Which kitchen cooktop is right for you?

Many times sit has been said that the kitchen is the heart of your home, so its make since that you do research when picking the right cooktop for your home, from making hot chocolate to cooking important dinners, this appliance will be with you for important milestones. 

We are going to focus on cooktops instead of ranges in this article but you can find out more about the latter one here. For many homeowners, cooktops are the right decision in terms of design and durability.

There’s plenty to consider when setting your kitchen up when it comes to the cooktop there are also a multitude of options available to you, so keep in mind the level of cooking you want to do, space, care and things that are important to you, here’s a few of the cooktop options available for your kitchen: 

Gas

The preferred choice for chefs and those passionate about cooking. There’s something about the flame of the gas cooker that draws some people in. It heat’s up rapidly (and it cools down fast too) so the cooking is more precise. They are also in the lead when it comes to energy efficiency. Two cons to keep in mind: they can be really hard to clean and you need to have a gas hookup (which can be expensive when you don’t already have one)

Coil electric 

A very affordable choice for the kitchen. The heat takes a little longer to achieve and the cooking is not as accurate. These appliances are very durable and can be used with any type of cookware. It could be a bit of a pain to clean. If your not a passionate cook and want something affordable but good this is the best choice for sure.

Smoothtop electric

Easy to maintain and very stylish, more technological than any of the choices before, so more expensive. Keep in mind that while aesthetically pleasing they are very delicate also. This one is good for those looking to decorate minimalistic and not spend too much time making food. There’s plenty of options for this type of cooktop as well. 

Induction

The most modern choice, super-fast heating options, very safe for families, and it doesn’t heat the room it is in. Its the latest in cooking technology plus the most energy-efficient, but they are very expensive and only work with some types of cookware.

There’s plenty of options and surely one that fits your family and your home. 

Don’t forget for us at Maydone we’ll handle any repair call we can manage, always looking to offer you the best service possible, we work with most of the cooktops mentioned before, so trust in us for installation and repair done the right way, by professionals! 

How to Install a Microwave on a Shelf or Cabinet

Did you get a microwave as a Christmas present? If you are looking for help on how to install a countertop microwave in a shelf or cabinet, this is the right article for you.

For a lot of people, it is impossible to imagine cooking a meal after a long working day. But thanks to the invention of microwaves, it is easy to warm up leftovers and have a hot and hassle-free dinner. But there’s more to the applications: Nowadays, there are a lot of recipes that allow you to cook a whole meal in your microwave oven, without even using your stove or oven.

So, if you are still wondering if you need a microwave for your apartment, this might have convinced you. Anyhow, installing a new appliance can sometimes be tricky. Our experienced technicians are always there to help you out if you don’t know how to install the appliance yourself or if you need to get your microwave repaired. You can contact them through our online form or find all our other contact details here.

Which Microwave Do I Need?

In case you are wondering, which type of microwave you need, you can have a look at this article where we explain all the different features. Once you’ve found the right appliance for your needs, you will have to install it. And even though installing a countertop microwave can be very, there are some things that you keep in mind, especially if you want to put your appliance on a shelf. Here are the tips from our experts.

 

1. Find a Shelf or Cabinet for Your Microwave

 

For the first step of the microwave installation, it depends if you decided to buy a countertop microwave or a built-in appliance. If you went for a built-in microwave, you probably have accounted for it when planning your kitchen. Anyhow, in case you bought a countertop appliance and you want to place it on one of the shelves or in a cabinet, you should find a shelf big enough to fit it and that has a plug close by. Before placing the countertop microwave there, make sure to remove any objects from the inside that could fall out.

2. Find the Vents

To find out where the vents of your microwave are, you can turn the appliance on and feel with your hand where it blows the air out. Make sure not to place the microwave too close to a wall or the side of a shelf so the air can flow freely. For some built-in models, it can be important to have an advanced ventilation installation, such as over the range microwaves.

3. Make Sure the Microwave has Access to Electricity

If you are placing your new microwave on a shelf or a cabinet, it might be necessary to drill a hole into the shelf or the cabinet to make sure it has good access to the next plug. Remove the microwave while doing that, so it doesn’t get into your way. Snake the wire through the hole and plug in the appliance.

Don’t forget to put all the parts back in that you took out of your microwave and test your appliance. It should now be ready to heat your leftovers or cook you a hassle-free dinner after work.

Christmas Emergencies: Repair Tips for A Broken Oven

Christmas is near! This time of the year, many people are preparing festive meals for their loved ones. But what if your oven stops working just before the holidays? No worries – we have useful tips on how you can fix your oven. And, if nothing else works, you can contact our technicians.

There’s nothing worse than having a Christmas party planned and suddenly an appliance stops working. If it’s the washing machine that broke down, you might be able to wait with the repair until the holidays are over. But what if it’s one of your kitchen appliances, such as the stove, oven or the fridge? Well, then you have two choices:

  1. Wait for a Christmas miracle that will magically fix your appliances overnight.
  2. Try your best to get the broken appliance working again.

If you decide to go for the first option, it’s always good to have our number handy: +1 (888)513-0052 or +1 (647)-558-5825 – just in case the miracle doesn’t work in time for your Christmas party and you need our experienced technicians for an emergency repair.

If you want to go for option 2, we have some tips for you on how to repair a broken oven in this article. Here you’ll find help on how to repair a fridge and many other tips. But now, let’s get to the oven.

Christmas Problem 1: The Gas Burner Doesn’t Light

If your gas stove won’t light, it might be time to replace the igniter. If you can’t deal with that before the holidays, you can always use a match to light the burner. Furthermore, you can try to clean the different parts of the burner, such as the cap and the grate. Maybe there is some food debris stuck in it that causes the problem. Also, check all the wires that connect the igniter with the control module and tighten them, in case they are loose.

