Blue Appliance Crew's FAQ

Not everyone who's an associate has an associate badge (ahem).

Working on it, working on it!!  : )

Question: What is the difference between Kenmore’s Ultra Satin and Stainless Steel?

Answer:  Ultra Satin is what Kenmore calls their vinyl-coated metal (VCM) appliances.  It goes by different names on other brands (i.e. Satina on Whirlpool products). 

A good way to picture it is by imagining a color appliance, like white or black, that didn’t get painted yet had the coating over the metal - that’s it.

 Some of the differences between VCM and stainless steel are: 

• VCM doesn’t smudge or get fingerprints as easy as stainless
• VCM is almost always cheaper than stainless
• VCM will always work with magnets – for your refrigerator magnet collection
• VCM is typically a little darker, so you may not get the full premium stainless shine

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Question:  Is there a recommended setting I should use for my refrigerator?

Answer:  It really depends on you.  Here’s what I recommend:

When you get your new refrigerator home, plug it in and set the controls to the middle in your refrigerator and freezer.  Next, place a gallon of milk on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator door and a carton of ice cream on the bottom shelf of the freezer door (these are the areas that are typically the warmest and will take the longest to cool down).  Let them both sit for 24-48 hours.

 Now the milk and ice cream will be at the setting of the refrigerator.  Test them out!  Is the ice cream to hard?  Dial the setting back a bit.  Milk too warm?  Adjust the setting higher.  Try this out a few times to make sure your food is adjusted to a temperature that’s right for you.

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Question:  How do I clean my stainless steel appliances?

Answer:  You have a couple of options here.  There’s always good ol’ soap and water.  It will definitely do the job of cleaning your appliance.  You could also use a stainless steel cleaner (available in our stores and on sears.com).  This will clean the surface and also polish.  It’ll protect the surface longer and reduce how often you’ll need to clean. 

What we can’t stress enough is to never use abrasive cleaners (think Comet and Soft Scrub) on your appliances.  These types of cleaners will scratch the surface and will damage your appliances.

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Question:  How hot does the water get in a dishwasher?

Answer:  It really varies from brand to brand, and what cycle you choose to wash your dishes.  A standard wash cycle is typically between 135-140 degrees, while dishwashers with a sanitize feature (not on all units) will be between 160-165 degrees.

Keep in mind that these temperatures aren’t sustained during the entire wash.

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Question:  What is induction cooking?

Answer:  Induction cooking technology uses electromagnetic energy to transfer heat directly to your cookware for faster, more responsive heating.  There’s a great video out there to teach you about all things induction.  To see the video, simply copy and paste this link into a new browser window:  http://tinyurl.com/ms7khv

Do us Kmart people get them, too?

Sure do!

Hey guys - also want to apologize on the formatting of the Q&A's.  For some reason my formatting didn't take from the text editor.  The team is looking into it and will tidy it up asap.

Question:  What is the difference between a standard tub and tall tub in a dishwasher?                    

Answer:  Tall tub dishwashers have a motor that is roughly 4 inches smaller than what you'd find in a standard tub.  The tall tub dishwashers are just as efficient but add the benefit of more room for larger pots, pans and place settings.

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Question:  What is the difference between a High Efficiency washer vs. a standard washer?            

Answer:  High Efficiency washers use approximately 43% less water and 65% less energy.  They also have a higher spin cycle which allows clothes to come out of the washer dryer, which means your clothes require less dry time.  The average spin speed for a High Efficiency washer is between 900–1200 RPM.

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Question:  What is the advantage of a stainless steel dishwasher tub?

Answer:  The advantage of a stainless steel tub is that the tub will not stain or crack.  Also, they typically last longer which helps extend the life of your dishwasher.

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Question:  What is the difference between convection and true convection?

Answer:  Standard convection has a single fan in the back of the range cavity that allows air to circulate to help keep the temperature equal in all parts of the oven.  True convection places a heater behind the fan.  This regulates the temperature further to provide more even cooking throughout the oven.  The benefit of convection is that it can decrease your cooking time by about 25%.

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Question:  What are the Oasis HT washing machine and the Oasis ST dryer?

