If you are remodeling your kitchen, or have just bought a home with some seriously outdated appliances, you may be asking yourself how long you can expect your kitchen appliances to last. Your stove, fridge, dishwasher, and microwave are items that you use on a daily basis, and I can speak from personal experience when I say that having one of them fail can be totally catastrophic. It’s good to know not only what is the typical lifespan for your appliances, but what you can do to keep them running in happy condition.
Lifespan of Refrigerators
Your refrigerator is a workhorse, and a new one should last anywhere from fourteen to twenty-seven years. That’s a big range, I know. The lifespan of your fridge depends on a lot of things, including the brand and how it is maintained. A good tip is that a full fridge and freezer are easier to keep cool than empty ones, making your appliance do less work. You should periodically check the seal of the refrigerator and the freezer to make sure that no cold air is escaping. If the gasket is brittle or has mold, replace it to extend the life of your unit.
Lifespan of an Oven
An oven can last from twelve to fifteen years, and a range from fifteen to seventeen years. The most important part of stove maintenance is keeping it clean, which is something that even the most fastidious housekeeper can struggle with. Use non-abrasive cleaners on glass cooktops, coils, and gas ranges alike. And, although it seems like flawed logic, avoid using the self-cleaning feature on your oven. Most new ones include it because people want it, but your typical oven can’t withstand the prolonged high heat of the cleaning cycle.
Lifespan of Your Dishwasher
A dishwasher has a typical lifespan of around a decade if you take good care of it. You should use your appliance at least every other day, since mechanisms that don’t see regular use are liable to break down. Even if you run an empty dishwasher on the quickest setting, you can help extend the life of your dishwasher. You also need to promptly clean up any food residue on the bottom or in the filter to keep it running smoothly.
Lifespan of a Microwave
As for a microwave, it has the shortest lifespan of anything in your kitchen - mostly because it sees so much use. Keep in mind that you will kill your microwave quicker if you tend to use it often to cook entire meals, versus quick 3-4 minute zaps to warm something up or cook popcorn. Also, for your own safety, make sure you use only microwave-safe dishes.
All told, most household appliances are a sound purchase whether you are buying a new home, or rehabbing one to prepare it for sale. The kitchen is the heart of the home and these appliances see a lot of use - treat them well and you can maximize the lifespan of each one.
