Refrigerator Cleaning Checklist

Your refrigerator is the hardest working appliance in your kitchen, so every once in a while it is good to show it some appreciation with a thorough cleaning. Since they store all of your food, refrigerators invite messes, spills, and sticky spots. Use the following checklist to leave your fridge as clean as new in only 15 minutes.

• Remove all food from your refrigerator. The first step to cleaning your refrigerator is to remove all of the food items from it. The entire cleaning process should take 15 minutes or less, but if you are worried about your meat or dairy products going bad, you can store them in a cooler while you clean your refrigerator.
• Remove the shelves and wash them. After the food is completely taken out of the refrigerator, take out all of the shelves and drawers and wash them in the sink with a sponge and mild dish detergent. Most of the grime and spills on these can be removed quickly with some warm water and soap, but you might have to scrub to get some of the tougher stains out.
• Wipe down the interior. Once the refrigerator is bare, wipe down all interior surfaces with a wet cloth and a little bit of soap if necessary. Make sure that you completely dry the interior before moving on to the next step.
• Refill the refrigerator and organize your food. If your shelves are still wet, dry them with a towel and place them back in the refrigerator. Then, start replacing your food items one by one. As you are putting everything back in its place, check expiration dates. If a food has expired or you don't plan to consume it before it does expire, throw it away.

Now your refrigerator should be sparkling clean, organized, and free of spoiled foods!

Speedy Subzero is a repair service in New York specializing in the restoration of Subzero refrigerators and freezers. If your appliance isn't running like it should, consider getting it fixed for a fraction of the cost it would take to replace it. If you live on Long Island or New York City, call 866-782-9376 at any time for same-day service.

Things to Consider When Looking for a Refrigerator Repair Service

When it comes to appliance repairs, not all companies are created equal. The same job done by two different servicemen could produce two very different results. When searching for a refrigerator repair service, there are four key qualities you should consider when evaluating competitors:

• Experience. When you are having your appliance serviced, you want to be sure that the repairman knows what he is doing. The higher the level of experience of the worker, the more peace of mind for the customer. Speedy Subzero has been repairing refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers on Long Island for more than 75 years.
• Speed. Time is of the essence, especially when it comes to refrigerator repairs. If a repair service takes too long to arrive at your house, you could end up with a fridge full of spoiled food. Speedy Subzero provides same-day service and in-home repairs to get you up and running as soon as possible.
• Availability. Refrigerators can break down at any time – even outside of normal business hours. Speedy Subzero knows this, which is why we offer our services around the clock. Just dial 866-782-9376 at any time to schedule an appointment with one of our trained technicians.
• Licensing and Insurance. When given the option, you will always want to choose a service provider who is licensed and insured. A license ensures that they are knowledgeable in their craft and insurance protects you and your belongings from unforeseen damages. Speedy Subzero is fully licensed and insured, so that you know your fridge is in good hands.

To learn more about Speedy Subzero visit our website or call 866-782-9376.

Refrigerator Organization Tips

Refrigerators are the hardest working appliance in our kitchens. They are the only unit that runs 24/7 and gets used several times each and every day. After purchasing a new refrigerator, many people have a “set it and forget it” attitude, but rethinking the way you organize your food will allow you to fit more in it than you ever could have imagined.

Store foods in the right place

Where you store certain foods in your refrigerator can impact how long they last. Items which are resistant to spoiling – such as juice, water, and condiments – should be stored on the door because temperatures fluctuate the most there. Likewise, foods which go bad quickly like meats and milk should be kept on the bottom shelf where it is the coldest. Vegetables and fruits should be stored in separate crisper drawers with the proper humidity settings to extend their freshness.

Reorganize your refrigerator's shelves.

Almost every new refrigerator comes equipped with adjustable shelves. This function provides you with storage flexibility and allows you to fit nearly any food item comfortably in your refrigerator. Think about what foods you typically buy and rearrange your shelves to make access to these items more convenient and space-efficient.

Stack similar containers. 

Another way to make the most out of the limited space inside of your refrigerator is to keep food in stackable containers. If you constantly find your refrigerator stocked with Tupperware containers full of leftovers, storing them on top of one another can more than double the amount of space you have for other items.

Add to your usable space.  

If you have a lot of space on the inside of your refrigerator or freezer going to waste due to a lack of shelves, there are some creative ways to solve this problem. Magazine racks can be turned on their sides and stacked on top of each other to add some quick shelves to your freezer, as Aunt Peaches shows in this article. You can also buy shelf risers for your refrigerator and store small, fragile items like eggs and bread underneath them.

Speedy Subzero is a refrigeration repair service serving Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island as well as New York City. We provide 24/7 emergency service as well as same-day appointments. To learn more about our company you can visit our website or connect with us on social media – we are active on both Facebook and Twitter.

Consequences of Poor Fridge Maintenance

We have previously talked about how to keep your refrigerator looking and running like new, but not everybody will follow these steps. Just like with a car, failing to properly maintain your kitchen appliances will catch up with you sooner or later. A poor maintenance routine for your refrigerator will have short-term and long-term consequences.

Short-Term Problems

Not properly taking care of your refrigerator will be noticed immediately, most notably in your electric bill. Neglecting simple tasks, such as cleaning the condenser coils, can really hurt your appliance's energy-efficiency. Failure to periodically inspect the door gasket is another way for your refrigerator's energy consumption to skyrocket. A faulty seal will result in cold air escaping, which your refrigerator must replace by working harder and using more electricity. Over time, this increase in energy can add begin to add up.

