High Efficiency Front Load VS Regular Top Load Washer

Keith is here to show you the difference between the new technology of the high efficiency front load washers and the older technology top load washers.

New HE Front Load Washers

With the new front load washers, one of the first things that you will notice is that there is a HE symbol where the soap dispenser. The HE symbol stands for high-efficiency. This tells you that the machine does have the new technology and that you need a certain type of soap with the HE logo. You will use less soap and use soap that is less dense. 

Front load washers use less water, your clothes will come out more dry after a cycle, and will ultimately save you money. Each cycle with a top load washer will use between 3-5 gallons of water. There are usually 2-3 cycles per load making the total amount of water used to about 10-15 gallons. People tend to use the extra rinse cycle as a way to really wash out all the soap in the load. This is good for people who tend to use too much soap. 

One question that we hear a lot is, will this amount of soap really clean my clothes? The answer is YES! Using less water means that it requires less soap and that you should stick to the manufacturer's maximum amount of soap.

 One other great benefit of using the high-efficiency washer is that it uses less electricity. The drum does spin faster, but with the newer technology, the appliance unit will use less electricity.

Old Top Load Washers

These washers have been around for 40- 50 years with really no new technology. These are the same washers that you grandma has used for years.

The big tub can hold from 10 to 30 gallons of water in each cycle filling it to the top. Each load takes about 2-3 cycles similar to the new technology. But when adding up all of those cycles, you are using about 60-90 gallons of water per load. That is a huge difference! With more water requires more soap to evenly distribute it out. This is why you use more soap.

Because of how much water you are using, requires more soap, more electricity, and costs you more money with this option in the long run. The convenient thing about the old top load washers is that the cost to buy them is going to be more affordable.

The Comparison

After comparing the new top load washers with the old front load washers, you can see a big difference between the two.. These differences are more clear when thinking about how much laundry you do, especially with a family. If you are looking at having to use less soap, less water, less electricity and want to save money in the long run, it is worth the upgrade to the new high-efficiency front load washes. 

What are your thoughts? Leave them in the comments section or contact our store.

Washing machine hoses- stainless steel vs rubber

You just picked the perfect laundry pair for your home and family. There's one more thing that you should purchase before you are ready to install and test out your washer and dryer, the washing machine hoses. Not all of them are made the same and it's important to not go the cheap route with these. Burst hoses are a common cause of water damage in the home. Follow these tips to avoid issues in the future.

It might seem simple, but do not go with the rubber hoses. It might seem standard to just go with them because that's what our parents used, but don't do it. They are the cheaper hose option and are easier to find, but don't be fooled. These types of hoses are the most likely to burst and cause water damage. Some might even say that they are reinforced, which means that they are reinforced with braided rayon or polyester mesh. This material inside makes the rubber stronger, but there is still chance for leaks and bursts.

The middle option is stainless steel braided hoses. This is what we recommend that you get. They are a little more expensive than the rubber hose, but hands down it's worth the upgrade. With this choice, there is still a layer of rubber in the inside, but is surrounded by stainless steel string that is braided together. This adds strength and will make it way more burst-resistant. Make sure that the hose does not become bent or kinked as the stainless steel can dig into the rubber hose.

Here are additional reasons to go with stainless steel water lines:

• Stainless steel hoses are more resistant to heat
• Stainless steel hoses are more resilient to pressure
• Rubber hoses lose flexibility over time and become rigid, causing the hose to burst

The next upgraded option is to have a auto-shutoff hose. This hose is braided with stainless steel, but also has the feature of having a shut-off valve on one of the ends of the hoses. This is an extra safety persuasion just in case there would ever be a burst. The mechanism can sense a water pressure change and will stop the flow of water from entering into the tube. This can save you from having a huge water or flood damage in the room or your whole house.

You can never be too safe with braided stainless steel hoses for your washer. Take the extra persuasion and make the upgrade today, before it's too late and you have water damage in your home. Remember to check your hoses periodically for signs of aging before it becomes an issue! Let our team know if you have any questions on this topic.

Why Buy a Top-load HE Washing Machine

Let’s start with the question what does HE mean? HE stands for high-efficiency in washers. In order for a washing machine to be considered high-efficient, it must follow meet certain criteria and guidelines in regards to how much water, electricity, and detergent it uses. Look for the HE symbol on the machine indicating that it uses less energy, water, and detergent.

HE washers can be found on front-load and top-load washers. Both HE washer styles are efficient with the clothes cleaning performance. Here is a look at why you should consider a top-load HE washing machine rather than a traditional top-load or front-load washing machines.

Better Cleaning, Less Water

Most HE top-loaders are better at cleaning, gentler on fabrics, quieter, and use less water than traditional agitator washing machines.

Lower Cost

Front-loaders, which is a newer technology and more popular, are usually your most expensive option. HE top loading machines give you the benefit of significant water savings as opposed to a standard efficiency top loader, at a fraction of the cost of front load HE units.

