoroughly clean off any soap residue from the inside prior to cooking.
► The soft bristle toothbrush we used on other appliances is an excellent item for cleaning out air vents to ensure energy efficiency.
► Check interior light and replace the bulb when it burns out

Coffee Maker
I personally feel that coffee is one of the best inventions on the planet but even though the grounds and filter (if unbleached) may be good for a compost pile, the stains or clogs they can leave behind are not good for the machine that brews it. I suggest:
► Unplug it.
► Fill the 12 cup carafe to eleven cups water. Add one cup white vinegar. Run this through the machine twice then follow with a cycle of plain water.
► Sometimes the vinegar taste can linger past one clear water cycle so lemon juice is an alternative to vinegar (it will not be as effective at cutting stains)
► Run the carafe and coffee basket through the dishwasher when running the vinegar cycle for a good cleaning or soak in a mixture of a half carafe’s worth of water, ¼ cup lemon juice and 2 scoops of baking soda. Let it sit about a half hour (longer if heavily stained) scrub with a sponge and rinse clean. It is good to clean the machine and accessories about every two months (more for heavy coffee drinkers).

Toaster Oven
An awesome addition to any kitchen is the toaster oven. On a hot summer night when the oven is too much or simply to put a nice brown crust on a piece of bread, this compact little wonder will get the job done. But with all that bread comes crumbs and the high heat will cause baking on. For cleaning this machine:
► Unplug it.
► Pull out the crumb tray on the bottom and dump it then clean in warm, soapy water to remove any caked on food. If the model does not have a removable tray shake the crumbs out into the sink or trash can.
► Get the toothbrush back out and use it to gently remove any baked on food from the metal protection plate that sits over the bottom heater lamps as well as anywhere else inside the machine. It is also ideal for cleaning dust and grime from the air vents and scrubbing the glass window door.
► Vinegar will cut through stains on the glass like crazy!
► Be sure the machine is completely dry prior to plugging back in and using.
► Only plug in when in use to avoid drawing phantom power

Tune in Saturday for the final installment of the Appliance Maintenance Series -- The Stove / Oven.

But for now, take a break from cleaning tomorrow and prepare to enjoy Eco-Fashion Friday with featured designer Marang97 who uses upcycled T-shirts in very creative ways.

Appliance Series -- How to Care for and Maintain a Dishwasher

Most everyone has a dishwasher located right next to the sink and we love our little water pumping, sanitizing boxes! A dishwasher is one of the most effective appliances for ensuring health as it uses far hotter water than we would use hand washing to ensure removal of food and possible bacteria that can accumulate on our eating implements and storage containers. It is vital to keep this machine in good working order so it continues to provide these functions and there are super simple steps to take as it is one of the lesser maintenance appliances to care for.

☼ Make sure the gasket is not cracked or dried out. Rubberized pieces are some of the first to go as they wear quicker. A broken gasket will mean water on the floor or under the machine and this can cause mold if left over time. Each model is a bit different but all owner’s manuals will provide info for how to remove and replace (as well as clean) the gasket.

☼ Keep food from collecting in the holes. It might seem counterproductive to rinse dishes before putting in the machine (as well as a waste of water!) but all those particles have to go somewhere and most often they get trapped in the drain or filter at the bottom of the washer. Again the manual will guide through removal and cleaning of filters. This will ensure particles are kept away from the motor as well. In addition, a soft toothbrush is a fabulous tool for gently cleaning the holes in the spray arm.

☼ Give the dish racks a once over. When removing the racks to clean the interior, inspect them for cracks or rust spots. It is not healthy for the residue to remain on dishes and the chipped bits can also become lodged in drain holes. Appliance shops or the manufacturer can replace the rack for a nominal fee if any; if there was a warranty be sure to check it when replacing any of the parts.

☼ Clean the outside of the machine. Many of the newer models steam clean the dishes so to ensure the proper closure and avoid gaps that can release too much steam, potentially causing accidents, make sure to wipe any food or grime off the inside lip and outside of the door.

☼ Do not overload the machine. Pay special attention to the ability of the spray arm to spin and evenly distribute water so all dishes are cleaned and sanitized.

☼ Double the work is not necessary. To avoid film or residue be sure to read the manual and use a detergent type** that best suits the machine to avoid having to hand wash just cleaned dishes.
**As a side note, I was over at our fearless contributor Melissa’s house one afternoon and she was explaining the non-awesomeness of a couple eco friendly detergents she has tried of late. I have asked when she has some time to get us a full report but the short version is -- just because it is marked as environmentally friendly does not mean it is if the residue left behind either will not come off (causing a need to toss & repurchase perfectly good items) or must be hand washed to be removed (using extra water unnecessarily).

☼ Get the cleaner even cleaner! Toss about a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit for a while (half hour to an hour) then run the machine through a cycle on the hottest temperature possible. In an effort to not waste the water, this is a perfect time to run through smaller items that are undesirable to be in with food containers such as small trash barrels, toothbrush holders, flower vases, ashtrays, mop buckets, etc. Doing this every 3-4 months is good on average, but for larger families, or those who run more than one load per day (restaurants), more often is recommended. If there are strong odors to eliminate from the drain, a few teaspoons of baking soda or lemon juice should do the trick.

Keeping up with the dishwasher will keep it in proper working order for years to come and will help everyone in the family stay healthy too.

Up next in the continuing appliance series -- Care and Maintenance of the Microwave