November 2011 - Thyme and Place Design

Avoiding Holiday Entertaining Meltdown

Pre-season TLC for your appliances

Imagine:

At post-party cleanup time, you load the dishwasher with the first set of dishes, push the button to start, and all you get is an error code.
You open your dishwasher and wonder . . . what's that awful smell?
Your chilled appetizers come out of the refrigerator lukewarm.
You have to light your stove with a match because the burners are clogged.
You set your oven to preheat and the house fills with smoke.
Your guests are about to arrive, but you can still smell the fish you cooked two nights ago.

Whether your holiday food fare involves elaborate entertaining or meals on the run, the last thing you need is a grumpy appliance that's not doing its job properly. So we gathered some easy-to-implement ways to keep your appliances in a jolly, holiday mood.

Dishwasher Care

Some dishwasher manufacturers, such as Miele, have a built-in soft food grinder that breaks down food particles left on the dishes. For dishwashers that don't have this feature, it's easier on the appliances if food scraps are removed before loading.

Periodically inspect the door seal to make sure it is clean and in good condition. When water or dirt builds up on the seal, it can cause mold which is difficult to get rid of. A loose or broken seal should be replaced, as it can lead to unwanted leaks.

Dishwashers benefit from a routine interior wash with special scale-reducing solutions sold for this purpose. It keeps all parts working properly.

Built-in Sub Zero Refrigerators

The condenser should be vacuumed every 3 - 6 months, sooner if you have pets. A dirty condenser can lead to warm temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer, contribute to condensation or frost inside the compartments, or even cause premature failure of the mechanical components.

Also be sure to replace the air purification cartridge and the water filter cartridge as soon as the indicator for each is flashing on the control center display.

Ovens and Cooktops

Don't let food with high sugar or acid content sit on any porcelain enamel surface, be it oven interior or cooktop. This can result in a permanent dull spot. To avoid chipping or crazing (hairline cracks), wait until the surface is cool to wipe up spills.

Stubborn, burnt-on spills can create smokey conditions. To avoid this, remove any baked on foods by gently lifting them off with a razor blade. As an alternative, clean the interior with mild dish detergent and water, using a soft cloth or no-scratch pad. Run your oven's self clean cycle, and then wipe away any residue once it's cooled.

It's important to clean your cooktop burner rings and caps regularly. When they are cool, use a mild detergent or spray degreaser. Then rinse and towel dry. Don't forget to blow out the holes to remove debris or excess detergent. This will keep your burners lighting smoothly.

Ventilation Hood Filters

Filters should be cleaned once a month. To remove them from the hood, push towards the back of the hood and rotate downward. Filters can be put in the dishwasher or hand cleaned using mild detergent or a spray degreaser. Wait until the filters are dry before replacing them in the hood. Always operate the hood with the filters in place.

If you've cleaned the hood, but the odor still lingers, leave a bowl of white vinegar sitting in your kitchen overnight.