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Kitchen Appliance FAQ’s
We use a variety of kitchen appliances every day, meaning we rely on them to work well and as expected. But this doesn’t mean you won’t run into some issues along the way.
Today we explore the most frequently asked questions about your kitchen appliances. From installation & cleaning to commonly seen problems, we tackle it all.
What is the Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances?
Sometimes the best way to do something is the easiest way. But before we get into the how-tos, let’s go over what not to do.
Do NOT:
- use abrasive cleaners such as bleach and chlorine.
- use steel wool or tough scrubbers.
- leave water or soap residue on your appliance.
- use cleaners that your manufacturer tells you to avoid.
If you do any of the above, stainless steel can be scratched, damaged or even stained!
The best route to take when cleaning stainless-steel appliances is with a bit of warm water and dish soap.
Why is it the best? It’s safe, cheap and effective.
Keep your stainless-steel appliances clean and shiny by:
- Mix 1 part dish soap with 4 parts warm water (preferably filtered or distilled water to avoid water marks).
- Dampen a microfibre cloth with the solution and wipe your appliance in the direction of the grain.
- Dampen another clean microfibre cloth with warm water and wipe away the residue.
- Dry your appliance with a dry microfibre cloth in the direction of the grain to avoid streaks.
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Is it OK to Have an Oven Next to a Refrigerator?
When it comes to designing your kitchen layout, the location of each appliance is always important to consider. While there are some appliances that are flexible, we usually advise that ovens and refrigerators are not installed next to each other.
Why Not to Place an Oven Next to a Refrigerator
For many years, it has been advised to never place an oven next to a refrigerator. This is because the heat produced from the oven could transfer to the refrigerator, affecting how it runs. This can drastically shorten its lifetime – we are sure you wouldn’t want that!
Another reason why this is advised against is the possibility of disrupting the workflow of your kitchen. Many kitchens operate under a working triangle, a system that places your oven, fridge and sink in a triangle equal distances apart. If you place your fridge directly next to the oven, you’ll reduce the size of your triangle, making your kitchen feel cramped. You will certainly find this to be a problem if more than one person is using the kitchen at the same time.
Finally, another reason not to put your oven next to your refrigerator is the need for a landing space. A landing space is a designated space on your countertop next to your stove or oven to place hot pans or trays. Without this space, you’ll create a hazard by travelling a further distance with these dangerously hot items.
When Is It OK?
Under some circumstances, it can be OK to place your oven next to a refrigerator:
- If you have a built-in oven with a ventilation system that pushes heat away from the oven and its surroundings.
- You have a refrigerator that is well insulated, for example, an integrated refrigerator. These will get a lot of insulation from the surrounding kitchen cabinets.
If you do decide to do any of the above, make sure you double check with your manufacturer first!
Our Recommendation
Although it can be OK to place an oven next to a refrigerator (with the proper considerations taken) we would still not recommend it.
Although heat transfer can be avoided with good ventilation & integration, problems can still arise. It’s always best to take extra precautions to ensure your appliances are maintained properly. It’s also more pleasant to have a larger working triangle as it gives you plenty of space to cook.
If you have a large enough kitchen to design a layout where they are separated, this is what we would recommend you do. However, if your ideal kitchen layout involves placing them together, remember that you will need to have a built-in wall oven, a well-insulated refrigerator, and enough space to open your fridge without hitting your oven door.
Can a Laundry Appliance be Overfilled?
The simple answer is… yes! If your washing machine, tumble dryer or washer dryer comes with a specific capacity limit listed in your model’s manual, you should always aim to use this amount or less.
The simple answer is… yes!
If your washing machine, tumble dryer or washer dryer comes with a specific capacity limit listed in your model’s manual, you should always aim to use this amount or less.
We recommend filling your washing machine until it’s about ¾ full, or until you can still fit your palm between the top of your laundry load and the top of the drum.
For tumble dryers, we recommend filling the drum just over halfway.
When you overfill your laundry appliance, your clothes won’t have enough room to move about, so they won’t be effectively cleaned & dried. Overfilling your washing machine could also lead to leaks which opens up a whole new world of problems.
We recommend filling your washing machine until it’s about ¾ full, or until you can still fit your palm between the top of your laundry load and the top of the drum. For tumble dryers, we recommend filling the drum just over halfway.
When you overfill your laundry appliance, your clothes won’t have enough room to move about, so they won’t be effectively cleaned & dried. Overfilling your washing machine could also lead to leaks which opens up a whole new world of problems.
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Why Does My Microwave Shut Down?
There are a few possible reasons why your microwave is turning off after a couple of seconds. This includes:
Clogged Vent
Microwaves have an air vent that keeps it from overheating.
