Consumer Question: Cleaning Dishwasher

Q: Hi, Joe,


The dishwasher at work is sour.  When the door is opened it has a strong odor. It is run only once per week and often it is not emptied promptly, so water sits in the bottom of it. I have taken extra care to make sure this doesn't happen, but it still smells.


Could you tell me more on how to freshen up the dishwasher? I have heard that you recommend using Tang. 

Thank you,
Susan

A: Hi Susan,

Thanks for your note. 

Here is the Tang treatment for cleaning your dishwasher, but I also must mention - if there is a garbage disposer in the sink, the drain line from the dishwasher hooks up to the side of it. That drain line should be removed and placed into an empty bucket and the dishwasher turned on to run water through the line. The snout on the disposer should be cleaned out with a table knife as well.

Here is the Tang story and the Tang formula treatment. Here it is...

Recipe for Cleaning a Dishwasher - Joe Gagnon's Tang Treatment
Way back in the 1960s a service technician working for me broke a glass bottle of Tang breakfast drink in a customer’s dishwasher. He picked up all the glass and left all of the powdered Tang product lying in the bottom of the dishwasher. He ran the dishwasher and the Tang had disappeared so he didn’t worry anymore about it. The next day the customer called me to advise me that her dishes seemed to be so much cleaner and the dishwasher smelled great inside.

I then purchased several containers of Tang and experimented on my dishwasher and a few of my neighbors' dishwashers. I found that the undisolved detergent which forms a scum on surfaces was all gone and the motor impellers were as clean as new! This allowed the impellers to move more water through the spray arms giving a better wash affect. The removal of undisolved detergent from the inside cabinet allowed the door seals to seat better against the inside walls preventing door leaking problems.
 

Treatment Twice a Year
Turn on the hot water faucet until the temperature is at its maximum (140 degrees.) This should always be done every time you turn on the dishwasher.
 

Turn on the dishwasher and let it run for 6 or 7 minutes (empty of dishes.)
 

Open the door and pour in 12 oz. of Tang orange powdered breakfast drink directly into the water lying in the bottom of the dishwasher.

Shut the door and let the dishwasher run through its complete cycle.
 

Hope this helps!

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Buzzing Dishwasher

Q: Hi, Joe,

My Frigidaire dishwasher (Model number FDB750CC1 - 7 years old) makes a buzzing type noise during the wash cycle. What can be causing this and can it be fixed? Could it be just a bad timer?

Thank you,
Connie

A: Hi, Connie,

Thanks for your note.

I would suggest you remove the lower kick panel and place a long wooden spoon or something against the motor and on your ear. Turn the dishwasher on and if the motor is causing the noise, you will know it. Let me know what you find out.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Bosch Washing Machine

Q: Hi, Joe,

We have a Bosch front loading washing machine that won't drain water. I drained it manually with the front access pump cover and cleaned it out, although it wasn't very dirty and nothing big was in there. I started it up again and it still won't drain. The drum spins and there's a little pump in the back of the hole that spins, although it seems a little loud. Our local appliance store doesn't deal with Bosch and I'd rather not call for a Sears repair. Any advice?

Thank you,
John

A: Hi, John,

Thanks for your note.

I'm sorry, I don't have an answer for you. I know this: Bosch is a good product but different in design than most others. Most technicians won't touch them unless they have been trained on them. I suggest you contact Consumers Energy and either get on their ASP plan or ask them who they use to repair Bosch. Please let me know the end result.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Inadequate Dryer Heat

Q: Hi, Joe,

Our Kenmore 700 Series electric dryer has been having more loads done with inadequate heat than with enough heat. More often than not we have to run the load through an extra cycle, with the temperature turned to the hottest setting. Sometimes hot gets hot.

Is this a simple fix where we can get a part and do it ourselves, or an expensive project?

Thank you,
Bob & Mary

A: Hi, Bob & Mary,

Thanks for your note.

In many complaints like yours it ends up that the vent line is plugged. Please check this out before we blame the dryer itself. Try disconnecting the vent line and run a load through the dryer. If it's a gas dryer open a window in the laundry room for this one load. It won't hurt you if you bring in fresh air into the room. After this test, let me know how it works. 

