Thursday Tweets: Gas and Electric Range Edition

While looking through our Twitter feed we found these tweets to share with you.

A search in the world of Twitter can lead to some surprising ideas. This one is not recommended...

Denim tip: If your jeans smell, put em in the freezer. Then defrost, marinate & pan sear over butter. Transfer to baking sheet & put in oven
— dieworkwear (@dieworkwear) March 22, 2015

If you are a bit of a joker, this tip might be fun. On the other hand, it could lead to a ruined dinner...

Electric stove in my house .. when people are cooking i turn it off when they're not looking hahaha
— Aaron Wanat (@AaronWanat) March 21, 2015

If being a joker does not come naturally, maybe this "smart range" can help you...

New gas range has WiFi. And an app. And OTA firmware updates with baking jokes to pass time. I guess that's IoT? pic.twitter.com/3JQCkXhTR2
— Evan Brown (@evandbrown) March 8, 2015

And even if this looks cute, it probably isn't the most sanitary approach to your cooking appliances...

Cooktop? Where? pic.twitter.com/kOdlXXPl0F
— Bailey the Cat (@BaileyBlueCat) March 22, 2015

If you want a cute kitchen, here is another approach to consider...

The real reason I moved to Chicago: this beauty being in my home kitchen. #1946 #roper #gasrange #cookingchicago pic.twitter.com/ncnu2lWdT4
— Proletariateats (@proletariateats) March 10, 2015

If your tastes run to the more modern, you too have options. However, glass cooktops can break. So be careful...

Oops what are the odds I drop something on the corner of my cooktop and bam it breaks #smh #oops pic.twitter.com/Bn0DUQcAyg
— Lauryn Taylor (@lauryntaylorby) February 24, 2015

We would hate for you to have a broken appliance. That could lead to this opinion...

I proper hate cooking on electric cookers kmt
— ?Aisha? (@HiMyNameIsToyo) March 7, 2015

A few tweets we found just left us confused, like this one...

if you're going to do this terrible thing to your stainless steel gas range just give it to me pic.twitter.com/NuchaZITNd
— Lauren Noto (@LNoto16) March 4, 2015

Finally, we offer a homemade oven cleaner recipe. Use at your own risk...

Ran out of oven cleaner? Simply mix washing up liquid, baking soda, and some vinegar into a paste, and get scrubbing! pic.twitter.com/5N8QnPTEdC
— Appliances Online (@appliancesAU) March 24, 2015

Weekly Wednesday Stock Ideas: Ranges

Every week at W.L. may we have several items we feature as good parts to consider adding to your stock. These parts also have special pricing available this week. For pricing details, ask your account representative for more information.

Last week we focused on the dryers. This week we are returning to the kitchen to look at some range parts.

Lets begin with a few cleaning products. If you have a show room these are very good accessory items to have on display. Several techs we know of carry an accessory briefcase with cleaning products available for homeowners to purchase while they are servicing an appliance.

31464

Glass cooktops can be a challenging item to clean. Fortuantely, Whirlpool offer a cleaner specifically designed for glass cooktops. This 10 oz bottle of cleaner, part number 31464, is safe for all glass and ceramic cooktops. It can also be safely used on glass cookware and sinks. In the bathroom, it can also be used on shower doors and fiberglass shower stalls.

L304433208

Electrolux goes to market with their own version of a cooktop cleaner. They call their product Cerama Bryte, we carry it under their part number, L304433208. Like the Whirlpool variety, it can also be used for cleaning stainless and porcelain in a number of scenarios.

1860

In addition to glass cooktops, consumers also sometimes have difficulties with cleaning stainless steel. Summit Products comes to the rescue with Stainless Steel Magic, part number 1860. Coming in an aerosol can this product is great for cleaning stainless steel ranges, of course, but it also can be used to clean any type of stainless steel appliance.

7403P402-60

This infinite switch is used for both 6 and 8 inch burners on many Maytag and Jenn-Air Ranges. Part number 7403p402-60.

