How To Keep Your Food & Dairy Fresh For Longer

Food Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fresh Food In Garbage Can To Illustrate Waste

Did you know that 40% of all food in America goes uneaten? Whether it’s tossed out or left to rot, we are wasting billions of dollars worth of food every year. Some sources estimate that as much as 20 pounds of food per person is wasted every month!

One of the biggest reasons for this waste is the improper storage. Use these tips after your next trip to the grocery store to keep your food fresh for longer and reduce your waste:

  • Save the bottom shelf for foods susceptible to spoiling. The bottom shelf is generally the coldest spot in your refrigerator. Reserve this area for items that expire quickly, such as raw meats and dairy products.

  • Reserve the door for condiments and bottled water. Every time you open your refrigerator door, the ambient air of the kitchen warms up the items stored on it. These temperatures often reach 40° or higher, so save this space for items resistant to spoiling, such as condiments and bottled water.

  • Get your food to the fridge as soon as possible. The longer refrigerated food sits at room temperature, the quicker it goes bad. Do everything you can to get your food back into the refrigerator as soon as possible after buying it from the store. This includes doing things like putting refrigerated items in your cart last, and going straight home from the market.

  • Keep your fruits and vegetables separated. Most refrigerators come with two independent crisper drawers – one for your fruits, and one for your vegetables. It is wise to keep them separated. This is because most fruits produce ethylene as they ripen, a gas which causes most vegetables to spoil.

  • Make sure your refrigerator is at the right temperature. In order to keep your food fresh for as long as possible, it is important that your refrigerator is set to the right temperature. The optimal temperature range is between 34-38° F, anything higher than that promotes bacteria growth.

Are you noticing that all the food in your refrigerator is going bad before its expiration date? It could be due to a temperature malfunction. If you live on Long Island or in New York City, call the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We can repair any make or model of refrigerator, and guarantee one-hour service. Call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

5 Signs Of A Good Refrigerator Repair Service

Refrigerator Repair, , , , , ,

iStock_000034881278_Medium

Is your refrigerator running? If not, you better get it fixed!

Finding a quality refrigerator repair service isn’t always easy, especially if there are many options to choose from in your area. Here are some qualities to look for that separate the good from the bad.

1. Licensed & Insured
When searching for a refrigerator repair service, you always want to pick one that is properly licensed and insured. Licensing shows that they are qualified to perform the job at hand, and insurance protects you from being held personally liable for any accidents that may happen.

2. Years of Experience
When it comes to experience, more is always better. A repair service with decades of experience has a proven track record of successful repairs and excellent customer service – after all, they’ve managed to stay in business so long for a reason.

3. Knowledgeable Technicians
You want repair technicians who know what they are doing. Look for terms such as “trained”, “licensed”, or “certified” on their advertisements or website. If a company claims that they repair all makes and models, this is a good sign as well.

4. Warrantied Repairs
The last thing you want to do after calling a refrigerator repair service is to call them again because you have another problem. If a company doesn’t stand behind their work, how can you trust them?

5. Around-the-Clock Service
Your refrigerator runs around-the-clock; you want a repair service that will do the same. Nights, weekends, or holidays, a good repair service will be there for you no matter what.

Speedy Refrigerator Service has 75 years of experience repairing refrigerators and freezers in the New York City area. Our licensed technicians can repair any make or model of refrigerator, and we always stand behind our work. Our phone lines are always open, so call us any time at 866-782-9376.

A Simple DIY Tune-Up For Your Refrigerator

Cleaning & Organization Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hand with rubber glove and cloth cleaning refrigerator shelf concept for hygiene

When it comes to keeping your refrigerator running, a little bit of maintenance can go a long way. You can not only extend the lifespan of your appliance, but also improve it’s energy efficiency with this simple DIY tune up.

Step One: Clean the interior.
A clean refrigerator starts with the inside. Remove all food items from your refrigerator and thoroughly wipe down the interior walls, shelves, and drawers. Discard any expired food items and restock your fridge. This will help prevent bacteria growth and unpleasant odors.

