Simple Kitchen Appliance Care Tips to Save You Money

Simple Kitchen Appliance Care Tips to Save You Money

Your kitchen appliances work hard daily. They keep food fresh, help with the cooking, and clean up afterwards. When they break down, it is costly and stressful to get them fixed.

The good news is that a little care goes a long way. Easy cleaning and now-and-then checks will keep your appliances running well. You’ll also save money on energy bills and repairs.

Here are simple kitchen appliance upkeep tips to save you money and stress.

1. Take Care of Your Fridge and Freezer

Your fridge and freezer operate day and night. They require frequent maintenance to function efficiently and consume less energy.

Wipe the coils at the back or bottom every few months. Dust and dirt make the motor work harder. Check the seals around the doors by closing a piece of paper inside. If it drops out, the seal needs replacing.

Don’t overcrowd your fridge. Air must be able to circulate to keep food cold. Defrost the freezer when the ice is over half a centimetre thick.

Top Tip: Keep your fridge at around 4°C and freezer at -18°C for best results.

2. Care For Your Dishwasher

A clean dishwasher is more energy efficient and washes better. Food debris and grease can block filters and pipes.

Weekly clean the filter. It takes just a minute and stops smells. Run an empty wash every month with white vinegar or cleaner to remove grease and limescale.

Check the spray arms for blockages. Unblock the small holes using a toothpick. Do not overload the dishwasher, as it doesn’t allow water to reach all of your dishes.

Top Tip: Use the eco wash cycle when dishes are not too dirty. It uses less water and power.

3. Keep Oven and Hob Clean

Your hob and oven get greasy and have food spillages in no time. Their regular cleaning saves energy and ensures safe cooking.

Wipe up spills after each use when the surface is cool. Soak trays and racks in warm soapy water to loosen burnt food. Check the oven door seal every few months. A faulty seal lets heat escape and energy be wasted.

For gas hobs, make sure the flame is blue. If the flame is burning yellow, the burner is probably clogged and needs cleaning.

Top Tip: Only preheat when you need to. Most ovens heat up faster than you think.

4. Clean Your Microwave

Microwaves are easy to neglect, but they need some attention too. Food splatters can block vents and reduce heating capacity.

To wash it, boil a bowl of water with lemon slices for five minutes. Steam loosens dirt so that you can wipe it away. Wipe the vents and turntable to avoid odours and keep air circulating.

Do not place metal in the microwave. It will cause sparks and damage the appliance.

5. Take Care of Small Kitchen Appliances

Your small kitchen appliances need some love too. A few minutes of TLC will make them last so much longer.

Descale your kettle every month if you live in an area with hard water. Limescale slows down the boiling time and uses more energy. Clean your coffee maker with a descaling solution every two months or so. It keeps the flavour fresh and prevents blockages.

Regularly empty toaster crumbs. Accumulated crumbs burn and may produce smoke or odours.

Top Tip: Filtered water reduces kettles’ and coffee makers’ limescale.

6. Cook Using Less Energy

You can cut costs by making conscious use of your kitchen appliances. Adopting simple habits makes a great impact.

Turn off appliances at the plug when not in use. Many still use power when on standby. Use the right size pan for your hob ring. A small pan on a large ring wastes heat.

When boiling water, use a lid to keep heat in. It cooks food faster and saves energy. Try to cook several dishes at once when using the oven. It makes better use of the heat.

7. Know When to Call for Help

Some repairs are better left to professionals. If you hear strange noises, a burning odour, or see sparks, stop using the appliance.

Do not try to open or repair electrical items yourself. Have a qualified engineer inspect it. Periodic servicing can stop small faults turning into costly replacements. It is generally cheaper to pay for a service or repair than buy a new appliance.

Keep Your Kitchen Running Smoothly with Hometree

A clean and well-cared-for kitchen saves you time and money. Small, regular tasks keep appliances working safely and use less energy.

At Hometree, we make it easy to protect the things that keep your home running. Our appliance care plans help deal with unexpected breakdowns and repairs. You’ll have peace of mind all year round with our team of highly qualified engineers on hand to support.

Discover how our appliance cover plans can reduce your stress and costs – Get a quote today