Refrigerator Leaking?

A Leak Coming From the Bottom of the Fridge?

A leaky fridge can leave annoying puddles on the kitchen floor.
A leaky fridge can leave annoying puddles on the kitchen floor.
Leaks in the kitchen don't always come from the sink or dishwasher. A faulty refrigerator might be to blame, even if it doesn't have an ice maker or water dispenser. Fortunately, the leak is water, since the coolant used in refrigerators is a gas not a liquid. Unfortunately, a puddle of water underneath or inside the fridge means there's a problem that needs immediate attention.

Defrost Drain

A blocked defrost drain is one of the most common causes of water leaking from your refrigerator and is a good place to start troubleshooting. The small drain opening is easily blocked by food particles or ice, preventing water that accumulated during the defrost cycle from draining to the pan. When enough water builds up, it starts leaking out of the refrigerator and onto the floor. Clear the drain by flushing it with hot water. Use a short piece of stiff wire, such as a wire clothes hanger, if necessary to remove the blockage.
Drain Pan

It is not common, but occasionally the drain pan at the bottom of the refrigerator can develop a crack that allows water to leak. It is normal for a small amount of water to accumulate in the drain pan, but it is not normal for it to escape the pan. Water in the drain pan should evaporate long before it becomes a concern thanks to the condenser fan blowing warm air across the surface of the pan. Examine the drain pan for any cracks or damage, especially if the defrost drain is clear and there is sign of water on any other part of the refrigerator. The pan should be replaced if it is damaged.

Ice Maker

Water-line connections to the ice maker can come loose or the seals can age and crack, leading to leaks that end up as water pooled under and around the refrigerator. Plastic hoses can also crack or tear, or get kinked creating pressure that turns into a leak at the connection. Check the length of the water line leading to the ice maker, usually on the rear exterior of the fridge, as well as the connections, for any signs of moisture. If the ice maker supply line is the problem, there will typically be water running or dripping down the line and on to the floor. Tighten the connections or replace the water line. It may also be necessary to replace the connectors to get a good seal.
Water Filter

A poor connection between the water filter and the water supply can cause a leak in refrigerator models with a filtering system. The filter may be installed improperly, the wrong size or model for the refrigerator, or it may be so old that the housing or seals are cracked, allowing water to escape. Examine the filter and housing assembly carefully for any signs of dripping water, which can usually be seen running down the outside of the filter and into the refrigerator's interior if the filter is the problem. Remove and replace the filter, following the manufacturer's instructions. The filter must be the exact one specified for the refrigerator.

The WW8500 AddWash

An Extra Door On This Front-Loading Washer Lets You Add Last Minute Additions

An Extra Door On This Front-Loading Washer Lets You Add Last Minute Additions

They’re more eco-friendly than top-loading machines, but front-loading washers don’t let you add forgotten garments once the wash cycle has started. With the addition of a second smaller door, though, Samsung’s new WW8500 AddWash lets you toss in that missing sock you just found.

The extra door, located at the top of the washer’s main door, can be unlocked by simply pushing a pause button mid-cycle. The water doesn’t drain from the machine, but it does stop sloshing around so you can slip in additional garments—even as large as sweaters or jeans—without any soapy water spilling out. It can also be used for adding extra detergent or even fabric softener halfway through a wash.

There’s no pricing info available just yet, but if you need any more convincing that this is the next washing machine for your laundry room, the WW8500 AddWash also has smartphone notifications. If you’ve got an iOS or Android mobile device handy, you can monitor the progress of a wash. But if you want to add more delicate items closer to the end of a cycle, or fabric softener, you can set up notifications that will let you know when it’s the best time to do so.

The new LG Twin wash

 The LG Twin Wash 

Washers from LG, Samsung, and Staber with interesting innovations and stunning prices.

 Manufacturers continue to up capacities and add features to win you over and to boost the price. On the other hand, some manufacturers skip the fancy extras and and still raise the price. Here’s a look inside three washers with new innovations recently tested by Consumer Reports, including LG’s Twin Wash.


Here’s a smart use of space, if only it weren’t so expensive. LG’s Twin Wash pairs a front-loader with a mini-washer where a pedestal might be. LG has turned a storage drawer into a 1-cubic-foot mini-washer that can be used at the same time the front-loader is running. Together they’re known as Twin Wash and rely on the same water supply. The $700 mini-washer can be paired with any LG front-loader made from 2009 on. It has six cycles, allows warm and cold wash temperatures, and an extra rinse. The mini-washer doesn’t deliver the cleaning power of a front-loader, based on our tests of 2- and 4-pound loads, but took only 40 minutes using the normal cycle. It’s meant for lightly soiled clothes.

