Most cookers last 10 to 15 years, but signs like uneven heating, ignition failures, and rising energy bills mean it might be time to replace instead of repair. Learn what affects longevity and how to make the smart choice.
Average Cooker Life: How Long Should Your Oven Last?
When you think about your cooker, a key kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and broiling food. Also known as an oven, it’s one of the most used appliances in the home—and one of the hardest to replace without disruption. Most people assume their cooker will last forever, but the average cooker life is closer to 13 to 15 years. That’s not a guess—it’s what repair technicians in South Shields see every week. After that point, parts wear out, heating elements fail, and control boards glitch. It’s not always broken—it’s just done.
What affects how long your cooker lasts? It’s not just the brand. electric oven repair, the process of fixing heating elements, thermostats, or control boards can extend life, but only if done early. Frequent use, poor ventilation, and skipping cleaning all shorten lifespan. And yes, even the type of food you cook matters—grease buildup on elements or steam from boiling pots can corrode internal parts faster than you think. You don’t need a professional to clean the inside every month, but a quick wipe-down after heavy use helps. The same goes for appliance durability, how well a device holds up over time under normal use. A well-maintained cooker from a mid-tier brand often outlasts a fancy one that’s never cleaned.
So when do you call a repair tech? If your oven takes forever to preheat, heats unevenly, or shows error codes you can’t clear, it’s not just being slow—it’s signaling trouble. Replacing a control board might cost half the price of a new oven, but if your unit is already 12 years old, you’re just delaying the inevitable. Most homeowners don’t realize that a 15-year-old cooker uses 20% more energy than a new one. That adds up over time. And if you’re spending more on repairs than a new model costs, you’re not saving money—you’re just paying to keep an old machine running.
Below, you’ll find real-world stories from people who waited too long—and those who acted just in time. You’ll see what actually breaks, how much it costs to fix, and when it’s smarter to walk away. No fluff. Just what you need to know before your next oven fails.