Appliances

Cookers

To use the oven

• Turn on the power switch (usually marked oven) on the wall.

• Switch the oven to the heat recommended on cooking guides.

• To turn the oven on, use the dials on the front of the cooker.

• Select the temperature usually between 0 - 240 degrees centigrade

To use the grill

• Turn on the power switch marked oven on the wall.

• Select the grill dial on the front of the cooker and select the temperature.

• Most grills have 1 - 6 eg 1 is the lowest and 6 is the highest temperature.

• Open the door of the grill and slide the grill pan onto the first shelf.

• Leave the grill door open whilst in use.

• Food under the grill can heat up quickly and burn, so it is important that you stay with your food.

• The grill pan should be washed with soapy water after use to prevent grease build up that can burn.

To use an electric hob

• Turn on the power switch marked oven on the wall.

• Select the hob you would like to use and use the relevant dial on the front of the cooker to select the temperature.

• Most hob dials are labelled 1 - 6 eg 1 is the lowest and 6 is the highest temperature.

• Some hobs have varying sized rings. This is because they provide different heat settings.

• A large hob ring is usually for casserole cooking – with a slow and steady heat.

• A smaller hob ring has a more intense heat for stir frying. 

To use a gas hob

• Select the hob that best fits the size of the pan or pot you are using. Flames that overlap the sides will waste energy.

• Press in and turn the correct control knob. Either use the self-ignition (by pushing in the control knob, or the button) until it ignites within a couple of seconds. If the ignition does not work, you may need to use matches of handheld igniter.

• When the flame is lit, use the control knob to adjust the flame size as needed. 

To use the cooker hood 

• Cooker hoods are intended to filter the air to extract grease, odours and steam. Make sure you use it when cooking on the hob

• Make sure the isolator switch on the wall is turned on, select the fan speed using the switch on the unit

• Make sure you clean the surface and filters of the hood regularly using washing up liquid to remove grease. Built up grease can become a fire hazard 

Useful tips to remember

• Keep the top of the cooker clear at all times. Anything left on it could burn.

• Use an oven tray in the oven. This stops fat dripping and burning.

• Grills should be operated with the grill door open.

• Use oven gloves or tongs to remove hot items from the oven or grill.

• All forms of chip pans are banned because they are a fire risk.

• Once you have finished with a hob, switch it off and let it cool down. (Note some cookers will indicate when a ring is still hot).

• After cooling, ensure you clean the hob surfaces to reduce the build-up of food or grease, to prevent a fire risk.

• The oven needs to be cleaned regularly, including the bottom of the oven. Using oven trays will help to reduce the amount of grease and food that falls to the bottom of the oven,

• making it easier to keep clean.

• Purchase supermarket cleaners for ovens and hobs. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Do not use abrasive pads as this may damage the oven.

• Staff will check oven cleanliness.

Energy Saving tips

• Select the correct hob ring for the size of your pan.

• Using a lid will speed up cooking time.

• Be careful not to let it boil over or burn.

• Boiling water in a kettle and transferring to a pan uses only a third of the energy. 

Microwaves

To cook with the microwave

• Leave the microwave on a stable and flat surface.

• The top of the unit needs to remain clear and not be used for storage.

• Keep the ventilation slots clear at all times.

• Follow the instructions on the packaging of microwavable food eg remove packaging.

• Place items that you wish to cook or defrost into the microwave, on a suitable dish (oven glass, ceramic, pottery, heat resistant plastic, microwave bags, boil in the bags, casserole dish) on top of the rotating turntable.

• Use microwavable lids instead of cling film which can bubble and cause burns.

• Ensure you clean the microwave after use built up food and moisture can cause damage.

• When steam has built up, leave the door open to allow the humidity to leave. This will stop rust building up inside

• Never heat any metallic object in the microwave.

• Set the power level or defrost using the power control.

• Following the cooking guidance on the packaging, set the time using the timer.

• Opening the door will temporarily stop the microwave. Reduce timer to 0 to stop it permanently.

• Leave food to stand for recommended time. Remember microwave liquids can be very hot – let them cool.

• Defrosting takes longer than cooking and will be based on the weight of food you place in the microwave. Turn the food at least once during the process. Meat is defrosted once you can stick a fork or skewer through it.

• Monitor while microwave is in use, particularly when using disposable containers.

• Food continues to cook after you finish microwaving. Leave to stand for 1 - 2 minutes before serving.

• Where you do not have cooking instructions remember it takes less time to reheat food then cooking it. You need to estimate the weight of food and how long it will take to cook. You can test whether the food is heated with a knife and/or fork in the centre of the food. See if steam comes out of the centre or the texture of meat looks cooked. If it is not, stir food and continue cooking.