The LG WM9000HVA front-loader is $1,800 and of the dozens of washers we tested, only the $1,900 Speed Queen AFNE9BSP113TW01 costs more. Sure, the high-scoring  LG did an excellent job getting laundry clean, was water- and energy-efficient, and has a jumbo capacity that fit about 26 pounds of laundry. Claimed capacity is 5.1 cubic feet. This washer was gentle on fabrics, relatively quiet, and vibration wasn’t an issue. But $1,800? And the normal wash time, using the heavy-soil setting, was 105 minutes—and that’s using the time-saving TurboWash. They're available at Best Buy starting in mid-October, and then widely available after December 20.

 The Samsung WA52J8700AP washer with Activewash.

Another smart use of space. Inside some new Samsung high-efficiency top-loaders you’ll see a water jet and built-in sink with ridges, a feature known as Activewash. You can use the sink’s ridges as if it were a washboard. Rub a stained shirt for a minute or two against the ridges, working detergent or pretreatment solution into the stain. No need to work up a sweat—the shirt then goes straight into the washer. The high-scoring Samsung WA52J8700AP has Activewash and is $1,000.

 Insert in the Staber HXW2404 washer.
Staber Stays Small
Bucking the trend of 28-pound capacities, Staber continues to use its unique tub design—just 2-cubic feet—on high-efficiency top-loaders. “The tub held 12 pounds of our laundry and it was a tight fit,” says Emilio Gonzalez, the engineer who oversees Consumer Reports’ tests of washers and dryers. Even though this is a top-loader, the small metal tub rotates in one direction, pauses, rotates in the other direction, just like a front-loader does. We tested the Staber HXW2404. It’s $1,700 and ended up near the bottom of our washer Ratings. Cleaning and water efficiency was impressive, but capacity was not, and this washer was noisy and vibrated.

GE Sells to Haier

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

A letter from General Electric:

OUR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS

Valued customer:

We have very good news regarding GE Appliances to share with you. Today GE announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell GE Appliances to Haier. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close by mid-2016. For more information, please read the press releases from GE and Haier.

Haier, a global consumer electronics company and the world's #1 major appliances brand, values the GE Appliances' brand, products, services and people. When this transaction closes, Haier is committed to investing in our business for continued growth and leadership in the U.S. market. The GE Appliances headquarters and largest manufacturing operations will stay in Louisville, Kentucky, and the GE Appliances leadership team will remain intact.

Haier, along with GE Appliances, sees the value and strategic advantage of making products in the markets where they are sold. Haier will enable us to continue to do what we do best: design, manufacture and sell innovative, high quality GE appliances, allowing a 100-year legacy to continue.

Now and in the future, you can count on us to:

• Bring innovative and high-quality GE-branded appliances to market.
• Fulfill all GE service and warranty obligations.

You can be assured GE Appliances will remain committed to providing you with the products and services you expect and deserve.

Sincerely,

Chip Blankenship
President & CEO
GE Appliances

maintaining oven

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR OVEN & RANGE

Posted 1/26/15

Homeowner Maintenance Guidelines & Tips for Appliances

Performing regular maintenance of ovens and ranges will extend their life and keep them operating at maximum efficiency. Your pocket book will benefit as well with lower energy consumption, greater reliability and less repairs. By following these maintenance practices you’ll reap all of these benefits.

OVENS AND RANGES 

• Clean range vent hood: Keeping the front panel, window, and outer door glass clean is important because it prevents spills from staining the panel or glass when it heats up during oven operation. Only clean the front when your range or oven is completely cool. For spills on the front panel that are tough to remove, use a heavy-duty degreaser.
• Smooth electric stove top: If a heavy spill occurs, use a razor scraper to remove large food deposits. Apply a cook top cleaner. Remove the remaining residue with a scratch-free pad and then apply a coat of cook top protestant.
• Solid burner element: Some stove/ranges have heating element burners that are solid metal, there are no coils and the stove/range isn’t glass or ceramic. You can clean these solid burners using a solid surface element cleaner.
• Gas stove top: Some gas stove tops are made of porcelain coated steel and can be cleaned exactly the same as an electric smooth top. Stainless steel tops should be cleaned with heavy-duty degreaser and a non-abrasive pad. Take care not use too much water when cleaning, especially around the knobs. If water drips down into the holes where the knob shafts come through, the burner switches can short out and cause problems with the spark ignition system. Grates and burner pans can be difficult to clean. However, before you purchase new ones, you can try and clean them with grate cleaner.
• Oven interior – Self-cleaning ovens: Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the self-cleaning function. This feature heats the interior of the oven to a temperature so high, it incinerates food particles and spills. The length of the process varies from model to model but generally lasts for 2 to 4 hours. If you’re hosting a big-cooking holiday like Thanksgiving, run the self-cleaning feature a few weeks in advance, due to risk of an issue with the door latch or an electrical component.  Important: Never use a cleaning solution to clean the interior of a self-cleaning oven unless it is made specifically for self-cleaning ovens. 
• Oven interior -Non-self-cleaning ovens: Simply wait until the oven is cool to the touch, remove the oven racks and spray oven cleaner directly onto the interior surface. Wipe with a clean rag.
• Oven Racks: Clean the racks in the sink. Let them soak for 10 minutes. Then, using regular kitchen sponges, scrub the racks. Most racks should not be left in an oven during a self-clean cycle as they can warp out of shape.
• Broiler pan: Most broiler pans are made of porcelain-coated steel that can be cleaned periodically with a non-abrasive cleaner. If the pan is damaged, replace it.
• Replace the light bulbs: You can replace the light bulb(s) in your range/oven; you may need to remove a glass covering or dome to reach it. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions. Most interior oven lights use a universal 40-watt appliance bulb.

