Tips for Buying and Maintaining a Refrigerator

Buying a refrigerator is not an easy task. In stores, we will find a wide variety of models with different characteristics, as well as a range of costs. Many times we spend hours searching for the right model that fits our budget. To make the right purchase, here are some tips that you can consider when acquiring the right refrigerator for your home. - Consider the size of your kitchen and the appliance. - Compare prices in different places, as many times in one store the same model may cost cheaper or more expensive than in another. - Carefully check the interior compartments of the refrigerator, look for one that has the appropriate space for the amount of food you normally plan to store. Remember that a large refrigerator with little occupancy, as well as a very sophisticated one, will imply a waste of space and higher energy costs. - Do not forget to check the yellow label that is attached to the back or side of the appliance, as it indicates that the appliance meets the official Mexican energy efficiency standard, providing you with the approximate annual consumption. - Avoid buying a used refrigerator, it doesn't matter if it is at a very low price or is imported. - When buying your appliance, before plugging it in for the first time, let it rest for a minimum of 10 hours or the time recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow the internal oil of the compressor to settle before starting the refrigeration cycle. - Place it in a level area, as if its base or the floor is uneven, the door seal will not close properly and will let in warm air. - Install it away from heat sources such as stoves or heaters. Maintenance Tips - Check that the door seals perfectly. To do this, place a sheet of paper between the door and the body of the refrigerator; if it slides out when pulled, the seal needs to be replaced. - Avoid cold escaping by opening the door as little as possible. - Defrost your refrigerator regularly, as excess frost increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. - Clean the accumulated grime at the back at least every two months with a damp cloth. - Let food cool before refrigerating it. - Select the correct thermostat setting; put it between numbers 2 and 3 for temperate climates, and 3 and 4 for hot climates. - Clean the condensers (back or bottom of the refrigerator) at least twice a year; this can improve its efficiency by up to 30 percent. - If you go on vacation for more than 15 days, unplug the refrigerator, clean it, and leave the doors open to ventilate and prevent unpleasant odors. Cooking Recipes Once you have your new refrigerator, you can store all the ingredients you'll use to prepare your dishes. Thus, we have prepared this list of cooking recipes that will help you cook delicious and nutritious foods. Take note. (we recommend clicking on the recipe title to see the preparation details). Strawberry and Raspberry Smoothie. Frozen strawberries serve as ice and help keep the smoothie cold. Cold Lemon Soufflé. In 10 minutes and with 4 ingredients, you can create a spectacular mousse that even the most experienced chefs will want to try. Cold Lemon Pie. A delicious layered lemon dessert with María cookies and decorated with melted chocolate. It’s an ideal summer dessert that is easy to prepare. Cold Cheese Mousse with Peaches. This cheesecake is topped with peach jam and peach slices in syrup. It tastes better if prepared the night before and doesn’t require an oven. Simple Tiramisu. The classic Italian dessert, Tiramisu. Romanoff Strawberries. Delicious strawberries with orange juice and whipped cream. Light Mango Ice Cream. It’s an easy, tasty ice cream with few calories. Mango Snow. A delicious mango snow served with mango chunks and mint leaves. Frozen Lemon Tartlets. This is delicious. It’s very tasty.