Is Your Refrigerator as Clean as You Think It Is?

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When you think of the dirtiest areas in your home, you probably picture your toilet or bathtub. But have you considered your refrigerator?

If not, it’s time to start thinking about it. Better Homes & Gardens released a list of the top ten dirtiest areas in the home, and the refrigerator made the list. Twice.

Not only is the inside of your fridge covered in germs in bacteria, but so is the outside – particularly the handle, which is one of the most frequently touched surfaces in your home.

The most concerning part about this is that your fridge holds your food. The lack of sanitation in our refrigerators could help explain why nearly 50 million Americans experience food poisoning every year.

If you want to clean up your fridge, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Cleanings should be monthly. You should give your refrigerator a thorough cleaning every 2-4 weeks. Don’t cut any corners, either. Empty your fridge, wipe down all walls, shelves, and drawers with a soapy solution, and replace your food. Throw away anything which has expired.

  • Don’t forget the exterior. As mentioned earlier, the refrigerator handle can be just as dirty – if not dirtier – than the inside. Make sure to clean the handles and entire exterior with a disinfectant wipe.

  • Vacuum your condenser coils. This isn’t for sanitary reasons, but vacuuming your coils every six months helps reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of your appliance.

Speedy Refrigerator Service has been serving Long Island and New York City for over 75 years. Our technicians are fully licensed, insured, and prepared to fix any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler. Call us to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

The Difference Between “Best By”, “Sell By”, and “Use By” Expiration Dates

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If you’re a savvy food shopper, you probably look at a product’s expiration date before making a purchase. Over the years, you may have noticed some different verbiage on these dates such as “best by”, “sell by”, and “use by”.

To the untrained eye, all of these terms mean the same thing. In reality, they do not. These small, subtle changes in wording actually change the entire meaning of the date.

Here is what each type of date means, according to the Institute of Food Technologists…

Best By

This is more of a general guideline than it is a strict expiration date. It simply means that the product will taste its best if consumed before that date. Eating a food after its “best by” date won’t necessarily get you sick, but it might have a slightly different taste, color, or texture.

Sell By

This label is aimed at retailers to help them keep track of their inventory. Typically, one-third of a product’s shelf life remains after the “sell by” date, a time period in which it is completely safe for consumption.

Use By

“Use by” is the typical expiration date. Be wary about eating any food after its use by date – you could risk getting sick. It is important to note that the appearance/smell of a food isn’t always a good indicator of how safe it is to consume.

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Speedy Refrigerator Service provides same-day refrigerator and freezer repairs to Long Island and New York City. Our technicians are fully licensed and insured, and have the tools and experience needed to fix any make or model of refrigerator. Our phone lines are always open, so call us any time to schedule your appointment at 866-782-9376.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Refrigerator’s Condenser Coils

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Your condenser coils are an important part of your refrigerator, but how much do you know about them? In this article, the refrigeration experts at Speedy Subzero tell you everything you need to know about condenser coils, including what they do and how to maintain them.

What are they?

The condenser coils are long, winding tubes. They are located on the back of most refrigerators, although some newer models have started to place them underneath the appliance, behind the toe grill.

What do they do?

The condenser coils are responsible for cooling and condensing refrigerant as it flows through them. In order for this to happen, these coils release heat. For this reason, it is important that they have adequate ventilation.

How to care for them

Unfortunately, condenser coils are a magnet for dust, hair, and dirt. When too much debris accumulates on these coils, they can’t efficiently release heat, which causes two things to happen. Your refrigerator has to work harder than it was originally intended to, which shortens its lifespan and increases its energy consumption.

Save yourself money on your utility bill and prevent future breakdowns by cleaning your condenser coils every six months (more often than that if you have pets that shed – their fur clogs up these coils quickly). It only takes ten minutes, but can make a big difference. Here’s how:

  1. Unplug your refrigerator and slide it away from the wall.

  2. Locate the condenser coils – they will likely be on the back of the appliance or underneath it.

  3. Clean the coils using your vacuum cleaner – the brush and nozzle attachments work best. Be careful not to damage the coils or fins.

  4. Slide the refrigerator back into its place and plug it back into the outlet.

If your refrigerator does break down, help is just a phone call away with Speedy Subzero. Our technicians have been repairing refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers in New York for more than 75 years. If you live on Long Island or in New York City, call us to schedule your same day appointment at 866-782-9376.

3 Things to Know About Speedy Refrigerator Service

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Speedy Refrigerator Service has provided reliable, affordable refrigerator repairs to all of Long Island and New York City for more than 75 years. Here are a few things you may not have known about our company:

1.) We offer 24/7 emergency services.

Your refrigerator runs around the clock, and so do we. When your refrigerator breaks down, time is of the essence. Food will only last for a few hours in a warm fridge, so finding a fast repair service could be the difference between saving your food and throwing it away.

2.) We can fix any make or model of refrigerator.

It doesn’t matter what brand or model of refrigerator you have – if it’s broken, we can fix it. From Amana to Whirlpool, and everything in between, count on our certified technicians to get the job done right. It’s not just refrigerators either; we are also equipped to repair any type of freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler.

3.) We guarantee one hour service to New York City and Long Island!

Other appliance repair services might make you wait 24-48 hours before they show up at your home. Not Speedy Refrigerator Service. In fact, we will be at your door in one hour or less if you live in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, or Staten Island.

Looking for a fast, reliable, and affordable company to fix your fridge? Look no further than Speedy Refrigerator Service. With over 75 years serving Long Island and New York City, our experience speaks for itself. Call us anytime to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

5 Ways to Upcycle Your Old Refrigerator

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Once your refrigerator kicks the bucket, you may be tempted to throw it away. Don’t.

Not only do refrigerators take up massive amounts of space in a landfill, but they also contain toxic chemicals which can leak out and pollute soil and nearby bodies of water. Instead of tossing out your old refrigerator, turn it into something great. Here are a few ways you can upcycle your fridge:

1). Store your books, clothes, or food

Just because your refrigerator has lost its ability to keep cold, doesn’t mean it has lost its ability to act as a storage container. Take off the doors and use it as a bookshelf, or keep the doors on and turn it into an armoire or a standalone pantry.

2). Turn it into a cooler

Your refrigerator is well-insulated; use that to your advantage by turning it into a cooler. Just detach the doors, turn it on its side, fill it with ice, and voila – a place to keep your beer cold during your next party.

3). A bed for your flowers

Garden beds can cost upwards of $100, but if you have an old refrigerator, you already have one you can use for free. GeeksOfGardens.com gives you step-by-step instructions for turning your old refrigerator into a raised garden bed.

4.) Use it at your next BBQ

Believe it or not, refrigerators can easily be converted into meat smokers. Just cut a 6” hole near the bottom, attach a smoke box and seal it up, and add a vent at the top. The shelves are perfect for smoking ham, turkey, and salmon!

5). A scenic addition to your landscape

Do you dream of having a pond in your back yard? A broken refrigerator can help turn your dream into a reality. Just remove the compressor, refrigerant, doors, and shelves, bury what’s left, and add plumbing.

Looking for more ways to upcycle your refrigerator? Check out this list from Green Eco Services!

Before you go turning your refrigerator into a garden bed, make sure that it can’t be salvaged first. Speedy Refrigerator Service provides same-day refrigerator and freezer repairs to New York City and Long Island. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime to schedule your service at 866-782-9376.