9759243

There are some Whirlpool ranges that have a thermal fuse at the back of the oven cavity. In appearance, these are very similar to dryer thermostats. Part number 9759243 is a very common part for this application.

SGR403

Over the years a lot of smaller range manufacturers have come and gone. Many of those old ranges from out of business manufacturers are still working well in the field. One of the more likely things to fail on a gas range is the oven igniter. Supco's SGR403 is suitable replacement for many older ranges round igniters. This  part also fits some newer machines, however we recommend using the manufacturers OEM part when possible.

MP15YA

Those same manufacturers also made a lot of electric ranges. For these a common request is for surface elements. For plug in surface elements that have a Y-shaped support under the calrod, For this, some servicers use part number MP15YA. It is a 6 inch diameter element rated at 1500 watts.

MP26YA

The big brother to the MP15YA, is the MP26YA. For 8 inch burners, the MP26YA is a 2600w unit that is 8 inch 5 turn.

MP26KA

 The last item we are featuring this week is also an 8 inch 5 turn 2600w plug in element. The difference is that this surface unit is designed for use when canning. Canning often uses heavier pots than the average consumer uses for cooking meals. The MP26KA features a reinforced support to accommodate the extra weight involved when canning.

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Kelly's Korner - Cleaning Your Gas Cooktop

Hey, All,

Here is the last installment of stove cleaning - cleaning the top of your gas range.  Now as I have never had a gas range, I had to do some research on this.

First of all, if you wipe up the spills and spatters as they happen, then that goes a long way into keeping it clean - common sense, right?  But you still need to do some deep cleaning periodically.

Wait until your cooktop is completely cool then remove the grates.  Be very careful as these are really heavy.  If you have crusted, burnt on food you can put them in the sink to soak in hot water and dish soap.  W L May does carry a cleaner for them if you want to check that out.  DO NOT put them in your oven and turn on the self-clean!!!!  You will be buying new grates if you do this.  Gently scrub with a sponge to remove the crusties, rinse thoroughly and dry completely before putting them back on the stove.

Grates

CAUTION:  DO NOT TRY TO LIFT THE TOP OF YOUR STOVE!!!  I have had lots of people try to do this to clean underneath and they've had to replace all the gas tubing to the burners.  You can bend, twist or break these gas tubes and then you will have a major gas leak - NOT good.













Now remove the burner caps and wash in hot, soapy water, rinse and dry.  You can use non-abrasive cleaners on these, but make sure they are thoroughly rinsed and dried before replacing.

Burner Cap

For the burner bases, you can use a mild cleanser, hot water and a soft cloth to wipe them off.  You can use an old toothbrush or a piece of wire to clean the openings.  Be careful not to scratch or gouge the openings and don't use a toothpick - the wood can easily break off and get stuck.  Again, make sure everything is thoroughly rinsed of cleaning products and dried.  Carefully wipe the ignitor with a water dampened cotton swab - don't get it too wet or it may not light.  Using a wooden toothpick, gently scrap off any guck off the ignitor and remove any fibers left from cleaning.

Burner Head

Igniter is white circle on  right
Orifice is brass center circle

Now, give the cooktop a good wipe down with a mild cleaner and sponge - rinse and dry thoroughly.  If you have a stainless steel top, wipe in the direction of the grain and dry with a cloth to prevent spots.  Don't use abrasives or products that contain chlorine because both are corrosive to stainless.  You can use a stainless steel conditioner for a nice shine but do not use this on non-stainless surfaces like the control markings, labels, or touchpads.  Only use stainless steel cleaners on stainless steel.  There are many finishes out there made to look like stainless but are not.  How can you tell?  If a magnet sticks to it, it is not stainless.

W L May carries a bunch of different cleaners and conditioners for stainless steel appliances - come down and look.

Make sure everything is well dried before putting back together and be VERY CAREFUL setting the grates back on top.  These babies are very heavy and if you have a glass cooktop, dropping a grate on it will have you ordering a new top in short order.

Periodic maintenance will enhance the life of of your stove reduce repair calls.

To all my friends out there, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!