Checklist to Prepare Your Appliances for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family over a delicious home-cooked meal. However, all that cooking and baking can put a strain on kitchen appliances. With just a few weeks to go until Turkey Day, now is the perfect time to inspect and prepare major appliances to make sure everything is in good working order. Preventative maintenance and timely repairs are key to avoiding stressful breakdowns during the holiday rush. This appliance checklist will help homeowners troubleshoot issues and make needed preparations for Thanksgiving cooking.

Remember don’t wait till the last minute to check the unit in case parts are needed. If you have to order any parts there could be delays because of shipping closures due to the holiday or out-of-stock parts. So the sooner you check the unit and get the parts ordered the better luck you are going to have with getting the part on time. You can check with us at AppliancePartsPros.com for parts. Use your model number to locate the correct part you need for your unit.

Oven operation

As the primary appliance, your range takes center stage during Turkey Day prep. Not only will you rely on it for roasting the main course, but also for baking pies, casseroles, vegetables, and more. It’s especially important to give your oven a thorough cleaning and functionality test.

• Use an oven-safe cleaner to remove any baked-on messes from the interior walls and door.
• Wipe down seals to maintain a tight seal when cooking.
• Preheat the oven and carefully monitor temperatures with an oven thermometer until fully heated and stabilized.
• Verify each function, such as bake and broil, heats evenly by rotating test items halfway through cooking. Address any problems to avoid undercooked or burnt dishes come Thanksgiving.
• Don’t run the self-cleaning function before Thanksgiving. Ovens can get stuck in self-clean mode or have any number of problems. Wait until after your meal is prepared to clean the oven.

Read more: Oven Tips for Cooking a Holiday Turkey, Ham & More

Stovetop operation

From searing the turkey to simmering sides, your stovetop will get extensive use throughout the holidays.

• Take time to disassemble surface burners and clean away food particles or residue.
• Unclog any fine burner holes with thin wire to make sure you have proper flame dispersion.
• Vacuum out the range hood filter to remove grease buildup.
• With all components dust-free and debris-free, test each burner knob individually. Burners should light promptly and heat levels should match temperatures on the stovetop dials.
• Repair or replace any faulty or damaged burners to keep your cooktop in optimal working order.

Read more: Your Guide to Cleaning a Gas Cooktop

Refrigerator deep clean

Stocking up on fresh ingredients and making room for leftovers means expanded use of your kitchen refrigerator and freezer. Both demand some TLC before storing loads of Thanksgiving fare.

• Wipe down the interior and shelves with a mild soap-and-water solution.
• Vacuum dust and debris from behind the exterior and inaccessible areas such as coils.
• Inspect door seals for cracks or compression issues. Make sure they compress fully when closing the door to maintain proper cooling.
• Defrost frozen items and dispose of anything expired.

Read more: How To Deep Clean Your Refrigerator

Dishwasher maintenance

No one wants to hand wash a sinkful of pans and dishes after a big meal. Neglecting your dishwasher can cause issues just when you need it most. Make dishwasher maintenance part of your cleaning routine.

• Check spray arms and propellers are unclogged and spinning freely when the cycle starts.
• Clean the fine filters regularly to prevent clogs from leftover food particles.

Watch: How to clean a dishwasher

Microwave safety

While microwaves provide convenient cooking power, safety hazards can arise from poor maintenance. Proper care now prevents problems later.

• Keep interiors disinfected by wiping down interior walls and ceiling vents every few months.
• Remove any food splash particles that may ignite if the unit overheats.
• Inspect door seals for compression and replace if cracked or loose. Degradation allows unhealthy microwave leakage.
• Run a test cycle with a cup of water and make sure it heats evenly without cold or hot spots.
• Address operation or part issues immediately to avoid potential microwave fires during the holidays.

Read more: How to Clean a Microwave

More information

Incorporating regular appliance examinations into your household maintenance routine helps catch small problems before they worsen. By addressing needs promptly you’ll feel confident all kitchen tools are primed to handle Thanksgiving tasks without disruptions. Proactive care pays off come Turkey Day by eliminating stressful surprises and breakdowns, so you can focus fully on holiday festivities with friends and family. With a little preparation now, your kitchen appliances will keep running smoothly throughout Thanksgiving and many more meals to come.

Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find other resources and our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in 2-3 business days.

You can also reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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