On average, a gas oven lasts for about fifteen, sixteen years.
This lifespan can be shortened or extended up to two decades depending on your oven quality and your maintenance.
The lifespan of the oven is also dependent to a large extent on a few other factors. Let us find them out.
Factors That Impact the Life of the Gas Oven
If you have used a car for several years together you will grasp this easily
Oven, like the car, is used daily. It works hard to give you desired results day after day.
The first factor that comes into play is the quality of your oven.
Oven Quality
Ovens with quality components tend to last longer compared to their counterparts.
It was seen that ovens built in the 80s and 90s lasted long due to strong metal components.
An oven doesn’t need to be high-end with many modern features. The components need to be of good quality even if it boasts fewer features.
Gas ovens tend to have fewer components compared to their electric counterparts and that is why they last longer than electric ovens.
Read up on the oven you wish to purchase. Make sure it is made of good quality.
Look for brands that are trusted and have been making the gas oven for a hundred years.
Good craftsmanship gives you a longer companionship!
Usage Quality
Most of us in America are dependant on the oven in our everyday lives.
An oven takes care of our food needs.
Despite this, our busy modern lifestyles make us frequently eat out when we work.
Here again, I will take the example of the car. Your oven’s lifespan is much like a car.
No matter how frequently you use it, it will give you many years of comfort until it tires out and begins to fade.
What matters is how you use it. If you rough use it, keep on fidgeting with the settings, open and close it roughly not allowing much time to cool down, have stuck food choking on outlets, etc the longevity of your oven will be affected.
As the saying goes: Take good care of your appliance and the appliance will take good care of you!
Maintenance
Periodic care and maintenance is a humble right you owe your oven.
Good maintenance will extend your oven’s age to a maximum.
Keep your oven clean. Wipe out all the mess and grease. Remove struck and fallen food particles from interiors and oven parts including gaskets, open flame areas, and the door.
The spills and grease will cause the oven to overwork to reach the perfect temperature.
Anything that is blocking or making your oven overwork will tire it out, decreasing its shelf life.
Use your oven according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
Always get your oven repaired by a professional instead of experimenting on oven parts yourself.
Scrimping repair money can become a costly affair and you may have to replace the whole oven for damages that can’t be undone.
The right care will give you the right oven for a long time bringing forth gastronomic delights to you and your family.
Also read: How Long Can an Oven Stay On?
Tips for Increasing the Lifespan of Your Oven
- Do not use the self-cleaning mode frequently. The frequent production of intensely high temperatures takes a toll on the oven. Use it sparingly.
- Do not block the open outlets in the bottom with a baking sheet or aluminum foil. This can cause the oven to fail altogether. It is better to use a pan to catch the drips.
- Wipe away spills and grease as soon as you spot them. It can cause your oven to overwork extending your cooking or baking time.
- Check the seal of your oven door periodically. A good seal keeps the heat inside your oven and prevents it from escaping out. In case of leakage, your oven will have to work harder to keep up with the temperature.
- Keep a lookout for any burning or odd odors. Shut down your oven and call for repairs as soon as you spot any malfunction in the oven functioning or parts.
Some examples are bad control, less power output, faulty gas ignitor or valve, or gas control.
Do not attempt to troubleshoot and risk your oven or yourself and call a professional.
Do not continue cooking until the problem is fixed.
- Buy an oven with extended warranties or invest in annual maintenance. This will help to cut down repair costs in case your oven breaks down. A professional will always take care of your oven helping it reach a long life. The annual maintenance check will take care of any possible or faults that you could not see. Examples are control issues, wiring issues, gasket or valve issues, improper gas, faulty door hinges, etc.
- Spend a little time in manual cleaning for increasing the lifespan of your oven. Let the oven cool down before cleaning. Take the racks out and clean them according to the manufacturing instruction booklet. If they are dishwasher safe, clean them in a dishwasher or else wash them by hand with warm soapy water.
Clean your oven using baking soda paste and vinegar or use mild soapy detergents with a soft scrubber.
Avoid using harsh chemicals that can deteriorate the oven liner.
- Always follow the instruction booklet to cook/bake or clean your gas oven. Using it correctly will always give a long life to your oven.
- Before switching on the self-cleaning cycle, keep your kitchen well ventilated to avoid excessive heating up of the oven
- Clean up the removable items and large spills before switching on the self-cleaning cycle. This will prevent your oven from overworking and creating excessive fumes and smoke.
- Once the self-cleaning cycle is completed and the oven has cooled down, wipe away food crumbs and debris from the oven cavity before using it again.
Follow the above tips and it will help your oven have a long lifespan, perhaps longer than your car.
This will delay the more challenging work of your oven replacement and the need to shell out a good amount of cash.
Here are some frequently asked questions:
This is quite common. Especially if it is a hand-down appliance or an appliance that comes fitted in your new apartment.Â
Also read: Can I Use My Oven To Heat My House?
What if I Don’t Know My Gas Oven’s Age?
In all such cases, look for a sticker or tag on your appliance. The sticker will mention the model number or serial number along with the manufacturing date.
You can also Google the serial number and brand to find out the exact date from their website or customer care number.
Nothing lasts forever and it is always beneficial to know how many years you can get from your oven and start saving for the oven replacement.
Should I Repair a Broken Oven or Replace It With a New Oven?
If you are looking to repair your oven, find out the repair cost.
If your oven is more than fifteen sixteen years and the cost coated is high, it is better to go for a replacement.
In case your oven is a few years old and needs a fix, weigh the cost against the cost of replacing it with a new oven.
For example, if you are being asked 400 dollars as the repair cost and it comes with a good guarantee, it is better to repair to increase your oven’s life and save you from the burden of excessive cash for buying a new oven.
Weigh the pros according to how old your oven is before shelling out your money for repair or a new oven.
How Do I Find the Value of My Used Oven?
It is very easy to find out your oven’s value. You need to know at what price you had purchased your oven first.
Divide the price by the average lifespan of the oven.
Next, multiply your result by the number of years remaining until the average lifespan gets over. You will get the value of your oven.
Are Old Gas Ovens Worth Anything?
Old gas ovens used to be made of pure metal.
Find out what the components are made from and they will be valuable to sell for scrap.
How Long Does the Self-Cleaning Cycle of the Oven Take?
It depends on the brand you have. Mostly, it takes anywhere from one to three hours.
This is because the oven goes into intense heat production that burns the gunk and food particles into ash.
Stay away from the oven until the cycle is complete. Let the oven cool down completely before wiping away the debris and reusing your oven.
Is It Safe to Stay Indoors While My Oven Self Cleans?
One of the harmful side effects of self-cleaning includes the emission of fumes and smoke.
One particular by-product is carbon monoxide that can be irritating and harmful to people and pets with respiratory problems.
Keep your kitchen and home well ventilated when you switch on the self-cleaning cycle.
It is better to go outdoors for some chore or a walk as there can be a foul odor for some time inside your kitchen. Don’t forget to take your pets with you.
Summing up, on average your oven can last anywhere from fifteen to sixteen years depending on the oven quality, the way you use it, and regular maintenance.
Follow the above tips to make your oven last up to two decades!
All the best.
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