Our Thermador oven is almost 20 years old. It’s been a great and loyal oven over the years. About a year ago, I noticed the convection fan getting loud when it started up. You could hear it hitting some other piece of metal, but eventually, it quietened down and worked normally. I knew the convection feature’s days were numbered.After a few more months, the convection fan stopped working…
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When your appliance starts making a funny noise, you might ignore it hoping it will go away (or is that just me?). Sometimes that works, most of the time it doesn’t. A few years ago the “Start” button on our (13-year-old) Duet frontload washer was starting to break away from the dashboard (like the one in the above image). When it finally broke – it meant the washer couldn’t be used because there…
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Maintaining your dishwasher so it will last its full life never used to be an issue; up until around ten years ago, a dishwasher lasted 18-20 years or more. Sure it was noisy and consumed enormous amounts of water and electricity, but it lasted -- sometimes so long that you were begging it to kick the bucket. These days, most dishwashers last a measly 6 to 10 years unless you can afford to spend…
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A dishwasher not draining seems to be the most commonly searched problem on the web. The reason that this has become such an issue is because dishwashers have changed and, frankly, we North Americans haven't fully adjusted to them.Dishwasher filters versus food grindersUp until ten or 15 years ago, the majority of dishwashers made and sold in North America, by GE, KitchenAid, Frigidaire and other…
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Last year water started appearing under our fridge. Because I live in the world of denial, I'd mop it up and think, "I wonder how that happened?" and ignore it, hoping it would somehow solve itself (I'm still doing this with the oven door lock for self-cleaning mode, which no longer locks - but I keep hoping!). After about the fifth time of finding water under the fridge, I realized I actually had…
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Miele Induction Range HR1622IInduction ranges have their lovers and haters amongst laypeople and professional chefs alike. Many professional chefs love the responsiveness of gas and the ability to work with a live flame to create that slightly burnt effect to dishes. There is also an entertainment factor for open kitchens or cooking classes. Induction definitely can't compete in that area. On the…
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We here at Gleen want to help you maintain your front-load washer so it performs the way it's intended to, helping you put off buying another one for as long as possible. We looked at our favourite home-care websites to seek out the best advice.If you're on the fence about buying a front-load washing machine consider the following:Advantages of a front-load washing machineEfficiency: They use…
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A reader wrote in and asked why she was getting rust stains on her clothes after doing the laundry. "Our washer and dryer are 20-25 years old, so I'm thinking they are the problem. Should I buy a new washer or try to have this one fixed?"Given the age of the washer and dryer, it's possible that the problem is with the machines. However, there are some things to investigate before running out to…
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IPCC just unveiled its latest evaluation of climate change and warned that if we continue down our current path, we're in for trouble, big time. One of the culprits in this battle is refrigerants. Right now just over 2% are captured and recycled at the end of an appliance's life. According to Drawdown, by capturing most of them we can help avoid 89 gigatons of gases, saving the planet almost…
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Have you ever considered buying a refurbished washer instead of a new one? A few years ago our washing machine conked out and the repairman quoted $1500 to fix it because the drum had torn away from the washing machine's body. As the repairman was leaving he said, "And whatever you do, don't buy the most expensive or the cheapest. They all last 10 years these days no matter what."Truthfully, I…
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It's a fact that appliances are living shorter lives. Megan McArdle wrote a great opinion piece in the Washington Post about her refrigerator dying too young. It was also not repairable for a reasonable cost. Decreasing appliance quality is a common story. It's also one of the primary reasons we started Gleen. Why can't we buy appliances that last 20 years anymore? Why are they so expensive to…
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The Bosch Ascenta dishwasher is by far, the most reviewed dishwasher by the professional sites (although not by consumers). It is primarily due to its price point as well as due to Bosch reputation as a standout dishwasher manufacturer. Bosch is known to make reliable products, so naturally, consumers will gravitate to them. In this case, however, the Ascenta may be a disappointment for those…
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If you have an older fridge, have you ever wondered whether it's costing you more to run than to replace it? After all, a new Energy Star certified refrigerator uses only 25% of the energy of a refrigerator from the 1970s. This, despite the fact that it is now larger than in the past. It makes sense then, that if you have an older fridge, you might want to consider upgrading to a newer, more…
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I've been doing a lot of research into reliable and repairable appliances. There is a lot of information out there - and there are some great videos provided on websites as well as from independent service people on Youtube to help you. As Consumer Reports notes in its testing, all the dishwashers they tested cleaned dishes, it was merely a matter of features (including noise level).There is a…
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When your appliance starts making a funny noise, you might ignore it hoping it will go away (or is that just me?). Sometimes that works, most of the time it doesn't. A few years ago the "Start" button on our (13-year-old) Duet frontload washer was starting to break away from the dashboard (like the one in the above image). When it finally broke - it meant the washer couldn't be used because there…
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Let's say you've just moved into a new home that comes with some appliances but you've got your old ones too. You're probably going to want to sell an appliance (or two). If you go onto Kijiji or Craigslist, you'll see a lot of used appliances for sale. If you're savvy and can dedicate some time and elbow grease to the project, you can increase your asking price - because let's face it, used…
