Cooking and cleaning are easier today than at any time in history thanks to all the appliances and gadgets that are now commonplace in kitchens. But although they have made many people’s lives much easier, they do actually require some care in order to keep them in working order for as long as possible.

Many people overlook or are unaware of how long their kitchen appliances should last and the care that is required to make them last as long as possible. This short article explains both of these things for three of the most common kitchen gadgets: dishwashers, ovens, and fridges. 

The lifespan of kitchen appliances

Knowing the approximate lifespan of your devices is helpful in a couple of ways. Firstly, it allows you to replace old models at a time that is convenient for you rather than waiting for something to go wrong. Secondly, if something goes wrong, it can help you know whether to try and fix it or replace it entirely. The former is not a good idea if it is close to the end of its lifespan anyway.

Here are the expected lifespans of a few common items:

1. Dishwashers 

You can expect a dishwasher manufactured today to last around 10 years. Around this time, they typically stop working as well as they have in the past. For example, you might find yourself having to give your dishes a rigorous scrub before loading them into the dishwasher instead of just rinsing them. They are also known to start producing strange smells and noises. Leaks are a sign that something major has gone wrong. 

2. Ovens

Electric ovens can last an impressive 15 years, and gas ones typically last slightly longer than that. However, many manufacturers recommend getting a replacement if you have had your oven for more than 10 years and it starts showing signs such as unresponsive buttons or taking too long to heat up. 

3. Fridges

New refrigerators can last up to 12 years, but if yours is more than ten years old and you notice things such as excessive heat emanating from the back, mildew inside, or food spoiling quickly, then it may be time for a replacement. 

How to make your appliances last longer

The best thing that you can do for these appliances to get the most use out of them is keep them clean. This does not mean wiping them down every so often, but making time for a thorough clean. For an oven or fridge, you can get away with doing a deep clean once per year if they are not too visibly dirty from use, but for the dishwasher it is ideal to clean it properly once per month.  

Conclusion

Devices such as refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers have drastically reduced the amount of manual work that would previously have taken place in kitchens, but to help keep them safe to use for as long as possible, it is important to clean them and remain vigilant about problems.