Keep kitchen appliances in best shape

Most people depend on their kitchen appliances for daily use and occasionally for a cooking marathon before a holiday feast. But as soon as the refrigerator stops cooling or the oven won't warm, panic sets in.

Appliance repair pros say regular, routine maintenance and care can prolong the life of kitchen appliances and prevent untimely repairs.

Check out these tips to keep your appliances in top shape.

Refrigerator maintenance: "The most important maintenance you can do on your refrigerator is to clean the condenser coils regularly because the coils are covered with dirt, grime, debris, pet hair and all that kind of stuff and it overheats the refrigerator," says Bill Krier, president and CEO of highly rated (on Angie's List) Broad Ripple Appliance in Indianapolis. He says the debris puts added stress on the refrigerator's components, including the compressor. "The parts have to work harder and don't last as long," he says.

To access the coils, remove the grill at the bottom or back of the fridge and use a broom or vacuum to clear debris.

Dishwasher maintenance: "The biggest thing you can do to keep your dishwasher running well is to clean food off your dishes before you put them in," Krier says.

Food bits get stuck in crevices, gum up moving parts and cause bacteria to form.

Krier recommends using a dishwasher cleaning product every three to six months to remove calcium buildup. Calcium deposits can clog the dishwasher's sprayer arm and impact cleaning efficiency.

For another trick to remove calcium buildup, place a cup of white vinegar on the top shelf of an empty dishwasher and run a load with hot water.

Microwave maintenance: Krier recommends cleaning your microwave regularly to remove food particles.

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Keep kitchen appliances in best shape