Purchasing a new range

Peter writes:
HI ERIC, I ENJOY YOUR WEB SITE. I have to buy a oven range and have a budget of 700 and under. What is a good brand my old GE was 20yrs .

My response to Peter is:

I recommend that you pick a oven/range with the most features and the best warranty within your budget. Use the checklist below to help you on your venture.

Checklist for cooking products

I also recommend before you go to the store to select and purchase a range, cooktop, oven, etc., that you take the time to fill out the following checklist to take with you. Check all that apply to your selection:

Check the area available for the range

_____________width

_____________depth

_____________height

These measurements are the cut-out measurements not the old range measurements. Also make sure that the range can fit through the openings of the house, so that it can be installed where you want it.

The type of range you are looking for:

__Free-standing with one oven

__Eye-level (High-low) with two ovens

__Eye-level with one oven

__Built-in

__Drop-in

__Slide-in

__Electric

__Gas

__LP ___natural

Type of oven you are looking for:

__Single

__Double

__Conventional

__Microwave

__Combination oven

__Convection

Oven location

__Below cooktop

__One over, one under

__Separate built-in oven(s)

Oven controls

__On back console

__On range front

__On hood

__Dial-type

__Touch pads

__Automatic oven clock/timer

Cleaning system

__Self-cleaning (pyrolytic)

__Continuous

__Manual

Broiler type

__Top-of-oven

__Low broiler

__Variable heat

Cooktop style

__Conventional

__Glass-ceramic

__Grille/griddle convertible

__Induction

Cooktop controls

__Thermostatic control

__Eye-level controls

__Eye-level controls on hood

__Controls on back splash

__Controls at front of cooktop

Accessories

__Rotisserie

__Roast temperature probe

__Griddle

Venting system

__Separate hood

__Built-in down draft

__Vent-microwave oven combination

__Hood attached to upper oven

__Vent over regular cooktop

__Vent over grill/griddle cooktop

The color of the range preferred

________________________________

Price range: $________________

Warranty and service information:___________________________

Additional information on warranties, safety, recalls, and maintenance must be taken
into account when purchasing a range. Ask the salesperson for a demonstration
on the range you are considering.

For more information on appliance and air conditioner selection and purchasing order a copy of my book.

Peter, let me know if that worked for you. Remember to send your appliance questions to eric@erickleinert.com.

Summertime cooling - Room Air Conditioners

Room air conditioners are self-contained units that can be installed in a window, through a wall, or moved around on wheels. The smaller air conditioners are designed to cool the immediate area of a room. However, manufacturers are designing room air conditioners from 4,000 BTU/hour to over 30,000 BTU/hour. These larger-sized units will cool a larger area or cool multiple rooms in a home or office at one time.

The standard features are manual or electronic controls, straight cool only, electric heat and cooling, or reverse-cycle air conditioning (heat pump). Air flow circulating from the air conditioners discharge grill might have fixed, directional, or motorized louvers.

Some models are available with wireless remote control handheld units. The remote control makes it easier to control the on/off, fan speed, and temperature of the air conditioner from across the room. Room air conditioners are available in 120 volts or 230 volts.

To properly install a room air conditioner, it is strongly recommended that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations or call a qualified contractor or an authorized air conditioner service company to install the air conditioner. I have seen over the years many improperly installed air conditioners fall out of the window or wall.

Factors that should be taken into account when purchasing an air conditioner include the following:

• Size
• Energy rating
• Location of air conditioner within the home or office
• Location of the electrical outlet and voltage needed to run the air conditioner

To properly size a air conditioner for a room, I recommend that you pick up a copy of my book "Troubleshooting & Repairing Major Appliances 2nd edition" where I will explain to you how to size a room air conditioner for your home or office.

Please send me your how-to questions (eric@erickleinert.com) and I'll answer them in this forum, helping you decide if you can fix your appliances yourself or if you need to call a professional.

Purchasing a new microwave oven

Do not go out and purchase a microwave oven until you do your homework. Brand, type, size, power, features, warranty, and location are just some of the features you need to consider. You can also go on the Internet and conduct research. When comparing microwaves, fill out the following checklist.
Check all that apply.
Measure the area available for the microwave oven:
_____________width
_____________depth
_____________height


Before purchasing, read the installation instructions for the built-in or over-the-range model you are considering.
These instructions will provide you with information such as cutout dimensions, venting, voltage location, and more.


What is the voltage?
❑ 120 volts ❑ 240 volts

What type of microwave?
❑ Countertop ❑ Over the range
❑ Combination ❑ Convection
(range and microwave)

❑ Under the counter ❑ Built-in ❑ Other (list the features)

How much room do I need to fit the microwave oven on the countertop?
❑ Large: 22 to 27 inches wide by 13 to16 inches high by 15 to 21 inches deep
❑ Medium: 20 to 24 inches wide by 16 to 16 inches high by 13 to 18 inches deep
❑ Small: 18 to 20 inches wide by 10 to 12 inches high by 11 to 12 inches deep

❑ Touch-pad controls:
❑ Are the numbers large and easy to read?
❑ Is the oven easy to program?
❑ Does the model display prompters that will guide you as you set the controls?
❑ Mechanical controls:
❑ Does the mechanical timer have a wide time range setting?
❑ Seconds? ❑ Minutes? ❑ Hours?
❑ Is there an on/off switch to operate the oven after setting the time function?
❑ Does the timer knob turn on the oven after setting the time function?

How many watts of cooking?
❑ 400 to 700 watts ❑ 600 to 800 watts
❑ 800 to 1000 watts ❑ 1000 to 1600 watts

What additional features do you want?
Does the oven have a light inside the cavity?
❑ yes ❑ no
❑ Auto defrost
❑ Pre-programmed cooking
Is there a window in the door?
❑ yes ❑ no
Does the oven have a rack?
❑ yes ❑ no
Do you want a turntable for the food to rotate on?
❑ yes ❑ no
Does the model have multi-stage cooking?
❑ yes ❑ no
❑ Temperature probe
❑ Cooking sensors
Will my plates fit the oven cavity?
❑ yes ❑ no
❑ Other (list here)

Additional information on warranties, safety, recalls, and maintenance must be taken
into account when purchasing a microwave oven. Ask the salesperson for a demonstration
on the microwave you are considering.

For more information on appliance and air conditioner selection and purchasing order a copy of my book.