Have you tried turning it off and on again?

This simple advice is tried, tested, and true: your problem might go away if you turn it off and on again.

If something doesn't seem right with your appliance, turn it off or unplug it for a while and let it rest. Plug it back in and see if that fixed the problem.

Who knows, it may just fix everything!

DIY Troubleshooting

There are many things on appliances that you might be able to fix yourself. The trick is to know what you need to fix. Luckily, that could be an easy fix.

Find out the make and model of your appliance. Once you have that, look up the owner's manual for it. There is almost certainly a section on troubleshooting in the manual.

Follow the steps to determine the error code, and look up the problem online. If its a bit more complicated than you'd like to handle, just give us a call and we can work with you on fixing your appliance!

A Gas Stove MUST

Gas stoves tend to live longer than their electrical counterparts by a couple years. However, they only do if you do this one thing to them:

CLEAN THEM!

Debris and spills build up can prevent the gas from burning the right way, and create more wear and tear on the stove.

When cleaning, make sure the gas is off and you take all the proper safety precautions.

Why Impulse Buy?

Salesmen at a big-box shop can be intimidating with their pushiness. They want to sell you the latest and greatest so they get their commission. They will practically try to sell you a washer and dryer that tweet out when your laundry is done. No one needs all those bells and whistles - just clean clothes.

We sell the tried and true products, and with great perks. We have a lifetime service guarantee and have a 90-day financing cash option! We also wont push you to close a sale.

If you're in need of a new large appliance or just a repair, give us a call or stop on by.

Range Hood Filters

All the steam and splashes from cooking makes range hoods surprisingly gunked up. Every couple of months you'll want to replace them. If you have metal ones, just take them out and wash them with soap and water. Charcoal and paper filters just need to be replaced.

7 Top Hints When Working on Your Appliance

1. Be aware of sharp edges
2. Tie back long hair
3. Wear proper safety gear
4. Unplug the Appliance
5. Work in well lit areas
6. Remove all jewelry
7. Lift with your legs, not your back

If you're unsure about doing any work on your own appliance, call us at 208-344-6700 or stop by at 609 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706

How to Clean Your Range Hood Filter

Changing your range hood filter is important to keep the vent working properly. We found a video that will teach you how to clean or replace it!

Are you Cooking Christmas Dinner?

If you're cooking Christmas dinner, it might be a good time to check your appliances. Are they ready to handle the load of cooking for a whole family? If your appliances are up to the job, we can help.

Call us at
(208) 344-6700

Visit us at
http://www.expressapplianceid.com/

Or stop by at
607 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706

Moving Your Appliance

Whether its replacing them or moving to a new home, every once in a while, you need to move a large appliance. Here are some must-know tips when moving anything from fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, and everything else:

1. Completely empty the appliance
2. Clean the appliance
3. unplug all connections (power, water, gas, etc) and keep any disconnected part nearby
4. Wait till its good to move (don't move a friedge/freezer till they're room temperature, empty water reservoir, etc)
5. Make sure you have the proper equipment to move heavy appliances, such as a dolly or a shoulder-dolly lifting system

Call us at

208-344-6700

Visit us at

www.expressapplianceid.com

Stop by at

609 N. Orchard, Boise

Business hours:

M-F, 8-6; Sat 8-5

Keep Your Appliances Running Longer

We rely on our household appliances every day and need to me functioning at their best. Doing simple maintenance task can help to extend their life immensely.

• Fridge: Clean your refrigerator coils regularly. They can get caked and clogged with dust.This build up can cause the fridge to fail. This is especially important if you have pets in your household because it will build up faster
• Oven and Range: Be careful how you clean your oven and range, and what you use to clean it. Overly harsh chemical cleaners can clog range burners. It is also prudent to avoid spraying cleaner directly on to knobs because the cleaner can leak behind the knobs and cause electrical shorts. Always use soft cloths, light cleaners. If you must use a harsh chemical, apply it to the cloth before the surface.
• Dishwasher: Don't pre-wash your dishes too much. If the dishes get put into the dishwasher with too much water on them or too much soap it can cause your dishwasher to overflow. 
• Washing Machine: Don’t overload your washing machine. Overloading your washing machine adds wear and tear to the motor and can cause damage and leaks. Even though doing more that one load can be a hassle it will save you time and money in the long run by preventing damage.
• Dryer: You probably already know to clean the lint trap, but make sure you also give it a deep clean to get any lint in the ducts or around the exit vents. This is where lint and dust tend to build up. Make sure to clean the moisture sensor also. Residue from dryer sheets and dust can clog it up and make your dryer work harder than it needs to.

