Get real advice on whether to repair or replace a 10-year-old stove. Find out about costs, lifespan, and tricks to stretch your stove’s value.
Stove Lifespan: How Long Does a Stove Really Last?
Most people think a stove will last forever until it suddenly quits. In reality, a well‑taken‑care‑of stove typically survives 12‑20 years, but the exact number depends on how you use it and how often you look after it.
What Affects a Stove’s Life?
Type of stove. Gas burners heat up fast but expose the oven and cookware to higher temperatures, which can wear seals sooner. Electric hobs stay cooler on the surface but their heating elements can burn out after a few thousand cycles.
Quality of the build. Mid‑range models often use thinner metal and cheaper knobs. When you buy a higher‑grade brand, the chassis and internal wiring are thicker, so they survive more heat cycles.
How often you cook. If you’re a daily chef, you’re putting the stove through more on‑off cycles than someone who only cooks on weekends. More cycles mean faster wear on burners, igniters, and oven gaskets.
Environment. A kitchen with a lot of humidity or grease buildup can cause rust on metal parts and corrode electrical contacts. Likewise, frequent spills that sit for days speed up wear.
Maintenance habits. Ignoring a squeaky gas valve or a flickering burner can turn a small issue into a major failure that shortens the stove’s life.
Tips to Stretch Your Stove’s Years
1. Clean burners and knobs regularly. Remove food debris after each use and wipe down the surface with a mild detergent. For gas burners, a soft brush clears clogged ports and keeps the flame even.
2. Check oven seals. The rubber gasket around the oven door should be flexible. If it cracks, heat escapes and the oven works harder, wearing out the heating element faster.
3. Avoid heavy pots on glass‑ceramic hobs. Dragging a cast‑iron pan can crack the surface, forcing an early replacement. Use a protective mat or keep lighter cookware on those surfaces.
4. Schedule a professional check‑up every 3‑5 years. A qualified technician can spot loose wiring, worn igniters, or gas leaks before they become safety hazards.
5. Turn off burners promptly. Letting a flame burn after you’re done not only wastes gas but also overheats the burner caps, making them brittle over time.
When your stove starts showing signs of trouble—uneven heating, strange noises, or the oven taking forever to pre‑heat—ask yourself two questions:
- Is the repair cost less than half the price of a new stove?
- Are the parts still available for my model?
If the answer is “yes” to both, a repair is usually the smarter move. If the stove is already 15‑20 years old and parts are scarce, replacing it can save you money and give you newer, energy‑efficient features.
Bottom line: regular cleaning, quick fixes, and occasional professional service can easily add 5‑10 years to a stove’s life. When the time comes to decide between fixing or replacing, weigh cost, age, and part availability—not just the immediate inconvenience.
Need a reliable local pro to look at your stove? South Shields Appliance Repair Services offers fast, affordable service to keep your cooking zone humming for years to come.