Maytag Gas Cooktops

Grills, especially gas grills, are an equipment to be used with caution and care, as they may just put you in danger. Most of the times, fires are started by gas tanks of such grills.

No further than November 17, a fire devastated the back porch of a house. It was started from a debris fire that was not completely extinguished and came dangerously close to three propane tanks for a gas grill that Robert Delphia was keeping on the porch. The pressure relief valve on one of the tanks activated, resulting in a loud noise that was initially described as an explosion, but the tanks did not explode. Fortunately, the incident ended quickly without victims or injuries, as the fire was noticed and reported in an incipient stage by the Police Officer on patrol.

This was a case of external ignition factor, but there are many reported cases when fire is started as a result of manufacturing flaws. Thus, although confined within manufacturing standard limitations, there are still reported cases of home accidents occurring because of manufacturing problems.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission receives reports of such accidents or malfunction cases that might endanger the user, analyzes the situation and may decide to recall dangerous products. These are some examples of recalled grills and their producers:

* Jenn-Air Downdraft Gas Cooktops produced by Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa.

o November 18: 1,170 units were recalled.

o Cause: switches are located too close to the gas tubing that leads to the grill burner. The produced electrical arch represents a fire hazard.

o Reports: 4 reports – fire catching during use as a result of a gas leak, no injuries.

* Five-burner Vermont Castings barbeque grills produced by CFM Corporation, Canada.

o November 10: 12,500 units were recalled.

o Cause: gas leak and fire hazard.

o Reports: 38 reports – gas leaks, but no injuries or property damage.

* Beefmaster Explorer Outdoor Gas Grill produced by Nexgrill Industries, Inc., of Walnut, Los Angeles County.

o October 21: 10,000 units were recalled.

o Cause: when adjusting the gas pressure regulator the label on the valve can become positioned so consumers cannot see what it indicates, thus it could be left on by mistake.

o Reports: 2 reports – gas leaks but no injuries or property damage.

And these are only few of the dangerous products reported lately. A little too many, aren’t they? So, how come that so many inappropriately manufactured products get to reach the stores and finally the consumers?

Oops, it’s happened again, the Chicago land flooding that is. With the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, or more commonly known as the Chicago Deep Tunnel, still under construction (full completion not anticipated until 2019), many home owners with basements and crawlspaces below the ground level received much more water than the sump pumps could handle. Those without the flood insurance in place, finished basements, or even just appliances installed in the basement or crawlspace areas suffered the most.

There are a few home appliances that, because of their large size, are usually installed directly on the floor surface. With the basements and crawlspaces that are subject to flooding, such installations become very risky, and it would probably make sense to either elevate those appliances on some kind of a platform or relocate them to the first floor to prevent the possibility of flooding.

Some or all of the electrical and gas components (depending on the design) in water heaters, furnaces, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, etc. are located in the lower part of the appliance enclosure. Often, even just a few inches of water might compromise those parts, making the operation of the appliance hazardous.

Yes, you’re right: this may not happen. Just like the cell phone you’ve dropped into the sink, and after a few days of drying, it started operating again. But you’ve lost warranty on it now – cell phone manufacturers will have proof because there is a little sensor inside the phone which changes color after being exposed to moisture.

Flooded home appliances are unlikely to have such sensor, but because their electrical and gas components have been designed to operate in a dry environment, submersing them under water might cause unexpected problems, eventually leading to electrical shock and / or gas explosion. It’s just like with a flooded car, even if it runs for a while, its electrical wiring and other components will start corroding and deteriorating, eventually causing the car to stop running, possibly even start a fire. It might happen after a week, month or even a year.

When you see “have it replaced “ in the listings below, it applies to the whole appliance, and not just the parts. In many cases it might actually be cheaper to install a new appliance than have all the compromised parts replaced.

Flooded gas water heater – if the water level reaches the burner or gas regulator / temperature control – have it replaced. Moisture might cause corrosion of those parts and create hazardous conditions, including gas explosion. Also, soaked insulation under the exterior jacket will cause water body to corrode (same for electric).

Flooded electric water heater – depending on the size, they might have one or two heating elements. All submersed electrical connections and components (wires, terminals, relays, thermostat, etc.) will eventually corrode and create hazardous conditions / possible fire – have it replaced.

Flooded Gas Furnace – it’s bad for any design. Up-flow, down-flow, horizontal – a few inches of water will most likely cover some of the gas or / and electric (electronic) components – have it replaced. If you’re not sure how high the water level was before it receded, turn off the power to the furnace and remove the lower service panel – there might be a distinctive water line on the side walls, cover, or any other internal parts.

