6 Easy Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

With
the hot summer weather approaching, homeowners everywhere are looking
for ways to cut back on energy costs. While turning down the air
conditioner might be the first energy-saving method that comes to
mind, there are ways to reduce your consumption without sacrificing
your family’s comfort.
Here
are six easy ways to save energy in the kitchen.
Match the Pan Size to the
Burner
When
cooking on the stove top, always use a pan which is the same size as
the burner that you are cooking on. When a small pan is placed on a
big burner, as much as 50% of the energy could be put towards heating
your kitchen, not your food.
Stop Preheating the Oven
Many
professional cooks agree that preheating the oven is a useless
process for most recipes and wastes a significant amount of energy.
Put your food in the oven when you turn it on; it may take a few
minutes longer to cook, but you eliminate all the waiting time on the
front end.
Use Lids on Your Pans
Cover
all of your pots and pans with proper-fitting lids when you are
cooking on the stove top. Cooking without lids can use three times as
much energy!
Keep Your Microwave Clean
Keeping
the inside of your microwave oven clean is an effective way to reduce
how much energy it consumes. Old spills and food stains can absorb
energy waves, making it take longer to cook the food that you
actually want to eat.
Avoid Peeking in the Oven
While
cooking in the oven, it is tempting to peek in every-so-often and
take a look at your food; resist this urge. Every time you open the
oven door, hot air escapes. If your oven has a glass window, simply
turn on the light and look inside without opening the door.
Let Leftovers Cool Off
Don’t
put food in the refrigerator when it is still hot; it can warm up the
rest of the interior and cause the compressor to cycle on. Letting
your leftovers cool to room temperature before putting them in the
fridge will ensure your unit won’t have to work as hard.
If you
notice a spike in your electricity bill, your refrigerator could be
to blame. The average refrigerator can account for up to 10% of your
home’s energy bill, but if it is malfunctioning this number can be
much higher. If you suspect that your refrigerator is not operating
properly, give the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service a call at
866-782-9376. With over 75 years of experience, it is no wonder why
Long Island residents count on us to fix their refrigerators,
freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers. We are open 24/7/365, so call
us any time to schedule a same-day visit from one of our licensed
technicians.
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Speedy Refrigerator Service vs. The Other Guys

If your
refrigerator breaks down, who do you call? If you are on Long Island,
in New York City, or further upstate, chances are you will have a
variety of appliance repair services to choose from, but only one
company is the clear choice : Speedy Refrigerator Service.
Let’s
take a look at some of the key qualities you will have to consider
when searching for an appliance repair service, and how Speedy
Refrigerator Service stacks up against the other guys.

Availability
This is
the most important thing to consider when choosing a repair service:
will they be there when you need them?
  • At
    Speedy Refrigerator Service, our phone lines are open 24 hours a
    day, 365 days a year. Whether you need us late at night, on the
    weekend, or even on a holiday, we can provide unbeatable service. We
    also guarantee one-hour travel time to Long Island, New York City,
    New Jersey, and Connecticut.
  • With
    the other guys, who knows when they are there for you. Many
    appliance repair services are only open during regular business
    hours, and will charge you an arm and a leg extra for night or
    weekend visits.

 

Qualifications
You
don’t want to put the life of your appliance in the hands of just
anyone; you want a repair specialist that knows what he is doing,
with a proven track record to show for it.
  • At
    Speedy Refrigerator Service, we have over 75 years of experience
    repairing refrigerators in the tri-state area. All of our
    technicians are thoroughly trained, licensed in the state of New
    York, and carry valid insurance.
  • With
    the other guys, you may be opening your door to an unlicensed,
    uninsured worker with little-to-no experience.
Workmanship
When
your appliance gets fixed, will it stay fixed? Or will you find
yourself calling the repair service back in a week or two?
  • At
    Speedy Refrigerator Service, our technicians are knowledgeable
    enough to fix any make or model of refrigerator, freezer, ice maker
    or wine cooler. We are so confident in our repairs that we
    personally stand behind all of our work!
  • With
    the other guys, you may be settling for a short-term, low-quality
    repair job that will only lead to more issues further down the road.
When
you do the comparison, there is no comparison – Speedy Refrigerator
Service is New York’s best choice for appliance repair. Call now to
schedule a same-day appointment in the comfort of your own home, just
dial 866-782-9376.
Hand Opening Fridge Door | Refrigeration Service Nassau County