By putting these tips into practice, you can ensure your home appliances last longer, perform at optimal levels and save energy along the way. This can add up to significant savings and can help you manage your budget more effectively.

Cleaning your washer

How often you should clean your washing machine — and how to do it

If your washing machine is smelling worse than your sweaty workout shirt, it's time to give it a good cleaning. Yes, even washing machines get dirty.

Laundry soils, detergents and hard water minerals build up in the washer in areas you can't see and, over time, they develop an odor. Mold and mildew in the washer lid and the door are another cause of stink.

So how do you de-funk a washer? There are easy green-cleaning tips every six months to avoid any issues.

Top loading washers

Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest setting. Add four cups of white cleaning vinegar (six-percent acid) to the wash cycle. After the cycle starts, pause the machine and allow it to sit for an hour. During this time, wipe down the top of the washer with a microfiber cloth dipped in the hot vinegar water. Use an old toothbrush to clean the fabric softener and bleach dispensers, too. After an hour, continue the wash cycle.

Next, run another wash cycle using one cup of baking soda. At the end of the cycle, wipe the top inside of the washer tub to remove any scum.

One final tip: Stop mildew and mold by leaving the lid or door open when not in use.

Front loading washers

The rubber gasket at the front of the washer, especially in a high-efficiency (HE) washer, accumulates water, hair, scum and mildew. Before cleaning the washer drum, clean the gasket by spraying it with white vinegar and wiping with a damp microfiber cloth.

With the gasket clean, it's time to take care of the washer. Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest water temperature. Add two cups of white cleaning vinegar (six-percent acid) to detergent dispenser. Run it through a complete cycle.

Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum. When cycle is done, wipe inside drum of washer with a damp microfiber cloth. While you're at it, wipe down the front of the machine, too. Now your washer's looking and smelling good again.

Cleaning your Microwave

How To Clean Your 

Microwave Naturally 

With Just a Lemon 

We get a two-fer deal with this one: not only is it possible to get a squeaky-clean microwave without using harsh chemicals in a spot where we also heat our food, but this is also hands down the easiest way to clean a microwave. That's right. If you've been avoiding cleaning your microwave, this trick is going to make you very happy.

It's a simple idea, really: Just squeeze some lemon juice into water, drop the rinds into the water, and microwave. As the liquid boils, it condenses on the sides of the microwave, loosening gunk and dissolving food splatters. The lemon juice is a natural cleaning agent, and so all you have to do is use a clean towel to wipe everything clean.

What You Need

Materials
1 lemon
Small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup
Clean, dry dishtowel or cleaning rag

Equipment
Microwave

Instructions

1. Pour water in the bowl: Measure about a half cup of water into the bowl.
2. Squeeze the lemon: Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. Drop the lemon halves into the bowl.
3. Microwave for 3 minutes: Place the bowl in the microwave. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes so the liquid comes to a boil.
4. Let stand for 5 minutes: Do not open the microwave door. The steam trapped inside will help loosen food gunk. Let stand for 5 minutes.
5. Wipe the microwave clean: Open the door and carefully remove the bowl with the lemons. If your microwave has a turntable, lift it out and wipe it clean. Wipe the inside of the microwave clean starting with the ceiling and the sides. Finish with the floor, sweeping any crumbs into your hand. Don't forget the door!
6. Cleaning stubborn spots: If you come across stubborn spots that won't easily wipe away, dip the corner of your dishtowel in the lemon-water and scrub until the spot comes away.
7.