The Quick Guide to Kitchen Appliances, Repairs, Maintenance and More

In the United States, 98% of households owned a refrigerator in 2017. Now, multiply that by the 127.59 million households in the country. That means there are over 125 million fridges in U.S. homes alone.

But that’s not all. Almost a quarter of American homes have two or more fridges!

And let’s not forget the other appliances almost every home has. On average, a single household has about 10.6 appliances, while six-person households have 17.5.

In any case, these show how vital such electronics have become to our everyday lives. That’s why most of us panic when we’re faced with kitchen appliance repairs.

If you’re in this situation, you’re likely considering giving the repairs “a go” on your own. Or, you may also be thinking of throwing those “broken down” machines and buying new ones.

Before doing either, read this kitchen appliance repair guide first. It may be your ticket to saving a lot!

The DIY Approach: Basic Troubleshooting

Many times, sudden malfunctions of kitchen appliances are due to lack of maintenance. The good news is that cleaning and making them sparkle can make them work right again.

Say your fridge isn’t cold enough even if the temperature setting is already at max. This doesn’t mean it already needs repairs or replacement — the culprit may just be a dirty gasket. Try cleaning it with a clean cloth dipped in warm, soapy water first.

Also, be sure that the fridge door closes completely and that there are no gaps in the seal. A loose seal can be the reason your fridge isn’t cooling right. You should also remove dirt and obstructions from the coils (unplug the fridge first!).

As for microwave ovens that don’t warm stuff up, crusty food and dried liquids may be to blame. Use a clean rag to wipe the interior walls of your oven. Then, try heating up something again to see if it now works.

These are basic troubleshooting steps that you should try before calling the pros. But if you still can’t get your appliances to work, it may be time to consider repairs or replacement.

Know Your Kitchen Appliances’ Average Life Span

Knowing how long appliances last can help you determine whether to repair or replace. On average, fridges last for up to 13 years and microwave ovens and dishwashers for nine. Electric ranges have an average lifespan of 13, while the gas ones can last up to 15 years.

Actual service life still depends on the brand and how well you treat your appliances, though. With proper maintenance, these machines can last longer than the quoted average above. Incorrect use coupled with lack of upkeep often results in a shorter life span.

Repairing vs. Replacing

But even if you’ve been responsible in their upkeep, appliances will still break down due to wear and tear. If it hasn’t reached half of its expected life span, consider repair services first. Do the same if it’s the first time you’ve experienced an issue with the appliance.

But if your malfunctioning appliance is near the end of its service life, a replacement may be better. Especially if you’ve already had it repaired several times over the past few years. A new unit may cost you more, but modern appliances are more energy-efficient.

Comparing the Cost of Kitchen Appliances Repairs vs. Replacement

It’s best to use an appliance repair pricing guide to decide between repairs and replacement. Here’s a quick look at the prices for the most common appliances.

Refrigerators

The national average cost of a new fridge is between $350 and $2,100. Whereas having a fridge in your Portland home repaired can only cost an average of around $150 (or less).

Microwave Ovens

Microwave repair costs are cheaper than those for a fridge, usually between $100 and $150. It can be lower if they’re easy fixes like repairing broken electrical cords or replacing plugs. These price estimates already include parts and labor.

Oven Ranges

For smaller oven range problems, the typical repair cost is about $50 to $100. But if it’s for a major component, like a burner or the oven itself, expect to pay more. These parts are some of the most expensive and the repair tech may need more time to fix them.

But that’s still cheaper than the cost of a new oven range, running anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000! If your oven is not more than five years old, it’s more cost-effective to have it repaired.

Other Must-Consider Factors for Appliance Repairs and Replacement

Aside from age, consider the cost of fixing an appliance before opting for a replacement. If it’s not more than half of what you’ll otherwise pay for a new machine, then repairs may be a better choice. But if repair costs go beyond 50% of a brand-new appliance, then it may be time to invest in a replacement.

Part replacement is also a cheaper option over an entire unit replacement. Ask your repair tech about this, especially for high energy-consuming appliances.

Simply replacing a faulty range burner can already help reduce your electricity bills. A fridge gasket or seal replacement can also help cut back energy use.

In case you do need brand new appliances though, go for Energy Star-rated units. These are huge energy-savers, with some appliances using up to 50% less energy! With these, you can avoid paying more than the average $103 electricity bill in Oregon.

Final Tip: Don’t Attempt a Difficult DIY Job

As tempting as it is to DIY fix a faulty appliance, remember that these are complex electronics. A single mistake, such as scratching a fridge coil, can lead to more expensive damages. There may be a lot of how-to repair videos online, but it takes more than that to fix an appliance.

So, aside from the basic troubleshooting we mentioned, don’t attempt a DIY fix. Better to call in a pro than end up with a higher repair (or even replacement) bill.

Get Your Kitchen Appliances Repaired ASAP

Use this guide on kitchen appliances repairs whenever an appliance breaks down. This way, you’ll know that you don’t have to spend thousands on getting a replacement. Also, be sure to call a repair technician as soon as possible.

Don’t forget your maintenance responsibilities too. Proper upkeep can help keep your appliances fully-functioning and energy-efficient.

Need kitchen appliance repair now? If so, then please feel free to ring us up! We can have a technician come to your home right away to repair your faulty appliance.