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Refrigerator Water Filter Care and Maintenance

Because it’s out of sight, your refrigerator’s water filter is often overlooked, forgotten about or just plain neglected. Changing the filter regularly is important, however, as buildup can result Refrigerator Water Filter in water and ice that are not clear, refreshing or pure.

Worse, bacteria and mold can grow and make its way into your drinking water and ice cubes. This creates smelly, funny-tasting ice and water, but in some cases, it even can make you and your family sick.

Read on for all you need to know about taking care of the filter in your refrigerator.

When to Change the Water Filter

According to most manufacturers, you should change your refrigerator’s water filter once every six months. Keep in mind, however, that this is just a general guideline based on average use.

If your household goes through a lot of water and ice every day, your filter may wear out or clog in fewer than six months. Conversely, if your family does not drink a lot of water, you may be able to wait a little longer before replacement becomes necessary.

Most refrigerators feature a status light that illuminates when it’s time to replace the filter, but you may notice other signs it needs changing. If you detect any unpleasant taste or odor, or if you notice cloudy or dirty ice cubes, don’t wait for the warning light to switch out the filter.

Finding Your Water Filter

Consult your refrigerator’s manual — either the paper copy or an online version — to find out where the filtration system components are. Most filters are behind the base grille or in the front of the refrigerator compartment.

Some have knobs that lock the filter in place; others use a push button along with a cap. In some models, the filter may easily slide in and out, making replacement a breeze. Other models may have a plastic housing that must be removed to access the filtration system. These can be a challenge to work with, depending on their location.

After Changing the Water Filter

After you have located and replaced the refrigerator filter, it is important to run several gallons of water through the new filter before drinking water or using it for ice. Most filters contain activated carbon, and some residue is likely to flow out in the first gallon or two. Without flushing the carbon thoroughly, your water will have an unpleasant, bitter aftertaste.

Though some homeowners are able to change their filters, many prefer the assistance of an experienced appliance professional. Call the experts at Complete Appliance Repair, serving Kaysville, Utah, and the neighboring communities. We will service and inspect your appliance and handle changing your refrigerator’s water filter at the same time.

Induction Cooktops: What’s All the Fuss About?

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An induction cooktop can introduce a new way of cooking to your kitchen, although these appliances have been popular for many years throughout Europe. Why are more homeowners deciding to invest in this type of appliance, and could this versatile tool be useful in your home?

What Are Induction Cooktops?

Either natural gas or electricity (or, in some cases, liquid propane gas) powers the burners on traditional ranges and cooktops. Induction burners create heat differently, with an electromagnetic field. Induction coils inside the burner magnetically create a warming reaction in the cookware placed on the burners, allowing steel-based pots and pans to actually cook the food themselves, rather than the burners cooking the food through the pot, as in traditional appliances.

Induction burners are flat cooking surfaces typically marked with concentric circles that indicate burner locations. Some of the more sleek models use unmarked black ceramic glass for a contemporary look and feel.

Benefits of Induction Cooktops

Because these appliances use electromagnetism to heat the cookware, food cooks more evenly. The burners heat up more rapidly than electric range burners — almost instantaneously — which allows for faster cooking times. According to some estimates, water boils in roughly half the time with induction technology than it does on an electric stove burner.

Induction cooktops are particularly popular because they have a temperature response that rivals gas appliances. In other words, once you turn the dial to off, the heat is immediately dissipated. They are are considered to be much safer, as the burners become cool to the touch in seconds.

The burners also turn themselves off if a pot is removed or has gone dry. Cleaning the burners is simple too, as spills can be wiped off of the flat surface easily.

Factors to Consider Before Purchase

As these models are only now becoming readily available in the United States, the price can be a major consideration. Due to their efficient energy use, these cooktops are likely to save you money in the long run, but the initial investment may sound steep for a cooktop without an oven.

Cookware is another factor you must consider. The induction coils will function only with certain types of pots and pans, namely cast iron, steel-plated and certain types of stainless steel.

Glass, copper and aluminum pans are not conducive to electromagnetic heat, so you can’t use any cookware made from those materials. Pots and pans can be tested for compatibility with a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the pan, it will work on an induction burner.

Complete Appliance Repair, serving the Salt Lake City area, provides sales, installation, maintenance and repair for all of your home appliances. Be sure to talk to us before deciding to invest in one of the new induction cooktops to ensure it’s the right choice for your needs.

Slide-In Ranges versus Freestanding: What’s the Difference?

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Most consumers opt for either slide-in ranges or freestanding stoves today, despite the availability of specialized drop-in ranges with customized cabinet bases. A more cost-effective Range choice, these appliance options also provide a greater level of flexibility when it’s time to remodel the kitchen.

But what’s the difference between the two range styles and how can you decide which type is right for your needs?

Slide-In Ranges

Slide-in ranges give the look of a built-in or customized drop-in model, but without the additional expense. This type of range does not have a backguard. Instead, the burner and oven controls are all located at the front of the appliance ― the back is covered by your decorative backsplash.

When you slide one of these models into place, you have a two-inch gap behind the unit in which to wrap your countertop. Once the gap is filled, the range has the seamless look of a built-in. These units are also designed to touch or overlap the countertop, just like a drop-in cooktop would do. Slide-ins are designed to fit between two cabinet bases, which is why most models have unfinished sides.

Freestanding Ranges

Freestanding ranges feature rear backguards that house the oven display and controls. Burner controls for electric models may be located on the backguard as well; however, for gas ranges, the knobs are typically placed at the front. Unlike slide-in ranges, freestanding models have finished sides, allowing them to stand alone or between cabinets.

