An easy DIY repair for squeaky juicers, bread makers and mixers

Website design By BotEap.comIf you have a kitchen appliance that squeaks or rattles, you know how annoying it can be. With cheaper devices, this is usually the time to retire and replace them with something newer, but in some cases the devices still feel pretty solid and were expensive. Fortunately, there is an easy solution for many devices, and this is to simply lubricate certain parts that are a bit worn and therefore making more noise than before.

Website design By BotEap.comJuicers, food processors, and bread makers are common culprits for making loud noises and additional noise after a few years. The manufacturer usually lubricates gears, pulleys, shafts, and bushings with silicone or Teflon-based materials. These last a long time, and if you can find them, it’s best to use them again. You can get these at electrical repair shops or try out at hobby stores. The thing about these lubes is that they are very clean and don’t leave ugly stains, which is why hobbyists like to use them. To lubricate the noisy parts you must open the box of the appliance. Turn it off and unplug it, then find the screws that allow you to lift the top, side, or bottom plate; there should be about 4-6 holding them down. Most appliances use Phillips head screws, although some use security screws for which you’ll need special bits. Once inside and when you see the motor, pulleys and gears, all you have to do is give the machine a spin by hand. You should hear the familiar chirp and see where it’s coming from. All you need to do is apply a few drops of lubricant between the contact points (eg where an axle passes through a bushing or bearing) and wipe a thin bead around the sprockets. The only place it should NOT be placed is on a pulley that has a belt on it, as bread makers tend to do. There has to be a certain amount of friction here so that the strap doesn’t slip. If this occurs, you should clean up the lubricant with a cloth and denatured alcohol.