Step Two: Vacuum the condenser coils.
The condenser coils are located on the back of most units. These long, windy tubes are responsible for releasing heat. When they are coated in dust, they cannot effectively do this, and your refrigerator will suffer. Clean these coils using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Step Three: Clean and lubricate the gasket.
The rubber door seal (known as the gasket) is usually one of the first components to break on most refrigerators. Inspect yours for cracks, holes, and loose edges. If you notice any of these signs, replace the gasket immediately. Otherwise, wipe it down with a soapy cloth and apply a thin layer of Vaseline to prevent it from drying out.

Step Four: Replace the water filter.
When was the last time you replaced your water filter? A dirty filter can lead to dirty water and ice. Not only does it taste bad, you could be exposing yourself to harmful bacteria. Changing the filter is an easy process; refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions for your model.

This routine should be performed every 3-6 months for a healthy, happy refrigerator!

Speedy Refrigerator Service provides in-home refrigerator repairs and tune ups to residents of Long Island and New York City. We specialize in all makes and models of refrigerators, freezers, wine coolers, and ice makers. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime to schedule an appointment at 866-782-9376.

Tips For A Long-Lasting Ice Machine

Refrigerator Repair, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

iStock_000036310046_Medium

Ice makers are a modern kitchen convenience, whether they are standalone or built right into your refrigerator. Unfortunately, these machines are also susceptible to breakdowns. On the bright side, many of them can be prevented by practicing good habits, such as the ones listed below.

Clean the water filter.
Your ice machine has a water filter that allows it to produce clear, tasty ice. If you don’t change the filter, it can become clogged with debris. This will reduce its effectiveness and lead to cloudy, bad-tasting ice cubes. For your health and good-quality ice, you should change your filter every six months. Refer to your owners manual for specific instructions for your unit.

Keep away from heat sources.
Ice makers are notorious for overheating. In fact, this is the leading cause of all breakdowns. Prevent this from happening by keeping yours away from heat-generating sources. These include the stove, grills, toaster ovens, and clothes dryers. You should even try to keep your ice maker out of direct sunlight if possible.

Periodically inspect supply line.
A small crack or tear in your water supply line could result in a very big, expensive problem. One of the most common issues with ice makers is burst pipes, many of which can be prevented by visual inspection. If you notice any cracks or excessive wear and tear in your water supply line, replace it immediately.

If your ice maker breaks down, call the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. For 75 years, we have provided refrigerator, freezer, and ice maker repair to Long Island and New York City. We can fix any make or model, so give us a call to schedule your in-home repair at 866-782-9376.

3 Ways to Safely Defrost Your Foods

Food Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you’ve got some frozen beef or chicken that you need to defrost before dinner, do not leave it out on the countertop. While this is a relatively quick and effective way to defrost your food, it is unsanitary and can lead to illness. Instead, use one of these three methods, which have all been deemed safe by the USDA.

1. In the refrigerator.

This is by far the safest method of defrosting foods, although it is also the slowest. The key to this method is to plan ahead – remove your burgers or chicken breasts from the freezer 24 hours prior to cooking. Bigger items, such as a Thanksgiving turkey, may require one day of defrosting for every five pounds of weight.

2. In cold water.

This method is much quicker than the refrigerator, with the ability to defrost most smaller food portions in an hour or less. Place your frozen food in a leak-proof bag and submerge it in a bowl of cold tap water. Never use warm or hot water, which can allow bacteria to grow on the outer layer of your food. The downside to this method is that you must replace the water in the bowl every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold.

3. In the microwave.

As you can probably guess, microwave thawing is the quickest option. Set your microwave to “defrost” mode, or about 50% power. After defrosting in the microwave, it is essential that you cook the food immediately after, since the microwave already starts the cooking process and bacteria begins to grow.

Speedy Refrigerator Service provides refrigerator and freezer repair to New York City, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. We guarantee one-hour service to these areas and can fix any make or model of appliance. Call us any time to schedule your in-home appointment at 866-782-9376.