Is the food in my refrigerator still good after a power outage?

If you experience a power outage, you might be wondering if the food in your refrigerator or freezer is still safe to eat. The answer is, “probably not” according to the Louisiana State University AgCenter.

A press release sent out by the center said to, “Discard any perishable food, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers that have been higher than 40 degrees F for two hours. This will be true of most food in your refrigerator if the power was off for more than four hours.”

Your greatest weapon against food spoilage during a power outage is preparation. Here are some tips from LSU and  Nutritionist and food safety expert Beth Reames:

Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer door!

Your unopened refrigerator will still keep your food cold for up to four hours. A full freezer will keep food cold for 48 hours if unopened and a half-full freezer will keep food cold for 24 hours. The more you open the door, the more cool air escapes. Use portable coolers and place items you use most in those coolers in order to protect the majority of your food.

Use a thermometer

Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer. Before on outage strikes, make sure that your freezer is set at or below 0 degrees and your refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees.

Buy Dry or Blocked ice

For prolonged periods of power loss, buy dry or blocked ice to keep your fridge or freezer as cold as possible. “Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic-foot full freezer for two days,” according to Reames.

Keep ice packs on hand

Freeze plastic jugs of ice or gel packs and make sure you always have ice on hand for such emergencies. Use these things to keep food cold during a power outage.

For more tips on food safety during power outages, visit http://www.lsuagcenter.com/.

Read the full story online: “Tips might help save your food when next storm hits.“

Amana‘s refrigerator designs are a blend of modern, colorful and fun

Here’s proof that appliances do not have to be boring. If you are a very creative person, who is willing to take wild risks in your home (especially if you know you are going to be there for quite a while) then consider Amana’s new line of colorful designer refrigerators.

Amana Refrigerator in “Brocade”

Amana Refrigerator in “Orbit”

Amana Refrigerator in “Pink Lemonade”

The Amana refrigerators, “inspired by” Style Network Superstar and former “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” interior designer Thom Filicia, come in modern patterns and vibrant shades such as “Pink Lemonade,” a cool, steely-looking pink, “Brocade,” a lovely ornate pattern, “Orbit,” a fun pop art print, and “Inked” a matt black color with a faded tribal tattoo design on the freezer door.

The Amana Website even offers a cute little game you can play by arranging which fridge designs you prefer from most to least. After dragging and dropping the fridges in your preferred order, click the “Tell me now” arrow and it gives you a fun little “personality profile” based on your selection.  My results below:

“Patient and relaxed, you are good with children, stupid people and at untying knots. You seek to minimize conflict by remaining non-committal about everything except putting mayo on French fries. Others are attracted to your seemingly genuine interest in their lives, not realizing that you have mastered the art of sleeping with your eyes open. This skill is an important part of how you remain patient and relaxed.”

Hilarious!

I could find no word on where or when these colorful Amana Refrigerators will be available or even how much. Currently, only one refrigerator from the page is available in either “red” or “universal silver” for $799.00.

Amana is owned by the Whirlpool Corporation.

Why isn’t my new icemaker working? Why doesn’t my icemaker make ice?

Ice Container Frigidaire Refrigerartor - Sale Price $26.78

Your new icemaker needs time for the ice mold to cool to at least a minimum of 16F, andpreferably as low as 8F to 10F before an ice making cycle will begin. In new installations, there is a possibility of air in the lines. The air will usually cycle out during the first few ice making cycles.

If there is a water filter, check to see that it’s not clogged. If your refrigerator has a water dispenser, fill a glass of water to see if the flow is good.

Why doesn’t my icemaker make ice?

The water filter may be plugged with sediment, or you may have low water pressure. The water pressure for icemakers needs to be at least 40 psi, and up to about 120 psi for proper operation. Water filters need to be changed every six months. If you would like to test your water pressure, purchase an Icemaker Water Flow Tester to determine if the water pressure at the supply line is high enough for the icemaker to function properly.

To determine if your filter is plugged, look for water both before and after the filter. It may be hard to determine if there is water flowing through the filter. Sometimes it is necessary to pull the filter out of the feed line to see if water is flowing from the exit of the filter into the refrigerator or freezer. You can do this over a bucket to catch any dripping water. Some models have a filter bypass plug to help determine if the filter is clogged. If so, you would remove the filter and replace it with the filter bypass plug. Now test your water flow.

Icemaker Kit for Kenmore Refrigerators. Sale Price $156.05

If your refrigerator has a water dispenser, you can hold a large cup or glass under it for 20 seconds. You should have poured about 13-14 oz. of water in that 20 seconds. If the amount is less, try removing the filter and bypassing it. If you now get the 13-14 oz. of water, the filter was clogged and it’s time to replace your refrigerator water filter. If not, you have low water pressure in the line, and your icemaker may not work properly.

