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Why Your Next Refrigerator Should NOT Have an Ice-Maker

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If you are in the market for a new refrigerator, you have a lot of things to take into consideration. You must think about the appliance’s size, style, storage space, and energy efficiency. You also need to consider additional features such as touchscreens, temperature-controlled compartments, and ice dispensers. While all of these features seem like obvious benefits, one of them might actually bring some hidden drawbacks.

The downfall of ice dispensers

At first thought, ice dispensers are great, right? Who doesn’t want an on-demand supply of ice cubes available at the push of a button? Unfortunately, they are not as great as they sound. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Ice dispensers bring added costs. iStock_000075196475_SmallNot only will a refrigerator with a built-in ice dispenser have a higher price tag, but they create additional costs down the road too. You have to consider that your utility bill will go up due to an increased use of water, and you will periodically have to buy new filters.

  • Ice dispensers take away storage space. If you already have trouble fitting food into your freezer, an ice dispenser isn’t going to make things any better. Valuable storage space will need to be given up in order to accommodate an ice bin, which is something most people don’t realize until it’s too late.

  • Ice dispensers need to be repaired more. This is the biggest downfall of ice dispensers: they break down. According to Consumer Reports, refrigerators with ice dispensers break down at a higher rate than those without them, and the repairs tend to cost more. Is it really worth it?

New York residents can have peace of mind knowing that if their refrigerator does break down, help is just a phone call away with Speedy Refrigerator Service. With one-hour service to all of Long Island and New York City, don’t trust anyone else to fix your refrigerator, freezer, wine cooler, or ice maker. Give us a call at 866-782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment.

Easy DIY Solutions for a Warm Refrigerator

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The job of your refrigerator is quite simple: keep your food cold. However, how it gets the job done is actually a very complicated process.

Your refrigerator requires many pieces to work together in order to function properly, and if just one thing goes wrong, the whole unit will fail. If your fridge is too warm, try fixing it with these easy tips from Speedy Refrigerator Service.

Adjust the Thermostat

Almost every refrigerator comes with a thermostat, whether it is an adjustable knob or a digital screen. Sometimes, getting your refrigerator to cool down is as simple as adjusting the thermostat. Turn it down and wait 24 hours to see if your refrigerator’s temperature has dropped at all.

Check the Gasket

The gasket is the rubber seal on your refrigerator door and is responsible for forming an air-tight barrier. Just one small rip or tear in the gasket can cause your appliance to lose cold air, even when the door is shut. Closely examine your gasket for cracks, worn areas, or loose edges, and replace it immediately if you notice anything wrong.

Vacuum the Coils

The condenser coils are located on the back of most refrigerators and are responsible for releasing heat. Over time, these coils can become coated in a thick layer of dust, which hurts your refrigerator’s energy efficiency and ability to cool off. Clean your condenser coils twice every year by using the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Sometimes, a warm refrigerator isn’t always this easy to fix. Some issues, such as a malfunctioning compressor, should be left to the professionals. That’s where Speedy Refrigerator Service comes in.

If you have tried these solutions to no avail, it’s time to call in the experts. Speedy Refrigerator Service offers around-the-clock, 24/7 service to residents of Long Island and New York City. If your refrigerator, freezer, or ice maker breaks down, call us any time at 866-782-9376.

Common Refrigerator Mistakes

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For such a universal appliance, there are a lot of mistakes that people make when it comes to their refrigerator. Mistakes that can spike their electricity bill, compromise food safety, and cause their fridge to break down prematurely. Here are five of those mistakes that you should avoid making.

Mistake #1: Not cleaning the condenser coils.

If you asked everyone you know when was the last time that they cleaned their refrigerator’s condenser coils, the vast majority of them would probably say never. These coils are located on the back of your appliance and are known to collect dust, which can negatively affect your energy-efficiency. Clean them every six months using your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment.

Mistake #2: Letting frost build up.

If the inside of your freezer looks like an arctic snowstorm, it’s time to defrost it. When too much ice accumulates on the freezer walls, it can limit air flow in addition to reducing precious storage space.

Mistake #3: Neglecting the gasket.

