Daily Summary of Samurai’s Tweets, 2010-09-13

  • Dacor ECD/ECS oven repair goodies: flow charts, fault codes, diagnostics, svc. bulletins and more: http://j.mp/aE6YRx #
  • Maytag Atlantis washer agitates & spins at the same time==>bad transmission. Crappiest washer ever made? http://j.mp/9cEdNM #
  • Hot dayyam! A perfectly-baked corn casserole goin’ down tonight… http://post.ly/xBNT #
  • GE Harmony washer WPGT9360 makes loud clicking noise while agitating intermittently. What’s a brutha to do? Do dis: http://ow.ly/2D8oG #
  • True song randomizing in iPods: finally, a cause worth fighting for! http://post.ly/xDEW #
  • Kenmore top-loading washer overfilled. Check the air tube on the pressure switch in the control console. http://j.mp/dCuxF0 #

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Graham Cracker Toffee

All right, time for another of my highly requested recipes. This is great to make for a crowd, because if you have it sitting around for very long in your house you’ll eat so much that you’ll have to run a marathon to burn off the extra calories. Like the Corn Casserole, it’s very easy to make, and if anyone tries to discuss the nutritional makeup of it, plug yours ears and hum.

Graham Cracker Toffee

2 packs of plain graham crackers (approx.)
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
12 oz. bag chocolate chips
1 cup. chopped pecans (roasted for a few minutes in the oven, if there is time, to bring out the flavor)

optional – mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 375 deg. F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet (mine is about 17 in. x 12 in.) with foil, tucking into the corners and allowing some to wrap around the sides. This takes the wide roll of foil – if you have only a regular roll of foil, use 2 smaller pans. You do not want this stuff to get on the pan itself – it’s like superglue. Grease foil with unsalted butter or cooking spray.

Arrange the graham crackers in the pan in a single layer, breaking them as needed to cover as much of the pan as possible.

Melt the butter, sugars, and salt in a saucepan, then bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring frequently. As soon as it comes to a boil, carefully pour the mixture over the graham crackers, using a spatula to smooth it evenly. Make sure all of the crackers are covered. Bake for about 10 minutes – the syrup should be enthusiastically bubbling.

Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips all over the crackers, then put back in the oven for a minute or two. Remove pan, then smooth the chocolate out using the spatula. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate (and, for a “Rocky Road” variety – some mini marshmallows), then let it cool for 30 minutes. Stick the pan in the freezer for about half an hour to harden the chocolate, then lift the foil off the pan and break or cut the toffee into pieces. Enjoy!

Daily Summary of Samurai’s Tweets, 2010-09-12

  • LG Refrigerator LRSC26910 Error Codes http://post.ly/wxGS #
  • Samurai's stash of refrigerator repair docs & manuals on Scribd, by invitation only. And you're invited. http://ow.ly/2CMWu #
  • LG fridge LFC20740SW: How to Disassemble the French Doors to Tighten the Handles. Bonus: How to Replace the Door Gaskets http://ow.ly/2CN6F #

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Maytag French Door “ICE-2-0” with Bottom Mount Freezer: Ice dispenser door continually opens and closes and/or display flashes on and off

If you’re having weird, poltergeist problems with the dispenser door or display on your Maytag or Amana “ICE-2-0” refrigerator, this post is for you!

Affected Models:

Maytag Models: MFI2568AEB MFI2568AEQ MFI2568AEW MFI2568AES MFI2067AEB MFI2067AEQ MFI2067AES MFI2067AEW

Amana Models: AFI2568AEB AFI2568AEQ AFI2568AES AFI2568AEW

The Fix:

Replace the high voltage control board kit.

high voltage control board kit
(click it to git it)

The kit includes: control board, installation and programming instructions, return label and card for the old part.

To learn more about your refrigerator, or to order parts, click here.

How to Test a Microwave Oven to See if it’s Heating Properly

Suspecting your microwave oven of slacking off on the job? Here’s a quick and easy test that’ll let you check your microwave oven’s heating output without needing to buy fancy equipment; only things you’ll need are a 1 liter PYREX glass bowl and a thermometer that can measure the temperature of hot water.

IMPORTANT: Make sure the bowl you are using is PYREX glass or another brand of glass that explicitly states it is microwave safe. DO NOT use plastic (inaccurate) or metal (DUH!).

MICROWAVE PERFORMANCE TEST

1. Fill the PYREX bowl with water at room temperature. Record initial water temperature.

2. Run the microwave on high power for 2:03. Not 2:04, nor 2:02 except ye go on to 2:03. 2:05 is right out.

3. Record end water temperature.

If the microwave magnetron is working right, the minimum difference between the initial and ending temperature should be about 86℉. If it’s much less than this, then you probably have a weak magnetron. If water temperature hardly changes at all, then there’s something wrong with the high voltage section and you’ll need to troubleshoot it. Suspects include: magnetron, HV transformer, HV capacitor, HV rectifier, and door interlock switch among others.

To learn more about your microwave oven, or to order parts, click here.