Refrigerator Maintenance Routine

If you
have recently taken a trip to the appliance store, you know that
refrigerators are no small purchase. If you have a new refrigerator,
or even if you have an old one, you are probably looking to maximize
your investment by making it last as long as possible.
Just
like anything else, your refrigerator will run better and last longer
when it is properly maintained. If you don’t know how to start caring
for your fridge, just follow this simple maintenance routine.
On a daily basis…
  • Keep your fridge
    well-stocked.
    Refrigerators
    perform best when they have a lot of thermal mass – a.k.a. a lot
    of stuff inside of them. A well-stocked fridge will better maintain
    its temperature when the door is opened, thus reducing the workload
    on the compressor.
  • Avoid keeping the
    door open.
    Every time you open
    the door, as much as 50% of the cold air inside your refrigerator
    escapes. Minimizing how many times you open your refrigerator and
    how long you keep it open for will keep your energy bills down and
    extend the lifespan of your appliance.
On a monthly basis…
  • Give your
    refrigerator a deep cleaning.
    Every
    month, give your refrigerator a deep cleaning to keep it looking
    like new. This involves removing all food, shelves, and drawers and
    giving the entire interior a wipe down with a soapy rag.
  • Moisturize the
    gaskets.
    The rubber seals
    located along the edge of your refrigerator and freezer doors are
    known for drying out and cracking. When this happens, warm air from
    the outside can enter into your fridge, even when the door is
    closed. Prevent this from happening to you by applying a thin layer
    of Vaseline to your gaskets once per month.
Every six months…
  • Vacuum the condenser
    coils.
    The condenser coils are
    a key player in the energy-efficiency of your refrigerator. They are
    located on the back of most units, and can accumulate a thick
    coating of dust and pet hair if they aren’t cared for. Clean these
    twice per year using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
  • Change your water
    filter.
    If your fridge has a
    water dispenser, its filter will need to be routinely changed to in
    order keep your drinking water pure and bacteria-free. Most
    manufacturers recommend changing these every six months, but it is
    best to refer to your owner’s manual for instructions specific to
    your model.
Neglecting
these basic needs for your refrigerator can lead to all sorts of
problems. If your fridge is on the fritz, don’t head to the appliance
store just yet; you may be able to repair yours for a fraction of the
cost of a new model. If you live in New York City, Long Island, New
Jersey, or Connecticut and are experiencing refrigerator trouble,
give Speedy Refrigerator Service a call at 866-782-9376. We guarantee
that we will be at your door within one hour of your call and we
complete most repairs same-day in the comfort of your own home. Our
phone lines are open 24/7/365, so just call 866-782-9376 at any time
to schedule a visit from one of our licensed technicians.
Technician Fixing Fridge | Suffolk County Refrigeration Service

