You don’t need tools or technical know-how; just a quick once-over.

Oven

• Run it empty for 10 minutes at a moderate temperature. Any odd burning smells?  That’s often old grease, clean it now rather than mid-roast.
• Check the door seal (the rubber gasket). If it’s split or loose, heat escapes and cooking becomes uneven.
• Look for heavy grease build-up at the bottom and around the fan cover (if accessible). Built-up grease = smoke and poor performance.

Hob

• Gas hob: check burners sit flat and ports aren’t clogged. If the flame is yellow/orange, it may need cleaning/servicing.
• Electric/induction: wipe the surface and make sure pans sit flat (wobbly pans waste heat and time).

Extractor fan

• If it’s recirculating, clean or replace the filters (grease-laden filters struggle and can drip).
• Turn it on: if it’s loud or weak, filters are usually the culprit.

Fridge/freezer

• Check the door seals are clean and intact (a dirty seal won’t grip properly).
• Aim for about 3–5°C in the fridge and -18°C in the freezer.
• Give it breathing room: don’t block vents or cram food right up against the back.

Dishwasher

• Clean the filter (usually a twist-and-lift at the base).
• Quick rinse of the spray arms (poke food bits out of holes if needed).

Kettle/coffee machine

• If you’re in a hard-water area, descale now. Limescale slows heating and can shorten lifespan.

A few common habits create a lot of emergency problems:

• Don’t overload extension leads with kettles, air fryers, slow cookers and microwaves all at once. High-power appliances need safe sockets.
• Don’t put foil on the oven base (it can trap heat and damage the oven lining or elements).
• Don’t block the oven vents with trays or oversized roasting tins.
• Don’t put hot food straight in the fridge. It warms the whole cabinet and forces the compressor to work overtime.
• Don’t cram the dishwasher so tightly that spray arms can’t rotate (it leads to poor cleaning and trapped debris).

If you’re doing a big roast and sides, the oven is your “single point of failure”.

Best practices

• Preheat properly (especially for baking).
• Leave space around trays so heat can circulate.
• Use the middle shelf for most roasting; rotate trays halfway if you’re multi-shelving.
• Keep the door shut as much as possible, every peek drops temperature.

If the oven starts smoking

1. Turn it down and switch the extractor on.
2. Check if grease is dripping from a tray (use a deeper roasting tin).
3. If you’re using a high-fat roast, place a tray beneath to catch splatter.
4. If there’s electrical burning, sparks, or the smell is sharp/chemical: turn it off at the wall and stop using it.

At Christmas, fridges get stuffed and doors open constantly.

Simple rules that really help

• Let leftovers cool to room temperature before chilling (but don’t leave them out for hours. Portion and chill promptly).
• Store food in shallow containers so it cools faster.
• Keep air gaps because cold air needs to move.
• If the fridge feels warm: check nothing is preventing the door closing fully.

If your freezer drawer won’t shut

• Don’t force it. Warm air causes frosting and can damage the seal.
• Rearrange for closure, then keep opening to a minimum for a few hours.

Load smart

• Plates facing inward, bowls angled down.
• Don’t stack items so tight water can’t reach surfaces.
• Keep tall utensils from blocking the detergent hatch.

If dishes come out dirty

• Clean the filter.
• Check spray arms spin freely and holes aren’t blocked.
• Make sure you’re using the right programme (quick cycles struggle with heavy festive grease).

If it won’t drain

• Stop the cycle, switch off, and check the filter area for debris.
• If water is still sitting after a reset and you hear strange noises: it may be a pump or blockage issue.

Oven not heating

• Check it hasn’t tripped the fuse/RCBO at the consumer unit.
• If it’s heating weakly or unevenly, it may be an element/fan issue.

Hob not igniting (gas)

• Dry the igniter area (spills can stop ignition).
• If you smell gas and it won’t light: stop and ventilate, don’t keep trying.

Fridge getting warm

• Confirm temperature setting hasn’t been changed.
• Check the door is sealing and not held open by packaging.

Pause DIY and get professional support if you notice:

• Burning electrical smell, visible sparks, scorching or melted plastic
• Repeated tripping at the fuse box
• Gas smell, persistent ignition failures, or abnormal flames
• Leaks that won’t stop, or standing water with unusual noises

If you’d like a pre-Christmas appliance check or you’re dealing with an urgent breakdown, we can advise you on the safest next step and book a repair where appropriate. You can contact us about our Repair & Care option if your appliance is broken.