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Independent, on-site repairs for Smeg's retro-style FAB and inverter fridges, washing machines, tumble dryers, and stoves & induction hobs — careful technicians for a premium, design-led appliance range.
Smeg's retro FAB fridges, laundry range and premium stoves and induction hobs are a growing presence in Gauteng's higher-end kitchens and laundries. Parts and service for a premium Italian brand can mean a longer wait through the standard channel once a unit is out of warranty — we work as a faster independent alternative, with technicians who handle these appliances carefully given their finish and price point.
Smeg's FAB range is one of the most recognisable retro-style fridges on the market, and its rounded steel body and heavy hinged door are part of the look — but that same door design is also the range's main wear point. We repair the full FAB line (FAB28, FAB32 and the larger models):
See our multi-brand fridge repair Midrand page for suburb-specific detail on the faults we see most often there.
Smeg's non-retro fridges — built-in columns, freestanding fridge-freezers and wine coolers — use an inverter compressor. Instead of switching fully on and off, the compressor runs continuously at a variable speed matched to how much cooling is actually needed. That means a lower, steadier hum rather than the classic on/off cycling of an older fridge, which is normal rather than a sign of trouble.
Because a board fault and a compressor fault look the same from the outside, we test both on-site rather than quoting a full compressor replacement by default — a board repair is significantly cheaper.
See our tumble dryer repair Sandton page for a real recent job example.
We repair Smeg's full range of built-in ovens, freestanding stoves (including the retro-style cookers) and induction and gas hobs:
This Smeg 8 kg front-loader in Randfontein was making a loud noise every time it went into spin. A rumbling or roaring noise that gets louder as the drum speeds up is the classic sign of worn drum bearings. The bearings sit in the back of the tub and carry the whole weight of the drum and the wet washing, so once water gets past the seal and they start to rust and break up, the drum runs rough and noisy. We stripped the machine down and split the tub to get to them. The second photo shows the inside of the tub with the new bearing in the technician's hand next to the old one, which had completely broken apart. We fitted new bearings, put the machine back together, and ran it through a spin: it was quiet and smooth again. Tip: bearings don't usually fail overnight. If your machine starts to rumble on spin, or the drum has play when you lift it by hand, get it checked early. Left too long, a collapsed bearing can damage the drum shaft and the tub, and the repair gets much bigger.
This Smeg cooker has four gas burners, two electric plates and an electric oven. The gas burners would light, but the flame died as soon as the customer let go of the knob. That's a classic flame-safety fault. Each gas burner has a thermocouple, a small metal probe that sits in the flame. When it's hot, it holds the gas valve open. When the flame goes out, it cools and shuts the gas off, so unburnt gas can't leak into the kitchen. A faulty thermocouple can't hold the valve open, so the gas cuts off even though the flame is lit. We lifted the hob, tested the flame-safety system, replaced the faulty thermocouple and tested every burner. They all stayed lit. Tip: if a burner only stays lit while you hold the knob in, try holding it for 10 to 15 seconds first so the thermocouple heats up, and check the burner cap is seated properly. If it still goes out, the thermocouple needs replacing. Never bypass it. It's there for your safety.
The customer phoned to say the oven was battling to reach temperature, and asked us to replace the thermostat. We recommended an assessment first, because several parts cause the same symptom. Our technician found the bottom (bake) element wasn't coming on, but the element and the thermostat both tested perfectly. The real fault was the oven's function selector switch: one of its terminals had burnt, so power never reached the bottom element. We replaced the selector switch and the oven heated up properly again. Diagnosing first saved the customer the cost of a thermostat they didn't need. See also: why an oven won't heat up.
The oven had stopped working and the display was showing Err8. We pulled the oven out to get to the electronics. Testing showed the main control board (motherboard) had burnt out, which no amount of resetting would fix. We replaced the control board, tested every function, and the oven was back in use the same day.
We repair Smeg appliances at your home across Johannesburg, including Sandton, Bryanston, Fourways, Randburg, Midrand, Kyalami, Waterfall, Bedfordview, Edenvale, Benoni, Kempton Park. Every Smeg appliance repair gets the same deal: R350 to diagnose, a fixed price you approve first, and our 6-month guarantee.
We repair Smeg appliances at your home across Pretoria, including Pretoria East, Centurion, Midrand, Waterkloof, Brooklyn, Menlo Park, Lynnwood, Faerie Glen, Moreleta Park, Silver Lakes, Irene, Midstream. Every Smeg appliance repair gets the same deal: R350 to diagnose, a fixed price you approve first, and our 6-month guarantee.
See all areas we cover.
Smeg is an Italian brand loved for its design, from the retro FAB fridges to big range cookers and built-in ovens. We repair them across Gauteng, and a few faults come up again and again.
FAB retro fridges. Many FAB models are static, not frost-free, so ice builds up in the freezer compartment and needs defrosting now and then. Thermostats, door seals and gas leaks are the common repairs. A FAB fridge is worth keeping. Most faults are very fixable.
Cookers and ovens. On many Smeg ovens, if the timer is in automatic mode, the oven won't heat. Look for AUTO or a flashing A on the display. On dual-fuel cookers, gas burners that won't stay lit usually need a thermocouple, as on a recent Smeg cooker we repaired in Waterkloof.
Dishwashers. Drain and heating faults, usually starting with a blocked filter.
Smeg parts cost a little more than budget brands, so we always quote first. On a quality appliance, a repair is nearly always the better choice.
Many FAB fridges are static rather than frost-free, so ice builds up in the freezer and needs occasional defrosting. If ice builds up very quickly, the door seal may be letting warm air in.
On many Smeg ovens the timer must be in manual mode. If AUTO or a flashing A shows, set it back to manual. If it still won't heat, an element, thermostat or safety cut-out may have failed.
No — we're an independent repair company, not part of Smeg's official service network. If your appliance is still under warranty, using Smeg's authorised service keeps that warranty intact, and we'll always tell you if that's the better option.
This is most often a compressor or thermostat fault, though on the retro FAB range a worn door seal or hinge (the heavy retro door is harder on both than a standard fridge door) can also let warm air in and cause the same symptom. We check both on-site.
Smeg's non-retro built-in and freestanding fridges use an inverter compressor that runs continuously at a variable speed rather than switching fully on and off, so a low steady hum is normal. When something does go wrong, it's often the inverter driver board rather than the compressor itself — the two look identical from the outside, so we test both separately before quoting.
Yes — drainage faults, door lock issues and drum bearing wear on washing machines, and heating element, condenser/filter blockages and drive belt faults on tumble dryers.
Yes — control board and coil faults, unresponsive touch controls, "pan not detected" errors on genuine induction-compatible cookware, plus heating element and gas ignition faults on Smeg ovens and stoves.
Yes, we source Smeg-specific parts as needed and will confirm cost and lead time at the diagnostic visit — most common faults are repaired on the same call-out.
This is usually a worn door seal or a latch mechanism that's drifted out of alignment rather than anything electrical. We check and replace the seal or adjust the latch on the same visit in most cases.
Yes — we service and repair espresso, bean-to-cup and pod coffee machines across most major brands, including but not limited to Smeg. Either way, your Smeg appliance gets the same R350 call-out and the same careful diagnosis.
For your Smeg appliance, the R350 call-out covers the trip to you, a proper test and a written quote, anywhere in Gauteng.
Tell us what's broken and where you are. We'll call you back to confirm a time, usually the same day.
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