Friday, February 27, 2015

Different Brands We Service


If you live in New York and your refrigerator breaks down, who should you call? If your answer wasn't “Speedy Subzero,” you could be costing yourself time and money.

Our technicians stock 99% of their spare parts in their vans, which they like to call their “warehouse on wheels”. This allows us to provide prompt, efficient in-home repairs to our customers and guarantee one-hour service to Long Island and New York City.

All of our repair specialists are licensed and insured by the state of New York and trained to repair your refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, or wine cooler.

We specialize in the repair of Sub Zero refrigerators and freezers, but don't let our name fool you. Our technicians are experts in their craft and can repair any make or model you can think of, including:
  • GE
  • Kenmore
  • Maytag
  • Sub Zero
  • Viking
  • Whirlpool
  • And more!

If you don't see your refrigerator manufacturer on this list, don't worry – we can still fix it!

We offer emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. We have over 75 years of experience and all of our repair work is guaranteed to last. For more information about our company or to schedule a service visit, call us anytime at 866-782-9376.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Everything You Need To Know About Your Refrigerator's Gasket


What is a Refrigerator Gasket?
Open your refrigerator and carefully examine the door. Look closely at the perimeter – you should see an elastic strip that runs around the entire edge of the door; this is the gasket.

The gasket is a rubber seal designed to keep the cold air in your refrigerator and the warm air out. This seal forms a barrier in order to keep a constant internal temperature and preserve your food for longer. A damaged gasket allows for air exchange between the inside of your refrigerator and the warm outside, which can cause all kinds of problems.

Gaskets: A Key to Energy Efficiency
The gasket is a huge factor in the energy efficiency of your refrigerator. When functioning properly, the gasket forms an air-tight seal around your refrigerator, ensuring that no cold air leaks out. If your gasket is cracked, damaged, or just worn out, your refrigerator's compressor will have to work extra hard to maintain the internal temperature. This results in higher energy bills every month and puts your refrigerator at a higher risk for future breakdowns and repairs.

Here is an easy way to test how strong your gasket is: close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill so that half of it is sticking out. Try sliding the dollar up and down along the door; if it easily moves, your gasket is weak and your energy efficiency is probably suffering. Luckily, replacement gaskets are inexpensive and easy to install.

How to Maintain Your Gasket
While new refrigerators have an average lifespan of about 15 years, gaskets do not. Gaskets are usually the first component of the refrigerator to need replacing, but you can extend the lifespan of yours with a simple cleaning performed every couple of months. To clean your refrigerator gasket:
  1. Gently scrub around the gasket with warm water and a mild dish detergent. Scrub until all visible signs of dirt, mildew, and other grime are gone.
  2. Completely dry the gasket with a clean towel.
  3. Place a small amount of Vaseline all around the gasket to prevent it from drying out and cracking.

If your refrigerator's energy consumption is on the rise but your gasket shows no signs of damage, there could be a serious issue. If you live in New York and are dealing with a malfunctioning fridge, call Speedy Subzero Repairs at 866-782-9376. We offer one-hour service to Long Island and 24/7 emergency support. For more information, click here to visit our website.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

How to Organize Your Refrigerator

For most people, only two things matter when they are stocking their refrigerators: how much food you can make room for and how fast you can get it done. However, taking the time to organize your refrigerator the right way can be very beneficial. The temperature inside of your refrigerator is always fluctuating, and it can be very different from area of the fridge to another. Storing your food in the right areas of your refrigerator can keep it fresh for longer and make it easier to find.

So what is the right way to stock a refrigerator? This infographic from Greatist illustrates it.

 
  • The refrigerator door experiences the greatest temperature fluctuations, so you will want to store your spoilage-resistant foods here such as condiments, dressings, and beverages.
  • Upper shelves are generally the warmest area in the refrigerator after the door, so this area is best used for foods which do not need to be cooked. Since this is also the most eye-level area of most refrigerators, it is the perfect place to keep your ready-to-eat foods and leftovers.
  • Lower shelves are the coldest place in your refrigerator, so use it to store all of your spoilage-prone foods such as raw meats and dairy products. Storing your meats on the bottom shelf will also prevent them from dripping and contaminating other foods.
  • Crisper drawers are specially-designed to provide optimal storage conditions for fruits and vegetables. Store your fresh produce in these drawers, making sure to keep fruits and veggies separated with proper humidity settings.
  • On top of the refrigerator can get very warm, so avoid using it as a shelf for your bread, produce, and wines. Instead, store nonfood items here such as cookbooks, containers, or paper towels.

If you notice that all of your food is prematurely spoiling no matter where you store it, your refrigerator may be malfunctioning. When a refrigerator fails to maintain a consistent temperature, it does not provide an adequate environment for your fresh foods. Don't wait 2-3 business days for your food to spoil, call Speedy Subzero repairs at 866-782-9376. Our technicians provide same-day repairs done in the comfort of your own home and our phone lines are open 24/7.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Bad Tasting Ice? Here's How to Fix It


What's the one thing that can ruin an ice-cold glass of your favorite drink? Dirty ice cubes! Whether you have an automatic ice maker or manually fill your own ice cube trays, your ice can develop on unflattering taste. If you have experienced bad tasting ice cubes from your freezer, read below for how to fix them.

