3 Tips for Getting Appliances Ready for the Holidays

Hosting your family for the holidays is a cherished tradition for many. Getting to see your loved ones gather under your roof, laughing and eating, enjoying one another’s company can keep one’s spirits up during the coldest months of the year. That being said, nothing is worse than having an unexpected appliance malfunction at a critical moment when your loved ones’ comfort and merriment is at stake. If you are planning to host loved ones this holiday season, read on for tips for getting appliances ready for the holidays.

Clean and Prep the Oven

It is likely that no single appliance will get more of a workout over the holidays than your oven.  No matter what the cuisine of choice in your household, the oven will probably be needed to cook part or all of the meal, or at the very least keep prepared food warm until serving time.  Taking time to perform a thorough inspection of the inside of your appliance should help you spot areas of buildup that you may otherwise miss.

Ovens should be cleaned at least twice a year, and more frequently if you use this appliance regularly. Many homeowners do not realize that their ovens have a self-cleaning feature; check the owner’s manual to see if yours does. If not, there are many spray-on cleaners that allow you to simply spray the interior of the oven, let it sit for some time, and then easily wipe away burnt food and other dirt and debris.  Over time, as the burnt remains of meals past continue to reheat and thus reburn, the efficiency of your oven can become compromised.

Clean and Prep your Dishwasher

If you are hosting family and friends for the holidays, you are likely planning to bring out the fine dinnerware. After all, this isn’t typically an occasion for paper cups and plates! If you have a dishwasher, do your future self a favor and ensure this appliance is in clean and working order before your holiday guests arrive.

Start by cleaning the dishwasher’s drain of debris. Larger pieces can usually be removed by hand. For smaller particles, you may need to reference your appliance’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to remove any protective coverings and access the main drain component. As a preventative measure, rinsing dishes quickly in the sink prior to loading the dishwasher can help the appliance run more efficiently and avoid drainage backups. If you do this, just make sure to use a kitchen sink strainer to catch those pieces of food, or you will simply end up with the same problem but in a different location!

Dishwashers operate by spraying water out of the spinning arm in the appliance.  If this arm becomes clogged, the appliance cannot operate properly. Using an acid-based cleaning agent such as white vinegar or citric acid can help alleviate this problem. Not sure where to find citric acid in the store? Some readers are surprised to discover that drink mix products such as Tang or Country Time Lemonade actually contain the citric acid needed to clean the dishwasher effectively!

Make Room in your Fridge

Another appliance star of holiday hosting is the refrigerator. Before you go grocery shopping to prepare that holiday feast, do a thorough clean out of your refrigerator and freezer. Throw out old and expired food, wash containers that have been hiding in the back for months, then clean the shelves and drawers. To do this, remove all food from the refrigerator, unplug the appliance, and clean all surfaces from the top down with a vinegar/water solution (warm water works best) and a scrubbing sponge. If your fridge is like most, this will require some elbow grease but wait until you see the results!

A certain degree of “what if” thinking is typically a good thing when planning to host for the holidays. The three appliances discussed in this guide should be on your mind when preparing for holiday gatherings. With a little bit of forethought and preparation, your guests will be in for a holiday celebration they will remember forever.

For professional help with any and all appliance issues, call Diamond. We are the greater St. Louis area’s favorite appliance repair experts and we are here to help you get ready for the holidays.