You’ve gone back-to-school shopping with your children to help them get their desks, lockers, and backpacks ready for the new school year, but what preparations have you made at home? We’re not just talking about the kids’ rooms or the study area in the play room—we’re referring to the kitchen, the very heart of your home. This is where the hustle and bustle of weekday mornings, afternoon homework ...
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Recent Posts in Appliances - Big and Small Category
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Clean Off Your Refrigerator and Other Back to School Tips
August 23, 2017 -
The 5 Most Common Refrigerator Issues to Watch Out For
August 7, 2017 Is your refrigerator acting up? If it’s more than a decade old, it might be near the end of its useful lifespan . Still, it could be possible to fix the problem and get several more years out of the appliance. Here’s how to troubleshoot five of the most common refrigerator issues. Fridge Not Getting Cold The appliance should keep food between 37 and 41 degrees. If you open your refrigerator door ...Continue Reading -
Signs You Need a New Grill
June 21, 2017 As grilling season gets underway, you may be eager to whip up this year’s first batch of burgers on your trusty backyard grill. But is this aging outdoor appliance really up for yet another grueling year of high temperatures, smoke, and greasy food? Learn when it’s time for a new grill and consider some viable replacement options. Is your grill past its prime? Look into repairing or replacing it ...Continue Reading -
Father's Day Gift Guide: All About Grills
June 16, 2017 The smell of hotdogs and burgers fill the air outside as Dad grills up a delicious dinner on a warm night. Man, our mouths sure are watering! If Dad keeps dropping not so subtle hints about wanting a grill and everything that comes with it, you’ve come to the right place to figure out what to buy him. There’s a ton of grills out there and several types, and it can get confusing but we’re here to ...Continue Reading -
Who wins in the battle between gas grills and charcoal grills?
May 30, 2017 Anytime it's nice to be outside... the battle between gas grills and charcoal grills rages on. For years, people have been asking, is a gas or charcoal grill better for your health? How do you cook on a gas grill? How do you know your charcoal grill is ready? These questions bring to light some of the differences between gas grills and charcoal grills. Let’s explore other characteristics to find ...Continue Reading -
Is Your Backyard Ready for an Outdoor Kitchen?
May 17, 2017 The backyard barbecue is an American tradition. From juicy burgers and tender drumsticks to corn on the cob and veggie kabobs, it just doesn’t feel like summer until you fire up the grill for the first time. Modern outdoor cooking has evolved from using basic charcoal grills to installing extensive outdoor kitchens. If you’re ready to make this upgrade, you must make sure your backyard space is ...Continue Reading -
How to Keep Your Outdoor Appliances Safe from the Elements
May 10, 2017 If you recently installed an outdoor kitchen, or you’re still contemplating making this upgrade in your backyard, you want the investment to last for many years. This means choosing the right appliances and taking steps to protect them from harsh storms and cold winter weather. Here’s how. Indoor vs. Outdoor Appliances At the very least, every outdoor kitchen needs a built-in stainless steel ...Continue Reading -
The Perfect Mother's Day Gift
May 3, 2017 As you brainstorm for the perfect Mother’s Day gifts to give this year, consider the condition of your mom’s kitchen appliances. Does she continually complain about dishwasher’s loud cycles? Is her fridge outdated and expensive to operate? Does she pine for a new oven? This could be the year you surprise Mom with a new kitchen appliance. If your budget allows, you might even spoil her with a ...Continue Reading -
From Our Kitchen to Yours: 5 Out-of-the-Ordinary Ways to Use your Crock Pot
April 19, 2017 Crock Pots are one of the most underrated kitchen appliances. One of the best parts about crock-pots is that you can count on it to cook your meal while you are working or running errands. They come in many sizes, so if you are heading out to a party, you can bring a small one for dips; or if you are hosting a dinner party, you can use a big one to make casserole. What many people don’t know is ...Continue Reading -
8 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Garage Refrigerator
April 12, 2017 With summer almost here, you are probably planning for your kids being out of school for a few months. With their release come lots of play dates and little ones running in and out of the house throughout the season. You might be preparing for this by putting extra sodas and snacks in your refrigerator and preparing some easy meals; but you can quickly run out of space… so what do you do? Take ...Continue Reading -
What's the Deal With Dry Clean Only?
