Repair & Improve

Small Appliance Maintenance

Your small appliances need occasional maintenance just like the bigger ones.  If your can opener or blender is kaput, it’s probably cheaper to buy a new one than have it repaired.  But try these tips to keep them running properly and they’ll last a little longer:

Always remember to unplug an electric can opener before cleaning it.  Wipe it down after each use, using a damp sponge and liquid dishwashing detergent.  Don’t immerse it in water.  Several times a year, you can remove the cutting wheel and lid holder and soak them in hot sudsy water.  Scrub dried on food with a toothbrush, rinse, dry and replace the parts. 

Garbage disposals are self-cleaning, but they can get smelly, especially if you let food sit in them for any length of time. To keep your garbage disposal odorless and running smoothly, operate it with a full stream of running cold water. Flush the garbage disposal for a few seconds after turning it off to ensure that all debris is washed away.  Never put metal, wood, glass, paper, or plastic objects in your disposal.  Don’t use it to grind really tough foods like artichoke leaves and corn husks.  And never attempt to unclog a disposal with caustic drain cleaners.  If your disposal smells like last night’s dinner, you can tear up the peels from citrus fruit and grind up under a stream of cold water.  Or sprinkle baking soda over ice cubes and grind them in the disposal.

Remember to unplug your toaster or toaster oven and let it cool before cleaning it. Never immerse the toaster in water.  Wipe the exterior of the toaster regularly. Remove the crumb tray at the base of the toaster and shake out accumulated crumbs.  Wash the tray in warm soapy water.

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