On occasion, the water inlet tube will freeze where it enters the icemaker. This can happen because the water is dripping slowly, or the freezer is just set too cold. A hair blow dryer can be used to thaw this, but be careful around the plastic tubing. You don’t want it to crack or deform. You may want to turn the thermostat up a little bit if this is a regular occurrence. If you have a constant, regular drip, you may want to invest in a new water fill valve.

Another reason that your icemaker may not be making ice is the bail arm along the side of the icemaker. This arm must be in the lowered position for the icemaker to operate. If the arm is stuck up, it has shut the unit off. This is a safety feature of the unit. Normally, if there’s too much ice in the bin, the arm will get stuck in the raised position and keep any more water from entering the icemaker. You must lower the arm to begin making more ice.

Don’t always go by the manufacturer’s label when considering refrigerator capacity

When you start shopping for a new refrigerator, consider the difference between what manufacturer’s report as refrigerator capacity and what space you can actual use for storage inside your refrigerator. ConsumerReports.org has a 10 to 25 percent difference in their review of refrigerators because they don’t count the small amount of space below and along side of refrigerator crisper drawers.  Appliance makers’ capacity figures must include all the space, but that doesn’t mean its actual “useable space.”

Refrigerator Crisper Drawer Sale price: $21.52. Fits Maytag and other brands.

The more drawers and shelving the refrigerator has the less usable space you will have.  Some people prefer this, because it might help keep items more organized, but if you need a lot of space you might want to buy a fridge without extra, built-in shelves and drawers.

Even if you buy a base model, keep in mind, you can buy more storage and organizational items for your refrigerator as you need them. Stores selling refrigerator parts should have these accessories in stock. Be sure to get the brand, make and model of your appliance to make sure they have the right appliance parts you need.

Think about the Frigidaire refrigerator parts you have now and consider the different types of foods you buy. If you are currently maxed out on space, then you might want to include additional capacity into your buying decision. Take measurements or get them off the refrigerator itself.  Be sure to take outside measurements of your refrigerator to see if it can fit into the room itself, especially if it is going under any cabinetry.

Frigidaire Refrigerator Parts to fix your broken Frigidaire Appliance. Buy your Frigidaire Refrigerator accessories here too. www.apwagner.com

When it comes to how big of a refrigerator you should buy, consider this good rule of thumb from http://www.myhomeideas.com , “8 cubic feet of refrigerator space for two people; add 1 cubic foot for each additional family member.”

Be sure to leave some space behind your refrigerator in order to reach the condenser coils for cleaning on the back of the refrigerator. An inch or two should be sufficient if you use a condenser coil cleaning brush. If there are no coils, you can push it closer to the wall.

Maytag Recalls Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

The Maytag Corporation is recalling 1.6 million refrigerators due to a possible fire hazard after receiving dozens of reports from consumers saying that the appliance ignited causing damages to their homes according to a press release issued by the company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall is for certain side by side and top freezer refrigerators made under the Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® names. Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in the recall.

Read more about the recall at the APWagner Appliance Parts Website.

Check to see if your refrigerator was included in the recall.

Model and serial numbers included in the recall.

Refrigerator leaking oil-colored liquid

I have read several questions from readers about a mysterious liquid leaking, some describe it as “looking like syrup,” from their refrigerator. If you have a similar problem here are a few things to check.

First, make sure the leak is not coming from a spill inside your refrigerator. A quick check inside your fridge should do the trick.

Second, it is possible that an older spill has leaked into your refrigerator’s drip pan. Remove the grill from the bottom front of your refrigerator and clean the drip pan. Mold can grow in the drip pan, so it’s good idea to clean it periodically.

If your refrigerator is leaking an oily or oil-colored liquid and is not freezing or cooling properly, it’s a good chance that the substance is refrigerator oil. The oil is normally clear and odorless, but when the seal to the system is broken, oxygen can dirty the oil during the compressor burn. The dirty oil is also an indication of a damaged compressor as well.

Since oxygen has somehow entered what should be a sealed system, and the compressor is shot, your best bet is to get a new refrigerator as the cost of repair might be equal to the cost of a new fridge.

Additional reading:

• System leaked now oil is pungent
• Why is my refrigerator leaking?
• Refrigerator Replacement Parts
• New Refrigerator Compressor
• Refrigerator evaporator and condenser repair

How much does it cost to run household appliances?

Ever wonder how much it costs to run your household appliances? Here’s a great article from WalletPop.com, “Top 5 Costly Appliances,” that will give you an average idea based off of estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy. It also gives tips on how to make sure your appliances are being as energy efficient as they can be. A little bit of cleaning and some basic maintenance can save you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs.

According to the article and the U.S. Department of Energy, “The fridge accounts for 5% of your annual energy bill, or $117.50 for the average household.”

