Most modern-day kitchen appliances are only made to last up to three years before being replaced. However, you can stretch that number considerably further by reducing the strain on your machines and catching small faults early. To master the art of appliance longevity, follow these five tips:
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Have Appliances Fixed Instead Of Replacing Them
We live in the age of consumerism, so it’s common practice to dispose of appliances after having them for a few years (sometimes just a few months). Few people realize that the first fault on an appliance is almost always a minor problem that’s easily fixed. This goes for blenders, coffee makers, and higher-end appliances like quality induction cookware.
Repairs are often affordable, and this practice not only saves you money, but it’s also a far greener approach. You’re reducing the need for more consumables by extending the life of your appliances.
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Store Your Appliances Safely Out Of Harm’s Way
It probably sounds obvious, but out of harm’s way doesn’t mean storing your precious appliances on the countertop in the kitchen. Appliances that are movable should be packed away into a cupboard after they have been used and cleaned. In the case of blenders, never allow them to stand after being used. Food can harden around the corners quickly and gather under the blade, making them difficult to clean when you finally get around to it.
Another reason why stowing your appliances prolongs their lifespan is that you have to unplug them to do so. Keeping them connected to a power source exposes them to fluctuating power surges which can wear out the delicate electronics and wiring.
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Keep Appliances In Their Upright Position
While a refrigerator won’t suffer any long term effects from being tilted, they do need to be placed right side up before being used. Appliances with lots of small moving parts must never be moved from the right side up, they must always be transported with great care. It is these intricate components that make some appliances more delicate and likely to wear out quickly.
Obviously, the occasional tilt when you’re transporting it is not always avoidable. However, you should protect the components against strain by keeping the appliance in its correct position as far as possible.
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Inspect Your Appliances Regularly
Look for little pools of water under your refrigerator to indicate a leak or defrosting. Inspect under your dishwasher for rust and ensure the filters are free from food. Other appliances that are worth inspecting on a regular basis include microwaves (check the inside for rust – the humidity makes rust a high probability), toasters, and ovens. Many of these smaller parts are easily replaced or repaired if you catch the first signs of damage or wear early.
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Reduce The Load On Your Appliances
Appliances are made to take only a certain load, and this term “load” refers to how hard an appliance has to work. For example, washing machines are made to carry your load of laundry plus the water. For a food processor, the load is less about the actual weight and more about the hardness of the foods you are processing. A dishwasher’s load refers to the amount of food left on the plates that may strain the delicate filters.
Reduce the load your appliances have to carry to extend the lifespan of your machines. Pre-rinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, use softer foods in food processors and avoid putting hot items into refrigerators and freezers.
Implement one or all of the tips above to increase the lifespan of your appliances.
