Month: September 2017

Ovens are a worthy investment that enables you to whip up some nice meals for your family and friends. There are numerous types in the market today due to the technological innovations that crop up by the day. You can choose one depending on the purpose for which you intend to use your oven. Some may need it for home baking, commercial baking, or even for both home and commercial use. The folks at Baltimore Used Appliances gave the following information. We thank them for their insights.

The different types of ovens fall under two main categories; gas and electric ovens. It is essential that you research well before purchase to find an oven that suits your needs. Some of the advanced features included in ovens today that make baking a more pleasant experience include;

Multi-level baking

Nowadays, you can bake several things at a time without worrying about mixing the tastes and the smell. This is enabled by the smart air distribution feature which ensures even baking on all levels. Therefore, you can cook multiple cookies, pizzas, etc., simultaneously. Some ovens have up to five levels of trays.

Timers

You don’t have to be in your house to bake a meal. These advancements now include timers which can be programmed to start and stop in your absence. It is very ideal and convenient for when you are out and about but still need to get some baking done. To read and program your oven, a digital display program may be of great help to you.

Energy efficient

Like all other electrical appliances, ovens are rated on an energy efficiency scale ranging from A to G. A worthy investment would be an A rated oven due to its environmentally friendly quality, which will consequently save you on energy use and electricity bills.

Self-cleaning ovens

There are two types of cleaning systems available; catalytic liners and pyrolytic cleaning systems. Catalytic liners break down the food spillage when the oven registers very high temperatures. This eliminates the need for you to scrub the oven walls.

The pyrolytic cleaning system, on the other hand, is a more advanced and thorough cleaning system. It works by cleaning every nook and corner of the oven, turning the dirt to ash, which is then simply brushed away. If your oven does not have both systems, ensure that it has a smooth enamel surface which resists food and fingerprint proof exteriors.

Fan-forced or Convection

Some ovens have fans which help with the even distribution of heat inside for even baking. This feature enables the oven to cook things more quickly.

These and more features will give your baking some edge and improve your skills; whether you are baking for fun over the weekend, or you are a professional chef.

If you are a homeowner, you are very familiar with the experience of broken down household appliances, sometimes even all together at once. To top it off, the timing is always wrong; perhaps you are in a rush to leave for work, you want to do the laundry, or worse still, you just want to whip up some nice dinner after a long day at work. In these kinds of emergency situations, you don’t have to rely on an expert; especially if it will mean waiting for long hours which will be a big inconvenience. Learning how to fix the issue yourself is also a sure way to save some bucks.

Most of us if not all, are completely clueless about how appliances work. Therefore, when it breaks down, we aren’t able to come up with a diagnosis and certainly can’t fix it. Some background information is relevant for an idea on how to go about repairing broken appliances.

Functioning of Appliances

Small appliances have a relatively simple system mostly comprising of a fan, a heating element, a set of blades or rotating beaters. Their mechanical linkages are quite simple, and so repair is not a big problem. Larger machines, on the other hand, have a more complex system which is mostly divided into mechanical components and control devices. This complexity makes it difficult to detect the source of the malfunction.

Take a dryer for instance; the mechanical components turn the drum while the control system regulates the heat. Therefore, if the drums don’t turn, you know you are dealing with a mechanical problem. If the dryer doesn’t heat, you know you are dealing with a control device problem. This is a good place to start as it narrows down your options.

Here are some tips on how to deal with some of your major appliances. Before you take your screwdriver and start tearing your machine apart, ensure you do the following;

1. Disconnect the gas and power supply before you start testing or trying to diagnose a problem.

2. If the parts are fastened together with bolts, screws, plugs, etc., you can proceed with the repairs. However, if rivets and welds have been used instead, seek services from a professional.

3. Replacement in most cases is a better option than repair. Make sure to get parts sold for that particular appliance; if possible, the exact brand. Substitution of other similar parts for when you cannot find the replica is also allowed. As long as it fits perfectly and you follow the instruction manual on installation.

4. Check if the appliance is properly plugged in and that the outlets are working properly.

5. Check for the circuit breakers to see if they have blown up or tripped. Make sure the fuses have not blown too.

6. Check for adequate water, power and gas supply for the appliances that apply.

7. Refer back to the instruction manual for a guide on installations and tackling common problems facing the machine.

One of the leading causes of breakdown for appliances may be something as simple as inadequate power supply. Make sure your devices are receiving enough power before embarking on any repairs. Different appliances will need different techniques but the systems that make up the machines are generally the same. DIY repairs are easier, more convenient and more economical.