Washing Machines

Can I open the washing machine or washer-dryer door when the cycle is in progress?The washing machine or washer-dryer door cannot be opened during a cycle for safety reasons. Once the full cycle has finished, the door will automatically unlock.

What can I do to stop my machine from vibrating loudly during cycle?
If the machine vibrates a lot during the cycle, check that it is perfectly level and if necessary, adjust the feet. If the appliance is not flat then strong vibration can occur, especially during the spin cycle.

Refrigerators

How do I get rid of the unpleasant odours coming from my refrigerator or freezer?
You need to clean the inside of the fridge and freezer regularly, either with water and vinegar or, even better, using the special cleaning product available with Better Life. Don’t forget to let it dry too. Another tip to avoid unpleasant odours is to always wrap food in cling film or put them in suitable containers.

How can I reduce the amount of energy consumed by my refrigerator or freezer?

• Set up your fridge in a cool and well-ventilated environment, where it won’t be exposed to the sun or heat.
• Do not put hot food or drinks in the fridge or freezer. Instead, wait until they have cooled down to room temperature.
• Try to limit the amount of times you open the fridge door and always close it as soon as possible after opening.
• If you have a fast freezing model, try to use this function only for as long as strictly necessary.
• If you don’t plan to use the fridge / freezer for an extended period of time, empty it and switch off, leaving the door ajar so that air can circulate inside.

What is the 0°C compartment for?

This compartment is ideal for keeping fish, meat and other highly perishable foods fresher for longer as it maintains a constant low temperature and keeps humidity levels under control. It is not suitable for water-based fruit and vegetables, however, as these could freeze.

What’s the best thermostat setting for refrigerators and freezers?
In “normal” fridge or freezer conditions, i.e. in terms of the quantity of food stored and the room temperature, the thermostat should be set to medium-low. The maximum setting should only be selected in exceptional circumstances, such as when restoring operation after a power cut or when temporarily exceeding the recommend storage capacity. For more information, refer to the user manual of your product.

Cookers

Cooker has to be installed properly for it to work properly, right?

Cookers must always be positioned completely flat (use a spirit level when adjusting the feet). A gap of 65cm must also be left between the cooker top and a hood or suspended wall unit, for instance, in order to guarantee completely safe operation.

How do I keep my cooker’s cast iron pan stands looking great?

The cast iron pan stands must always be hand washed using a neutral detergent (i.e. washing liquid). Lemon juice, chlorine or bleach should not be used. Consequently, avoid washing them in the dishwasher as they could lose their shine. To get rid of stubborn dried-on dirt, use a brass bristle bbq brush and then rinse clean.

How do I keep the cooker hob’s stainless steel pan stands and burners looking great?

We recommend using specific cleaning product for cleaning pan stands and burners, cleaning cream and kitchen towel. As a rule of thumb, the more you clean, the longer the steel will stay shiny. Steel will turn black as a result of oxidation or the use of excessively large pots or pans (diameter greater than 26cm) or the cast iron griddle.

Dishwashers

How should I Place pots and pans in dishwasher?

Pots and pans should always be placed upside down (bottom up) to allow the Orbital wash system spray arms to do their job better and should be slanted for best drying results.

Why do I need to add salt to dishwasher?

The resin-based water softener uses salt to maintain its efficiency and prevent the build-up of limescale. The softener can be set according to the hardness of your water supply. Please consult the manual for further information on how to do this.

Can I use ordinary table salt in dishwasher?

You should only ever use special dishwasher salt as it is very pure. Table, cooking, rock and sea salts may contain additives that can actually increase water hardness. Also, the fine consistency of some of these salts mean they are likely to clog when wet, which could lead to various technical problems.

Why do I need to add rinse aid to dishwasher?

Rinse aid is added before the rinse cycle and ensures that the water dries away properly and evenly to avoid leaving water marks.

When do I need to add salt and rinse aid to dishwasher?

Your dishwasher will alert you to this. Depending on the model, a light (or one each for salt and rinse aid) will come on, indicating that a refill is required. For more details, please refer to the user manual.