With these maintenance tips you can keep your most used appliances in topnotch running order and keep them running longer.

How much should I budget for home appliances?

Make your stainless steel shine!

What You Need

Vinegar (in a spray bottle works best)

Paper towels (optional)

Very soft or microfiber cloth

Mineral Oil (or other oil such as olive oil)

Instructions

1. Gather your supplies and determine the direction of the grain: We normally use the term "grain" for wood; however, stainless steel also has a grain. Look closely. It will either be running horizontally or vertically. To clean your stainless steel, rub in the direction of that grain.
2. Pre-clean your appliance with vinegar: Spray your appliance with vinegar. Use either a paper towel or a very soft cloth to wipe the vinegar off in the direction of the grain. This should remove the surface dirt from your appliance and start to shine it a bit.

Use oil to make it shine: Dip your soft cloth into a little bit of oil. Start with a small amount and add more as needed. Now, polish your appliance with your oiled-up cloth in the direction of the grain. You will start to see any marks disappear! Now you have a shiny new appliance again!

Estimate your appliance and home electronics energy usage!

The U.S. Department of Energy has created a nifty tool to calculate how much it costs to run any and all appliances!

Click here to try it out!

If you have any other questions call us at

208-344-6700

or stop by our location at

609 N Orchard st, Boise

12 Hints for Buying Large Appliances (part 2)

Last week we gave you several tips on how to buy appliances, as it can be a scary purchase. We try our best to provide our customers with a welcoming atmosphere, are comfortable asking questions, and are informed. Lets go over a couple more hints to help you when buying appliances!

7. Get the right gear

If you're constantly cooking, having the right pans, dishes, and silverware could extend the life of your appliance, as well as accent your food's taste.

8. Test drive

Everybody has those pet peeves that drive us crazy, and appliances aren't immune to being their target. Try thinking of what may bother you when buying an appliance. Some fridge doors close if not opened properly, others have an extra tight seal, a couple may open from the wrong side for your house, and some may have too dim of a light. You may be living with this choice for a while, so make sure you get the right one!

9. Any perks?

We don't want to brag, but we like to believe that we give every customer a steal of a deal. Our prices are the best you'll find, and on top of that, we finance, give every customer a 90 day warranty, a lifetime service agreement, and a delivery option.

We finance, 90 days same as cash. That's one heck of a deal :)

If the appliance needs any repair within the 90 day warranty, we'll pick up the tab. To quote The Rembrandts, "I'll be there for you".

After the warranty runs out, washers, dryers, and stoves have the low copay of $49.95, and fridges and freezers have the great copay of $69.95.

Not everybody has a truck they can just toss a fridge in. We will hook you up with delivery, anywhere from Boise all the way to Nampa, for only $49.95.

10. Know when its time

I admit, I have let the "check engine" light blink on for far longer than I should have. I came to realize, it was my car telling me it was time to put it out to pasture er... junkyard.

Your appliances will let you know when their time has come as well. They'll be much louder, not work as well, accidentally ruin clothes/food, or cost too much to fix.

Come talk to us if you need a 2nd opinion, or someone to haul it away.

11. Get the good stuff

Some people just are better at certain things than others. Their work stands out and it shows. Picking an appliance brand is no different. Before you sign on the dotted line, know what you're getting into. Does a brand have reliable parts that require little or no maintenance? Or does a brand have more fragile parts, like seals, motors, or knobs that require a bit more upkeep?

Don't get information from one source, but from several places. Read both positive and negative reviews. Our professional staff are also very knowledgeable about brands, and can help you weigh pros and cons.

12. Think ahead

When I was a teenager, I was given a motor cycle from a family friend. Being 14 and the owner of a motorcycle was VERY exciting, despite the fact it was (in retrospect) just a pile of junk. I was optimistic, and thought I could buy parts and get it cruising in no time. After a little bit of research, I found that my bike was a very old Japanese model. Any parts I bought would rather have to be shipped from overseas or be custom made in America. Either way, it instantly turned into an unrealistically expensive repair.

