Blistered Elements

elements

Dirty Appliance Inlet Air Vents

Blocked Appliance Air Vents  Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Block appliance air vents will not only cost you extra on your electricity bill but it will also shorten the life span of your appliance. 

Hence the reason for this post is to make you more aware about the importance of cleaning your appliance's air vents on a regular basis especially the air-vents that is hidden from plain sight.

Blocked Lg Refrigerator bottom inlet vent

Did you know if the temperature of your appliance motor rise with more than 10% there is a good chance that it will fail? The motor needs a constant flow of cool air moving through it 

Most people never clean behind their refrigerators and this is the no one reason why refrigerator fail. 

Must instruction manuals don't tell you the importance of cleaning the air vents at the back of the appliance. Microwaves,  tumble driers, refrigerators all have air vents behind them that should be clean at least once a year. 

A washing machine motor de-fluffing is little bit more involved to get to, but drop me email and I will give you pointers.

Signs of blocked air vent 

• Fridge starts to warmup

• Goodies in freezer has a soft freeze 

• Refrigerator runs for longer periods before switching off.

• The refrigerator starts making strange noises. 

I hope this post has added some value to your time  Feel free to contact me if you need more information. 

Cheers!

Pine 

083 52 52 52 2

Defy Germini glass hob cracked

Cracked glass hob

Accidents happen 

accident

/ˈaksɪd(ə)nt/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. 1.

   an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.

   "he had an accident at the factory"

   Similar:

   mishap

   misfortune

   misadventure

   mischance

   unfortunate incident

   injury

   disaster

   tragedy

   catastrophe

   contretemps

   calamity

   blow

   trouble

   problem

   difficulty

   casualty
2. 2.

   an event that happens by chance or that is without apparent or deliberate cause.

 

Blistered Defy Thermofan oven element

Thermofan element 

Refrigerator and freezer repairs in Port Elizabeth

Spring is the air and refrigerators are starting to smell. 

This is also the time when most do people their spring cleaning, by removing the excessive ice (lumps/builtup) and small food particles that has been growing in the refrigerator. 

The above mentioned are all problems that develop during winter and because it was cold on the outside we didn't pick it up that the refrigerator hasn't been performing at its optimal level. (Which is between 4 and 8 degrees)

This brings me to the reason for this post is to help you make better informed decisions and choices about your cooling unit before you call a service provider. 

Find below links to some of my previous blog post.

 I would like you to mainly look closely at the pictures to see the overall condition of a refrigerator refrigerant tubing.

1. Traveling and Camping chest Refrigerator tubing exposed. 

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2019/11/refrigerator-tubing-exposed.html?m=1

2. Upright two Refrigerator fridge freezer

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2017/12/refrigerator-regas-or-not.html?m=1

3. Chest Freezer tubing exposed 

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2015/04/refrigerator-gassing.html?m=1

4. Conspiracy theories 

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/03/refrigerators-fail-by-design.html?m=1

The last link should be read with a pinch of salt.

Should you need more feel free to send a email or catch me on Facebook. 

Pine 

www.pinepienaar.info

Dishwasher prewash

You need the dirt to get the good active.

According to the wall street journal "enzymes in Cascade detergent are designed to attach themselves to food particles. 

Without food, the enzymes have nothing to latch on to. 

So, basically, detergents won't know they need to clean if there isn't enough grime to tell them".

The rule of thumb is that one should scrap off all excess food from your plates before loading it into your dishwasher but don't actually clean the dishes before stacking them into the dishwasher because this will just create the opposite effect of having clean hygienic dishes. 

The above theory is certainly food for thought, I would love to hear from you what are your thoughts and experiences. 

Happy cleaning 

Pine

www.pinepienaar.info 

Fuchsware refrigerator restoration

How awesome was this to work on this vintage Fuchsware refrigerator, it took me back to the early days when appliances were built to last and manufacturers still had pride in their products. 

Carl Julius Fuchs was born in 1904 and at the age of 14 he started his career as Plumber artisan. During the recession he was trained employed by Hoffman brothers in Johannesburg 

CJ Fuchs first workshop was in 149 Marshall street in Johannesburg. The workshop was an old stable that has been converted into a shed. The business was called CJ Fuchs-Reistered Plumber  & Sheet Metal Specialist. 