The gasket is the rubber seal on your refrigerator door. It is responsible for creating an air-tight barrier that prevents cold air from escaping your fridge. Unfortunately, any loose edges, cracks, or tears in the gasket prevent it from doing it’s job, which ultimately increases the wear-and-tear on your appliance. Inspect your gasket every month to make sure all is well, and replace it immediately if you notice any problems.

Mistake #4: No method for stocking food.

When we get home from the grocery store and it’s time to unpack all of our food, many of us simply put it wherever it will fit. While this is a quick and easy method to stock your refrigerator, it’s not the best way. Where in the refrigerator you keep your food can impact how long is lasts, so be sure to stock smartly by following this advice.

Mistake #5: Not changing the water filter.

If your refrigerator has a water dispenser, make sure you are changing the filter in accordance with the manufacturers specifications. The older filters get, the less effective they are at removing impurities and bacteria from your drinking water.

Sometimes, these mistakes will cause your refrigerator to leak, make loud noises, or completely break down altogether. If you experience any of these problems, call the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. Our technicians have more than 75 years of experience repairing refrigerators and freezers all across Long Island. We guarantee one-hour service to Nassau and Suffolk County, so call us today at 866-782-9376.

How To Care For Your Refrigerator Gasket

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Young woman cleaning refrigerator

The gasket is the unsung hero of your refrigerator. It creates an air-tight seal between your fridge and the outside, keeping cold air in and warm air out. It is a key contributor to energy efficiency, but nobody pays attention to it until it breaks. If you want to make a change and show your gasket some love, here are a few ways you can do it.

Inspect it monthly.

Every few weeks, closely examine your gasket for cracks, loose edges, or signs of excessive wear. The gasket is usually the first component of a refrigerator to need replacement, and identifying it early can save you from a large spike in your electricity bill. Once there is even a small tear in the gasket, the air-tight seal is lost and warm air can enter your refrigerator when the door is shut.

Wipe it down with soap and water.

Just like anything else, your gasket gets dirty. Failure to clean it can lead to mold and mildew growth. Not only is this unsightly, it can be bad for your health and contaminate your food, too. Cleaning the gasket is simple, just wipe it down using a wet rag with a mild cleaning detergent.

Cover it in a thin coat of Vaseline.

Applying petroleum jelly to your refrigerator gasket can help tighten the seal and prevent it from cracking. Gaskets begin to dry out over time, which can lead to ripping and tearing. A thin layer of Vaseline every few months will help keep your gasket soft and elastic, prevent mildew growth, and strengthen the seal.

If your gasket does happen to break, the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can hook you up with a new one in no time! Our phone lines are open 24/7 and we guarantee one-hour service to New York City and Long Island, so call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

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One of the biggest interior design trends over the last 20 years is the rise of stainless steel appliances in the home. They are a beautiful centerpiece and can complement any kitchen, but they are also fingerprint magnets. Luckily for you, getting that shiny surface back only requires some dish detergent, olive oil, and a few minutes of your time.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Gather your supplies.

You will need an empty spray bottle, three microfiber cloths, some olive oil, and your dish detergent of choice.

Step 2: Combine dish detergent and warm water in the spray bottle.

A few drops of dish detergent will do the trick. Fill the rest with warm water and shake around until it suds up.

Step 3: Identify the direction of the grain.

Just like wood, stainless steel has a grain. Look closely at your stainless steel appliances for small striations that run either up-and-down or left-and-right. This is the grain.

Step 4: Spray the stainless steel with your cleaning solution.

Use a microfiber cloth to work the solution into the stainless steel appliance. Make sure to wipe in the same direction of the grain.

Step 5: Use a second microfiber cloth to dry the surface.

After you have removed all of the fingerprints and stains with the cleaning solution, use a new microfiber cloth to dry your appliance. Avoid using a paper towel, which can leave behind linty streaks.

Step 6: Polish with olive oil.

Your stainless steel appliance will be clean, but take an extra minute to really make it shine! Put a dab of olive oil on your third microfiber cloth, and spread it around until it covers the entire stainless steel surface. Then, buff the oil by moving the cloth in small, circular motions. Make sure to apply a substantial amount of pressure. Remove excess oil with a dry cloth.

No matter how clean your refrigerator is, it’s useless if it can’t keep your food cold. If your fridge just isn’t staying cool, call the repair experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service. We have over 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers in the New York City area. Call us any time at 866-782-9376.