If this vent becomes clogged with dirt and grease, your microwave will automatically shut off for safety reasons.
To fix or prevent this problem, you can clean the vent with a brush or by removing it and cleaning it in warm, soapy water.
Faulty Door Switches
To keep operation safe, your microwave will only run when the door is closed.
If the door switch is faulty or loose, your microwave will turn itself off. A broken seal around the door can also cause this to happen.
If you suspect your microwave has a faulty door switch or a broken seal, we recommend you get it professionally repaired.
Defective Touch-Pad or Control Panel
Your microwave turning off could be linked to your control panel.
Touch-pads are more technologically advanced than knobs & dials which can make them more susceptible to problems.
Luckily, this means there is usually a clear-cut solution that your manufacturer can help you with.
Faulty Cooling Fan
There is a cooling fan in every microwave that keeps the magnetron and other components cool when in use.
If your fan doesn’t turn on when your microwave is on, it will automatically stop for safety reasons.
You will need to call a professional to fix this problem.
Other reasons why your microwave is turning off might be a blown fuse or other defective components. If you cannot find the source of the problem, you can always call a professional to help. Attempting to fix it yourself may result in further damage or voiding your warranty.
How Often Should You Replace Your Coffee Machine?
Coffee machines can last anywhere between 3 & 10+ years. How often you need to replace it will depend on the quality of your coffee maker, and how well you maintain it.
Proper coffee machine maintenance is important for extending its life and keeping your coffee tasting its best. You should regularly descale your machine to prevent mineral build up. While many machines will have a self-cleaning programme, you can usually descale yours yourself.
Regular maintenance also includes replacing water filters and drip trays. Your manufacturer’s manual will have recommendations for how often these should be replaced.
Signs you may need a new coffee machine are:
- Poor tasting coffee
- It always need cleaning
- Long brewing times
- Water leaks
Is a Leaking Kettle Dangerous?
Yes, a leaking kettle is dangerous. Not only can your burn yourself with boiling water, it also puts you at risk if any water come into contact with electricity. Mix water with electricity and you could get electrocuted and suffer disastrous consequences.
Start by determining whether or not water surrounding your kettle isn’t coming from somewhere else. Overfilling your kettle will cause water to spill out of the lid. Water could also spill out if there is a large build up of limescale inside your kettle. Cleaning your kettle should fix this problem.
If you have determined that the water is definitely caused by a leak, you should stop using your kettle immediately. If it is safe to do so, unplug it from the wall. It usually isn’t possible to fix a leak in a kettle. If your kettle is still under warranty, you should reach out to your manufacturer for a replacement.
Why Does My Kettle Not Stop Boiling?
Inside every kettle is a tube that runs from the top and (usually) down to the base. Once the water begins to boil, steam is forced down this tube and blows on something called a bimetallic switch. The steam will trip the switch, automatically turning off the kettle.
Issues with any of the following could be preventing the auto-shutoff from happening:
Overfilling Your Kettle
If you have overfilled your kettle, water can get inside the tube and block steam from tripping the bimetallic switch. This will stop the kettle from turning off.
To fix this, empty your kettle and wipe the exterior dry and leave the lid open for at least 24 hours to allow the interior to completely dry.
After this time, your kettle should be back in normal working condition. If not, it is likely your kettle will need replacing.
Limescale Build-Up
Limescale can also prevent steam from reaching the bimetallic switch.
To clear your kettle of limescale, measure out equal parts white vinegar and water and fill your kettle about ¾ full of the mixture. Bring it to the boil and wait until it is cooled completely, then rinse it out several times.
Once the limescale is gone, fill your kettle about 2/3 of the way and boil it and empty it again. Repeat 2-3 times to remove all of the vinegar and your kettle should be as good as new!
Defective Bimetallic Switch
If you aren’t overfilling your kettle and removing limescale hasn’t made any difference, it’s likely that your kettle has a faulty bimetallic switch. In this case, you should contact your manufacturer to send out a replacement or buy a new kettle entirely.
Please don’t try to replace this yourself as it could put you or any warranties you may have at risk.
Conclusion
While we hope that our appliances will work perfectly forever, we never know what issues could arise as we use them. Daily reliance on our kitchen appliances is why it’s important to address common issues. Learning to maintain your appliances and operate them correctly can really help to optimise performance.
Understanding the common issues surrounding our kitchen appliances puts you in a great position to identify and resolve problems efficiently. You can find a brilliant selection of appliance specific FAQs and buying guides within each category on our website.
Have any questions we haven’t answered yet? Contact us for more information and expert advice!
Originally posted by James McCartney October 2023. Updated by Lauren Newman September 2025.