Larger Capacity

HE top-loaders do not have agitators which increases the capacity of the unit. You can do less loads of laundry by having more clothes in one load. An agitator top-load washer varies in sizes from 3.2 Cu. Ft. to 4.5 Cu. Ft capacity. A HE top-load washer ranges in sizes from 4.5 Cu. Ft. to about 6.2 Cu. Ft. capacity. Their extended wash cycles allow the machine to provide clean clothing with minimal water use.

No Vibration Problem

Top load HE units spin faster than standard efficiency top loaders leaving your clothes dryer with less time. Their final spin speed is significantly slower than a front-load unit, which decreases the possibility of vibration.

No Mold Issue

Unlike a front-load unit, the door does not have an air tight seal. By leaving the top open, and using an approved washer cleaner once a month, you can virtually eliminate the possibility of mold or mildew better than a front-load washer

ENERGY STAR Qualified

Because HE washers and dryers meet strict energy and water guidelines the machines are considered to be ENERGY STAR Certified. This can save you more money and energy throughout the life of your appliance.

HE washers and dryers are more common now, which makes them a little more affordable compared to when they first came out. They are still more expensive up-front than traditional agitator washers. With the many benefits of HE washers, it will save you energy, water, and time in the long run making it worth the upgrade.

How to Change a Refrigerator Water Filter!

Nate is here to show you how to replace water filters. Watch the video below.

Why you should replace your water filter
Changing out your water filter can keep small weird chunks out of your ice and will make your water and ice more clear. The water filter stops you from drinking some of the hard water, mineral buildup, or other chemicals that could be harmful. The filter can also protect you and your family from drinking some of the bad bacteria and microscopic organisms that can make people get sick. Some people even say that they can taste and/ or smell the water when there is a buildup of minerals in the water.

When and how to replace your water filter
Most refrigerators now a days will have a light or some type of alarm that goes off to notify you when you should change it to get fresh water. If your refrigerator does not have this capability, the rule of thumb is to change it out every 6- 12 months.

The location of the water filer can be in different locations depending on the brand and model of your refrigerator. Please see your manual to find the location. Once you find it, open pop the lid and twist the filter with a half turn and it will pop right off. After you change it, make sure to run your water 2-3 gallons to get rid of the air bubbles and get all of the sediments out. Let your ice machine make one cycle of ice and trough it out. You should be all set after this!

We definitely recommend that you should be filtering your water to not only make it taste and smell better, but because it is healthier for you. Let us know if you have any specific questions about your water filter. Find one of our locations near you to buy a new one.

9 Benefits of Cooking with a Steam Oven

Steam ovens are a hot trend for people that want to cook a healthy meal.  They have really grown in popularity in the last 10 years and keep getting more affordable as time goes on. There are many benefits of cooking with steam ovens versus regular ovens.  Here are some of the reasons why you will want a steam oven when you are redoing your kitchen.  

• Time Saving: Smaller cavity, faster preheat
• Better tasting: Moisture is not lost
• Healthier: steam helps retain vitamins, minerals and nutrients of food
• Better quality: Steam preserves color, texture and flavor of produce
• Reheat quality: Can warm up food without drying it out- saves money on food!
• Multipurpose: Can be used as a traditional wall oven and installed in several different applications.
• Steam enables easy clean up instead of a spill over in a traditional oven.
• Cooking can be done using glass, metal dishes & cutlery.
• There is no flavor transfer when cooking multiple items in the oven.

A steam oven has a reservoir that needs to be filled with water before you start cooking. On some ovens, this reservoir needs to be filled manually, while others can be hooked up to your home’s plumbing so that you always have water ready for steaming.   Convection steam ovens give you the ability to roast and brown foods and still keep it nice and moist.  Steam ovens are pricey, but have gone down in pricing. They start at about $3000, but are worth it if you want the best results for the healthy food you are preparing for your friends and family.

Check out all of the steam oven options that we have available online, but we recommend seeing them in-person at one of our stores.

How to Change a Refrigerator Water Filter!

Nate is here to show you how to change your refrigerator water filter and why it is important to change it regularly.



You should change your water filter every 6-12 months to keep the water tasting fresh and to keep your ice from not creating weird chunks and keeping the ice chunks clear.

In this demonstration, Nate shows you how to swap out a water filter in a Kitchen Aid French Door. Different brands and models might be slightly different or in a different area, but is roughly the same process.

Find the access button to the water filter, and push the access button. Twist the filter about a quarter turn and pull off the filter. When putting the new filter in just twist the opposite way and you should be good to go.

Once your replace the filter, you will want to run the water for about 2-3 gallons to get all the air bubbles out and to make sure you are getting the "new" water that is going through the filter. For your ice, you will want to run one tray of ice and toss it out so that you have nice and fresh ice with no sediments.

