How to Take Apart and Reassemble Your Major Appliance

Before you can get inside an appliance and figure out what in the world might be wrong, it is important to know how to correctly and safely take apart and reassemble it. Luckily, though large appliances may have vastly different functions, they are often held together in similar ways.

Prior to starting, there are a few crucial things to remember.

• Unplug the appliance – working with a live appliance is a recipe for disaster. If you ever have to check something that involves returning power to the unit, plug it in, stand back, then turn it off before resuming work.

• Keep track of your work – you don’t want to be left with a confusing mess of screws, bolts, and wires. Keep notes on where each component came from, and use containers to keep track of the small screws.

• Label all wires – these can notoriously all look the same by the end of a repair.

• Go piece by piece – not all repairs require full disassembly. If you think the malfunction may have occurred in a easily accessible spot, than start there and move on if the appliance is still not functioning correctly. 

1. Beginning 

Start with the most apparent points of connection, such as the knobs and fasteners. These may be screwed on, held with pins, spring clips, springs, or simply push-fit and can be removed by pulling. Fasteners may be hidden from view, but that does not mean that they cannot be disassembled. One common occurrence is the spring clip.

2. Getting Closer 

To remove a spring clip, use a putty knife and put the blade of the knife into the seam where the top panel hits the side panel. If you find an obstruction, this is most likely a spring clip. Push the blade directly against the clip, while pushing up on the top panel and it should pop out with ease.

Fasteners may also be hidden behind a variety of objects, such as a nameplate, logo, plug, or behind the appliance. Carefully remove the part that is hiding the fastener, and then remove the fastener itself. If something really seems like it is a force fit, gentle application of a heading pad may make the disassembly easier.

3. While It’s Apart

Once you have removed all panels and fasteners, take the opportunity of the opened appliance to vacuum the inside, lubricate any motors, and make sure electrical contacts are clean. You would be surprised how much a thorough cleaning can do. The most common problem in washing machines is a buildup of lint.

4. Reassembly

Finally, put together everything based on your detailed notes, and test the appliance to make sure it is in working order. If anything malfunctions or seems off, go back over your repair and make sure that all components are back exactly how you found them.

If the appliance still malfunctions, you may need to have a repair technician come take a look at your unit.

Occasionally, units will need to have parts replaced to bring them back to working order. If the part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service, or visit CoreCentric's eBay Store to breathe new life back into your old unit! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your oven back up and running in no time while avoiding a costly appliance replacement. Call 866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.

How to Effectively Clean Your Oven Using the Self-Clean Mode

After several hundred meals ranging from Thanksgiving turkey to frozen pizza, your oven collects all kinds of debris that can be a headache (and backache) to thoroughly clean. The self-cleaning mode on your oven is a neat little function that saves a lot of time while avoiding using chemical-based cleaners around food preparation areas.

So how does self-cleaning actually work? Essentially, the cleaning mode raises the temperature of your oven well over 800 degrees to create an extreme atmosphere in which food particles and debris cannot withstand. During this cycle, the debris eventually either dissipates or reduces to an ash-like consistency that can be easily removed with a damp cloth. If you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while, or used the self-cleaning feature, follow these simple steps to get your unit sparkling clean once again.


                        Preparation - 

a.       Make the job a little easier for your oven by peeking into the unit to look for any large debris that could pose as a problem during the cycle. Not only does it make the cleaning process easier for the oven, but it will also prevent excessive smoke from being released into your home.

b.      Some manufacturers recommend leaving the oven racks while others do not. The high temperature may cause the shiny finish on the racks to become dull after a self-cleaning cycle. If you are unsure, check your owner’s manual.

Watch out for Flammables! - 

a.       Your oven is about to be heated to a very high level. Take extra precaution by removing all flammable items within your oven’s immediate proximity. Also, keep an eye out for children and pets!

Lock It Up! - 

a.       Ovens that have a self-cleaning mode have a locking mechanism that prevents the oven from being opened during the cycle to prevent any injury from the extreme heat. Check your owner’s manual to determine if your oven door automatically locks or needs to be manually latched.

Fire It Up! - 

a.       After you have your oven door properly secured, it is time to fire it up! Start the self-cleaning cycle and be sure to turn your overhead fan on as well.

b.      The exhaust fan will help prevent excessive smoke and the burning smell from escaping into your home as the debris is burned off, however, it is normal for an oven to smoke during this cycle. Opening a few windows nearby in addition to the exhaust fan helps as well.

