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AppliancesAugust 01, 2017
The "Universal" Dishwasher Buying Guide: What To Look For In A Dishwasher
Today’s kitchens are modern and advanced spaces that help you craft creative, home-cooked dishes with ease. But after every culinary execution it’s time for the less fun task of clean up. This is where the modern dishwasher does its job. The contemporary home requires an effective dishwasher to keep plates, glasses, utensils, and more, ready for repeated use. There is no shortage of premium dishwashers available today, and discovering the right choice for your home can be a challenge. With that in mind, the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center have crafted this helpful dishwasher-buying guide to ensure you have the information you need before investing in a new dishwasher. Types Of Dishwashers Before beginning your dishwasher search, it’s important to understand the different types of dishwashers. There are a host of dishwasher designs available for the modern home, and naturally you’ll want to find the proper design for you home. For an integrated feel that exudes modern style, consider a built-in dishwasher. Built-in dishwashers are installed flush to your kitchen cabinetry, offering a seamless and space-saving feel that often boasts a combination of traditional and advanced wash functions. Built-in dishwashers are a traditional design, but today’s offerings feature exceptionally stylish exteriors for truly elevated designs.Dishwasher drawers offer the same functionality you’d find in a traditional built-in dishwasher with a -
AppliancesJuly 30, 2017
Tips on Buying a New Freezer
Before You Buy a New FreezerReview of Many Freezer Choices Available at UAKCFull-Size FreezersIf you have a hunter in your family, live on a farm where you raise and butcher farm animals, or simply buy in bulk, then you may be a candidate for a full-sized freezer. It's great to have a utility room or other inside space for your freezer. Unfortunately though, it's often necessary to put your freezer in the garage. The downside of this is temperature variations may cause the freezer to work harder, and use more energy. Most likely you'll choose between a chest freezer and an upright freezer. Obviously, a chest freezer will take more floor space, and you may have to dig a little to find what you need, but chest freezers are less expensive. With an upright freezer, you'll have multiple shelves, and it will be easier to view and access the contents. Upright freezers are more expensive, and cost a bit more to run.Inside All Freezer optionsHaving All Refrigerators and All Freezers in the kitchen has become increasingly popular. Frigidaire has offered this option for a long time. The photo above is the latest offering of a matching refrigerator/freezer pair from Frigidaire Professional. Other brands such as Miele, Thermador, and Sub Zero also make various Column configurations of separate refrigerators and freezers. Dacor has now jumped on the band wagon with their high tech columns. The all refrigerator/all freezer is definitely worth consideration for a complete food preservation solution if you have -
AppliancesJuly 28, 2017
When is it time to call for appliance service?
Getting Your Appliance FixedHow do you know when to call?Here's when you don't need appliance service: Your refrigerator water filter needs replacement. You should be able to do this yourself. If for some reason you can't, a handyman can do this for you. Your washing machine has an inlet hose that is leaking. Replace the leaking hose (I'd replace both hoses). No need for a service call. The dishwasher is not getting your dishes clean. There could be many reasons for this other than a malfunctioning dishwasher. Maybe the incoming water is not hot enough. Hard water can be a problem. There's not enough or too much detergent. You might need to use a rinse agent, or additive.Here's when you do need to call for service: Your refrigerator is not cooling. You've plugged and unplugged, and tested the electric outlet so that you know your fridge is getting power. Nevertheless, your food is spoiling. Call for service. Your washing machine suddenly made a loud grating sound, and ground to a halt. Now you can't get it to do anything. You need a qualified service agent. The dishwasher will start, fills with water, etc. but it just doesn't do anything. No noise, no water movement, no nothing. Your neighbor says, it's probaly the pump and/or motor.You get the idea. Some simple things like changing filters are not reasons to call for service. When appliances have critical failures, that can't be fixed by turning the power back on, etc. it's time to -
AppliancesJuly 26, 2017
See Inside Your Fridge Without Opening the Door
Featured Refrigerator: LG InstaView™ Door-in-Door®An Entire Collection LG InstaView™ Refrigerators at UAKCWithin the last few years, we've seen a host of refrigerator brands with a variety of new see-inside features. Each brand has unique advantages and benefits for their respective products. LG is no exception, AND they seem to lead the field in variety and selection with a host of models in various sizes and configurations. Let's see what they've got:LG InstaView™ Door-in-Door®Bringing innovation and distinctive design together, LG’s new refrigerators with InstaView™ Door-in-Door® will enhance even the most beautifully crafted kitchen.Meet Your Coolest MatchWith options including Side-By-Side, French 3-Door and 4-Door models, you can find the InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerator that fits your kitchen perfectly.Raid the Fridge Without Losing Your CoolLG’s InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerators bring distinctive styling and innovation to your kitchen with a tinted glass panel that allows you to see inside the easy-access door without letting the cold air out. Simply knock twice on the glass to illuminate the contents within.A Fresh Look"Food grazing" is easier than ever with the LG InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerators. Experience the convenience of seeing what’s in the fridge without even opening the door, reducing cold air loss to help keep food fresher, longer.Extend Food FreshnessDoor-in-Door® with the ColdSaver™ Panel significantly reduces cold air loss by keeping it where it matters most — on the inside. More cold air means more peace of mind that food will stay fresher for longer.Space When You Need ItLG large capacity refrigerators have extra room for food storage, -
AppliancesJuly 24, 2017
Keep the old or get a new appliance?