March 22, 2017 If you just bought a new wool suit or silk blouse, you may become discouraged when you discover it says “dry clean only” on the tag. Do you really need to obey this instruction? How crucial is it to dry clean certain fabrics, and what makes the process safer than washing? Find the answers to your questions here, so you don’t inadvertently ruin a delicate fabric in the wash. What Does “Dry Clean ...Continue Reading -
The Washer's Lint Trap Needs Cleaning Too
March 6, 2017 You know about the dryer lint screen, but did you know your washing machine has a lint trap, too? If your clothes have a furry coat of lint coming out of the wash, the lint filter is probably clogged. It’s time to remedy this problem by learning more about washer lint collectors. What is a Washing Machine Lint Trap? Some washers have cleanable filters while others have mesh lint traps. Regardless ...Continue Reading -
Best Places for the Washer and Dryer
February 22, 2017 No one seems to agree exactly where the laundry room should go. These rooms were once afterthoughts, installed in out-of-the-way closets or the corner of the basement. Over the years, new homes have started prioritizing laundry room location to increase convenience, improve efficiency, and ensure safe ventilation. But where is the best place for the laundry room? There isn’t one right answer to ...Continue Reading -
Why You Need to Clean the Lint Filter Every Time
February 16, 2017 You’ve heard that you need to clean the dryer lint trap after every load, but is it true? Let’s discuss the reasons to clean the lint filter, how often you should perform this task, and more useful tips. Why Do You Clean a Dryer Lint Filter? When clothing tumbles around in the dryer, the agitation and high heat cause clothing, towels, and linens to shed some of their fibers. The lint screen ...Continue Reading -
Prime Time for a Dryer Vent Fire
February 2, 2017 As cold weather persists this winter, it remains a prime time for a dryer vent fire. To protect your home and family, learn more about what causes dryer fires and how to prevent them. Why Do More Home Fires Occur in Winter? While forest fires occur primarily during the heat of summer, home fires are more prevalent in the cold, dry months of December through March. Here are several winter-related ...Continue Reading -
Get Your Laundry Room Organized Before You Do Anything Else
January 17, 2017 Now that the busy holidays are over, you can focus on getting your home organized for the New Year. Before you do anything else, get your laundry room organized to create a more functional space. Whether you have a small or big budget, little or large space to work with, get inspired by these tips to organize the laundry room. Laundry Room Organization on a Small Budget Even when you don’t have a ...Continue Reading -
Break Your Bad Laundry Habits
January 10, 2017 Have you considered breaking your bad laundry habits? If you want to save money on detergent, new clothes, and washing machine repairs, break these bad laundry habits right now! And, we know you'll love these tips so much, we've made a shareable social media graphic with all of them included at the bottom of this page! Using Too Much Laundry Detergent It’s easy to assume that more soap means ...Continue Reading -
2016 Kitchen Gadget Gift Guide
December 16, 2016 Do you have a friend or family member who’s always hard to shop for at Christmas time? How about finding a quirky kitchen gadget to make cooking and baking a little easier? From highly useful to a little extravagant, here are the top kitchen gadgets that could serve as the perfect gifts for Christmas 2016. Melon Scoop Cantaloupes and watermelons are popular favorites, but preparing and eating them ...Continue Reading -
How to Clean Your Refrigerator
December 1, 2016 In your efforts to prepare the kitchen for the hectic holiday baking season, you may have already cleaned the oven. Now it’s time to think about cleaning the refrigerator so there’s room for holiday leftovers without any funky smells or sticky spots to slow you down. Use these tips to achieve a clean refrigerator and keep it looking good for months. How to Clean Your Refrigerator Ready to deep ...Continue Reading -
Holiday Prep: Clean the Oven
November 8, 2016 With the holidays quickly approaching, you’re probably anticipating all the cooking you’ll be doing. Is your kitchen up to the task? The oven is the first place that likely needs attention. Having a clean oven to work with makes holiday baking much more pleasant. Here’s how to clean your oven, no matter what type you have. Self-Cleaning Ovens Whether convection or conventional, self-cleaning ovens ...Continue Reading -
This Is the Worst Time for the Washer to Die
September 1, 2016 With sports starting back up and warmer, heavier outfits taking center stage, back-to-school time is when you rely on your washer and dryer the most. This would be the worst time for these appliances to break down! To ensure your washer and dryer keep running like normal, implement certain maintenance and troubleshooting tips. Then if needed, you can schedule washer and dryer repair with Mr. ...Continue Reading -
What is the Lifespan of your Refrigerator?
