Holiday Prep Check List: Get Your Appliances Holiday Ready

In addition to pulling out your nice serveware, gathering recipes and sending invites, it’s essential to tend to your kitchen in advance of increased usage. The best time to prepare your appliances for the holiday season is about two months before your big gathering.

If you don’t know where to begin, no need to fret. Keep reading for helpful tips!

• Oven Interior – Follow the instructions in your oven’s Owner Manual to run a self-cleaning program. For tips on getting started, watch the Preparing for a Self-Clean Cycle How-to Video—like clearing spills and removing all accessories. Wash racks with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly. Bosch Oven Cleaner is also great for small, spot-cleaning needs.
• Oven Exterior – When the oven is cool, wipe it down with a soft cloth and mild, soapy water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the steel grain and avoid using abrasive cleaners and sponges or chlorine-based products. Bosch Degreaser can also help remove any greasy residues that may be left behind. After washing, use Bosch Stainless Steel Conditioner for a gleaming shine. Do not apply to smudge-proof, black or easy-clean steel, logos, or control markings. Black steel and easy-clean steel can simply be washed with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth – no steel conditioner or degreaser needed.
• Test a Recipe – Test a recipe or two before your big gathering to help refine your dish and verify your oven is at its best. If you find any issues, please call us at 1-800-944-2904 for troubleshooting advice or a service visit. Looking for some culinary inspiration? Look no further than this delicious recipe for Squash and Cranberry Stuffing with Sage Butter.  

• Refrigerator Exterior – Wipe down with a soft cloth and mild, soapy water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the steel grain and avoid using abrasive cleaners and sponges or high alcohol-content and chlorine-based products. Bosch Degreaser can also help remove any greasy residues that may be left behind. After washing, use Bosch Stainless Steel Conditioner for a gleaming shine. Do not apply to smudge-proof, black or easy-clean steel, logos, or control markings. Black steel and easy-clean steel can simply be washed with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth – no steel conditioner or degreaser needed.
• Refrigerator Interior – Wash shelving, walls, bins and door seals with mild, warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Dry thoroughly. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and sponges as well as high alcohol-content cleaners.
• Replace Water Filter – For fresh, clean-tasting water for you and your guests, filters should be changed every 6 months or when your freezer or refrigerator indicates. Purchase filters in the Bosch Accessories Store. Don't know which filter to purchase? Use our handy Filter Finder.
• Check Temperature – Bosch's VitaFresh Systemoffers manual control of temperature and humidity levels to keep meat, fish and produce fresh so your perishable ingredients are in the proper storage conditions. Always aim to stay between 35°F and 37°F as this temperature range is as close as you can get to freezing without being so cold.

• Dishwasher Filter & Spray Arms – Handling multiple loads during the holidays? Cleaning your dishwasher's filter and spray arms will help remove debris and drain water efficiently (recommended every few months). Watch the Cleaning Your Dishwasher Filter How-to Video and the Cleaning Your Dishwasher Spray Arms How-to Video to learn more.
• Clean & Descale – Remove greasy residues from the dishwasher cavity with Bosch Dishwasher Cleaner and get rid of stubborn hard water deposits with Bosch Descaler once or twice a year. Watch the Cleaning Your Dishwasher How-to Video and the Descaling Your Dishwasher How-to Video to learn more.
• Dishwasher Exterior – Wipe down with a soft cloth and mild, soapy water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the steel grain and avoid using abrasive cleaners and sponges or high alcohol-content and chlorine-based products. Bosch Degreaser can also help remove any greasy residues that may be left behind. After washing, use Bosch Stainless Steel Conditioner for a gleaming shine. Do not apply to smudge-proof, black or easy-clean steel, logos, or control markings. Black steel and easy-clean steel can simply be washed with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth – no steel conditioner or degreaser needed.

• Bosch’s Rackmatic^® System – Watch this handy how-to video on Bosch’s Rackmatic^® System. Learn how to wash large baking trays, wine glasses, bulky items and more. Also, learn about your FlexSpace^™ flip tines here.

• Gas Cooktops & Rangetops – Simply wash the cooktops and grates with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth. The Bosch Degreaser can help remove any greasy residues that may be left behind.
• Electric & Induction Cooktops – Let the cooktop cool and use the Glass Scraper at a shallow angle (20° to 30° degrees) to remove dried-on food. Avoid using the scraper at higher angles to avoid scratching the glass cooktop. Next, apply the Bosch Glass Cooktop Cleaner with a soft cloth or paper towel to clean the cooktop. Wipe off any excess with a damp cloth.
• Test a Recipe – Test a recipe or two before your big gathering to help refine your dish and verify your appliance is at its best. If you find any issues, please call us at 1-800-944-2904 for troubleshooting advice or a service visit. Looking for some culinary inspiration? Look no further than this delicious recipe for Rigatoni with Broccoli and Sausage.

• Hood Exterior – Wipe down with a soft cloth and mild, soapy water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the steel grain and avoid using abrasive cleaners and sponges or high alcohol-content and chlorine-based products. Bosch Degreaser can also help remove any greasy residues that may be left behind. After washing, use Bosch Stainless Steel Conditioner for a gleaming shine. Do not apply to smudge-proof, black or easy-clean steel, logos, or control markings. Black steel and easy-clean steel can simply be washed with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth – no steel conditioner or degreaser needed.
• Clean Grease Filters – Washing your hood's metal grease filters regularly with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth helps maintain its cleanliness and safety. Dry thoroughly before reinserting into the hood.
• Replace Charcoal Filters (if applicable) – If your Bosch ventilation uses a charcoal filter, it should be replaced a few times a year depending on usage. Charcoal filters absorb odors from your kitchen to keep your space fresh and inviting. Purchase filters in the Bosch Accessories Store. Don't know which filter to purchase? Use our handy Filter Finder.

• Built-In Coffee Machines Exterior – Wipe down with a soft cloth and mild, soapy water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth. Always wipe in the direction of the steel grain and avoid using abrasive cleaners and sponges or high alcohol-content and chlorine-based products. Bosch Degreaser can also help remove any greasy residues that may be left behind. After washing, use Bosch Stainless Steel Conditioner for a gleaming shine. Do not apply to smudge-proof, black or easy-clean steel, logos, or control markings. Black steel and easy-clean steel can simply be washed with mild, soapy water and a soft cloth – no steel conditioner or degreaser needed.
• Countertop Espresso Machines Exterior – Ensure that your appliance is disconnected from the power supply. Then, wipe down all exterior surfaces, including the control panel, with a microfiber cloth. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the dispensing nozzle and rinse out your water tank. Do not use strong or abrasive cleaners, cleaners containing alcohol, scouring pads or cleaning sponges, pure citric acid, vinegar-based cleaners, or phosphoric acid that may damage the surface of your espresso machine.
• Clean & Descale – Run a cleaning cycle with the Bosch Coffee Cleaning Tablets to remove greasy residues that could affect the taste of your coffee. Running a descaling cycle with the Bosch Coffee Descaler also helps remove hard water deposits. Review your Owner Manual or check out our How-to Videos to learn how to activate these cycles.
• Clean Milk Nozzles – Keep your milky coffee drinks tasting fresh throughout the holidays by washing the milk nozzle regularly. Review your Owner Manual or check out our How-to Videos for step-by-step instructions.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Bosch home appliances! For more tips on keeping up with your Bosch appliances, check out our helpful Owner Support resources here.