Maintenance Guide
Appliance Care Tips
A little routine maintenance goes a long way toward keeping your kitchen and laundry appliances running efficiently, avoiding costly breakdowns, and extending the life of your investment — especially with premium brands like Sub-Zero, Viking, and Thermador. Here's how to keep everything running at its best between service visits.
Appliance 01
Refrigerators & Freezers
5 care tips
Clean the condenser coils twice a year.
Dust and pet hair on the coils force the compressor to work harder, raising energy costs and shortening the unit's lifespan. On most built-in models, coils are accessed behind a front grille or toe kick — a quick vacuum or coil brush keeps airflow clear.
Check and replace door seals (gaskets).
A worn or cracked gasket lets warm air in, causing frost buildup and forcing the compressor to run constantly. Test the seal by closing the door on a piece of paper — if it slides out easily, the gasket may need replacing.
Keep the temperature set correctly.
Refrigerators should run between 37–40°F and freezers at 0°F. Running colder than necessary wastes energy and adds unnecessary wear.
Don't overpack the fridge or freezer.
Overpacking blocks airflow, causing uneven cooling and forcing the compressor to overcompensate.
Flush the water line and change the filter.
If your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, replace the filter every 6 months to prevent mineral buildup and maintain water quality.
Appliance 02
Ranges, Cooktops & Ovens
5 care tips
Keep burners and igniters clean.
Food debris and grease buildup on burner ports and igniters are a leading cause of burners that won't light or click continuously. Clean gas burner caps and ports regularly with warm water and a soft brush.
Wipe up spills before they bake on.
Spills left on oven interiors or cooktop surfaces bake on with repeated heating cycles, making them harder to remove and potentially damaging heating elements or glass cooktops over time.
Use the self-clean cycle sparingly.
Self-clean cycles run at very high temperatures and can stress heating elements, door seals, and electronics. Use it a few times a year at most, and never leave the appliance unattended during the cycle.
Check oven temperature accuracy annually.
Ovens naturally drift out of calibration. An inexpensive oven thermometer can confirm whether your oven's actual temperature matches the setting — if it's off by more than 25°F, it's worth a service call.
Don't line the oven floor with foil.
Foil on the oven floor can block heat circulation and, on some models, damage the heating element or interior finish.
Appliance 03
Dishwashers
4 care tips
Clean the filter monthly.
Most dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom of the tub that traps food particles. A clogged filter leads to poor cleaning, odors, and drainage issues.
Run a monthly cleaning cycle.
A dishwasher-safe cleaner or a cup of white vinegar run on a hot cycle helps clear mineral buildup, grease, and odor-causing residue from the interior and spray arms.
Check and clean the spray arms.
Food debris can clog the small holes in the spray arms, leading to dishes that don't get fully clean. Remove the arms periodically and rinse out any blockages.
Inspect the door gasket.
A dried-out or damaged door seal is a common cause of leaks. Wipe it down regularly and replace it if it looks cracked or brittle.
Appliance 04
Washers & Dryers
5 care tips
Clean the lint trap after every load.
A clogged lint trap is the single biggest fire risk with dryers and also makes drying take longer, which adds wear and increases energy use.
Clean the dryer vent duct annually.
Lint builds up inside the exhaust duct over time, restricting airflow. A professional duct cleaning once a year keeps your dryer running efficiently and safely.
Don't overload the washer.
Overloading strains the motor, bearings, and suspension system, and often leaves clothes poorly cleaned and rinsed.
Leave the washer door or lid open between loads.
This helps the drum air out and prevents the mold and mildew odors common in front-load washers.
Run a cleaning cycle monthly.
Most washers have a dedicated cleaning cycle or affresh®-type tablet designed to clear detergent residue and buildup from the drum and seals.
Appliance 05
Wine Coolers & Ice Machines
4 care tips
Keep wine coolers away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
Excess heat forces the compressor to overwork and can affect wine storage temperatures and humidity levels.
Clean the condenser coils and vents.
Like refrigerators, wine coolers and ice machines rely on clear airflow around the coils. Dust buildup reduces cooling efficiency.
Descale ice machines regularly.
Mineral deposits from hard water buildup inside ice machines over time, affecting ice quality and machine performance. A quarterly descaling cycle helps prevent this.
Don't block ventilation on built-in units.
Built-in wine coolers and ice machines need proper airflow clearance behind and around the cabinet — check your manufacturer's specs to make sure your installation allows for it.
Know the warning signs
When to Call a Professional
Routine care extends the life of your appliances, but some signs mean it's time to schedule a repair rather than troubleshoot on your own:
If you notice any of these, it's best to stop using the appliance and give us a call rather than waiting for the problem to get worse.
Unusual smells, especially burning or gas odors
Sparking, smoking, or visible electrical damage
Water leaking from a refrigerator, dishwasher, or washer
An appliance that won't power on at all
Repeated error codes on the display
A noticeable spike in your utility bill with no other explanation
Need expert advice?
Have questions about maintaining your specific appliance or brand? Call us at (602) 894-9472 or request a free callback and one of our certified technicians will walk you through it.