Flooded Electric Furnace - any electrical parts submerged under water require replacement. With an electrical furnace, it might actually be cheaper to replace the electrical parts, unless the blower and its motor were also affected – have it checked by a HVAC contractor.

Flooded washer / dishwasher – both have electrical wiring, motors, and other components installed in the lower portion of its enclosure – if submerged, have it replaced

Flooded clothes dryer – gas or electric will have a motor at the base, some wiring, gas valve / pressure regulator – if submerged, have it replaced

Flooded gas range – gas supply, regulator, and bottom burner may be at the very bottom (depending on the design) – if submerged, have it replaced

Flooded electric range – there are usually electrical connections, terminals, and the bottom heating element within the few inches from the floor level – if submerged, have it replaced

Sometimes, your appliance might be salvageable, but have a professional determine it … It’s for your own safety!

Induction Cooking is the future of cooking. Just 6 years ago if you wanted to put an induction cooktop in your home you would have spent around $10,000 or more easy. Now you can purchase a cooktop for 1/4 of that price. Portable cooktops can be purchased for under $200 for a single hob model with a few selling for under $100.

For an induction cooktop to work you need to have a pan with a magnetic bottom or anything that is cast iron. Most cookware is marked if it is for good induction use. A simple test to find out if you already have induction ready cookware is to put a magnet to the bottom of the pan.

These cooktops do not emit any heat themselves. The only heat comes for the pot or pan. These cooktops do not use a typical burner like a electric coil or gas stove. These induction burners are called hobs instead. These hobs produce no heat but instead generate a magnetic field which stirs up the molecules in the iron pan. As the molecules begin to move heat is generated. By using the control knob you can precisely control the heat of these cooktops like no other.

When you put a pot or pan on a hob and turn it on it will immediately become hot. These cooktops are the most controllable cooktops in the world. If you live in an area that is hot then induction cooking will save you even bigger money on your cooling costs. Because these cooktops only heat the pan itself your living space will remain much cooler.

If you are thinking about making the switch you may have to invest in new cookware. Prices on Induction cookware have come down dramatically since most manufacturers know that making their cookware induction-ready will increase their sales and profits.

Some of the most popular brands of induction cookers is Sunpentown, Electrolux, Diva, Fagor, Cooktek among others. Prices vary from retailer to retailer so shop around for the best prices. Prices have remained steady for the last year or so and I would have to say that it is a great time to make the switch to Induction.

Broken appliances are a reality of life. No matter how well we care for our refrigerator, washer or dryer, they will break down at some point. However, throwing out a broken appliance is not always the best option.

Appliance repair is a cost-effective, environmentally responsible alternative to replacing a broken home appliance. By employing experts to repair an existing machine, you save the money you would have spent on a new one. You also have the peace of mind of knowing that your appliance is safe and working properly.

See the Savings with Appliance Repair

Any homeowner who has purchased an appliance knows that they are expensive! Even though appliance repair may seem costly, it is a clear winner when compared to the price of getting a new appliance. Appliance repair companies have the expertise to repair a whole range of home appliances including:

Dryers
Washing machines
Garbage disposals
Dishwashers
Microwaves
Hood vents
Cooktops
Double ovens
Built-in ovens
Many companies will even offer free estimates for their repair services. When you need a dryer repair, for example, you’ll be able to know in advance how much money you will be spending – and how much you will be saving!

Safety First

Although it is tempting to either make do with an appliance that doesn’t quite work, or to try to repair it on your own, you can actually make a bad situation worse by doing so. If an malfunctioning appliance is not taken care of, you risk incurring further damage and causing even more disruption to your life. In some cases, it may even create an unsafe situation in your home. If you need an oven repair, for example, not getting one may lead to a fire hazard or gas leak. Trying to repair appliances ourselves is equally dangerous. We are so accustomed to all of the appliances in our homes and we tend to forget that they are actually complex machines. Professionals are the only ones with the tools and qualifications to do proper repairs in a safe manner.

Appliances provide functions that make our home life easier, but when they don’t work they can affect all aspects of our domestic situation. Getting the expert stove, dishwasher or refrigerator repair that you need is the financially and personally responsible decision, and one that will help life get back to normal as quickly as possible.

If you are moving into a new house, you might have a lot of different items to purchase. Some people choose to buy completely new furniture to go into their new home, while others choose to replace a few smaller items. Buying new cookware can be something you would want to do if your new kitchen is designed differently than your old one. It could be that the new kitchen has more available space than your other one did. You can find a lot of different kinds of cookware available at most department stores and also online.

