Fall Home Appliance Checklist: Prepare for the Busy Season

Fall in Metro Atlanta marks the transition from lazy summer days to the busy holiday season. Between Thanksgiving feasts, holiday gatherings, and hosting out-of-town guests, your appliances are about to work harder than any other time of year.

Now is the ideal time to ensure everything is running reliably. Here's your fall appliance checklist.

Refrigerator Preparation

Your refrigerator will be packed full during the holidays. Prepare it now.

Deep Clean and Organize

Empty and clean the interior:

• Remove all items
• Discard expired foods
• Wash shelves and drawers in warm, soapy water
• Wipe interior walls with baking soda solution (2 tbsp per quart of water)
• Clean the drip tray

Organize for efficiency:

• Clear space for large holiday platters
• Move lesser-used items to the back or to a secondary refrigerator
• Create designated zones (dairy, beverages, produce)

Maintenance Tasks

Clean condenser coils:

• Located behind the kick plate or on the back
• Vacuum with brush attachment
• This single task prevents most mid-holiday breakdowns

Check door seals:

• Dollar bill test: Close the door on a bill; you should feel resistance pulling it out
• Clean gaskets with warm soapy water
• Apply thin petroleum jelly to keep rubber pliable

Verify temperatures:

• Refrigerator: 37-40°F
• Freezer: 0°F
• Use a thermometer—don't trust the dial settings

Test the ice maker:

• Verify it's producing ice at normal rate (3-4 pounds daily)
• Clean the ice bin (ice absorbs odors)
• Replace the water filter if due

Address Any Issues Now

Problems to fix before the holidays:

• Strange noises (compressor or fan issues)
• Temperature inconsistencies (thermostat or airflow problems)
• Frost buildup in freezer (defrost system issues)
• Slow ice production (water supply or ice maker problems)

Don't wait: Appliance repair schedules fill quickly between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Oven and Range Preparation

Holiday cooking demands a reliable oven. Get yours ready.

Deep Clean the Oven

Self-cleaning option:

• Run now—not the day before a holiday meal
• Remove racks first (self-cleaning damages their finish)
• Allow adequate time for the cycle and cool-down
• Run when you can open windows (produces smoke/odor)

Manual cleaning:

• Remove racks and soak in hot soapy water
• Apply oven cleaner according to directions
• Clean the door glass (inside and out)
• Wipe down the exterior

Important: Don't run self-clean on a very old oven that hasn't been cleaned in years—the extreme heat can trigger latent problems.

Test Oven Performance

Temperature accuracy:

• Use an oven thermometer
• Preheat and check after 20 minutes
• Note any significant variance from set temperature
• Calibrate if needed (consult your owner's manual)

Even heating:

• Bake a sheet of biscuits or cookies
• They should brown evenly across the pan
• Uneven results indicate heating element or calibration issues

Range and Cooktop Maintenance

Gas burners:

• Remove caps and clean thoroughly
• Use a pin to clear clogged burner ports
• Verify even blue flames
• Check igniter function

Electric elements:

• Inspect for damage or uneven heating
• Replace any that don't glow evenly
• Clean drip pans or smooth cooktop

Range Hood Service

Holiday cooking produces extra smoke and steam:

• Clean or replace metal mesh filters
• Replace charcoal filters if recirculating
• Verify fan operates on all speeds
• Clean the fan housing

Dishwasher Preparation

Holiday meals mean extra dishes. Ensure your dishwasher is ready.

Deep Clean

Clean the filter:

• Remove and rinse under running water
• Use a soft brush for stuck debris
• Clean monthly during heavy-use periods

Run a cleaning cycle:

• Use a dishwasher cleaner or white vinegar
• Run empty on the hottest cycle
• Removes grease and hard water buildup

Clean the spray arms:

• Remove and check for clogs
• Clear blocked holes with a toothpick
• Rinse thoroughly before reinstalling

Wipe gaskets and door edges:

• Debris collects here and can cause odors
• Check for mold in the door gasket folds

Performance Check

Verify cleaning effectiveness:

• Run a normal load and inspect results
• Dishes should be clean without spots or residue
• Problems now will worsen during heavy holiday use

Check the drying:

• Dishes should dry reasonably well
• Rinse aid helps with hard water
• Heating element failure = wet dishes

Stock Supplies

• Dishwasher detergent (pods or powder)
• Rinse aid
• Dishwasher cleaner

Running out mid-holiday rush is frustrating.

Laundry Appliances

Guests mean extra laundry. Prepare your washer and dryer.

Washer Maintenance

Clean the machine:

• Run a cleaning cycle with washer cleaner or vinegar
• Wipe the door gasket (front-loaders) or under the lid (top-loaders)
• Clean the detergent dispenser

Check the hoses:

• Look for bulges, cracks, or corrosion
• Replace rubber hoses every 5 years
• Consider upgrading to braided stainless steel

Clean the drain pump filter:

• Located at front bottom of most front-loaders
• Remove coins, debris, and lint
• Prevents drainage issues during heavy use

Dryer Maintenance

Clean the lint filter:

• Should be done every load, but also wash it
• Run water through the screen—if it doesn't flow, wash with dish soap
• Fabric softener residue can clog the mesh

Clean the exhaust vent: This is critical fall maintenance:

• Disconnect dryer from the vent
• Clean the entire vent run with a brush kit
• Clean the exterior vent flap
• Remove lint from inside the dryer housing (behind the drum panel)

Why fall cleaning matters:

• Heavy use during holidays creates more lint
• A clogged vent forces longer dry times
• Fire risk increases with lint buildup

Check drum operation:

• Listen for unusual sounds
• Feel for smooth rotation
• Squeaking or grinding indicates worn components

Secondary Refrigerator/Freezer

If you have a garage or basement refrigerator:

Clean and inspect:

• Same maintenance as your primary unit
• Clean coils
• Check temperatures
• Clear old items

Temperature considerations:

• Garage refrigerators struggle in temperature extremes
• Some aren't designed for unheated spaces
• Verify it's maintaining proper temperatures as weather cools

Verify it's working:

• A freezer full of holiday meat is expensive to lose
• Test before stocking up

Small Appliances

Don't forget the supporting cast:

Garbage disposal:

• Grind ice cubes to clear debris
• Grind citrus peels for freshness
• Check for leaks under the sink

Microwave:

• Clean interior thoroughly
• Test heating function
• Replace if turntable doesn't spin

Coffee maker:

• Run a descaling cycle
• Clean the carafe and filter basket
• Test before guests arrive

Create an Emergency Plan

Despite best preparations, appliances can fail. Be ready:

Have contact information ready:

• Appliance repair service number
• Know your appliance model numbers
• Keep owner's manuals accessible

Know your backup options:

• Which neighbor has oven space?
• Where's the nearest laundromat?
• Can you rent a refrigerator quickly?

Don't wait on repairs:

• Schedule now, not Thanksgiving week
• Address any concerns before they become emergencies

Fall Appliance Service in Metro Atlanta

If your fall maintenance reveals issues—or you'd like professional cleaning and inspection—Appliance Dean provides prompt service throughout Metro Atlanta.

We'd rather help you prepare now than scramble during a holiday emergency.

Call (404) 671-9117 or schedule service online to get your appliances holiday-ready.