They mainly focus on spray painting and plate-marking. During World war 2 the also manufactured components for the military.

In 1948 Fuchs ventured in domestic appliances production under the License of Westing House Electric International an American company.

The business was then relocated to Alrode road in Alberton. The new line of Appliances that was produced in this factory was called "Fuchsware" Appliances. 

They produced Fuchware appliances like Electric Stove's,

Electric Refrigerators,

Geysers

Circuit breakers

Enamelworks 

and 

Stainless steel ware

Later on they produced electronic systems and colour television's. 

In 1972 Carl Fuchs passed away and the company was sold to 

Barlow Rand 1976 and that's where the story ends. 

Years later I now had the opportunity (thanks Ilze) to work where the old masters work. 

If you need more drop me a email. 

Pine

083 52 52 522

www.pinepienaar.info 

Compressors and power-surges

Day 5 of quarenteen lockdown and your freezer is loaded. Imagine the feeling when you discover that the icecream is busy going soft. 

Fortunately we could help by replacing the damaged Compressor with a good second.  

Desperate times call for Desperate measures 

Refrigerator Condensed fan

Day 3 quarenteen  lockdown 

Things happen - appliances go on the blink

Most modern day refrigerator are so called frost-free unit. 

The words "frost-free is not entirely accurate to describe the new refrigerator units. 

The new refrigerator still make ice but it's hidden away so one cannot see the actual ice (frost).

You might ask;

 "I the ice part is hidden away somewhere in cabinet of the refrigerator - how does it manage to cool everything thing in the refrigerator"

Good question!

Air movement 

Air then gets sucked through the condenser unit (ice-bank) little canals. The cold air is then blown out at the top section of the fridge threw little vents. And because cold air is heavier than hot air it drops down to the bottom of the refrigerator again. 

This whole air-movement cycle is made possible by one little fan-motor.

Just another example of how the little guy makes the difference.

Should you need some advice with regards to your appliances feel free to send me a email.

Cheers 

Pine

PS. Fortunately I had a condenser fan instock and was able to Assist Mark.

Power fluctuations and surges in Ovens

Oven Repairs

The constant load-shedding we are experiencing here in Port Elizabeth is having a havoc effect on all domestic appliances. 

Above picture show  the results of a power surge

As a rule the electronic control module is the first to go on the blink with our constant power fluctuation but in this case it was the selector-switch.

Oven Selector switch 

 The function of the oven selector switch is to allow the Baker a opportunity to select which style he is going to perform his magic.

Most oven selector switches have at least 3 settings 

*  Bake setting which is used to bake cakes 

* Grill setting used to grill meat or to give your pastry that crunchy finish. 

Bake and Grill setting is mainly used to speed up the heat process of the oven for baking. Once the oven has reached the desired temperature the baker would turn the selector back to baking only. 

In another post I will tell you more about the bigger selector switches which has more function controls for the thermo-fan and thermo-element.

Should you need more info about selector switches feel free to send me a email 

Have fun with your oven creation. 

Pine

www.pinepienaar.info 

Refrigerator tubing exposed

Refrigerator re-gassing in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

The question is regas or not

Answer to original question all depends how lucky you feel.

www.pinepienaar.info

PS. Also read this related post https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2017/12/refrigerator-regas-or-not.html

Another First for GE Appliances

Appliance Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

GE Appliances does it again

GE appliances are known for their Firsts and also have a proud record-list of
been awarded more than a 100 patents

Ge’s Firsts

Apart from having been known for their innovated appliance, they have
also created the first;-

• Dishwasher single-rack front loader (Launched in 1936)
• Fridge/Freezer Combination with two doors (in 1947)
• Ovens that do self-clean(in 1963)
• Wall ovens that do Hot air Frying (in 2019)

Bob Park the Brands Chief for GE Appliances Canada recently said at
the launch of the Hot-air-Frying wall oven, that this oven will fill an
Appliance cap in the market.
Consumers have become more health-conscious in the way they prepare their
food combine with the general trend of consumers aiming for minimalists living.
Bob says this wall hot air-frying-oven will help to declutter your counter-top
because you won't need a stand-alone air fryer.

Great news, I just can't wait to prepare my first healthy meal in one of these
ovens

www.pinepienaar.info

Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy

Stove and Oven Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

The reason for this post is to show you Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy and Parts. All electrical ovens basically work the same, some just have more bells and whistles.