For people living in the UK there are several merchants online that specifically cater to the UK region. You will find a variety of different sets available for use in cooking that can include the non-stick surface coating. A basic Techtonic set of 3 saucepans is constructed from heavy aluminum and has a ceramic outer surface coating. The interior is coated with reinforced Protech to prevent foods from sticking. This product is safe to use in the oven and works with a variety of heating surfaces such as gas, halogen, ceramic and radiant heat.

The Techtonic line also offers a larger set that includes all of the saucepans, plus a frying pan and a griddle. You might find you need to purchase new cookware, because the type of heating surface on your new oven or hob is different than what your old one had. If your cookware is old, it may be outdated and not constructed for some other types of heating elements. Being able to browse through the different sets available on the Internet, will allow you to see the features they have so you can make a better choice. You can also see the different colors the items are available in if you are looking for a specific color.

In addition to the types of products available in colored ceramic glaze, you will find many sets that are still constructed of the basic stainless steel. The line of products available from Vision comes with an easy to clean non-stick interior surface and a silver steel exterior. The high shine of these items make them a good choice for kitchens that have a hanging rack for the display of cookware items. The silver look is one used frequently in homes with a modern designed kitchen. All of the sets also have additional accessory items available to purchase individually, such as roasters and omelette pans.

You can’t deny it – we live in a throwaway society. When something electronic breaks down, like your television, chances are it’s cheaper and easier to just go and buy another one. But if you have a fantastic vacuum cleaner that you love, and it breaks down, don’t automatically assume your best option is to buy another one. There are some great vacuum repair options available, and they can get it fixed and running smoothly again. The best part is that you get to keep your favorite vacuum cleaner, and save yourself some time and money as well!

If your vacuum cleaner needs repair, the first place to look is your local vacuum shop. Check first, but generally you can just take your vacuum cleaner into the shop and they’ll have a look at it and let you know whether a repair is possible and cost efficient. If your vacuum is a well-known brand name, they may have dealerships or authorized repairers that you can take your vacuum cleaner to for repair.

It’s a good idea, if possible, to take your vacuum cleaner to a dealer that specializes in that brand of vacuum cleaner. This is usually easy enough to do if your vacuum cleaner is a common brand. If the brand is uncommon, then finding a dealer may be more difficult. Even if you take it to a regular vacuum shop, it may be difficult and expensive to get the necessary parts. Sometimes with a little bit of searching you can still find a dealer who repairs your brand of vacuum cleaner.

Always get an estimate of how long the repair is likely to take. If you have a couple of possible repair shops close by, make sure you choose the one that can give you fast and quality service. Perhaps friends or family can give you referrals. Getting your vacuum cleaner repaired is going to cost you some money, and the last thing you want to do is get your vacuum cleaner back and find that the problem really hasn’t been fixed.

Often, the problem with your vacuum cleaner may be something minor. In that case, you may possibly be able to do a couple of minor repairs yourself, and save yourself the cost and hassle of taking the cleaner to the repair shop.

One of the most common problems with vacuum cleaners is that hair or string gets tangled around the brushes. This is definitely something you can rectify yourself. Make sure the vacuum cleaner is disconnected from any power source, gently turn it upside down, and get cleaning! Another common problem is that the belt breaks. Again, once you have the replacement part, it’s usually a fairly simple job to change over the belt.

It’s a good idea to occasionally upend your vacuum cleaner and check to make sure the brushes are free of debris. Regularly empty the bag or cylinder, to make sure dirt doesn’t start clogging up the pipes leading into the dirt collection unit. If you regularly look after your vacuum cleaner, it will reward you with many years of good cleaning.

Electrolux is a Swedish manufacturer of home and commercial use appliances. It is the 2nd largest manufacturer of appliance in the world with 40 million sales to 150 countries annually. Electrolux home appliances include vacuum cleaners, washing machines, cookers, dishwashers, cooktops, ovens, fridges and freezers, tumble dryers and room air conditioners sold under various brands. These brands include: AEG-Electrolux, Arthur Martin, Atlas (appliances), Beam (central vacuums), Castor (appliances), Chef (appliances), Corberó and Dito. The fact that Electrolux kitchen appliances are among the most powerful and reliable appliances can be verified by the reality, that two products are sold every second, everyday of the year.