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Replacing "old" Appliances

Q: Hi, Joe,

We built our home 19 years ago and had new appliances at that time. Other than replacing the microwave and hot water heater, all are still working fine. According to average life of appliances, all of the rest of the appliances should be ready to replace. Do we wait until they die or look to replace sooner even though they seem to work fine? 

Thank you,
Sally

A: Hi, Sally,

Thanks for your note.

Back then they made appliances to last 20 years or more. That is not true today. Now you can expect half the life span of yesteryear! I suggest you keep what you have until a repair bill would be too expensive.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Repair Whirlpool Gas Stove

Q: Hi, Joe,

I have a Whirlpool Gas Stove, about 14 yrs. old.  (Model SF325PE67 & Serial RH5212867). The oven & broiler went out and we couldn't figure out how to find out what part needed repair. I went to Repair Clinic in Canton and they suggested it may be the electric board which could cost up to $300.00. (If it is that much I might as well purchase a new stove.)    I'm hoping you can recommend someone who can come in and tell me what part is needed. 

Thank you so much,
Kathy

A: Hi, Kathy,

Thanks for your note.

I would like you to call my son, Mark at 734-953-6991. Tell him you are communicating with me. He will take care of you.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Dryer Vent

Q: Hi, Joe,

I have lived in this condo type building (one level on a slab) almost 3 years.  It was new construction at that time. It has a front loading Whirlpool electric dryer.

I am concerned that the lint goes beyond the lint screen in the front of the dryer. I clean it off each time I use it but it seems that as much goes behind it as into it, even though the screen seems tight. My concern is that it may cause a fire.

The venting from the dryer looks like a metal foil vent. The vent going up to the roof is wrapped in insulation so we can't tell for sure if it is solid metal.

There is 6 inches behind the dryer to the wall. I read in your book about a product called the EZvent system and was wondering if it would work for me.

Is there a vent that can be used that is not a fire hazard in that situation.

Thank you,
Elizabeth

A: Hi, Elizabeth,

Thanks for your note.

This causes great concern for you. I have no doubt that there is something wrong regarding the vent line and I think your dryer is a serious fire concern. I would suggest you find someone in your area who can inspect the situation and correct it. It the Detroit area we have a few companies that do just that - one is called Dryer Vent Wizard. Please let me know how this problem is resolved.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Electric Range

Q: Hi, Joe,

I called you on 3/31/12 about my 16 year old GE JSP28GP electric range oven that won't work.  The Bake, Broil and Clean buttons on the electronic keypad won't function anymore, though the other clock/timer buttons do work.  You said it might be the electronic control module that was bad and I told you that the part is discontinued and not available anymore.  You suggested trying to clean the keypad buttons with a clean range dampened wwith warm vinegar.  I'll try that today.

Two questions:

1. I forgot to ask if I should bother trying to test the temperature sensor and/or the heating elements with an ohm meter?

2. If I can't fix the range, can you recommend a good slide-in electric range, with a smooth top and front controls (no backsplash) that comes in black or stainless?

Thank you,
Ted

A: Hi, Ted,

Thanks for your note.

Both elements wouldn't go bad at the same time. You can remove them and check for continuity. There are two screws on the back wall that hold them in place. Pull it out gently and remove the two wires that hook onto them. I would shop for a Whirlpool range.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Whirlpool Ice Dispenser

Q: Hi, Joe,

I have a Whirlpool side by side that is about 8 years old. A few years ago a piece of ice got stuck in the dispenser as it was coming out of the freezer. This resulted in the ice in the freezer melting on us. We thought the water running out the dispenser had shorted out the electronic pad that controls the ice dispenser, as that no longer worked after that incident. 


Recently a relay in the unit was replaced. During the time the unit was still in the process of cooling down, we discovered the ice dispenser started working. It worked up to the point where the freezer was cold enough to make ice. 


Do you have any idea what could be causing this and what needs to be fixed?

Thank you,
Bob

A: Hi, Bob,

Thanks for your note.

I suggest you call my son, Mark, on this problem. He is an expert on ice and water dispensers. His number is 734-953-6991.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon