Make sure you can maximize the use of your oven and lengthen its life to find out how long an oven should last on average.
If you take care of your new car, it’s possible that you could get another two hundred thousand or even three hundred thousand miles out of it. But what about that oven in your kitchen? Just like with cars, regular, consistent maintenance is the key to longevity. Let’s examine the lifespan of ovens and how to make yours last longer.
If you can recall a time when phones were mounted on walls, chances are good that your parents used a harvest gold oven until you were old enough to start paying rent. Like automobiles, ovens and ranges were once made primarily of heavier gauge metal and mechanical components.
Modern ovens use electronic components and lighter materials like plastic. LCD displays and touch screens are now commonplace, with some uses being for convenience and some being for aesthetics. Sadly, there is a cost associated with the average lifespan of an oven today compared to decades ago. And when it comes to gas versus electric ovens, you can currently anticipate an electric oven to last 13 years and a gas oven to last 15 years. But like anything else, it will wear out faster the more you use it. An oven will age more quickly if used daily by a family of five rather than just occasionally for reheating frozen pizza.
Longevity has its advantages. For instance, today’s top choices for appliance purchases are the manufacturers that have been producing home appliances for about a century. When you’re looking for a replacement, it’s crucial to keep that in mind.
Keep it clean. Keeping your oven clean will make a difference. Wipe up spills as soon as they occur for the simplest way to stay on top of it. That’s not always possible, though. When you have to wait until the oven cools, your well-intentioned plan may have already been abandoned. The oven has to work harder to do its job as grease and spills accumulate, especially the heating elements. That also causes more energy consumption.
Don’t use the self-clean feature. If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, don’t use it. Utilizing high heat to burn off the buildup may seem like a good idea, but doing so will cause your oven to become prematurely worn out. Instead, put a little elbow grease on it (pun intended). Remove the racks and wash them either by hand or in the dishwasher.
Clean the drip pans. When they get dingy looking, replace them. They aren’t very expensive. And don’t foil-wrap the drip pans if you have an electric oven. The foil offers a potential route for shorting out the heating element.
Check the door seals. The door seals maintain the heat inside the oven similarly to how weatherproofing does for your home. In addition to keeping your kitchen cooler, this prevents your oven from working overtime.
Plug it into a surge protector. You never know when a sudden power surge may happen. Why not err on the side of caution when it comes to the possibility that your appliances will catch fire?
Buy a home warranty that includes coverage for your cooktop and range. With American Home Shield®, you can lessen the high costs associated with unforeseen failures of covered items like your stove. In addition, you can relax knowing that a qualified professional handled your problem.
If you complete these six quick tasks, your oven may continue to function even after that car has crossed the finish line.
AHS expressly disclaims all liability for your use of any and all information contained herein and does not assume any responsibility. NO TWO HOMES ARE THE SAME. THATS WHY WE HAVE OPTIONS. FIND A PLAN THAT FITS.
Finding a Wall Oven That Will Last
If you’ve decided to replace your wall oven, try to recycle it. With Earth 911’s search tool, you can enter the type of appliance you own and your ZIP code to find recycling centers near you.
Consider future repairs as you choose a new wall oven by taking the necessary precautions. For instance, look for any warning signs, such as a concentration of people with the same unresolved repair issues, in user reviews with the Better Business Bureau and on retailer websites (not on the manufacturer’s own site, which tends to favor positive reviews). To determine the extent of the warranty’s coverage for future repairs, read the fine print. Once you’ve decided on the ideal brand and model for your requirements, look for a retailer you can trust by consulting our ratings for appliance stores. The three outstanding wall ovens from some of the dependable brands in our surveys are highlighted below.
It’s difficult to predict how much longer your oven might last if you recently moved, bought it used, or can’t recall when you bought it. Fortunately, the serial number tag, sticker, or plate will indicate the age of your appliance. The manufacture date is prominently displayed on most modern appliances in that area. You might need to Google the serial number and brand name to determine the age of older appliances.
Q: We just purchased our first home and maxed out our savings on the down payment. The appliances in the home are fairly old, and I’m a little concerned about them breaking down and not being able to afford to replace them. The oven in particular appears to be quite old and worn; how long do ovens last, and how can I help ours last at least a few more years before it needs to be replaced?
A: Congratulations! Purchasing your first home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be quite stressful if you have to use all of your savings to cover the cost of such a big purchase. It makes sense that you would be considering pricey kitchen appliances because, for many homeowners, ovens are a necessity and aren’t exactly cheap to replace.
Ovens have a relatively long life expectancy and can last up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance, so it’s likely you’ll have a few more years with your old oven before you need to worry about it. If you’re still concerned, there are some ways to add an additional layer of security and reduce the possibility that you’ll have to pay for a repair out of pocket, such as home warranties.