Christmas Problem 2: The Range Burner Isn’t Working

If your electric stove doesn’t heat up, you might have to switch the range burner. To find out if it’s broken, you can simply replace it with a different burner that you know is working. Do that by connecting the working burner to the socket. If that one is not working either, there is a different problem, such as a faulty ignition switch or you might have to replace the socket.

Christmas Problem 3: The Heating Element Is Broken

To replace a heating element, you’ll have to turn off the electricity that is connected to your electric stove. The next step is to make sure you can access the heating element freely. This may contain taking off a panel at the bottom of the oven. Get a screwdriver to get the element out of the fasteners that usually keep it in place. Then, disconnect the element from the two wires that connect it to electricity. You can now take the faulty element out of the oven and replace it with the same model.

It is not always easy to figure out what exactly is not working. Our technicians will be happy to assist you if you get in touch with us via Facebook or our contact form.

We wish you stress-free and happy Christmas!

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

Are you aware of the carbon footprint that comes from using your appliances at home? Here are some tips on how you can decrease your energy consumption in your household.

When we’re talking about climate change, we all have one question lined up: How can we contribute to saving the planet from a climate catastrophe?

As we all know, there are many ways of reducing our carbon footprint. For example, we can try to avoid traveling by plane and take the train as often as possible. Furthermore, we can eat less meat and try to buy regional and seasonal groceries. But how can we decrease our carbon footprint in the household?

As we are living in the 21st, we all have appliances at home that consume energy. As helpful as they are, these appliances leave a carbon footprint as well. But we have some tips for you on how you can decrease their energy usage easily.

1. Make Your Heater More Efficient

Did you know that the oil and gas industry is the biggest emitter in Canada when it comes to carbon emissions? Of course, you can blame big companies for that and ask them to adapt to more sustainable fuel options. But it might be easier to start at your home first as also small changes in your own household can make a change  We already have put together some tips for you on how you can make your heater more efficient.

If you are noticing that your heating system uses a lot of energy, you can always contact one of our technicians. You’ll find the contact details here.

2. Turn Your Appliances Off to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

To reduce the carbon footprint of your appliances, you should make sure that all your appliances are completely turned off when they are not in use. This goes for TVs, stereos, and computers. It’s also important to unplug your appliances, such as mobile phones or laptops, once they are fully charged as they will otherwise waste energy.

Need help with the installation of a new washing machine? Our technicians are happy to help!

3. Switch to A Renewable Energy Provider

Around 17 % of Canada’s total primary energy supply comes from renewable energy sources. You can support green electricity and natural gas companies by switching the provider in your home. As this might be a bit pricier for your home than it was before, you could start by doing one thing at a time, for example by only purchasing green electricity at first.

4. Replace Old Appliances for a Lower Carbon Footprint

If you are a proud owner of a vintage washing machine, your time to say goodbye to your appliance might have come. Old appliances use a lot of energy and should, therefore, be replaced if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. A new washing machine can use 25 percent less energy up to 75 percent less water compared to your 20-year-old washing machine. Furthermore, by increasing appliance efficiency standards, you’ll not only save energy but also money on your utility bill.

5. Install Smart Home Technology

If your devices and appliances can connect to the internet, they are called smart technology. On the one hand, it can be convenient for you to have such things. On the other hand, they can help you with saving energy at home by monitoring the usage. Click here if you want to know more about it.  

How to Decorate Your Appliances for Halloween

Everyone knows that the 31st of October is Halloween. If you are having a Halloween party at your house, you might have your costume sorted. But what about your appliances? Here are some ideas on how you can decorate them for the party.

What should be the main goal for a Halloween party? Correct, to get the guests frightened. To reach that goal, it helps to put on a costume and prepare scary food. But all of that will not lead to success if you forget the most important part which is to decorate your home accordingly. So, the question is: How can you transform your lovely home into a haunted house?

Get Your Appliances in Halloween Mood

During October, you can find spooky Halloween decoration in almost every shop. We have collected some ideas on how you can integrate your appliances in the spooky house. 

Before you get started, we advise you to unplug appliances such as the washing machine or the stove for security reasons. In that way, you can make sure that nothing happens to your appliance or the decoration if it accidentally gets turned on.

Spooky Halloween Washing Machine

If you have a washing machine in your apartment, you should include it in your decoration. Our spooky idea is to put dismembered plastic limbs (you can buy them in a costume shop) into the detergent drawer. It looks especially spooky if you decorate them with fake blood or if they are attached to the door of the washing machine.

Blood Stains on the Fridge 

Can you even call it a Halloween party if there is no fake blood involved?! Therefore, fake blood should be one of your essentials when it comes to decorating your apartment. For example, you can use it to give your fridge a frightening look by leaving bloody handprints all over the door. Furthermore, it can be powerful to write something scary on it, such as R.I.P. Not only will your guests be scared, but it will also keep them away from taking too many drinks out of the fridge!

Range Hood Full of Spiders

Do you have a range hood above your stove? Great! To make it part of your spooky Halloween party, you’ll need a few plastic spiders and realistic looking cobwebs. Simply put them on your range hood and make sure the spiders hang down from it.

Frightening Halloween Surprise in the Oven

Your oven is a great place to place a hollow pumpkin with a candle inside. Just make sure to leave the door open so the fire gets enough air. Guests that get curious, where the light comes from, they will never forget the surprise in the oven.

Last but not least: Remember to remove all of the Halloween decoration before you use them the next time.

We know that Halloween parties can be very intense. In case one of your appliances doesn’t make it through the night, Maydone offers quick and reliable repair services. You can get in touch with us at any time of the day or night through our contact form or via the phone (+1 888 513 0052 / +1 289 801 7857) during our extended working hours (8 am to 10 pm)