Fire safety

• If you see food smoking or it catches fire, leave the door closed – this should contain the flames.

• Switch the power off at the wall where it is safe to do so.

• Do not open the door until smoke or flames have stopped.

• If fire starts evacuate the building and raise the alarm.

• A fire blankets is available. 

Energy Saving tip

• Cooking in the microwave uses less energy than cooking in an oven.

Fridges and freezers

Fridges

• The temperature of a fridge should be set between 2 - 5C.

• For hygiene and safety, raw meat should be stored on the bottom shelf of the fridge, separate from any cooked meat, which should be on the second shelf. This separation is designed to prevent transfer of bacteria. Ensure all meat and fish are stored separately and are covered.

• Store vegetables and salad in the draws to keep them fresh.

• To clean the inside of the fridge, use a weak solution of washing up liquid and wipe it down. Avoid the lights or thermostat. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.

• Clear the defrost water channel at the back of the refrigerator to prevent a blockage.

• To promote cool air circulation, leave a two inch gap at the back of the refrigerator.

Freezers

• The temperature of a freezer should be below -18C.

• Many freezers have fast freeze settings which are used after they have been switched off or defrosted. Only leave the setting on for 2 - 3 hours.

• When storing frozen food always look at the storage guidelines.

• Where there is a fan inside the unit, do not put anything in front of it as it helps to circulate the cool air. If obstructed, the unit will eventually go into defrost.

• Defrosting will occur if the unit is being used incorrectly. It will occur if the motor is getting too hot. This usually occurs if the door is not closed properly or is obstructed.

• If there is a loss of power, keep the freezer door closed. Freezers are built to efficiently maintain a low temperature, so the food will be safe from defrosting one to two days.

• If your freezer begins to frost up, you must defrost it. Allowing frost to build up will break plastic freezer drawers and can prevent the door closing. If the door does not close, it can affect the proper functioning of the freezer, and the problem will quickly worsen. Search online for guides on defrosting your freezer.

 Remember

• Within fridges and freezers, the circulation of cooled air keeps food chilled or frozen. Leave space between foods and ensure that ventilation systems are not blocked. This allows air to circulate and prevents hot spots from forming.

• Christmas and Easter vacations are ideal times to defrost and clear fridges and freezers.

Food safety in fridges

• Dispose of old food.

• Store raw food separately from cooked food.

• Uncooked meat and fish should be stored underneath cooked food.

• Look at the use by date, particularly for high risk foods like shellfish, meat, fish and soft cheeses.

• Open jars and cans should be stored in the fridge for a limited time once opened.

• Cook poultry, meat, fish and eggs all the way through before eating them.

• Keep the fridge set between 2 - 5C.

• Prepare food near to meal times.

• The temperature at which bacteria starts to rapidly grow in food is 8C. It is important that left over food is cooled and then refrigerated to prevent harmful bacteria growing in food.

• Bacteria still grows slowly in fridges, so leftovers should be consumed within a couple of days.

Energy saving tips

•  Avoid excessively opening and closing the fridge and freezer as it lets warm air in and promotes frost formation.

• You can defrost food in the fridge. This ensures that it has not risen to a temperature where bacteria can breed.

Kettles

• All kettles and cooking equipment must be stored in the kitchen.

• Place on a stable flat surface which is not wet.

• Fill through the spout or by lifting the lid.

• Look at the filling guidance to work out how much you need. Always fill between the minimum and maximum marks.

• Boil just the amount you need to conserve water and electricity.

• Always plug in and operate with dry hands.

• Use the on switch to boil (light will come on).

• The kettle will automatically switch off when boiled or can be manually switched off. Make sure the kettle has fully boiled before pouring.

• Disconnect the kettle and ensure it is cooled before cleaning.

• Do not immerse the kettle in water.

• Clean with a damp cloth and do not use abrasive cleaners. A light detergent will do.

• Kettles will build limescale. Pour household vinegar in the kettle and soak it. The acid will remove the limescale.

Washing machines

• If in doubt, search online for the manual specific to your make/model of machine

• Ensure you have separated dark and light colours and checked the washing instructions for particular garments. Pick the washing cycle accordingly.

• Don’t overload the machine. Your clothes will not be washed properly and it can damage the machine. Make sure you can comfortably fit your hand in above the washing.

• Where possible, use a cool wash to save energy and avoid damage to clothes. Hot washes are best used for bedding and heavily dirtied fabrics.