Self Cleaning Time - 

a.       Let the oven do its work! Your oven will soon heat up to over 800 degrees incinerating all the debris in your unit. The running time varies by manufacturer and model so if you are unsure, check your owner’s manual.

b.      DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO OPEN YOUR OVEN DURING THIS CYCLE! Self-cleaning ovens have the locking feature for your safety – to protect you from the extreme temperature it achieves during the cycle. The cycle time may be more than 4 hours so be patient and do not try to rush the process by opening the door. It can severely injure you and those around you.

Cool Down - 

a.       After the cycle is complete, your oven will most likely remain locked during the cool down period. The oven will take some time to return to a safe temperature so be sure to allow ample time.

Clean Up - 

a.       Now that your oven has returned to a safe temperature you can complete the final step of the cleaning process. Simply take a damp cloth and wipe down all surfaces in the inside of the oven. You will find that all debris has been reduced to a dust consistency that is very easy to remove.

The self-cleaning feature is a great way to keep your oven debris free without excessive scrubbing. If only all appliances had this nifty little feature.

If the self-cleaning function, or any function, does not seem to be working properly you may need to have a repair technician come take a look at your unit.

Occasionally, oven units will need to have their control board replaced to bring them back to working order. If the part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service, or visit CoreCentric's eBay Store to breathe new life back into your old unit! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your oven back up and running in no time while avoiding a costly appliance replacement. Call 866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.

What is the ideal temperature for your refrigerator?

When you open your refrigerator, you see a world where your fresh produce, lunchmeats and favorite beverages live harmoniously. What you don’t see is the ongoing, microscopic battle between your food and the bacteria that is attempting to overthrow your refrigerator and stake claim on everything from your Clementine oranges to the Chipotle burrito you did not have room to finish.

 

Your refrigerator’s job is to keep the items inside preserved – slowing the growth of bacteria and keeping your food fresh. The low temperature creates an environment that keeps your food items edible and tasty while keeping bacteria in check. The lower the temperature, the fewer bacteria can thrive and multiply on your food.

 

So what is the best temperature to keep your refrigerator? If you keep your refrigerator too cold, your vegetables get mushy and your Diet Coke cans explode causing a sticky mess. Keep your refrigerator level too warm and bacteria will overrun your entire fridge spoiling all of your items, wasting food and requiring another trip to the grocery store.

 

The best temperature to keep your refrigerator is anywhere between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your fridge in this “sweet spot” will prolong the life of your food and keep bacteria at bay. Most refrigerators have temperature control settings, commonly located in the back of the unit. Newer models even have the temperature panels located on the refrigeration door for easy temperature adjustment. Depending on the contents in your fridge, the temperature will vary which is why it is important to take the time and determine the optimal setting regularly.

 

By achieving the ideal temperature for your refrigerator, you can prolong the life of your foods, save money and energy, and avoid sharing your favorite dish with your microscopic adversary. Here are a few great tips to keep your refrigerator running in tip-top shape:

 

• Clean your refrigerators condenser coils at the bottom and in the back. Freeing up dust particles makes it easier for your refrigerator to obtain the proper temperature - saving money and electricity
• Overloading your refrigerator with lots of warm food upsets the temperature and condensation balance. Let your food cool off a bit before putting it away
• Refrigerators and freezers operate best when they are full and have space between the items for cold air to circulate – put your Tetris skills to work!
• Close the door! When your refrigerator door is open, you let out more cold air than you think. Do your best to avoid keeping the door open for extended periods of time
• Refrigerator seals wear out over time and let the cool air out causing your fridge to constantly be running in the cooling cycle. Take a dollar bill and close the refrigerator door on it. If the bill easily slides out, you may need to replace your seal

 

Is your refrigerator not working at all? If you cannot diagnose the problem you may need to have a repair technician come take a look. Choosing the Right Appliance Repair Technician is important to ensure your appliance gets back to running in tip-top shape.

 

Occasionally, refrigerators will need to have their control board replaced. If the refrigerator part is no longer available for purchase, try CoreCentric Solutions’ Return for Repair service to breathe new life back into your old appliance! Our fast turnaround time of 24-48 hours gets your appliance back working again in no time and saves you the hassle of purchasing a new refrigerator. Call 1866-737-2244 for more information on our Return for Repair service.