APPLIANCE MAINTENANCE AND INFORMATION

The Mt. Pleasant Housing Authority provides a refrigerator, cook range, range hood, heating and cooling unit, and a water heater. You, as a tenant, are responsible for the day to day maintenance and cleaning of these appliances. Below is information for their upkeep and use.

Refrigerator

Proper Air Circulation
In order to ensure proper temperatures, you need to permit air flow between the refrigerator and freezer sections. Do no block any of the air vents with food packages. If vents are blocked, airflow will be prevented and temperature and moisture problems may occur.

Cleaning
Both the refrigerator and freezer sections defrost automatically. However, clean both sections about once a month to prevent odors from building up. Wipe spills immediately.

To clean your refrigerator:

1. Remove all removable parts from inside, such as shelves, crispers, etc.
2. Hand wash, rinse, and dry removable parts and interior surfaces thoroughly. Use a clean sponge or soft cloth and a mild detergent in warm water.
   • Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners such as window sprays, scouring cleansers, flammable fluids, cleaning waxes, concentrated detergents, bleaches or cleansers containing petroleum products on plastic parts interior and door liners or gaskets.
   • Do not use paper towels, scouring pads, or other harsh cleaning tools. These won’t scratch or damage materials.
   • To help remove odors, wash interior walls with a mixture of warm water and baking soda (2 tbs. to 1 qt. of water).
     
3. Wash stainless steel and painted metal exteriors with a clean sponge or soft cloth and a mild detergent in warm water. Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners. Dry thoroughly with a clean soft cloth.

Cooking Range
This section contains information about the proper use of your stove top and oven.

Using the Surface Burners
TO LIGHT A SURFACE BURNER– Push the control knob in and turn it to the LITE position. After the burner ignites, turn the knob to adjust the flame size.

FOR BEST RESULTS– The gas burner adjusts to any flame desired and allows you to tailor the flame to fit any pan large or small. Always position the utensil on the burner grate BEFORE lighting the burner. FOR YOUR SAFETY, the flame should not extend beyond the sides of the pan.

Using Your Oven
Your range has automatic oven ignition which will light the oven burner and allow the oven to heat to the selected temperature. Push - turn the oven control counterclockwise to the desired temperature. The oven lights automatically after 30 to 60 seconds. When selected temperature is reached, the burner cycles on and off automatically to maintain the oven temperature. On models equipped with a gas oven pilot, the pilot remains lighted at all times.

Using Aluminum Foil
Do not line the oven bottom with any type of foil, liners, or cook ware.. Permanent damage will occur to the oven bottom finish.

• Do not block the oven bottom vents.
• Do Not cover the entire rack with aluminum foil. Doing so will reduce air circulation and overall oven performance.
• Do not cover broiler tray with aluminum foil.
• To catch spillovers from pies or casseroles place foil on the oven rack below. Foil should be turned up at edges and be a least 1 inch larger than dish.

The Oven Vent
Hot air and moisture escape from the oven through a vent that’s near the middle of the back-guard. Never store plastics, paper, or other items that could melt or burn near the oven vent, or any of the surface burners. The vent lets air circulate properly. Be careful not to block the vent, or you will get poor baking/roasting results.

Using Your Broiler
Broiler pan and tray must be in place during any cooking operation to prevent damage to the finish of the broiler compartment. The broiler compartment is located beneath the oven. Pull the entire broiler compartment forward to the stop position. The broiler compartment door folds down to allow for easy removal of the broiler pan for turning foods. To operate broiler, push - turn the oven control counter - clockwise to the BROIL position.

• Always remove the broiler pan from the broiler compartment as soon as broiler pan cools.
• Replace broiler pan and tray after cleaning. Broiler pan and tray must be in place for any oven operation.
• Do not step on or apply weight to the broiler door when it is open. This could damage the door.
• Do not preheat the broiler before using.
• Completely close the broiler door during broiling.

Care and Cleaning of Your Stove
Your range is designed so you can care for it easily. You can do most cleaning with items found around your home. Cleaning your range whenever spills or soiling occurs will help to keep it looking like new. Before cleaning, always make sure all controls are off and the stove is cool.

Cleaning Oven
Food soil that is allowed to harden and bake on can be difficult to remove.

Clean the oven before it is entirely cool (not while hot) with detergent and water using a soap filled steel wool pad on burned spots. Rinse and wipe dry.

Commercial oven cleaners may be used on conventional porcelain lined ovens. Do Not let commercial oven cleaners contact the heat seals, thermostat, or exterior surfaces of the range. This will cause damage. Follow instructions carefully. Oven cleaners can coat or damage the thermostat sensing device (long tube at rear of oven) so that it will not sense temperature correctly. If you are using a commercial oven cleaner, try to avoid any contact with the rod - shaped bulb of the thermostat. Be sure that any residue that touches the bulb is carefully removed. After using cleaners, thoroughly rinse the oven with a solution of one tablespoon vinegar to one cup water.

Oven racks are removed by pulling forward, tilting and lifting up. Racks may be washed with detergent and water. Scour heavily soiled areas with a soap-filled steel wool pad. Rinse and dry well.

Cleaning Oven Bottom
Clean using warm, sudsy water, a mild abrasive cleaner, a soap filled abrasive pad or commercial oven cleaner following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cleaning Porcelain Oven Door, Broiler, and Stovetop
Do not use abrasive or harsh cleaners (such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, or commercial oven cleaners), which can damage the finish. Wash with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Wipe with clean water and dry well. Use a nonabrasive plastic scrubbing pad on heavily soiled areas.

To Remove Stovetop:

1. Remove top burner grates.
2. Grasp the stovetop at the front corners and remove by lifting up and pulling away from the range.

Cleaning Burner Grates
Wash burner grates in warm, soapy water. Dry the grates with a cloth. When replacing the grates, be sure they are positioned properly over the burners with the grid pin sitting in the grid hole in the main top to prevent rotation.NOTE: Do not operate a burner for an extended period of time without cookware on the grate. The finish on the grate may chip without cookware to absorb the heat.

Cleaning Top Burners
Burners may be wiped off without removing from the range. However, they are removable for an occasional thorough washing in warm water and detergent. The holes in the burners of your range must be kept clean at all times for proper ignition and flame. You should clean the burners routinely, and especially after bad spillovers. If the food doesn’t wash off completely, scrub the burner with soap and water and a brush or plastic pad. DO NOT USE STEEL WOOL OR ABRASIVE CLEANERS. 

To remove a top burner, turn slightly to release tab. Then lift out. When replacing, be sure tab is locked securely in position on the burner sup port. Cleaning Outer Surface Finish

Glass, Paint and Plastic (knobs, decorative trim, etc.)
These materials are used in areas where heavy soil will not accumulate. Use detergent and a damp cloth to clean the control panel. Wipe with clear warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Be sure to remove excess moisture from the cloth when wiping around controls. Excess water in or around the controls may cause damage to the appliance. DO NOT USE steel wool, abrasives, ammonia, acids or commercial oven cleaners.

Porcelain Enamel Stovetop and Body Pieces
After the range has cooled down, clean spills with warm water and detergent, or wash with a solution of baking soda dissolved in warm water and dry with a soft cloth. REMOVE ALL CLEANERS or the porcelain may become damaged during future heating.

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