There you go! You should be all set.

If you have any questions about how to change your water filter, leave them in the comments or call one of the stores and they can help you out.

High Efficiency Top-load Washers vs Front-load Washers

Chuck Ewing, the CEO of Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom, is here to help you understand the efficiency in top-load washers and front-load washers. You will also find out which one is more efficient than the other. Watch the video to get information.

Top-load Washers
To get the highest efficiency, you need to use less detergent, less water, and less hot water. The washer will spin the cloths fast making clothes go up. This is not the most efficient way to wash your laundry.

Front-load Washers
Because the drum sits on the side, there is less water need to wash clothes. Clothes spin more evenly making sure everything gets wet. Because there is less need for water, you use concentrated detergent as your soap.




We hope that this video helps you make the best decision for buying your new washer and dryer appliances.

Let us know if you have any questions about efficiency in appliances. Leave them in the comments section.

What's in Your Backpack? Theme Park Essentials for Ultimate Summer Fun

The countdown to summer is on! Kids all across the country are excitedly awaiting a summer vacation full of fun in the sun! For parents who are busily planning their kids’ summer activities, theme parks are almost certainly at the top of your list. Make sure to be prepared for a day at the theme park with your family by making sure you pack these must-have items:

Tickets- There’s nothing quite as bad as getting to the front of a theme park admission gate with excited kids only to realize you left the tickets on the dining room table. While most amusement parks now accept digital passes on your mobile device, some smaller theme parks keep it old-school, demanding traditional paper tickets for admission. Play it safe and take care to put the tickets in your backpack when you first get them, so your summer doesn’t turn into a bummer!

Sunscreen- You will want to bring a bunch of souvenirs home from the theme park with you, but a red, peeling face and back shouldn’t be one of them! Slather on ample amounts of sunscreen with an SPF factor of 30 or higher about 30 minutes prior to hitting the sun, and be sure to reapply at least once per hour, or anytime you have gone on a water ride. Not only will you minimize your risk of skin cancer in the long term, but you won’t have to deal with achy, peeling skin in the short term.

Reusable water bottle- Staying hydrated is always important, and when your plans include walking around a busy amusement park all day in 90-degree heat, making sure to drink enough water becomes a literal matter of life and death. Not only can dehydration-related sickness put a damper on your theme park visit, it can also lead to heat stroke and other, more serious medical problems. Simply pack a reusable water bottle for each member of the family and make sure to keep it filled with fresh water all day long.

  

A change of clothes (including underwear!)- People tend not to think of packing a spare change of clothes for all the potty-trained members of their family, but take a moment to consider how many water-related rides there are at a typical amusement park. Even if it isn’t a full-fledged water park, there is bound to be at least one attraction where the first three rows get wet. Avoid that sloshy, uncomfortable feeling by taking time to pack a change of clothes, including underwear, for everyone.

Have any tips for making an amusement park trip even better? Let us know in the comments section.

What happens when we put a light bulb in a microwave?

Here is a great example of something that you should not put in the microwave: a light bulb. Watch to see what happens...



Ever wonder how microwaves work? Microwaves heat up food, or in this case a light bulb, by radio waves. The radio waves are set at a certain frequency to agitate water molecules inside the objects in the microwave. These water molecules vibrate which generates heat that warms up the food.

Stay tuned to see other objects "cook" in the microwave.

Skip the Bottled Water

The other day I was fancying an ice cold bottle of water.  The weather in Colorado being unusually nice these days, it was hot and nothing sounded better than cold, naturally pure water.  I happened to be in a place where a bottled water dispenser was available and I quickly put 2 crisp dollar bills into the machine and waited anxiously to hear the “drop” of the bottle dispensing from the machine.

I took a quick swig and for some reason decided to read the label on the bottle.  “Source:  Public Water Supply.”   What?  What happened to the all natural water sourced from the volcanic tunnels of an exotic island and naturally purified using reverse osmosis and then distilled using an advanced state of the art process powered by solar energy?

My first thought after reading the label….what a waste of $2.  Americans spend over $10 billion dollars each year on bottled water.   That figure represents roughly $1.25 per gallon which is 300x the cost of tap water.  There has to be a better solution.

I’ve got one.  Most households have this already sitting in their home.  Their kitchen specifically.  It’s called a refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser.   Your refrigerator’s water dispenser typically provides additional filtration.  Filtration that removes 99% of potential harmful contaminants such as chlorine taste and odor, heavy metals and chemicals and microbial cysts including parasites.

So, put your money back in your pocket, save the Earth from plastic bottles (only 28% are recycled) and push your glass up against your refrigerator’s water dispenser.  You will find tons of different refrigerators that have water dispensers built in that have different features. The Kitchen Aid makes a great refrigerator that has 5 different doors and has a great built-in water and ice dispenser, check it out.