July 21, 2016 Have you owned your refrigerator for a few years? Are you unsure how much longer you can expect it to last? Learn the typical refrigerator lifespan so you can plan ahead when the time for appliance replacement looms near. You can even adopt tips to help your refrigerator provide efficient service for as long as possible. How Long Does a Refrigerator Last? According to the 23rd annual portrait of ...Continue Reading -
Preventing Bad Odors in the Fridge
July 12, 2016 Have you ever opened your refrigerator door only to be assaulted by a stinky waft of refrigerated air? The cool temperature does little to temper the odor, and you’re forced to hold your nose as you dig around for the source of the stench. Maybe old leftover fish, ground beef or forgotten salad has been hiding in the back corner for a few weeks – or even longer. Even once you dispose of the moldy, ...Continue Reading -
4 Beautiful Outdoor Kitchens
June 7, 2016 Summer is upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about the barbecues and backyard parties you will be hosting this season. Here are four beautiful outdoor kitchens to give you inspiration for your own outdoor kitchen. 1. The Patio Kitchen This beautiful outdoor kitchen sits on the patio against the home’s back wall. The stone on the kitchen walls looks elegant next to the house. It is small yet ...Continue Reading -
Summer Grill Showdown: Gas Versus Charcoal
May 31, 2016 If you love grilling, you may be familiar with the great gas vs. charcoal debate. Perhaps your best friend prefers one while your father-in-law swears by the other. Every passionate griller has their preference, so if you’re still on the fence, approach the issue as objectively as possible to help you choose the right grill for you. Gas Grill Owners of gas grills love the primal pleasure of ...Continue Reading -
Clean Laundry Jokes
May 17, 2016 Like doing the dishes, laundry is one of those household chores with which you’re never truly done! In honor of National Humor Month , we decided to gather up some of the best laundry-related jokes to make the chore a bit less of a bore. Go ahead and procrastinate folding your clothes by reading some of our clean jokes. 1.Q: How much fun is washing your clothes? A: Loads. 2.Q: What happened to the ...Continue Reading -
Creative Drying Racks
May 9, 2016 Running your dryer less often is also a good way to save energy and money. Plus, some clothes are just too delicate for the dryer. To help your little black dress, wool sweater and favorite lingerie last longer, it’s better to air dry these items. But what if you don’t have a drying rack? You can easily make your own so you have a dedicated space to hang clothing you don’t want to run through the ...Continue Reading -
Dryer Sheets Versus Fabric Softener
April 8, 2016 Which Is Better? Okay, so we all know that using dryer sheets or fabric softener will make your clothes smell fresh and help reduce wrinkles. But, when faced with the choice on the grocery store laundry aisle, which do you pick? We interviewed a mom we know, and did a little online research to get to the bottom of the fresh-laundry face-off. Fabric Softener: Benefits We interviewed a mom we know, ...Continue Reading -
Proper Dryer Cleaning & Fire Prevention
March 21, 2016 by: Steve Bowles, Mr. Appliance Franchise Consultant This blog was contributed by one of our franchise consultants and dryer vent cleaning experts, Steve Bowles. Clothes dryer vent fires are a real risk to home safety and proper inspection and maintenance of your dryer is a necessity. According to recent news reports citing the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are ...Continue Reading -
Green with (Kitchen) Envy
March 17, 2016 The kitchen is the center of the home. It is the room in which family and friends congregate, and the room where you teach your children to cook. As the kitchen is generally a high traffic area, we want it to be modern and warm. These beautiful kitchen styles are timeless in their elegance and inviting in their character. White on White on Grey Bright, uplifting kitchens are on trend right now. ...Continue Reading -
5 Tips for an Efficient Refrigerator
March 11, 2016 When you purchase a refrigerator, you expect it to work well and run efficiently for many years to come. However, for your fridge to meet these expectations, you must not neglect it. Proper refrigerator maintenance and operating tips can help this appliance run smoothly and last longer. Here’s what you need to do. Clean the Condenser Coils Your food stays cold because condenser coils remove heat ...Continue Reading -
Little Known Laundry Room Facts
March 1, 2016 While the average American family does 8-10 loads of laundry a week, most people don’t know how the appliances in their laundry room actually work. When you become more familiar with the appliances upon which you heavily rely, you can make them last longer with the ability to better detect needed repairs. See below for insight into how your equipment works and common problems you might encounter. ...Continue Reading -
Warning Signs for Appliances
February 25, 2016 As you go about your day, you rely on home appliances more than you probably realize. Only when something goes wrong do you appreciate how dependent you are on your refrigerator, washer and dryer, hot water heater, dishwasher, and oven. Learn how to tell if you should schedule appliance repair and when to opt for a replacement instead. Signs Your Appliances Need Attention The appliance won’t turn ...Continue Reading -
Top 5 Tips for Winterizing Your Home
February 12, 2016 Winter is among us and so is the biting weather. Don’t let the cold catch you off guard; prepare for the frigid forecasts with these easy-to-follow household tips. Give your home some tender, loving care as we enter the Valentine’s Day weekend, and you won’t regret it when the thermometer dips! Turn Your Ceiling Fan Clockwise Use your ceiling fan around the clock by reversing it to run clockwise ...Continue Reading -