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What Is a Refurbished Washing Machine? (and why would I want one?)In the majority of cases, a refurbished (or reconditioned) washing machine has had its worn pieces replaced has been completely cleaned and will operate as well as a new one. Depending on its age, it should last another 5 to 10 years and cost between 1/3 and 1/2 as much as a new one. A reputable refurbished store will identify worn…
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In the last few years, many people have noticed that the quality of major appliances is decreasing. They tend to live shorter lives, are less affordably repairable when they break, and might not even perform as well as they should.Why is this happening?There are a lot of reasons appliances don’t live up to the level of satisfaction to those from even 10 years ago.Market consolidation: In the…
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Sometimes it's better to buy a high-quality refurbished range than a cheap new one that either burns food on the outside but stays raw in the middle - or breaks within the first few years of use (and if you think appliance quality has been decreasing over the last few years, you are correct). Unlike its used counterpart, a refurbished one will have been taken apart and inspected with any…
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Your budget is tight and your washer has just konked out. You can’t justify the cost of a new washer, so you are considering buying a used washer. There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going down that road, to help buy the best possible washer.On the one hand, a used washer is going to cost next to nothing compared to a new one, but if it breaks, you're out of pocket for the repair…
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Today’s washers are a far cry from those from your grandmother’s. The selection is vast and includes steam cleaning and sterilizing, sinks, faucets, two tubs, connected devices, etc. Buying a new washer can be overwhelming. Here are some things to consider as you begin your search.Size: The most important consideration is being able to get your new washer into its intended space. Make sure you…
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Out of all the major appliances, the refrigerator is the one with the most variation in options and size. The latest refrigerators have a variety of options and features your grandmother would never have imagined. You can now make coffee right from your fridge, control the temperature remotely, or turn your ice-maker on and off from your phone. On top of all that, new refrigerators are far more…
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There are two kinds of “pre-owned” refrigerators – used and refurbished. Refurbished refrigerators are used, but they have the advantage of having been inspected and have worn parts replaced to make sure they are in good working order. You can usually get a decent refrigerator a fraction of the price of a new one. It won't, however, have all the bells and whistles of the latest models.Here are a…
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Buying a refurbished dryer is a great option if you want a decent dryer but don’t want to spend a lot of money. They will typically be priced at half the cost of their new model and can give you ten years or more of solid use. Unlike a used dryer, a refurbished unit has been taken apart and had visibly worn parts replaced. It’s been thoroughly tested to make sure it performs its intended functions…
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Ranges like to break at the most inconvenient times - usually before a big family celebration or a holiday - when you are about to do a ton of baking or throw a big roast in the oven. Sometimes it can be hard to justify the cost of a new one in the event that yours is no longer repairable (or too expensive to do so). Before you take out a second mortgage to buy a new range, you might want to…
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You might be wondering what the difference is between a refurbished dishwasher and a used dishwasher. It’s kind of like buying a “Pre-owned” car from a dealer and a used car from your neighbour. A refurbished model has been used before, but it has been inspected, tested and cleaned and any parts that were worn and/or visibly about to break are replaced before it’s resold. There is less risk…
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Buying a dishwasher from a homeowner, as opposed to a retailer of used appliances, will be your least expensive option. But it does come with a risk. Appliances are “as is” – and won’t have had a general inspection that a refurbisher would do. There also won’t be any sort of warranty with your purchase, and you will likely be responsible for transportation. So, there is a bit of a roll of the…
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Whether it’s your first cooking appliance (stove, cooktop, etc.) or a replacement, it seems like there are so many options available, choosing one with the features you want can be overwhelming. We’ve scoured the web and taken the best pieces of advice we’ve found (and added some ourselves), to arm you with the information you need to make an informed decision.Measurements: Often, stoves are…
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Buying a used dryer may be a great option if your budget is tight or you need a dryer temporarily, or you're not convinced the quality of a new one justifies the cost. There are a few drawbacks to consider - unlike buying from a store, you will most likely be responsible for transportation (although sometimes the vendor will able to move it), and if it breaks, there won't be a warranty. Here are a…
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Used Amana fridge, $300There are used refrigerators and refurbished refrigerators and there is a big difference between the two. A refurbished refrigerator (also known as a "reconditioned refrigerator") has been thoroughly inspected and had its worn parts replaced. Further, refrigerators, unlike all other appliances, work 24-7, non-stop, throughout their lives, so finding a reliable model and make…
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Buying a new dryer can be an eye-opening experience with all the available options. From steam to ventless, to WiFi connected, the latest dryers have features you couldn’t have imagined 30 years ago. But finding the right dryer can be a challenge, and there are still dryers that can fry your clothes so it’s important to do your research before you plunk down your money. Use our tips to help you…
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Whether you want to buy your first dishwasher or a replacement for one that has washed its last glass, it seems like there are so many options available, choosing one can be overwhelming. We’ve done our research and list the best pieces of advice, to arm you with the information you need to make a better decision about buying a new dishwasher.Performance: Not surprisingly, the number one thing…
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