Food brings people together, so it’s important that you can rely on the appliances that helps you create the meals your loved ones gather around. That’s why your oven is such an essential kitchen appliance, even if you don’t fire it up every day.
The longevity of appliances like your oven relies heavily on their upkeep. Well-maintained appliances can last more than 20 years, but improper use and lack of maintenance can end an appliance’s life prematurely.
Here’s how long to expect your oven to last, and what you can do to get as many years with it as possible.
What’s an oven’s lifespan?
Ovens typically last longer than other appliances — on average, about 15 to 20 years. Ovens often last longer because you don’t use them daily, like you do the refrigerator. And you might rarely use them in warm weather, preferring instead the microwave and grill.
Ovens also have far fewer moving parts than other appliances. For example, a dishwasher has a wash pump, drain pump and spray arms. Those moving parts wear out faster than the oven’s stationary heating components.
How to extend the life of your oven
You can help your oven last even longer by following these maintenance and use tips:
- Don’t line the oven bottom with aluminum foil to catch spills. The foil can melt and stick to the oven bottom.
- Use big enough baking dishes so food doesn’t bubble over into the oven. If a spill happens, wipe it up as soon as the oven cools. Frequent spills can eat away at the coating on the oven bottom.
- Whether you have a self-cleaning oven or clean it manually, clean the oven quarterly to prevent any residue from building up and damaging the oven. Regular cleaning catches any spills you may have missed. Follow the cleaning directions in the owner’s manual.
Have an annual oven tune-up
Having a service technician do annual maintenance on your oven also extend its life expectancy. The technician checks wiring, controls, sensors and heating components to make sure the oven is operating safely and efficiently.