Recipes for the Big Game
February 5, 2016 Are you excited to have friends and family over for the Big Game? You had better be prepared with everyone’s favorite snacks so you can enjoy cheering on your favorite team to the fullest! The following five game day recipes are sure to be a hit. Just remember to make sure your refrigerator, oven and stove are in good working order before game day arrives. If any of these needs attention, schedule ...Continue Reading -
Dishwasher Loading Tricks
November 3, 2015 Ever wish you could squeeze just a few more pieces into your dishwasher? Who wants to load and unload more times than absolutely necessary? Your friends at Mr. Appliance have developed a few tricks and tips that can you save time and money. Start Clean If your dishwasher has not been cleaned recently, it won’t run efficiently. Get a fresh start by running it through the rinse cycle while empty. ...Continue Reading -
Freaky Fridge
October 26, 2015 What do you think of when you hear the term holidays? For some it’s a time of celebration and decoration predominately Christmas through New Year. For others it’s a year-round festivity. After all there’s National Hat Day in January; Valentine’s Day in February; Saint Patrick’s Day in March; Easter in April… You get the idea. There’s always a time and place to decorate and celebrate. The novice ...Continue Reading -
Freezing Foods 101
September 14, 2015 Some of life’s most thought provoking and deeply philosophical questions are: Is it worse to fail at something or never attempt it in the first place? What is true happiness? What is the difference between living and being alive? And the question that is undeniably the most scratch-your-head perplexing of all…what foods can be put in the freezer? It seems logical that freezing food is the best way ...Continue Reading -
Grilling Do's and Don'ts
July 28, 2015 Don’t you just love spending your summer evenings sitting on the patio, sipping your favorite summertime beverage and enjoying a meal hot off the grill? The entire atmosphere of good friends and good food bolsters a kumbaya-esque kinship for the whole evening. But what if the chicken catches on fire and the hamburger patties are char-grilled into an unrecognizable blob? And all’s fine and dandy ...Continue Reading -
Grill Maintenance Tips
July 7, 2015 With regular grill maintenance, you can make sure that your next party on the patio will be a fun and safe summertime memory for all.Continue Reading -
How to Love Your Stainless Steel
June 8, 2015 Tired of the love-hate relationship you have with your stainless steel appliances? Mr. Appliance® has 4 easy-to-do tips that will help you fall in love with your stainless steel.Continue Reading -
Dryer Sheet Magic
May 27, 2015 The dryer sheet is no longer just for the laundry room. Mr. Appliance® is sharing our tips to dryer sheet magic around the entire house.Continue Reading -
To Dry or Not to Dry
April 28, 2015 Nothing can ruin your day more than pulling your brand new top out of the dryer, only to find…it shrunk. If you’ve experienced this one too many times, it may be time for a quick refresher on what types of clothing you should keep out of the dryer. First of all, always check the clothing care instructions on the label to find out if and how the item should be dried. When in doubt, it’s always ...Continue Reading -
How You Could Win Food Fighters with the Right Appliances
July 29, 2014 July 22nd is the series premiere of NBC’s Food Fighters. Doesn’t the mere name bring back memories of a good ol’, down-and-dirty cafeteria food fight where hotdogs are launched as missiles and pudding cups are used as booby traps to lure innocent victims to their demise? While watching a food-tossing food fight on TV may be captivating to some, Food Fighters is actually a legit competition between ...Continue Reading -
Five Kitchen Gadgets You Didn't Know You Needed
February 27, 2014 A cook is only as good as his or her tools. When whipping up meals in the kitchen, it’s always helpful to have the best tools of the trade, making creating gourmet meals nearly effortless. Mr. Appliance® works hard to maintain a high level of culinary knowledge, and is always on the lookout for ways to make life in the kitchen easier. Here are the top five kitchen gadgets that we feel have ...Continue Reading -
End the Frustration of Unloading Dirty Dishes: 5 Tips to Help Your Dishwasher Do its Best Work.
April 29, 2013 Do you have to wash your dishes more than once to get them clean? If so, your dishwasher may be slacking on its job, and there could be many possible reasons. Whether your old dishwasher just doesn’t clean like it used to, or you have a new dishwasher that doesn’t seem to have the cleaning power of your old one, you can increase the effectiveness of your dishwasher with these tips: Use appropriate ...Continue Reading -
How to Choose the Best Dishwasher
April 29, 2013 Buying a new appliance can be confusing and stressful. If you are unsure which features are necessary for your lifestyle, how do you get the most bang for your buck without overspending or under-compensating your needs? Choosing the right dishwasher model is largely dependent upon your lifestyle and size of residence. Check out the following key questions flowchart to help figure out what models ...Continue Reading -
Simple Solutions for Small Appliances
April 28, 2013 Clean Coffee Every morning give your awakening aroma a fresh start by eliminating leftover coffee residue and hard water deposits inside your coffee maker. To get rid of unsightly stains, inside of coffee pot, mix one part white distilled vinegar to two parts water. Pour into the reservoir and turn the coffee maker on. Let the mixture run through and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat the ...Continue Reading