Tag Archives: refrigerator service nyc

How to Fix a Frosty Freezer

Refrigerator Repair, , , , , , , , ,

iStock_000050962578_Medium

Does the inside of your freezer look like it was hit by a blizzard? Just follow the steps below to manually defrost your freezer, then find the cause of the problem to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

  1. Unplug the freezer from the electrical outlet.
  2. Remove all food and place it in a cooler or your second freezer to keep cool.
  3. For the quick method, melt the frost using a hair dryer on low heat. Make sure that the hair dryer doesn’t come in contact with any water, and don’t keep the nozzle pointed at one place for too long.
  4. For the longer method, line your freezer with towels and leave the door open overnight. The ice will eventually melt, and the towels will help prevent the water from leaking on to your floor.
  5. No matter which method you use, thoroughly dry the inside of your freezer with a clean towel in order to prevent mold.
  6. Plug your appliance back in and re-stock it with food.

Be advised that this method is only a band-aid approach. In order to prevent your freezer from frosting up again, you need to find the source of the problem. Here are a few common causes of frosty freezers:

  • Damaged gasket. The rubber gasket (or door seal) creates an airtight barrier between your fridge and the outside world. One small rip or tear in this seal can allow warm air to enter, even when the door is closed. The moisture from this warm air condenses and freezes, turning into frost.
  • Temperature set too low. Most freezers have an adjustable thermostat to control the temperature. Ideally, your freezer should be as close to 0° F as possible. Frost build up may indicate that your thermostat is set too low.
  • Freezer is too full. When your freezer is overfull, air can’t properly circulate, which causes frost to build up.

Can’t get your freezer to stay frost-free? The refrigeration experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can! Our licensed professionals have more than 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators and freezers in the NYC area. We guarantee one-hour service to New York City and Long Island! Call us anytime to schedule your same-day freezer repair at 866-782-9376.

How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

Cleaning & Organization Tips, , , , , , ,

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.

The Comprehensive Guide to Mold in Your Refrigerator

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

Nobody ever wants to find mold growing in their refrigerator, but it is bound to happen to some of us. This guide tells you everything you need to know about mold in your fridge; including where to look for it and how to kill it.

What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow virtually anywhere, indoors or outside. Mold spreads by reproducing microscopic spores. When humans come in contact with these spores, they can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, headaches, and respiratory infections.

Several thousands of different types of mold exist, ranging from green fuzz to black slime. All of them have one thing in common, though: you don’t want to find any of them growing in your refrigerator.

Why does mold grow in refrigerators?

Your refrigerator provides favorable conditions for mold to grow and reproduce. It is a dark environment with minimal air circulation and a lot of moisture (a key factor in mold growth). Some places that mold is known to grow in the refrigerator include:

  • Interior walls and shelves. Mold can grow anywhere on the inside walls or shelves of your refrigerator, especially if there is pooling water that isn’t immediately cleaned up.

  • On your food. If you have ever left something in the refrigerator for far too long, you have seen firsthand how mold can grow on your food.

  • On the gasket. The gasket, also known as the rubber door seal is a common hiding place for mold.

What do I do if there is mold in my fridge?

Don’t panic if you spot mold growing in your refrigerator. In most cases, it can safely be removed with a little bit of baking soda, warm water, and 20 minutes of your time. Just follow these steps:

  1. Remove all food from your refrigerator. Throw away any items that the mold has come in direct contact with, as well as any uncovered foods in close proximity. Unopened foods stored in airtight containers can safely be kept.

  2. In a bucket, combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water.

  3. Dip a clean cloth in the bucket, and begin wiping down all of your refrigerator’s walls, shelves, and drawers. Gently scrub these areas until all visible signs of mold growth are gone. As a precaution, also wipe the outside of food containers and plastic packaging.

  4. Pour out the baking soda solution, and refill the bucket with warm water.

  5. Using a new cloth, wipe down every surface that came in contact with the baking soda solution. Repeatedly dip the cloth in the warm water until there is no trace of baking soda in your refrigerator.