If you have an automatic ice maker:
  • Clean the filter. Your automatic ice maker has a filtration system to purify tap water before freezing it. Over time, this filter can become dirty and clogged with particles. Change the filter once every six months in order to keep minerals and other impurities from tainting the taste of your ice.
  • Use ice more often. If you don't regularly use the ice that your ice-maker produces, there is the possibility that it can turn stale. Over the course of several days, ice cubes can begin to absorb the scents and smells from other foods in your refrigerator; which brings us to our next point...
  • Keep your refrigerator clean. Keeping both your refrigerator and freezer clean will ensure that your ice doesn't absorb unsavory flavors. Every week, check your appliance for foods which have expired or will expire soon, and make sure all food items are properly wrapped and sealed.

If you manually make your own ice:
  • Use filtered water. If you are making ice using your town's tap water, that could be what's to blame for the bad taste. Try filtering your water or using pre-distilled/purified water to make your ice instead.
  • Clean your ice cube tray. If dirty water isn't the problem, it could be a dirty ice cube tray. Many of us don't think about it, but it is necessary to wash your ice cube trays every three or four uses. As you move the tray in and out of the freezer, it can attract germs and bacteria which will modify the taste of your ice cubes.
  • Keep your fridge clean. It sounds strange, but ice is known to absorb odors and tastes from others foods – both in the fresh food and the frozen sections of your refrigerator. Keeping these compartments free of spoiled and strong-smelling food could ultimately result in better tasting ice.

If none of these tips worked for you, your ice maker could be seriously malfunctioning. If you live in the state of New York and are experiencing trouble with your refrigerator, freezer, or ice maker, Speedy Subzero can help you out. We have been in business for more than 75 years and our technicians keep their vans fully stocked, which allows us to complete most repairs in the comfort of your own home. Our phone lines are open 24/7/365 in case of emergency, so call us any time at 866-782-9376.

Monday, February 9, 2015

How to Prep Your Kitchen for a Party


The number one rule of hosting a party: plan ahead. If you plan on entertaining guests within the upcoming days or weeks, you should start planning everything now; food, drinks, entertainment, etc. The more you do ahead of time, the more you will be able to relax and enjoy your own party. Use these four tips to host a party you and your guests are sure to enjoy.

  • Make punch. A bowl of punch offers the good time of a cocktail party without the need to make dozens of individual drinks throughout the night. Just make sure you have plenty of ice and a big enough punch bowl to get the party started. Here are 25 great adult punch recipes, courtesy of Cosmopolitan.
  • Clean ahead of time. You want to do as little as possible on the day of your party so you can spend your time enjoying the company of your friends and family. Clean your home for your guests the night before to save yourself precious time on the day of the party. Start at your home’s front door and work your way in, cleaning all surfaces and vacuuming the floors.
  • Buy paper goods. After you have thrown a successful party, you will inevitably have to clean up after your guests. One of the ways to make this process quicker is by serving your food with paper goods. Eliminate doing dishes and spend more of your time relaxing after the awesome party you just hosted.
  • Make foods which can be reheated. Like previously mentioned, you want to do as little prep work on the day of the party as possible. Like cleaning, cooking for your party can also be done in advance. Some dishes can be prepared one or two nights ahead of time and reheated on the day of your party. Click here for a list of 20 freezable recipes that your guests are sure to love.

No party is complete without food and drinks, which require a functional refrigerator. If you notice that your refrigerator is broken and you have a party coming up, don’t wait for the other repair guys. Speedy Sub Zero offers same-day repairs and emergency services for our customers. We service all of Long Island and New York City and make our repairs in the comfort of your home, so call us today at 866-782-9376.


Thursday, February 5, 2015

Food Safety Tips


The kitchen is a dangerous place. Hot stove tops can burn you, sharp knives can cut you, and uncleaned spills can cause you to fall and get hurt. But did you know that your food can also be unsafe? Consuming food which has spoiled or expired can give you all kinds of illnesses, so use these tips to keep your food fresh.
  • Wash produce before consuming. If you are planning to eat fresh fruits or vegetables, always wash them first. Running your produce under cold tap water for a few seconds is a good way to cleanse it from bacteria which may be living on the surface.
  • Defrost food in the refrigerator. Many people like to defrost their frozen meats on the countertop, where it will thaw quickly. The growth rate of bacteria at room temperature is exponentially higher than inside of your refrigerator, so play it safe and defrost your frozen foods in the fridge – even if it takes longer.
  • Keep raw meat on the bottom shelf. Keep all of your raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it in order to prevent the meat from dripping and contaminating the foods below it.
  • Refrigerate ASAP. After buying eggs, dairy products, or raw meat/poultry/fish, get them to the refrigerator as soon as possible. After approximately two hours in a room-temperature environment, these foods can spoil and cause illness if consumed.
  • Know your limits. Food doesn't last forever, whether it is uncooked or leftovers. Raw meat should be cooked within three days of purchase, and leftovers should be consumed or thrown away after five days maximum. If you are unsure about whether or not a food is safe to eat, use the golden rule: when in doubt, throw it out.

In order to minimize bacteria and maximize the length of time that your food stays fresh, it is important that your refrigerator keeps a consistent temperature under 40° F. If your refrigerator feels warm and you suspect that it isn't operating properly, call Speedy Sub Zero at 866-782-9376. We have served New York City and Long Island residents for more than 75 years and offer 24/7 emergency service, so call us for a quick repair done in the comfort of your own home.