Answer:  The Oasis HT model that was introduced in 2008 releases oxygen-based stain fighters at a precise moment for the ultimate stain fighting performance.  This washing machine is also certified by the National Sanitization Foundation to eliminate 99.9% of certain bacteria.  

The Oasis ST dryer has the TurboDry technology in the dryer using 35% larger blower to increase airflow.

Question:  What is the benefit of an optional ice maker?

Answer:  Great question! If the description on a refrigerator shows the ice maker as an option, that means the refrigerator does not come with an ice maker. We do sell ice maker kits for different manufactures through both Sears.com and Parts Direct, and the customer will either need to install the ice maker themselves or have the Sears installation team install the ice maker at a charge for the customer.

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Question:  How does an Oasis Washing machine function without an agitator?

Answer:  That is a great question! The invisible agitator is what makes the Kenmore Oasis washing machines unique and one of our best selling units. There is a clear view lid so you can see what is going on with your clothes without stopping the washing machine, and the invisible agitator allows you to increase your load size because the middle agitator is no longer in the machine. The invisible agitator is called Total Care Flex Agitator and has fins along the sides of the tub. You can wash up to 20 towels in a single load - a great deal for large families!

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Question:  Why don't electric dryers and ranges come with electrical cords?

Answer:  Great question! The reason why electric dryer and ranges do not come with electrical cords is because we do not want to assume what type of electrical outlet is in your home and send the incorrect type of cords. The older homes usually have a 3 prong 220 volt outlet, while the newer homes - as well as the homes that are being built today - have a 4 prong 220 volt outlet. The difference is the 4 prong electrical cord has an additional grounding wire. We also recommend that when customers purchase a new electrical appliance, that you also replace the electrical cords - which we sell on Sears.com for $18.99.

Our delivery team also has the electrical cords with them when we deliver your new appliance, but they will charge more for the cord.

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Question:  What is a hard food disposer in a dishwasher?

Answer:  The hard food disposer is a small garbage disposer that is in the dishwasher located in the drain. The benefit of having a hard food disposer in the dishwasher is that you do not need to hook up a garbage disposer to the dishwasher. However, if you have an existing garbage disposer, it is still recommended that you hook up the disposer to the dishwasher. A tip that may help you: It is important to remember to clean the filter on the bottom of the dishwasher once a month for optimal performance of the dishwasher. We want your dishwasher to last a very long time!

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Question:  What is Elite Turbo Zone on a dishwasher?

Answer:  This is a great option on a dishwasher that allows you, the user, to have to do as little work as possible. The Elite Turbo Zone consists of power jets that spray while rotating and eliminating the need to scrub and soak your dishes. Not only does it do a great job cleaning your dishes, it also does it with less energy!

Will Kmart Blue Appliance crew members get a BlueApplianceCrew badge too?  I'm not sure if pjcjmc was referring to that one or an associate badge in general....

Just a laugh to break things up:

"Do you price match on Kenmore?"

P.S.  Nikki, you're gorgeous...

The plumbing of the discharge hose from a dishwasher into a garbage disposal is porhibited in some states per the Uniform Plumbing Code due to sanitary reason for fear of "waste" backup into the dishwasher. States such as Illinois and California have this directive. Self installers should check their states regulations as also licensed installers.

Question:  What is the inside of a microwave made of?

Answer:  Microwaves have a non-conducting coating with a heat resistant strip made of metal inside the unit.

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Question:  Does Sears sell a refrigerator with a stainless steel cabinet?

Answer:  Yes - as a matter of fact we do!  We have 3 models of the KitchenAid Architect II Series that have a stainless steel cabinet.  You can search sears.com for items: 461085 (23" w/o dispenser), 461813 (23" w/ dispenser) and 467803 (25" w/ dispenser).

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Question:  What does CSA stand for?

Answer:  CSA stands for Certified Solutions Associate, and is a certification safety standard in Canada.

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Question:  How much cabinet clearance is needed for a counter-depth refrigerator?

Answer:  The short answer is - it depends on the manufacturer and model.

For the most part, very little side clearance is needed.  Example:  Most 36" wide models aren't quite 36".  They'll be 1/4" - 1/8" smaller so they can fit perfectly into a 36" opening.  This means the clearance would only be between 1/8" - 1/16" on each side.