  6. Thoroughly dry the interior and replace your food.

Speedy Refrigerator Service provides same-day refrigerator and freezer repairs to the New York City area. Our technicians are fully licensed and insured, and we offer one-hour service to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

All About the Different Styles of Refrigerators

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

iStock_000054271084_Medium

If you are thinking about purchasing a new refrigerator for your home, one of the first things you will have to consider is style. Generally speaking, there are four different types of refrigerators: top freezers, bottom freezers, side by side, and French door.

Each of these styles offers its own unique set of pros and cons, which we will cover below.

Top Freezer

The top freezer layout is probably what you picture when you think of a refrigerator. In this style, the frozen food compartment sits atop the fresh foods section. It is the most common type of refrigerator.

Pros

  • Cheapest to buy and repair

  • Most usable space

Cons

  • Wide-swinging doors require more room to be opened fully

  • Less optional features than other styles

Bottom Freezer

The top freezer refrigerator flipped upside down. This model features the frozen food section at the bottom of the appliance, usually accessible via pull-out drawer.

Pros

  • Puts the fresh food section at eye level

  • Energy-efficient

Cons

  • More expensive than top freezer models

  • Have to bend down to access freezer

Side By Side

Side by side refrigerators are exactly what they sound like. Instead of being divided into a top and bottom section, they are split left and right with two doors that open from the middle.

Pros

  • Both fresh and frozen compartments are at a convenient height

  • Most freezer space

Cons

  • Less space in the fresh food section

  • Not energy-efficient

French Door

A hybrid of the bottom freezer and side by side styles. This three-door refrigerator has two fresh food doors at the top, and a pull-out freezer at the bottom.

Pros

  • Wide variety of available features

  • Narrow doors do not require much room to open

Cons

  • Most expensive style

No matter what type of refrigerator you have, Speedy Refrigerator Service can fix it. Our technicians are licensed and knowledgeable enough to fix any style, make, or model of refrigerator. If you live in New York City, Nassau County, or Suffolk County, and are experiencing fridge problems, call us any time at 866-782-9376.

How To Fix A Leaky Fridge

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

iStock_000010013454_Medium

Almost everything in your kitchen is prone to leaking – the sink, the dishwasher, even the refrigerator.

Fortunately for you, not all leaky refrigerators require expensive repairs. In fact, you can fix many leaks yourself by using the simple step-by-step instructions below.

Why is my refrigerator leaking?

Often times, when you notice water pooling in or around your refrigerator, it isn’t actually leaking. Refrigerators produce a large amount of condensation. When everything is working, this condensation runs down a drain tube into a drip pan under the appliance, where it evaporates unnoticed. However, when your fridge is “leaking”, it is likely that this water just isn’t draining properly.

This is primarily due to two reasons: a clogged drain tube or an unlevel refrigerator. Here is how to fix both.

How to fix an unlevel refrigerator

  1. Pull off the toe grille at the base of the refrigerator.

  2. Using a flathead screwdriver, adjust the legs until your refrigerator is even. Turning the screwdriver clockwise will raise the leg, counterclockwise will lower it.

  3. Use a level to make sure your refrigerator is even, and snap the toe grille back into place.

How to fix a clogged drain tube

  1. Unplug the refrigerator.

  2. Remove the crisper drawers from the unit. You should see the drain tube on the bottom of the back wall.

  3. A piece of ice is likely the culprit for the clog. Use a hair dryer to melt it, or poke it out with a Q-tip or a pipe cleaner.

  4. Flush the tube with warm water.

  5. Replace the crisper drawers and plug your refrigerator in.

Not all refrigerator leaks are so simple to fix – sometimes, you will need to call in a licensed professional. If you live in New York City, Nassau County, or Suffolk County, look no further than Speedy Refrigerator Service. We can fix any make or model of refrigerator and offer 24/7 emergency service. Call us any time at 866-782-9376.