Long-Term Problems

A poor refrigerator maintenance routine will eventually cost you more than a higher utility bill. It places a heavier workload on your refrigerator's compressor, and the wear and tear adds up. Over the course of several years, this added work will catch up to your appliance in the form of malfunctions and defects. If you are not regularly examining the different parts of your refrigerator, you will not see the warning signs that a breakdown is on the horizon. Even the most simple of refrigerator repairs can be expensive, and if your unit is broken beyond saving, buying a new one will set you back several hundreds of dollars.

Getting into a regular maintenance routine for your refrigerator is a great way to prevent future problems, but still nothing is 100% effective. If your refrigerator needs to be repaired and you live in the Long Island area, call Speedy Subzero. We have over 75 years of experience and offer one-hour service. Visit our website for more information or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Things to Consider When Buying a New Refrigerator

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and so is Black Friday. If you are planning on taking advantage of this year's price-cuts by purchasing a new refrigerator, you should go prepared. Here are four things that you will want to think about before buying your new refrigerator.

• Size. Refrigerators come in a variety of different sizes. Sometimes, your sizing choice will be based on personal needs, such as the size of your family and how much food you consume. However, if your new refrigerator will be placed in between existing kitchen cabinets, its size will be restricted to the dimensions of the opening.
• Style. Typically, refrigerators come in four primary styles; top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and french door. In addition to appearance, each style provides differences in functionality and operation. The pros and cons of each style of refrigerator can be found here.
• Energy Efficiency. How energy efficient your refrigerator is will determine its long-term cost of operation. If you are trying to minimize how much energy your refrigerator uses, look for models with an Energy Star tag on them. You will pay a little more at the time of purchase for these, but they will pay for themselves with the energy they save you.
• Extra features. If you are willing to pay the price, there are a variety of fresh, innovative features available on new refrigerators. If your budget allows for it, maybe you will want to consider a refrigerator with an automatic water dispenser or a speed-cooling compartment for your soda cans.

If you are purchasing a new refrigerator to replace a broken model, you should check to see if you can fix the old one for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. Speedy Subzero is a refrigerator repair service in Nassau County, New York. With one-hour service from the time of your call and over 70 years of experience, we are Long Island's number one choice for refrigerator repairs. Call (866) 782-9376 or visit our website for more information.

How to Keep Your Refrigerator Cold During a Power Outage

Winter is almost here, and for those of us who live in cold climates that means snow is on the way. It seems every winter has at least one bad storm, and heavy snow often leads to power outages. In the event that your power goes out, use these tips to preserve the foods in your refrigerator and freezer for as long as possible.

• Only open your refrigerator when absolutely necessary. This one should be obvious – every time you open the door to your refrigerator or freezer, valuable cold air escapes. When you go into the refrigerator, think a half an hour into the future; if you think you are going to need anything else within 30 minutes, take it out at the same time to help conserve the cold air.
• If the weather is cold, pack items in a cooler and store them outside. If your power goes out due to a snow storm, it may be wise to pack some of your items in a cooler and leave it outside, especially if the power might be out for a while. Keep the cooler out of direct sunlight though, and do not use this tip if you live in an area with dangerous wildlife – the scent of food may attract them.
• Cover the refrigerator in blankets to insulate it. Covering your refrigerator with thick blankets and newspaper is a great way to keep it insulated and extend the amount of time which it will keep your food cold. Be careful not to cover the vents in the back of the unit in case the power comes back on overnight.
• When in doubt, throw it out. If there is any doubt in your mind about whether or not a food item is safe to consume, play it safe and throw it away. The reward is not worth the risks associated with eating spoiled food, such as food poisoning.

Speedy Subzero is a New York-based service specializing in the repairs of Subzero refrigerators. If you are experiencing difficulties with your refrigerator, freezer, ice-maker, or wine cooler call us at (866) 782-9376. We offer around-the-clock emergency service and can be at your door in one hour from the time your call was placed. For more tips, follow us on Twitter or like our Facebook page.

3 Remedies for Eliminating Refrigerator Odors

Refrigerators are wonderful appliances. They run 24/7 to keep our food fresh and our drinks refreshing. In fact, Smithsonian magazine dubbed the refrigerator as “The Most Important Invention in the History of Food.” Still, refrigerators are not perfect machines. It is possible for them to break down and leak – which they often do. The fact that they store food also leaves them susceptible to housing terrible odors – which they often do. If your refrigerator stinks to high heavens, use these three homemade remedies to freshen it up a little bit.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda is probably the official refrigerator deodorizer of your grandmother. Seriously. It has been the go-to choice for several decades, and for good reason. Simply open a box of baking soda and stick it on the top shelf of your refrigerator for at least 24 hours to absorb the foul smells.

Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are unsuspectingly good at absorbing the scents from other foods in the fridge. It is for this reason that, under normal circumstances, you shouldn't refrigerate them. However, if you are trying to get rid of a smell, cover a plate with coffee grounds and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

Vanilla

For the tougher smells that baking soda and coffee grounds won't get rid of, you can use vanilla extract to overpower them. This will provide a very strong smell, so be careful not to use too much of it. Take two cotton balls and dampen them with a little bit of vanilla extract. Put the cotton balls on a small dish and stick them in the fridge uncovered for 12 hours.

Speedy Subzero has been repairing refrigerators and freezers in Long Island and Queens for more than 75 years. Our trained technicians are on call 24/7 and offer one hour emergency service for when the problem simply can't wait. Visit our website for more information or check out our Facebook page.