The back should also be flush against the wall as these refrigerators are designed to match up with the cabinet from the wall to the counter end, not the wall + 1" (or similar).

Keep in mind, newer counter-depth refrigerators exchage heat at the bottom of the unit, this is why they no longer require additional room on the top or sides.

As always, please be sure to measure your counter space and the model you're interested in multiple times before making your purchase.  Be sure to account for if the top of the unit is flat and the type of doors (and hinges).  The tape measurer is your friend!

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Question:  Is it recommended to have a washing machine in the basement?

Answer:  You can definitely install a washing machine in your basement.  You"ll need to ensure all drainage is setup properly (according to the manufacturer's recommendations) in your basement.

The reason this is important is most washing machines aren't equipped with a pump strong enough to push the water completely out of your basement without proper drainage.

You may want to consult a plumber beforehand, if putting a washer in your basement for the first time.

All new construction electric dryer installations MUST be 240v, four prong cord and plug connected.

The four prong, four wire installation provides a bare ground wire, so there is an additional short circuit path to ground should the neutral fail.  With the old three prong, the chassis of the dryer was "bonded" to the neutral.  Should the neutral fail in a three wire system, the chassis has the potential to become energized, however remote.

Additionally, cord and plug connections provide a "means of disconnect", so you don't have to run all the way to the panel to turn off the breaker.

Upgrading from three wire, to four wire is recommended whenever possible.

In New York state, all new dryer vent installs must be metal.

Plastic is no longer acceptable for 4" dryer vent piping.

worldweary2 said…

In New York state, all new dryer vent installs must be metal.

Plastic is no longer acceptable for 4" dryer vent piping.

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And that is a VERY good thing!

I have a Kenmore Dishwasher Model # 665.17023402.  My "clean light" is flashing seven times and I cannot get the machine to reset or work.  I have done what the manuel told me to do which was check the heater system.  I have done that, but the light still flashes and the machine will not work.  Help.  What is the problem or possible problem?  I replaced a water hose and in moving the machine a wire came off the heater system.  My wife ran the machine with dishes and it worked fine until the heater was to dry the dishes.  My clean light came on and I cannot get the machine to unlock or work.  Please help.

TC

On ManageMyHome.com we have received similar questions about Kenmore dishwashers, which have been answered by our team of Sears product specialists. I did a little digging and this is what I learned:

Unlocking the dishwasher:

Normally, the lock light will be turned on solid when the control is locked. To turn it off, press and hold the NO HEAT DRY or AIR DRY button for 4 deliberate seconds (or until the lock light turns off). The light will blink if a key is pressed while the control is locked. You may have a stuck key on the keypad that is preventing you from unlocking the control. You can try disconnecting electrical power from the dishwasher by shutting off the breaker. After 5 minutes, turn the breaker back on. See if the dishwasher will work properly or see if you can unlock the control. Disconnecting power can sometimes clear a stuck control board. It may not work, but it is worth a try. If these tips don't help, it is likely that you will need to replace the control console on the dishwasher.

The heater element issue:

You can reset the control by pressing the following buttons in this order: HEATED DRY, NORMAL WASH, HEATED DRY, NORMAL WASH. The buttons must be pushed within 5 seconds. After pushing these buttons, all the control lights will turn on and then the dishwasher will complete a short test cycle. After the test cycle, the control will be reset.

You can start a new cycle and crack the door to stop the cycle after the filling is complete and before the spray starts. Open the door and check the water level in the tub. The water should be within ¼" to just touching the bottom of the heater element.

Check the heater element. If it is not heating, disconnect electrical power and check the wiring. If the heater element is bad, it will need to be replaced.

If the above does not answer your questions, you can search our database of dishwasher answers here - http://bit.ly/2zoK4o or ask one of our experts your specific question.

Alex, Marketing Manager
ManageMyHome.com

Get Answers on Twitter - @ManageMyHomeBob

CSA

CSA stands for:  "  Canadian Standards Association  "

Hi All,

Great idea for a post. Every one has a question that they forget to ask at the time of sale! Happy holiday's to all and God Bless Our TROOPS that they stay safe while in harms way................Dice.................

I do enjoy working for Sears as part of the BLUE CREW TEAM...