Cooking family meals in the defy multifunction is effortless and one can achieve the same cooking results as you would get in an industrial combi-oven. the 600 STE multifunction oven is just more energy efficient

The controls simple straight forward;

• Thermostat (70 to 230 degrees)
• Selector
• Timer

Inside this little oven is where the magic is

Food Art can be created in this little oven with the help of different Function settings

• Thermofan Bake (fan is located at the back of the oven surrounded with its own heat element)
•  Bake element
•  Bake Fan assisted
•  Grill element

Thermofan wiring and element

The Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy has a pulldown double glass door. The plastic handles makes it safe to touch during cooking.

Personally I don't like the black glass because I like to see the baking-magic as it happens
    

Thermostat Old and new replacement unit

The oven thermostat indicator light switches of once desired temperature have been reached.

The oven-light remains on for the whole duration of the oven usage

I do hope you have as much fun with your oven as much as I enjoy working on Defy 600STE multifunction Oven Anatomy

Let your creative juices flow

www.pinepienaar.info

PS. Find more about Ovens here;

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2019/04/defy-kitchenaire-six-twenty-stove.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2019/01/defy-gas-stove-gas-5-burner-model.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/08/electric-heating-elements.html

https://highpointappliances.blogspot.com/2018/05/kitchen-artist.html

Defy oven and hob terminal connection

Oven and Hobb Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

It is common for stove terminal connections to burnout these days with all the load shedding and power outages.

A couple of years ago this phenomenon was unheard of, electric-wire-connector never used to blow.

Times have changed -  Our Monopoly power supplier has become untrustworthy and electric power is consistent. 

Domestic appliances take a serious beating every day with the uncontrolled voltage supply to our homes. 

Things happen while you at work or when you are sleeping. 

Voltages go up and down 

Every time the Alternating current (AC) voltage reaches an extreme curve it causes damage to the appliance electronics and electrical components. (its what we call "electronic rust"). These little "out of control" power fluctuations are not strong enough to blow the appliance there and then, but it is strong enough to leave a ding on the electrical components. Over time these little dings add up to create the same effect as one huge power surge or lightning strick.

Did you know that most appliances like washing machines, dishwasher, microwaves, etc do have surge suppressor build-in? But It is also a good idea to install surge protectors in your homes DV-board which will help for the major power surges. Still, it will not protect your appliances against the small power fluctuations. For the smaller damage causing fluctuations, you are going to need the protection of an inverter.

Uninterruptible Power Supply, will deliver clean steady AC power with little static noise.  The UPS is the cheapest option to protect your appliances.

How does it work? 

Your use your normal household AC electric current, convert it into DC power, run it into a battery, then use the DC power to convert it back into clean steady AC power. 

EASY Peacy!

Don't stress a will tell you more about the whole process in another post. For now, just know there is a better way to protect your All Appliances.

Cheers!

www.pinepienaar.info

Fuchware Oven and stove classique

Stove and Oven Repairs in Port Elizabeth. South Africa

Fuchsware has built some of the best kitchen appliances In South Africa and it is still common to find them fully function in homes all over the country.

CJ Fuchs (Pty)Ltd was started by Carl Julius Fuchs in 1929, the first location use to be an ould stable situated at 149 Marshall Street, Johannesburg. In the early years, Carl who was a plumber focused mainly on spray-painting and plate-making. During the second world war, they also manufactured components for the military.

Later they ventured into the domestic electrical appliances under license from an American company called Wasting House Electric International.

During 1948 the business was relocated to a much larger factory in Alrode, Alberton, That's was also when the trusted domestic appliances brand "Fuchware" was born. 
Apart from the domestic appliances like Refrigerators and Fuchs stove, the company also manufactured Circuit breakers, geysers, and stainless steelware. Later on, the company also started to produced television, electronic systems, and industrial electrical equipment.

Fuchware was Booming!  

April 1976 Carl Fuchs died and the company was sold to Barlow Rand. This also marked the beginning of the end for the Fuchware Brand.

Is it just Amazing that a 14-year-old boy who started working as a plumber apprentice during the recession years could build up a multi-million business that employed thousands of people.

There is no substitute for hard work

Feel free to contact me if you should need repairs advice

www.pinepienaar,info