Some brands may have the same curse. Where one model's parts could be growing on trees, another model's parts could be as rare as a unicorn.

This information may be tricky to search for online if you don't know what you're looking for. Our staff know our products, their models, and their parts inside and out. They can help you decide if a model's potential repairs are the difference between feast or famine.


Keep an eye on our blog for more hints, tips, tricks, and stories!

12 Hints for Buying Large Appliances (part 1)

Buying appliances can be a worrisome ordeal, and we've been there. We pride ourselves in taking good care of our customers. We make sure they're informed, delighted with their purchase, and leave satisfied enough to come back for future needs!

1. So many options!

There's a couple of options you may not have thought of unless you came into the shop. In attempt to better prepare you for the range of purchase options, lets determine what you want.

Do you want a gas, coil, or glass stove top? What about induction vs electric?

A conventional or convection oven? Double or single?

A top-down or side-by-side refrigerator? Stainless steal? Filtered water and ice? A special drawer for vegetables?

What's your price range? Do you have a lot, or just a little? New or old?

If you feel a bit overwhelmed, we got your back. Call us at 208-344-6700 or stop by at 609 Orchard st, Boise ID.

2. Don't be a diamond

Being under pressure makes diamonds, but it also leads to impulse buys. Don't feel pressured to buy something you don't want or can't afford. We want to find the right fit for you.

3. Keep in mind what you're using it for

If you live solely on frozen pizzas, you're most likely going to want a freezer with a lot of space. If you're needing space for food with ingredients, you'll probably going to want more fridge space. Different styles of fridges have different proportions of their freezers and fridges.

But these style differences aren't just for freezers and fridges. There are different sizes of ovens, washer/dryer capacities, and numbers of stove heads. Keep in mind what you'd need your new appliance for.

4. Know how to care for your purchase

In college, we weren't always the smartest with laundry. Having no washer/dryer of my own, I had to use my grandma's. Desperate to get all my laundry done in a single visit, I stuffed the washer past the brim. 15 minutes later, the washer was moaning under the strain of my mountain of clothes. Luckily, grandma stopped it before the washer gave out, and gave me a short lesson.

The same applies for all other appliances. It may seem silly, but look up the proper use for any appliance you just bought. Some things you may never have thought of, like cleaning dryer vents, sweeping under ovens, and battling a washer's mildew.

Even a simple mistake could end up being costly in you're not careful. Ask us at All Brands Appliance if you have any question, we're professionals!

5. Measure, Measure, Measure!

If you have narrow hallways, or have some tricky corners, make sure your new purchase fits! It would be incredibly frustrating going through the process of buying an appliance, having it delivered, only to find out that you're just inches away from the finish line. To prevent this "close, but no cigar" situation, know the dimensions needed in order to properly install it.

6. Corvette of appliances?

Everybody likes the fanciest, newest, and coolest stuff. From phones, to cars, and yes, even to washers. However, you don't always need to go out to the car dealership and spend an arm and a leg when the cars at the used car lot works just as well (and doesn't hit your wallet like a ton of bricks).

Our used appliances are in EXCELLENT condition, and all come with a free lifetime service agreement! Best of all, we're the best bang for your buck in the whole valley!

Tune in next week for part 2!

To Replace, or Not to Replace?

To replace, or not to replace? That is the question. Whether its more cost effective to repair, or simply spring for a new model.

When it comes to appliances like ovens and fridges, Angie's List recommends using a "cost+age" formula to determine whether to replace or repair.  If the repair of an appliance will cost more than half the price of buying a new one, and if it's nearing the end of its useful life, replace it. 

"If the consumer made an initial investment in that that was pretty large and they can get it fixed for a couple hundred dollars, they may opt to repair," says Ryan Wagner, an appliance store manager.

Angie's List research shows that there are still plenty of repair people in the industry for when you need them, and we're one of them! Call us at 208-344-6700 anytime!

5 things to check on your appliances (part 2)

6. Fix rusty dish rack tines

Rust on the tines of your dishwasher racks can adhere to and ruin your dishes and silverware. To solve this issue, purchase a tine repair kit, and use a sealant to adhere the replacement tips over any rusty or chipped tines. Let dry for at least 24 hours before running the dishwasher.

7. Clean and deodorize your garbage disposalTurn the disposal off and look down the drain for any large, stuck items. Use tongs or another tool--not your hands--to remove blockages. Pour a mixture of ice cubes and salt, or vinegar down the drain. Run cold water over it for 10 seconds, and turn on the unit. To remove odors, place a handful of citrus peels in the disposal, run cold water, and turn it on.

8. Clean your dryer exhaust

Lint in the dryer exhaust not only reduces appliance efficiency, it is a fire hazard. To clean, loosen the clamp and pull the exhaust off the back of the dryer. Remove large clumps of lint from the tubing and the hole in the back with your hands, or if you can't reach, gently scrape with a straightened coat hanger. Vacuum and reattach.

9. Inspect washing machine hoses

Most washing machine floods are caused by leaks in the hose. Check the hoses that connect to the back panel on your washing machine for any cracks, leaks, or weak spots on the hoses. If you find any deformities, replace the hose. And at minimum, replace the hoses every five years.

10. Clean your air conditioner filter

Clogged or dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing energy efficiency as well as the appliance's lifespan. As a result, filters should be cleaned every two to four weeks. To clean the filter, remove the front panel of the unit. If a reusable filter is in place, vacuum it to remove as much dirt as possible. Disposable filters can simply be replaced

10 DIY Maintenance Tips : Part 2

We all have that fear. Your washing machine breaks in the middle of a cycle, flooding your laundry room. Your refrigerator shuts down after you just restocked with groceries. Or your oven stops working just before a large holiday meal. What many people don't realize is that these and other major appliance malfunctions can be avoided with just a little TLC.

There are simple appliance maintenance tasks that you can do on your own, with little investment (time or money) and no prior experience. Here are the last five of ten easy DIY tips for maintaining your appliances.

6. Fix rusty dish rack tines. Rust on the tines of your dishwasher racks can adhere to and ruin your dishes and silverware. To solve this issue, purchase a tine repair kit, and use a sealant to adhere the replacement tips over any rusty or chipped tines. Let dry for at least 24 hours before running the dishwasher.

7. Clean and deodorize your garbage disposal. Turn the disposal off and look down the drain for any large, stuck items. Use tongs or another tool--not your hands--to remove blockages. Pour a mixture of ice cubes and salt, or vinegar down the drain. Run cold water over it for 10 seconds, and turn on the unit. To remove odors, place a handful of citrus peels in the disposal, run cold water, and turn it on.

8. Clean your dryer exhaust. Lint in the dryer exhaust not only reduces appliance efficiency, it is a fire hazard. To clean, loosen the clamp and pull the exhaust off the back of the dryer. Remove large clumps of lint from the tubing and the hole in the back with your hands, or if you can't reach, gently scrape with a straightened coat hanger. Vacuum and reattach.

9. Inspect washing machine hoses. Most washing machine floods are caused by leaks in the hose. Check the hoses that connect to the back panel on your washing machine for any cracks, leaks, or weak spots on the hoses. If you find any deformities, replace the hose. And at minimum, replace the hoses every five years.

10. Clean your air conditioner filter. Clogged or dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing energy efficiency as well as the appliance's lifespan. As a result, filters should be cleaned every two to four weeks. To clean the filter, remove the front panel of the unit. If a reusable filter is in place, vacuum it to remove as much dirt as possible. Disposable filters can simply be replaced.

Follow these quick and easy repair tips to keep your appliances running like new.

How To Move An Appliance

The first thing to know is that dirt and grit under the foot of an appliance can increase the friction enough to damage flooring pretty easily. So the first step is to mop the floor. You should also have someone helping you. 

When its dry, the first step is to take a piece of cardboard that's big enough to have the whole appliance on it and still have some to grab on to. Tilt the appliance back onto its back feet, and slide the cardboard under the front feet.

The next step is to set the appliance down, and tilt it onto its front feet. Kind of wiggle the appliance so that it's back feet are on the cardboard as well. The whole appliance should be on there now.

Have fun moving your appliance around! Remember to be safe while doing it!