The article quotes Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy, as saying that in order to save money, keep the coils beneath and behind your refrigerator unit clean so the fridge does not have to go into cooling cycles as much.

“Keeping the fridge at a moderate temperature (36 to 38 degrees, not lower) helps, as does regularly defrosting the freezer to eliminate ice buildup on the interior coils,” says Kweller.

Your washer and dryer are the energy hogs of your household, according to the US Department of Energy.

“Clothes washers and dryers collectively account for 6% of your annual energy bill, with the bulk of that amount coming from the dryer,” says the U.S. Department of Energy. That costs the average U.S. Household $141 per year.

To cut your expenses, the article advises you to use the clothes dryer’s moisture sensor which will turn the appliance off once the clothes are dry.

“Dishwasher use represents 2% of your annual energy bill, or roughly $47, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. By letting your dishes air dry instead of using the appliance’s drying feature, you’ll save $20 a year says Kweller.

The article also gives tips on how to cut costs for your HVAC System and your water heater. Read the entire article for more tips.

If you are looking for more ways to cut costs and save money on running your refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes dryer or other household appliance, visit The Repair Center at APWagner.com. The Repair Center offers appliance maintenance tips that will help you extend the life of your appliance by years. It also offers a trouble-shooting guide to appliance repair written in an easy to understand question and answer style.

APWagner.com also sells new, appliance parts with fast, next-day shipping on millions of in-stock appliance parts. Make sure you are ordering the correct part with their easy to use PartFinder appliance part search. Finding the right part for your appliance is easy, simply locate the model number off of your appliance and enter it into the PartFinder. If you do not know where to look for the model number on your appliance, we can help. Visit this page to see where to locate the model number on your appliance.

Refrigerators and how they work.

All residential refrigerators operate in a similar fashion. All refrigerators have these components: a compressor, condenser, evaporator, capillary tube, and a thermostat. Refrigerators with an automatic defrost cycle have small heaters in strategic places to defrost ice buildup. The basic principle of refrigeration is that you remove heat. Some people think refrigeration works by cooling something, but it’s just taking heat away. The refrigeration process is really simple. Your refrigerator takes warm air and makes it cooler by transferring the heat using evaporation principles.

Refrigeration starts with the compressor. The compressor is the workhorse for the refrigerator. The compressor is turned on when electricity is sent to it by the thermostat. It mechanically compresses, or squeezes, a refrigerant gas. This compression causes the gas to become a hot, high-pressure gas. Next, this hot gas flows through a set of condenser coils where it dissipates its heat, and condenses into a liquid.

The condenser coil is a system of bent tubes that run through thin pieces of metal. These thin pieces of metal are sometimes referred to as fins. These fins resemble a radiator that you would see in a car. The high-pressure gas from the compressor flows into the condenser coils and changes state to become a liquid. As this change takes place, the tubes radiate heat from the refrigerant gas. This heat is conducted away from the coils by the fins attached to the tubes. The capillary tube connects the condenser coils to the evaporator coils, and it controls the pressure of the refrigerant as it enters the coils.

As the refrigerant passes through the exit of the capillary tube, the liquid refrigerant expands, boils, and evaporates into the evaporator coils, and it becomes a cold, low-pressure gas. This cold gas flows through the evaporator coils, which allows the gas to absorb heat, and by absorbing that heat; it cools down the air flowing past the coils. The fan inside the freezer’s compartment circulates the air to keep the temperature uniform and constant. Because the evaporator coils are so cold, they cause any humidity in the air to freeze onto the evaporator coils as ice or frost. The refrigerant is then sucked back into the compressor where the process is repeated. A thermostat controls the process, helping to keep frozen foods at the desired temperature to maintain freshness.

The fan that is located inside the refrigerator’s freezer compartment circulates the air to keep the temperature uniform and constant. The process is regulated through the use of thermostats and switches, which help to keep your foods at a desirable temperature to maintain freshness without freezing the food, or leaving it so warm that it spoils. When the temperature is cool enough, the thermostat senses it, and tells the compressor and fan to take a break. When it gets too warm again, the same thermostat tells the compressor and fan break time is over.

Most modern refrigerators have an automatic defrost system which includes three major components: the defrost timer, defrost thermostat, and defrost heater.

The defrost timer, approximately every 6 to 12 hours, cuts off the power to the compressor and cooling system, and switches on the defrost heater. As the ice melts, it drips through a drain hole, through a tube, and into an evaporation pan where it evaporates with the help of a fan that blows warm compressor air over it to improve evaporation. The defrost heater has an electric heating element and is located just beneath the evaporator coils. This heater element gets hot, and due to its proximity to the coils, any ice or frost build-up usually melts pretty fast. When the defrost timer advances, or the defrost thermostat, located near the evaporator coils, detects that the temperature by the coils has raised up to a certain pre-set temperature, the cooling unit kicks back in.

For more information check out AP Wagner