Replace or Repair Your Old ApplianceFix the Old or Go to UAKC to buy a New One How bad is the old one? Is your old refrigerator making grinding noises, and keeping you up at night? Really, if you're worrying about having a refrigerator full of spoiled food, you've got a very good reason to consider a new refrigerator. You should be heading down to Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center right now. How old is the old one? If your old refrigerator looks like this: ...then what are you waiting for. Seriously, these days if you get more than 15 years out of your fridge you are ahead of the game. Also, it's not unusual at all for people to hand down a 8-10 year old refrigerator when buying a new home or doing a kitchen remodel. We all have different ways of justifying a new purchase in our mind, and it's certainly reasonable to consider the age and likely failure of an old appliance to justify a replacement. How much is it going to cost to repair the old refrigerator? Well, just the trip charge is likely to cost you in the $50 range, and then there's finding the problem, getting the part which often needs to be ordered, and you know the rest. So, how much are you willing to spend to get your old fridge back in working order? My top price for repairing a refrigerator that is 8 to 10 years old is $250. If it's -
AppliancesJuly 22, 2017
Compact Washers and Dryers to fit Your Space
Buyer Advice for New Compact LaundryBest Prices and Best Selection at UAKCFor too many households, the choice for washing clothes has been between using a laundromat, or a dingy public laundry room in the basement of an apartment or condo complex.Today, however, there are often laundry spaces in townhouses, condos, and apartments that are designed for compact laundry installations for owners or renters. Here are three possibilities for space confined laundry.Compact single unit Washer/Dryer ComboLG WM3488HS The LG WM3488HS above is a combo washer/dryer unit that does washing and drying in the same drum. It's only 24" wide, and it fits where others won't. The LG unit above uses a 120v motor to run both the washer and dryer. Of course, drying with 120v. power will take longer than a traditional 240v. unit, but sometimes that's all you have. The dryer is a ventless condenser model. All in all, there is no need for 240v., no need for a gas line, and no need for an exterior exhaust vent. Just hook up to water and drain lines, plug-in, and go. Some users complain about a longer dry time.Single unit Stacked Washer/Dryer GE GUD27ESSJWW Unitized Spacemaker® 3.2 DOE cu. ft. Washer and 5.9 cu. ft. Electric DryerUnlike the single unit LG, the popular downsized GE model above has a washer on the bottom and an electric dryer on the top. The washer is a traditional agitator-type machine, and the dryer is also a traditional dryer in that it must be vented -
AppliancesJuly 19, 2017
More Free Stuff
Choose your brand. Buy something. Get free appliances.Free Appliances with Purchase at UAKCIs it too good to be true? The copycat effect is here in the form of free dishwashers and other great appliances. For years, Thermador has been promoting a free dishwasher with the purchase of other select Thermador appliances. Why? Brands are often famous for a single product category. Thermador, is famous for its cooking products. Now a part of BSH, one of Thermador's sister companies is Bosch, a brand that is known for its dishwashers. So, it only makes sense that Thermador dishwashers are manufactured by Bosch. Yet Thermador customers would consistently purchase a Thermador oven, and a Thermador cooktop, and then choose a different brand dishwasher, perhaps a Miele, an Asko, or yes even a dishwasher from their sister company, Bosch. But Thermador wants their customers to buy a kitchen full of Thermador appliances. Voilà, give customers a free dishwasher when they buy other Thermador appliances, too. This package might include not just cooking products, but also Thermador refrigerators, vent hoods, etc.Well, it turned out to be such a good idea that other brands now offer free dishwashers or other appliances, when you select their brands. Right now, if you make a qualifying purchase at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, you can get a free dishwasher or more from the following brands:GE Free Dishwasher RebatePurchase 3 or more qualifying GE Cafe Appliances and recieve a GE Cafe dishwasher valued up to $1000Thermador 1-2-FREE PromotionIgnite your imagination. -
AppliancesJuly 17, 2017
Jenn-Air Connected Appliances