Consider These Factors when Choosing a Range

Both types of stoves are available in a variety of design styles, many with technologically advanced features. To help you decide which would be better for you, begin by listing those features that are most important for your lifestyle. Next, think about the appliance’s desired placement.

If flexibility is important, a freestanding model might be the right choice, as you have the option of leaving one or both sides of the unit exposed. But, if you are installing the appliance between cabinets or as part of a kitchen island, you may want to consider a slide-in unit for a tighter fit.

Many homeowners also prefer slide-in designs because they are easier to clean (food and crumbs cannot fall down the sides, as there are no gaps between the appliance and the countertops). And, of course, slide-ins offer a more contemporary, low-profile look. Price is also a factor when choosing a range, however, and slide-in ranges are typically more expensive than freestanding models.

When shopping for a new stove, functionality, price, and style are all important considerations. With so many options available today, this can be a confusing process to navigate.

At Complete Appliance Repair in Salt Lake City, we offer both sales and installation of all major appliance brands and models, and we can help you determine the best options for you and your family. Contact us today for more information on freestanding and slide-in ranges.

Are Some Appliance Brands More Reliable than Others?

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Whirlpool, GE, Kenmore — are these or any other appliance brands more reliable than their competition? Reliability refers to how dependable a particular brand is based upon the frequency or prevalence of necessary repairs, and this is of key importance when shopping for a new stove, microwave or other household appliance.

Before you make your next home appliance purchase, give some consideration to brand reliability.

Reliability across Brand Product Lines

Consumer Reports is well-known for testing product performance and for surveying consumers for reliability data. What they have discovered is that while a few appliance brands may have a lower-than-average repair rates for some models, other products in the brand line may not have the same reliability. In other words, one manufacturer may produce one of the most reliable dishwashers, but that same manufacturer may not have the same success with their refrigerators or washing machines.

For this reason, you’ll have better luck checking the reviews for a particular model rather than only looking at specific brands.

Consumer Reliability Ratings

Customer reviews often can give you an idea of the reliability of a clothes dryer, garbage disposal or other household appliance. Many websites publish consumer reviews, and reading them can provide you with information about the dependability of the appliance you are considering.

This may not always be possible or practical as a means for making a purchase decision, however, as some appliance brands and models may not have enough reviews for you to accurately judge the product’s reliability.

Beware also of the many fake or paid reviews that proliferate customer review sites today, both positive and negative. Take the time to read individual reviews on both sides of the argument to determine what the poor reviews actually concern. Many people post poor reviews of a product even if their experience involved bad customer service or delivery problems.

Appliance Price and Reliability

Conventional wisdom holds that appliances with higher price tags will be more dependable, but this is not necessarily accurate. Some of the most expensive appliances are the most repair-prone, based on today’s research.

Spending more on a high-end washing machine or refrigerator may get you some interesting and useful features that add to the appliance’s functionality, which is why these appliances are appealing to many consumers. But, because these features typically use the latest, most cutting-edge technology, they are more likely to have problems. Some costly appliances simply do not perform well over time and can end up being less than reliable.

At Complete Appliance Repair, we specialize in the sales and installation of new home appliances, as well as maintenance and repair. Give us a call today and let us help you find the right choices to fit your budget and lifestyle, especially if you aren’t sure which appliance brands to trust.

Why Your Washer Won’t Agitate or Spin

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If your washer won’t agitate or spin after filling with water and beginning the cycle, your clothes will never come clean. Only a qualified repair technician can help you diagnose your Washer Won't Agitate washer problems for sure, but in the meantime, here are a few possible causes.

Agitator Issues

In some cases when the washer fails to agitate, the agitator itself may be the problem. Driven by the output shaft of the transmission, this part has a spline that can break or strip away, which can cause the agitator to fail as it becomes disconnected from the drive system.

Depending upon the brand and model of your washing machine, you may have either a single-piece unit or a two-piece, dual-action agitator. If yours is a dual-action model, the upper portion can become disengaged from the lower portion, in which case the directional cogs will need to be replaced.

Defective Lid Switch Assembly or Door Lock

The lid of your washing machine comes equipped with a switch or latch that ensures that the lid is closed before operation (unless you have a vintage model, most of which did not include this safety feature). This door assembly is connected to the motor circuit, and when the lid is shut, the motor will operate. If that connection is not made, the motor won’t run.

If your washer won’t agitate and the motor doesn’t seem to be getting power, you may have a defective door latch. You can inspect the lid assembly for visual damage; however, this mechanism can also fail electrically, so the door switches may need to be tested with a multimeter tool.

Other Causes of Washer Agitation Malfunction

If your washer won’t agitate or spin, you may have an issue with the drive belt, which drives the transmission, or with the drive block, which connects the transmission to the agitator. You can remove the front panel or cabinet of your washing machine to check if the belt, typically located at the bottom of the machine, is worn, loose or broken. Also take a look at the drive block to see if it is stripped or damaged. In rare cases, the drive motor, which drives the transmission, may be at fault.

Damage to other parts of your washing machine, such as the motor coupling, rotor or stator assembly, wash plate or motor control board could also be the cause of your problem. As you may already have concluded, you could be facing a complex repair that requires an experienced technician. Unless you’re familiar with your appliance’s operation, even opening the cover can cause injury. At best, it probably violates any warranty you have.

Don’t take chances. At the first sign of a problem, call the home appliance experts at Complete Appliance Repair. Serving the communities of northern Utah, our professional technicians know exactly how to diagnose and repair whatever is wrong when your washer won’t agitate.