Maintaining Your New Cooking Appliance

source: Jenn-Air

Doing some basic cleanup and maintenance on your cooking appliances will help keep them operating smoothly and looking good for many years. Always check the owner’s manual for tips and safe cleaning products. Here are some general tips to get you started:

• Wipe up spills on stovetops and in ovens as soon as possible with a non-abrasive cleaner. Check your owner’s manual for recommended cleaning products.

• If your range or cooktop surface is made of porcelain enamel, which many are, be careful when setting cold items on the surface if it is still hot as this may crack the enamel.

• Gas burners and grates can be removed for cleaning. Soak the grates in very hot water and detergent then scrub with a brush. A little ammonia may be added to the soaking solution if they are very greasy. Clean burners with a brush and rinse in hot water and allow them to dry before replacing them.

• Reflector bowls under burners may be taken out and washed in hot soapy water. Allow them to soak for several minutes to loosen heavy dirt and grease. For stubborn spots on chrome bowls and rings, use a paste of baking soda and water with a plastic mesh pad.

  Never put chrome bowls in the dishwasher or in a self-cleaning oven. Porcelain reflector bowls can be washed in either soapy water or in a dishwasher. Some porcelain reflector bowls can be cleaned in the self-cleaning oven but check with your manual first.

• Cleaning oven interiors is much easier than it used to be and should be done at least once a month. Most ovens today come with a self-cleaning feature when set, runs anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. This feature turns spills into ash making them easier to wipe away. Be sure to let the oven cool before wiping the interior.

  If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven then this task is a little more difficult. You’ll need oven cleaner, some rubber gloves and a lot of scrubbing power.

Warranties & Repairs

Manufacturers’ warranties are usually good for one year from the date of purchase for parts and labor. If you require repair, usually the manufacturer requires that repairs be completed by a designated service provider, so be sure to call the toll free number provided in your warranty documents. Also, some manufacturers and retailers offer extended warranties that you can buy if that gives you peace of mind.

If your appliance repair is no longer covered under warranty here are some online resources which offer DIY repair tips, replacement parts as well service referrals in your area.

RepairClinic.com
A great resource for trouble shooting and making repairs to your cooking appliance. Includes how to photos and videos as well repair parts.

AP Wagner
View some helpful tips on how to find the appliance repair help that you need in order to make the repair yourself.

Point & Click Appliance Repair
Find parts, DIY repair tips and service referral when your cooking appliance repair is just too much.

ServiceMagic.com
Get matched to prescreened appliance repair services in your area.