Tag Archives: refrigerator tips

Refrigerator Storage Hacks

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Refrigerator full of food close up

Do you struggle to fit all of your food in your refrigerator? You’re not alone. Most of us don’t have a real organization system for our fridge. Luckily, Speedy Refrigerator Service is here to help you maximize your storage space. Just follow these tips:

Rearrange your shelves.

Most refrigerators come with adjustable shelves – use these to your advantage to fit oversized or oddly-shaped items. You most likely buy the same types of food more often than not, so taking the time to rearrange your shelves once can make storage easier for years to come.

Opt for square, stackable containers.

Many of us utilize containers to store leftover food, but did you know that circular ones waste room because they don’t have corners? To maximize storage space in your refrigerator, use square or rectangular containers which can easily be stacked atop one another.

Know what doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

The easiest way to store more food in your refrigerator is by making more room. The easiest way to do this is by removing food which doesn’t need to be there. Many foods, such as bread and apples for example, are commonly stored in the refrigerator when they don’t need to be. Check out this list to see if you are keeping unnecessary foods in your fridge.

Regularly clean out your refrigerator.

This goes hand-in-hand with the last point about making more room. If you aren’t routinely cleaning out your refrigerator, you could be wasting space by storing items that have already expired. A good refrigerator cleaning routine involves removing all food from the fridge and wiping down the interior. Replace the food while throwing out any items that may have spoiled since your last cleaning.

Speedy Refrigerator Service is a New York-based refrigerator repair company. We have more than 75 years of experience fixing refrigerators and freezers across Long Island and New York City. Call us at 866-782-9376 to schedule your same-day appointment with one of our licensed technicians.

5 Refrigerator Commandments

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5 Refrigerator Commandments

If you want to keep your refrigerator clean, energy efficient, and running for a long time, just follow these five commandments from Speedy Refrigerator Service:

1). Thou shall vacuum thy condenser coils.

The condenser coils have a huge impact on the energy efficiency of your refrigerator, yet they are still neglected by most people. Clean them using the brush attachment on your vacuum every six months to keep your fridge running efficiently and extend its lifespan.

2). Thou shall practice safe food storage.

The biggest rule you need to know for safe refrigerator food storage is that your fridge should consistently be between 34-38° F. Some areas – such as the door – can get warmer than others, so you should stock your items accordingly. Here is the best way to stock your refrigerator.

3). Thou shall pay attention to the gasket.

The gasket, also known as the rubber seal around your refrigerator door, creates an airtight barrier between the inside of your refrigerator and the kitchen. One small rip or loose edge in the gasket can allow warm air to enter when the door is closed, so it is important to inspect it for damage every 4-6 weeks.

4). Thou shall not overstock or understock thy refrigerator.

The amount of food you keep in your refrigerator can impact its energy efficiency. When there is too little food, your refrigerator loses more cold air when the door is opened due to the lack of thermal mass. On the other hand, when there is too much food in the refrigerator, air can’t properly circulate and warm spots can be created.

5). Thou shall clean thy refrigerator monthly.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, but the refrigerator is one of the biggest bacteria hotspots in the home. Keep it tidy and limit germs by giving it a thorough cleaning every month that includes emptying the fridge of its contents and wiping all walls, shelves, and drawers with a disinfecting wipe.

Even if you follow these rules to a T, your refrigerator could still break down. Luckily for you, the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service can get you back up-and-running within 24 hours. If you live in New York City or Long Island, call us to schedule your same-day appointment at 866-782-9376.

How to Fix a Frosty Freezer

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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.

What Temperature Should Your Refrigerator Be?

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Refrigerator thermometer inside the top shelf of a cool food storage fridge to make sure perishables are kept safe and cold enough.

We know that refrigerators are supposed to keep our food cold, but how cold is cold enough? If your fridge is too warm, your food will spoil, and if it’s too chilly, it will freeze. The key is finding an optimal temperature range, but not everyone knows what that is. Fortunately for you, the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service are here to help – read below for all of the answers to your temperature-related questions.

 

What is the best temperature for your refrigerator?

According to scientists, bacteria growth rates spike at about 40° F, which is why this temperature range is considered to be the “danger zone” for food. On the other side of the spectrum, water freezes at 32°. For these reasons, the optimal temperature range for your refrigerator is between 34-38°.

 

How do I know if my refrigerator is at the right temperature?

Like anything else, the easiest way to measure the temperature of your refrigerator is with a thermometer. Some models have these built in, but if yours doesn’t, don’t worry. You can find thermometers made specifically for your refrigerator online or at a local retail store. Once purchased, set the thermometer on different shelves to make sure the temperature is consistent throughout your whole refrigerator.

 

Do you have any tips for keeping a consistent temperature?

If you find that you are having trouble keeping your refrigerator’s temperature consistent, these tips will make the job easier:

  • Open your refrigerator door less. If you are cooking a meal that requires multiple ingredients from your fridge, take them all out in one trip. Avoid keeping the door open for long periods of time.

  • Vacuum the condenser coils. These are located on the back of the unit and release heat. If they are coated in dust, warm air can’t escape and your refrigerator has to work harder to keep cool.

  • Make sure the seal is not damaged. The rubber seal on your door forms an air tight barrier. Just one small crack or loose edge can allow cold air to escape your fridge, even when the door is shut.

 

If your refrigerator is too warm, trust the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service to keep it cool. As New York’s premier fridge repair service, we have all the tools and experience needed to fix any make or model of refrigerator. Our phone lines are open 24/7, so call us anytime 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.