The official website of Electrolux features a virtual kitchen which is very close to reality. In this virtual kitchen all the Electrolux kitchen appliances are present with all the details and specific qualities of each appliance. These Electrolux kitchen appliances include cook tops, wall ovens, ranges, warmer drawers, ventilators, microwaves, dish washers, refrigeration units, wine towers and compactors. The innovative designs of cook tops make them stylish and elegant. Electrolux has both electric and gas cook tops. They range from 30 inches to 36 inches with stainless steel body and glide-2-set control panel system. Their smooth top surface makes it easier to clean. The wall oven ranges from 27 to 30 inches with stainless steel exterior. They have specific technology which makes them unique and durable. They have wave-touch controls and perfect convert3 convection technology with convection conversion system.

Electrolux kitchen appliances include cooking ranges which are elegant and stylish in design. Their capacity ranges from 5.6 cu ft to 6.7 cu ft. They have ultra slim design. These ranges can work on electricity and gas.

Dryer running too hot? Not hot enough? Not heating at all? Taking forever to dry? Sounds like you are going to need some dryer parts. But what the difference between Generic and OEM?

When you are shopping for parts the price should not be the only thing that makes your decision for you. Sure a great price is wonderful but the quality of the parts is really important to.

After all if you save a few dollars but the part lasts for only a short period of time then you’ve save nothing. Remember if the pricing sounds too good to be true it most likely is.

Quality of the parts is also dependant on the manufacturer. Reputable companies produce reputable parts and you can still get a great buy just by shopping online.

OEM stands for original equipment manufacture. That means the parts are supplied by the actual manufacturer of the dryer and they are sold as OEM replacement parts. This is always your best option whenever possible.

Time shows flaws in material and design and as these flaws become apparent the manufacture will modify parts and alleviate any problems that have arisen.

OEM tracks and records failure rates and a host of other information which help them determine if changes need to be made. Even simple parts like washers or belts can have special design needs to provide satisfactory operation. Gone of the days of improvising with a pair of panty hose.

If you decide to use replacement parts on a dryer that still has warranty realize you could void your warranty. If the dryer has an extended warranty you will void this too. So be careful what parts you use on a warranty appliance.

After your dryer is off warranty you might decide you like the savings. In fact some replacement parts can cost as much as half of the OEM part. That’s substantial. And there are many excellent replacement part manufacturers too, even if the OEM’s would like you to believe otherwise.

There are actually a limited number of appliance manufacturers with many mergers between big and small occurring over the years. Today many of them produce products under many different names.

Many times the only difference is cosmetics while the actual mechanics is the same. It pays to do a little research so you know who makes parts for whom.

When buying parts it’s important to be aware of return policies. It’s not unusual to not be able to return parts. Those that do take returns often have a restocking fee of 15% to 20% and many online merchants require an RMA number before they will accept returned goods.

While buying those parts you might consider picking up a dryer repair manual. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by having the directions and it will not only help you do a repair it will help you diagnose a repair.

Whether you have a Hotpoint, Kenmore, Whirlpool, Inglis, Maytag, or GE to name just a few, the repair manual will be a big help!

So when it comes to repairing your dryer you can get dryer parts and manuals online.

A healthy pet makes its owner happy. There are several ways on how to keep you pet healthy. Daily grooming, proper feeding, exercise, and regular check-ups with your dog’s vet are a must. Your pet’s vet must be capable of detecting your dog’s illness after examination, whether the cause may be viral, bacterial, or a metabolic disorder. Once you pet is properly diagnosed and examined, it could receive proper cure and can save you and your pet from further expenses and discomfort.

There are a lot of elements or factors that could bring your pet various illnesses. Acquisition maybe because by sudden exposure to weather, contaminated food, emotional distress, genetic weaknesses, improper immunization shots, accident, inadequate rest and exercise, exposure to infectious diseases and parasites, and a lot of other similar concerns.

You can form a diagnosis of your dog’s sickness through the careful observations of your pet’s behavioral patterns. But before that, you must be familiar with your dog’s vital statistics, body shape, and posture in order to facilitate better diagnosis. If your dog does not eat its meal on a regular basis as before, if it seems depressed and disoriented, if it has been loosing its sense of balance when standing or walking, if your pet has been displaying uncharacteristic aggression, well, its time to consult the vet.

The first thing that maybe observed when you think that your dog is sick is the unpleasant odor, coloration, or discharge of its feces and urine. These symptoms maybe caused by a several illnesses. It maybe caused by digestive disorders, intestinal obstruction, poisoning, genital tract infection, and presence of internal parasites such as tapeworms, hookworms, heartworms. Poisoning, gland inflammation, cancer, allergies and the like may also be the reasons why your pet is behaving erratically. Your pet’s vet might want to examine its feces and urine samples to determine the specific cause.

