Preparing Your Appliances for Holiday Cooking Season

The holidays put extra demands on your kitchen appliances. Here's how to ensure your Sub-Zero, Wolf, and other premium appliances are ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all your entertaining.

4 Weeks Before: Assessment

Refrigerator Check

Test temperature accuracy:

Place thermometer in center of fridge

Wait 24 hours

Should read 37-40°F

If temperature is off:

Adjust settings

If still incorrect, schedule service now

Clean condenser coils:

Critical before heavy use

Prevents overworking during full-load times

Oven Calibration

Test your oven:

Preheat to 350°F

Use oven thermometer (not built-in gauge)

Check after 20 minutes

Common issue: Ovens run 25-50 degrees off over time

If off by more than 25°F: Schedule professional calibration

Range Inspection

Check each burner:

Ignites promptly?

Flame is blue and even?

No yellow or orange flames?

Check oven functions:

Convection fan works?

Broiler heats?

Self-clean works? (Test now, not right before cooking)

2 Weeks Before: Maintenance

Refrigerator Preparation

Interior cleaning:

Remove all food

Take out shelves and drawers

Wash with baking soda solution

Dry completely before replacing

Ice maker:

Discard old ice (absorbs odors)

Run several batches before holiday

Clean ice bin

Verify capacity:

Clear space for holiday food

Consider what can be moved to garage fridge

Oven Deep Clean

Option 1: Self-clean

Run cycle at least 1 week before holiday

Never run self-clean right before major cooking

Allow full cooldown (can take 6+ hours)

Option 2: Manual clean

Use appropriate oven cleaner

Remove racks and clean separately

Clean door glass inside and out

Range/Cooktop

Burner maintenance:

Remove burner caps

Clean with hot soapy water

Clear ports with straight pin

Dry completely before replacing

Grates:

Clean in sink with degreaser

Rinse and dry thoroughly

Drip pans/trays:

Replace if heavily stained

Or clean with baking soda paste

Range Hood

Filter cleaning:

Remove metal filters

Soak in hot water with degreaser

Scrub with brush

Dry completely

Check ventilation:

Fan operates on all speeds?

Lights work?

No unusual noises?

1 Week Before: Final Prep

Create Space

Refrigerator:

Move non-essential items

Clear space for turkey/large items

Stock up on ice

Freezer:

Organize for easy access

Make room for frozen items

Consider pre-making and freezing dishes

Test Run

Oven test:

Bake something at your planned temperature

Verify timing accuracy

Check hot spots with bread slice test

Cooktop test:

Use all burners you'll need

Test any special features (griddle, grill)

Stock Supplies

Oven thermometer (backup)

Aluminum foil

Roasting racks

Extra pot holders

Fire extinguisher (check expiration)

Day Before: Final Check

Refrigerator

Verify temperature (37-40°F)

Make room for prepped ingredients

Check that ice maker has produced enough

Oven

Confirm settings are correct

Remove any stored items

Have convection conversion chart ready

Cooktop

Final wipe down

Ensure all burners light

Clear surrounding counter space

Holiday Cooking Tips

Refrigerator

Minimize door openings

Don't put hot items directly in

Allow turkey to come to room temp before cooking

Oven

Preheat fully (30+ minutes for large roasts)

Use meat thermometer, not time only

Don't open door unnecessarily

Plan oven timeline to avoid conflicts

Cooktop

Match pot size to burner size

Use back burners for simmering

Keep handles turned inward (safety)

After the Holidays: Recovery

Refrigerator

Deep clean interior

Check for forgotten items

Clean condenser coils again if heavily used

Oven

Clean promptly (easier when warm)

Or schedule professional cleaning

Range

Clean burners and grates

Wipe down entire surface

Emergency Contact

Appliance problems right before the holidays? We offer emergency service.

Call (914) 809-9382 for same-day appointments - 7 days a week

Don't let an appliance problem ruin your holiday. Our technicians are on call throughout the season.