How to Troubleshoot a Leaky Refrigerator

Leaks
in the kitchen can come from anywhere – your sink, dishwasher, and
even your refrigerator. Luckily for you, refrigerator leaks usually
don’t require a visit from a
plumber. In fact, most incidents of leaky fridges are caused by one
of three things, all of which can easily be fixed without
professional help.
Follow
the steps below to troubleshoot and fix your leaking refrigerator.
Cause
1: Uneven Refrigerator
If
your refrigerator is leaning forward, water cannot properly flow into
the drain and will instead leak out of the bottom of the unit. If
your refrigerator is uneven, you can easily level it by following
these steps:
  1. Have
    a helper tilt the refrigerator back
  2. Use
    a flathead screwdriver to adjust the legs – turning it clockwise
    will raise the unit and counterclockwise will lower it.
  3. Adjust
    the necessary legs until the unit is completely level.
Cause
2: Clogged Drain Tube
If
you own an auto-defrosting refrigerator, it is likely that the drain
tube is clogged by a piece of ice or some other debris. Here’s how to
unclog it:
  1. Unplug
    the refrigerator from the wall and remove the crisper drawers. You
    should see the drain tube.
  2. Use
    a hair dryer to melt any ice which is causing the blockage. If it
    isn’t ice, insert a pipe cleaner or cotton swab into the tube to
    remove the clog.
  3. Flush
    the drain tube with warm water.
  4. Replace
    the drain tube and crisper drawers, and plug your refrigerator back
    in.
Cause
3: Cracked Drip Pan
The
drip pan is located underneath the refrigerator and collects water
from the drain tube until it evaporates. If the drip pan is cracked,
this water will leak out from under your refrigerator onto your
floor. To fix this:
  1. Remove
    the toe grille from the bottom of your refrigerator.
  2. Locate
    and remove the drip pan. It should easily slide out.
  3. Inspect
    it for any cracks or holes which would allow water to escape. If it
    is damaged, replace immediately.
  4. Insert
    the drip pan and snap the toe grille back into place.
If
you have tried all of these steps and your refrigerator is still
leaking, it is time to call the professionals. If you live on Long
Island, a properly-working fridge is just a phone call away with
Speedy Refrigerator Service. Our technicians are fully licensed and
insured, plus we provide same-day repairs in the comfort of your own
home. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so give us a call anytime at
866-782-9376.
Person Drinking Wine | Speedy Refrigerator Service

How to Taste Wine: A Beginner’s Guide

With
the weather warming up, more and more people are visiting local
wineries and vineyards. If you are just a casual wine drinker who
will soon be experiencing their first wine tasting session, don’t be
afraid; just follow the steps below and you’ll be tasting like a pro
in no time!
  1. Pour
    the wine into a clean, clear wine glass.
  2. Holding
    the glass by the stem, look at the wine against a white background.
    The color, clarity, and opacity of a wine can hint at its age and
    taste.
  3. Swirl
    the wine in the glass to help release its aromas. Tilt the glass
    towards your nose and take a deep sniff. Advanced wine tasters will
    be able to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary aromas; just
    try to see if you can identify any particular scents or ingredients.
  4. Take
    a sip of the wine. Swish it around the entire inside of your mouth
    before swallowing in order to properly expose all of your different
    taste centers.
  5. Form
    an opinion about the wine, but don’t share it until everyone has had
    a chance to do the same. Pay particular attention to the initial
    taste of the wine, how it evolves, and the finishing taste.
  6. Repeat
    these steps as desired for different wines.
Additional tips
  • Avoid
    wearing cologne or perfume to the wine tasting, it could interfere
    with the aromas of the wine and disrupt your sense of smell.
  • If
    the hundreds of aromas are overloading your nose, neutralize it by
    smelling your forearm.
  • Don’t
    get too intoxicated at a wine tasting, it can diminish your sense of
    taste. Spit the wine out if necessary.
  • Don’t
    be afraid to ask the winemaker questions about their wine, vineyard,
    tasting procedures, or anything else. You want to have fun and
    learn!
If you
keep several bottles of wine in your home, you might store them in a
wine cooler. If your wine cooler was to malfunction and the
temperature were to rise, it wouldn’t be long before the taste and
the integrity of the wine was permanently altered. If this happens to
you, call on the services of Speedy Refrigerator Service. With 24/7
emergency services, we can be at your door within an hour of your
call. We cover Long Island, New York City, New Jersey, and
Connecticut so give us a call at 866-782-9376.