Category: Use & Care

Gas vs. Induction Cooktops: You Be the Judge

Lately we’ve been getting a lot of questions about gas vs induction cooking. Each method has its pros and cons, so the decision depends on your circumstances, budget, and preference. To help you evaluate which cooking method will work best for you, we’ve put together a side-by-side summary of the characteristics of each. Here’s to… Read more »


How Long do Refrigerators Last on Average?

And How Can I Make Mine Last Longer? Before giving up on your current refrigerator and buying a new one, it’s important to understand how long refrigerators are expected to last, and how to take care of them to get the most value out of every refrigerator you ever own. How Long Do Refrigerators Last?… Read more »


Dryer Vent Cleaning: How to Do It Yourself

Cleaning your dryer vent at least once a year is one of the most critical home maintenance tasks. No, cleaning it annually is not overkill, and we’ve three reasons why: Dirty dryer vents are the leading cause of house fires in the US. Clogged ducts prevent the dryer from venting the steam from drying clothes,… Read more »


How Long Do Washing Machines Last on Average?

And How Can I Make Mine Last Longer? In the market for a new washing machine? Considering which to buy, or if it’s better to repair your old machine? Washers are meant to last for a surprisingly long amount of time and can be expensive to replace, so understanding your machine, how long it should… Read more »


Why does my new oven take such a long time to preheat?

The facts behind why modern ovens heat up slowly. If you’re reading this article, you are likely worried that something is amiss with your new oven. ‘Preheating shouldn’t take this long,’ you’re probably telling yourself. ‘Our old oven never took this long to preheat, did it?’  Relax, you’re not crazy—many folks are asking the same… Read more »


7 Food Waste Solutions for Your Home

40% of all food in America is thrown out. You read that right, 40%! And the average American household throws away over a third of their food annually. That can cost a family of four up to $1500 a year. If you’re looking for food waste solutions that will save you money, read on. 1.… Read more »


How Do I Properly Load a Dishwasher?

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: we know we aren’t going to solve any household arguments with this article. People are set in their ways and one article won’t change that. Sorry. But for those of you who are genuinely curious as to how to properly load a dishwasher—i.e. how to load… Read more »


Dishwasher not cleaning well? How to make it clean better.

One of the most common issues our customers come to us with is a dishwasher not cleaning well. They ask, “How can I make my dishwasher clean better?”  It can be a complicated answer, because there are many things that influence the performance of your dishwasher. But here are several easy tips, well within your… Read more »


Tip 2: Dirty Dryers Start Fires, How to Clean Your Dryer

Buy dryer vent cleaning kits at our retail parts counter at 72nd & Dodge in Omaha. Or call the professionals at Hometown Hero Appliance Repair at 402-399-0202 to handle it.


An Appliance Maintenance Checklist to Add to Your New Year’s Resolutions

We often focus on taking better care of ourselves with our New Year’s resolutions (for good reason), but sometimes taking care of the things around us makes it easier to take care of ourselves. In that spirit, here’s a new resolution to consider adding to your current list: Take better care of my home. Having… Read more »