• Do not overfill with detergent, it is wasteful and will leave your clothes stiff. Check the packaging.

• When you have finished, leave the door and detergent drawer open to dry. This will help prevent mould.

• If the door won’t open and there is washing/ water inside, do not try to force it open. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, or report it as a maintenance issue.

Vacuum cleaners

• Vacuum cleaners cannot be used for liquids. If you accidentally vacuum up liquids, unplug the machine and isolate it immediately/report it to a member of staff.

• Do not vacuum up large debris, sharp objects or lit cigarettes.

• When using the vacuum, unwind the length of the cable. Make sure you are not pulling on the plug once it is in the electric socket as this causes damage and can lead to electrocution. Make sure the cable is not pulled underneath a door, this can damage the cable.

• Ensure all hoses and tubes are clear and there is a bag in the machine before switching it on.

• Use a smooth back and forward motion when vacuuming and do not vacuum over the electric cable.

• When you have finished, switch off at the wall and unplug. Wind the cable back into the machine and ensure that it is not stored next to a radiator or poses a trip hazard.

• The plug must be removed from the socket before carrying out any cleaning or maintenance work.

Energy Saving

Make sure the bag is emptied before it is completely full. Full bags do not work efficiently and may result in the machine overheating. 

Showers

Showers may take time to reach your preferred temperature or pressure. Stand away from the flow of water to prevent exposure to overly hot or cold temperatures and test it with your hand.

Be sure to descale shower heads regularly to avoid risks from bacteria.

Mixed hot and cold water

• Where a shower has separate hot and cold taps feeding into it, turn on the cold tap first and gradually increase the hot water until you reach the desired temperature.

Electric Showers

• Switch on power on the main isolator switch (can be a pull cord).

• Switch on controls for the flow and adjust to the desired setting.

• Ensure the temperature is correct before standing under the shower.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) are the adjustable controls you may find on the input pipe of your radiator. They sense the air temperature around them and regulate the flow of water through the radiator which they are fitted to. They do not control whether a boiler is on or off. Turning a TRV down will result in the room being controlled at a lower temperature, and saves energy.

• They should be set at a level that gives you the room temperature you want.

• Turning a TRV to a higher setting will not make the room heat up any faster. How quickly the room heats up depends on the size of the room, it’s exposure, if any windows are open and the settings of the boiler. Set the valve to the eventual temperature you want to achieve and leave it to do its job.

• TRVs need a free flow of air to sense the temperature so they must not be covered by curtains or blocked by furniture.

Central heating

If you are having trouble working your central heating, make sure you check out our troubleshooting guide.

Let us know if you have not got the manual for your boiler, or search online for a pdf of the manual for the make/ model of your boiler.

• Most properties will have a boiler control (either a separate panel, or just controls on the front of the boiler) and a room thermostat. Use the settings on the boiler control to turn the heating on or off, use the room thermostat to set the temperature.

• A room thermostat is a dial on the wall with numbers representing the temperature. Set the dial to the preferred temperature (recommended 20°C in the day, 15°C at night). The unit will measure the air temperature and activate the boiler to maintain the set temperature. Setting the unit higher will not make any difference to the speed with which the property heats.

• In cold weather, use the thermostat to maintain minimum temperatures in the property, so if you are going away at Christmas, make sure the heating is sent to be constantly on, then turn the thermostat to its lowest setting. It will click on when it gets really cold, protecting the property from burst pipes due to freezing.

• It is better to maintain a constant moderate temperature at the property than to keep rapidly heating and cooling it. This is because it takes a long time for the walls of the property to warm compared to the air. If the walls are never allowed to properly warm, the property will always feel a bit cold and you will have problems with condensation and damp. See our page on mould for more information on condensation damp.

Night storage heating

Night storage heating is a form of electric heating provided where there is no gas central heating. The principle behind it is that it converts electricity to heat overnight (when electricity is charged at a cheaper rate), and stores it for use in the day. 

• Use the dials on the individual heaters to set the amount of heat you would like them to release.

• Make sure you charge the radiators overnight and avoid using the instant heat switch during the day to save money.

• Don't cover the radiators with clothing or anything else- this can be a fire risk.

• Your electricity will be charged at a special rate known as Economy 7. This means you will have two readings, one for day, one for night.

Immersion heaters

If your property has a hot water storage cylinder (usually found in a cupboard), it may have an electric switch next to it for an immersion heater.

This is an electric heating element used in properties where there is no gas boiler, or as a back-up system to provide hot water if there is a problem with the gas boiler. It is less efficient to use this system than using the gas boiler, so if you have one, ensure the switch is off to avoid expensive electric bills.