Frequent vomiting maybe caused by eating grass or other serious illnesses. However, many people confuse vomiting with retching and other things that dog’s do. Learn the difference in order to accurately describe the symptoms to the vet. Vomiting and diarrhea can indicate anything from intestinal parasites to liver diseases, cancer, allergies, enteritis, and a host of other series of disorders.

You can tell whether your dog is healthy or not by observing its coat and skin. A coarse and lusterless coat, skin eruptions, and a tendency to frequently lick or scratch the skin do not indicate a good health. It may point towards the presence of parasites like lice and mice, yeast and bacterial infections, some sort of allergy, or towards a case of dermatitis. Consult your pet’s vet immediately. If your pet’s fur is starting to get thinner and thinner, your dog may be suffering from hair loss due to allergies, parasites, and even its dog soap or shampoo. Skin and dermal dog disorders are extremely unpleasant and unwanted by owners. It gives your pet extreme discomfort from long and sustained treatments.

A well canine has a cold and wet nose. A hot, dry nose or discharge may indicate fever or infection caused by either a virus or a bacteria. If your pet is having a trouble in breathing or is drooling too much, or is frequently coughing, the symptoms may point towards canine filiarisis, respiratory problems and cardiac problems.

Examine your dog’s ears. There is no need to worry if the dog doesn’t keep shaking or scratching them all the time. If there is no discharge of unpleasant odor or if there are no parasites or other foreign bodies then your pet is perfectly fine. If your pet’s skin looks clean, lustrous, and healthy then it should be fine. However, if your pet is sponge-like and is drinking too much liquid, it may have some kind of liver or kidney problem or diabetes that you should be concerned about.

Sticky discharge from the eyes, squinting, redness or clouding may indicate injury, vision problems, fever, herpes and viral infection. If your pet is limping or seems uncomfortable when walking and standing, it could be have a thorn or wound in the paw, have arthritis, weight problems, tendonitis, or genetic problems like hip dysplasia or luxating patella.

Dogs are men’s best friend. Therefore they should be given proper care and be treated like a part of one’s family. Unless you want your dog to be pushing daisies, follow this formula: good food, walk, checkups, and cleanliness. All of these will lead your pet to dog heaven. And your pet dog will be as happy as you are!

Recently I went to my local kitchen store to find a new saucepan. As I was looking at all the new models, I started to pick up a few to see how it feels and was amazed at how heavy they were and that was without any food in them. We’ve all been told that light ones are poor quality but are heavier cookware and bakeware pieces really better? To answer this question, I decided to dig deeper and find out what heavy means.

Struggling to lift cookware and bakeware presents a risk of dropping it. Dropping ones made out of heavy metals won’t break but other materials like glass can break. And besides your cookware falling apart, you’re meal will likely be ruined along with whatever it lands on. Flooring, countertops, and cooktops can chip, dent and break making it even messier.

As the weight increases so does the price. By comparing a number of pieces, I noticed that the more I struggled to lift a piece of cookware or bakeware, the more expensive it was. One of the reasons for this is the increased quantity of raw materials. And with the cost of metals increasing, it can easily add to the price tag.

We’re all told that good quality pieces can last a lifetime. Lighter materials can be flimsy and fall apart. Better constructed ones will weigh more. Making heavier ones better than light weight ones.

How does heavy perform? The added mass generally means it is less responsive to temperature changes. Meaning if you take the heat source away, it will take longer for the pan to cool. Likewise if you add a heat source, it will take longer to heat. Good for long slow cooking such as braises and stews. But anything that requires quick cooling such as sautes and egg dishes like custard that can overcook quickly and thus wouldn’t benefit from this type of feature.

Heavy means that once the desired temperature has been reached then the added mass spreads it out over the entire piece. This prevents hot spots from developing and ensures food cooks evenly. A very desirable feature no matter what you’re cooking.

Now that we’ve uncovered the benefits and disadvantages of heavy, we should explore if our cooking and baking needs it. All cooking benefits from even cooking so all cookware and bakeware should have some weight. The slow heating property found in the heaviest pieces won’t be a problem for dishes where you can preheat the pan or for dishes requiring a long slow simmer. But it can be too slow for cake baking.

Heavy means better construction and better heat conduction. And while you don’t need the heaviest pieces for all types of cooking, some weight is required to get good cooking performance. Our conclusion is to avoid thin and lightweight pieces and instead choose medium to heavy pieces.