Hot Home Appliances Posts

News: Who Needs Fancy Kitchen Gadgets? Pliers & Hairpins Will Do Just Fine

After stumbling across an interesting article by Hanne Blank—(apparent) hobbyist chef and widely known activist on the issues of weight, bisexuality, and sexuality—I've become even more fascinated by kitchen shortcuts. Former Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold's recently released Modernist Cuisine also spurred a similar interest, particularly after reading a WSJ piece in which Myhrvold attests —by law of science, of course— that a ¼-inch-thick sheet of steel is more than adequate in place of an ex...

How To: Clean the soleplate on a Rowenta electric iron with the ZD100 kit

We've all used electric irons before to get our clothes crisp and wrinkle-free, but what happens when you use a little too much starch? The bottom hot plate, called the soleplate, accumulates some gunky buildup. Even if you're not over-starching your dress shirts, your Rowenta iron may be getting some gunk on the soleplate, which doesn't produce a perfectly ironed shirt. That's where the Rowenta ZD100 cleaning kit comes in handy. If you get one of these, you could easily clean your iron yours...

How To: Replace a broken flush handle

In this tutorial, we learn how to replace a broken flush handle. First, remove the top from the tank on the back of the toilet. After this, find the chain that is connected to the handle and remove it. From here, take a new handle and place it into the spot the old on was in. Use a wrench to tighten this into place. From here, you will connect this with the lever that will flush the toilet using the pump. When finished, test this out by flushing your toilet! If it works, this means the replac...

How To: Troubleshoot your washing machine

In this tutorial, we learn how to troubleshoot your washing machine. First, unplug your machine before you do any handy work. Then, check for leaking around the bottom. Look around the door sill to check for wear and tear. Then, pull the machine out and check for a lose connection. If you don't see anything, you will need to call a pro. If you aren't getting water, check to make sure your water lines are connected. If your washing machine is loud, make sure you haven't overloaded it and the d...

How To: Clean your oven effectively

Ovens get filthy pretty quickly, and that can stink up your kitchen and your food. Watch this video for an in-depth guide to cleaning your grill with cheap household products, restoring flavor to your food and a pleasant smell and appearance to your most important food cooker.

How To: Mend Wall Holes Bigger Than Nails

Do you know how wonderful toothpaste is? Here's the scoop. If you've hung pictures or other thing on the wall that required a molly or anchor bolt, and you have to move them and you have holes exposed in your wall. Well "FEAR NOT", toothpaste to the rescue. You will need household items like - toilet paper, or paper towel, or paper napkin, or Kleenex tissue, a utility knife, hammer putty knife, sponge, primer/sealer, paint of your choice and of course the toothpaste.

How To: Smoke a turkey with Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

In this tutorial, we learn how to smoke a turkey. First, you want to gather all the different types of wood for your smoker and then prepare the water pan with the tin foil to catch drippings. Place the smoker together, then season your turkey with a dry rub and olive oil. After this, place the turkey onto the rack inside of the smoker. Make sure you are wearing heavy duty gloves so you don't burn yourself while doing this. Place the top back onto the smoker and let the turkey cook with the v...

How To: Make a BBQ smoker out of a drum

In this video, we learn how to make a BBQ smoker out of a drum. First, turn the drum upside down. Next, paint the entire drum green and make vents in the side bottom of it, with covers that can be moved or set aside. Drill screw into the top of the drum then add in wood and charcoal to the bottom of it. When you are done with this, you will be able to hook your propane to this, then light it on fire. To smoke a piece of meat, you will need to put the foil underneath a grill rack and then plac...

How To: Install a dishwasher

In this video, we learn how to install a dishwasher. First, take out your directions from the package and throw away the rest of the packaging. Also, discard your old dishwasher if you don't need it. Next, attach the PVC hose to the water supply, making sure it's turned off, then connect the valve to the hose. Next, attach the outlet hose to the waste water pipe so the dirty water won't go back into the machine. This only takes around an hour and is a home project that you can do by yourself....

How To: Program a thermostat

In this tutorial, we learn how to program a thermostat. First, you will need to look up what your home temperature should be at all times, depending on how large it is and what time of the day it is. Once you do this, you will go to your thermostat and figure out how to change the temperature settings for each day of the week. Adjust the temperature to change when you are home and for when you are not going to be home. If you don't have the heat on when you aren't home, this will help you to ...

How To: Avoid getting your GE oven knobs damaged

If for some reason, the knobs on your gas range have become damaged or worn out, it may be for several reasons. Buying new knobs can be a pain and cost a pretty penny. This tutorial will show you how to avoid getting your GE oven knobs damaged. It's easy to follow and will ensure that they will last for a long time. So good luck, be safe, and enjoy!

How To: Fix a range burner on your GE cooktop

If you're range burner isn't working properly, there may be a number of reasons for this. One of the most obvious and easiest problems to take care of, is that it might be clogged. Overflowing liquids and other food materials can get into the burners and cause them to become clogged. This leads to an insufficient working burner that needs to be fixed soon.

How To: Install lower rack wheels for a GE dishwashers

If you've recently damaged the wheels on a lower rack of a GE dishwasher, there's no need to fear. Replacing the lower wheels on the lower rack is an easy fix that anybody can complete. The wheels are important for the rack since it helps ease the strain on people's back and makes putting dishes to wash easy. If you need help figuring out which wheels you need or how to install them, check out the video above. Enjoy!

How To: Replace the controls to a Hotpoint washing machine

One of the most damaged parts of a washing machine can be the controls. This is an important part of the machine as it helps determine how much water is needed in the machine and how the clothes should be washed. This tutorial is going to show you how easy it can be to replace the controls on a Hotpoint machine. So check it out, be safe, and enjoy!

How To: Replace the cable and reel on a Hetty or Henry vacuum

If you own a Numatic vacuum cleaner and have a problem with the cable and reel, then this tutorial may be for you. In the video, you'll find out how to easily replace them on a Hetty or Henry vacuum. It's easy to do and will result in a much more easier to clean up machine. These vacuums can be used for many years. So good luck, pay attention, and enjoy!

How To: Replace the hinges on a Smeg oven door

Opening and closing an oven door is quite possibly, one of the most important aspects to an oven. If you aren't able to do that, then it becomes useless. One of the main reasons for it being useless is that fact that it might need some new hinges. These can easily be replaced and save you quite a bit of money.