Jenn-Air Wall Ovens take voice orders from AlexaSmart Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterJenn-Air® Connected Wall Ovens Respond To Alexa Voice CommandsEasy Upgradability Helps Ensure Ovens are "Future Proof"Jenn-Air® has been a true leader in using technology in their appliances, particularly in cooking products. A few years ago they launched a revolutionary oven with a 7" touch full color screen that serves as a culinary center automatically cooking food to the user's desired doneness. They've continued as an early adopter in "smart" appliances with connected wall ovens, that can be operated with apps for iPhones and Androids, and are tied in with Nest home controls. Now, they can be connected to Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. Here's how it works:Simple voice commands have been created for everything from preheating and setting timers to changing temperatures and cooking modes. For example, while hands are busy prepping and mixing ingredients, preheating the oven to a desired temperature can be initiated simply by saying "Alexa, tell Jenn-Air to preheat the oven to 400 degrees." Owners of Jenn-Air® Connected Wall Ovens can now use their voices, along with the brand’s existing IOS and Android wall oven apps, to control many essential functions of this luxury, high tech appliance. The new voice command feature, enabled by Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, is easily activated using the brand’s free wall oven “Skill,” one of thousands available at the Alexa Skills Store.Jenn-Air® Connected Wall Ovens are already largely controllable using the IOS and Android mobile apps, whether for -
AppliancesJuly 15, 2017
Tips for Periodic Appliance Checkups
Maintaining Your Major AppliancesHere are some tips to maintaining, cleaning, and inspecting your washing machine and clothes dryer. You can save time and money by following this advice, and avoid breakdowns, or hazardous situations.Washing Machine It's a good idea to periodically check and replace the fill hoses on your washing machine. If you have rubber hoses, you should consider replacing them with braided stainless steel hoses. It is recommended that you replace your washer hoses every 3-5 years. While you are back there, take a look at the electrical connection. The plug needs to be firmly in place, the cord connection to the washer should have a restraint, and should not evidence any corrosion or burn marks. Also, you should periodically clean the inside of your outer washer tub. Whirlpool makes a cleaner called Affresh for this purpose. There are also a variety of home remedies including using combinations of bleach, vinegar, and/or baking soda. You can discover these cleaning remedies online, or just look on the aisles of your grocery store for washer cleaning products. If you have a front loading washer, pay special attention to cleaning the front gasket, especially at the bottom where it's possible for moisture to settle and mold to grow.Automatic DryerMake a habit of cleaning the lint filter in your dryer once a week. It's also very important to regularly clean the dryer vent. If you're lucky you'll have a short direct vent pipe to the outside that you can clean with a vacuum -
AppliancesJuly 14, 2017
Dishwashing Tips for Cleaner Dishes
Three tips for cleaner dishesTry these tips for cleaner dishes, or get a new dishwasher at UAKC Here are three suggestions to make sure you're getting the most out of your dishwasher:1. Don't pre-clean your dishes.Some people want to give their dishwasher a little help by pre-washing their dishes. While you certainly don't want to put your leftover for baked on food in your dishwasher, it is not a good idea to rinse off your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergents contain chemicals that keep food particles removed from the dishes in suspension so that they don't get redeposited on your dishes. If you put only clean dishes in the dishwasher, the detergent will find no dirt particles and wind up as a film on your already clean dishes.2. Hot water gets dishes clean.Typically, dishwashers will heat incoming water to 150 degrees or more depending on the cycle selected. However, the incoming water needs to be 120 degrees for this to happen. Even if your water heater provides water at 120 degrees, if your dishwasher is located too far from the water heater, the hot water may not be hot enough by the time it gets to the dishwasher. My water heater is at one corner of my house, and my dishwasher is clear over at the other corner, as far as it can be from the water heater. We need to run the hot water at the sink near the dishwasher for a few minutes before we
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