Repair or Replace a Broken Small Appliance? Here’s What Professionals Say
When a major appliance starts malfunctioning, it’s usually best to repair it, especially if it’s not old or overused. And honestly, the economy bears that out. Repair newer fridgean oven or stove is almost always cheaper than replacing it completely.
When it comes to small appliances like toasters and coffee makershow often do you consider repairing them if they malfunction rather than just replacing them?
The United States produces a huge amount of e-waste: up to 70 pounds per person per year, according to 2021 data. Although some small kitchen appliances may be beyond repair or cost more to repair than to replace, even some of your least expensive countertop models may actually be repairable.
“So many people get rid of a faulty unit without even opening it,” says Caleb John, owner of Exceed Plumbing & Air Con. “The assumption that the repair will cost more than the item itself is not true in many situations.”
Some small appliances just aren’t worth saving for.
So before you think about sending your wayward stand mixer or electric kettle to the landfill, ask yourself if it might be a good idea to try to fix what’s broken. Along with John, I spoke with Dennis Godynuk, owner of Comfort Appliance Repair, to get his thoughts on what you could actually fix versus those that aren’t worth it.
These Small Appliances May Be Worth Fixing
Toaster
Toasters are another small appliance that has fairly basic components and are often repairable.
“Toasters and coffee makers are small kitchen appliances that are easy and inexpensive to repair,” says Godynuk. Although you can sometimes buy a new toaster for less than $20, consider whether that money would be better spent with a local service provider or technician to keep your old appliance out of the trash.
Coffee makers and espresso machines
Filter coffee makers are often among the easiest to repair.
The heating elements are also surprisingly easy for professionals to use. “The heating component is simply a coil of resistive wire that converts electricity into heat,” John explains. “After thousands of cycles, the wire fatigues, forms hot spots and eventually fails.
“The good news is that heating elements are one of the least expensive parts to replace in virtually any type of appliance.”
If it’s a simple problem with the heating element or a clogged grinder, your espresso machine could be easily repaired.
Electric kettles
Electric kettles can cost several hundred dollars, so think twice before throwing yours away if it breaks.
John also adds electric kettles and sandwich presses to this list: “These devices have very few parts, failure points are well understood, and parts are inexpensive and readily available. »
Stand mixers
Don’t count on that expensive stand mixer until you’ve had it looked at by a professional.
“Stand mixers are also worth repairing most of the time, regardless of their age,” says John, “because the components are standardized from model to model. »
Older devices are often easier to repair
Smaller, older devices with fewer digital components are generally easier to repair.
Even if your device is borderline a historical relic, that can work in its favor when it comes to repair. “This is especially true for older models because they are simpler in design,” says Godynuk. “Modern devices, on the other hand, are over-designed, leading to many failure points.” He cites smart features, electronic sensors and control boards among the common culprits for appliance failures.
Wear and tear can affect mechanical parts such as levers, push buttons, gears and motors, but many of them can probably be brought back to life. Sometimes it’s just a matter of literally greasing the gears.
Learn more: There is an electric version of every kitchen utensil. Here’s what the chefs think
Check the warranty
With any device, “registering it with the manufacturer can streamline warranty claims,” advises Godynuk, which is especially true for large, expensive devices. “They’re basically investments.”
Some small appliances have generous warranty terms, especially with traditional high-end brands like Vitamix or Kitchenaid. However, “the benefits tend to be minimal for (most) small appliances,” he says. “Many problems can be solved by local technicians like me. With a local technician, you can also get your device back quickly, rather than waiting for a replacement model or part from the manufacturer.
Spare parts
Replacing heating coils is one of the simplest solutions for an experienced repairman.
For many faulty kitchen appliances, the solution may simply be a replacement part, which you can find from a repair service or even on your own. “Surprisingly, many consumers are unaware that they can purchase appliance parts separately,” says Godynuk.
New filters for large appliances such as refrigerators or air purifiers may be obvious to consumers; however, “coffee maker filters and carafes are often sold separately,” he says. “The same goes for the blades, lids and sealing rings of blenders and food processors. Different whisks are also available for stand mixers.”
Learn more: One of the Most Common Causes of Dishwasher Decline is Completely Preventable
“Switches and power cords break almost as frequently,” John says. “They experience physical stress every day, being pulled, bent and plugged repeatedly until the internal wiring fails or the switch contacts wear out.
“You’d be amazed how many devices are thrown away because of a frayed cord that can be replaced for $4.”
When to throw away a small appliance
A burned out motor or severely damaged internal parts could mean the end of your coffee maker or stand mixer.
Naturally, if the price of repairing a device is significantly higher than its original cost, or if an item has already been repaired and is malfunctioning again, “it’s not worth repairing a device if it frequently breaks down,” says Godynuk. “The cost of these repairs could end up being close to the cost of a replacement.”
Burnt engine
“There are two scenarios where I wouldn’t even bother getting a quote,” says John. “The first is a burned motor: When your appliance breaks down and leaves a pungent, pungent smell in the kitchen, that motor is dead and the price of repair will almost always be higher than the cost of replacement.”
Blenders And food processorsfor example, often fail due to a burned or broken motor because they operate at very high power. Replacing the motor is definitely not worth the hassle and cost.
Melted plastic on internal parts
“The second issue is observable burning or melting of plastic on internal parts, as this indicates an electrical fault that poses a safety risk even after repair,” says John.
How to get rid of a small appliance
If it’s truly in your best interest to get rid of a faulty or underperforming device, consider more environmentally friendly options than simply tossing it in the trash. If it still works, consider donating it to a local charity or taking it to a free neighborhood group, such as Buy Nothing, in your area. (On a personal note, I’ve had the good fortune to dispose of broken devices this way to people who like to tinker and see if they can fix them, but please don’t give away devices that may pose safety risks, as described above.)
Consider greener ways to dispose of appliances than curbside trash.
If these options aren’t available, “some appliance manufacturers and retailers offer trade-in programs,” says Godynuk. “Some recyclers also accept old and broken appliances for the metals they contain.”
You can check with your local sanitation department or review local ordinances regarding the collection of electronics and make sure you follow the instructions for when and where to properly dispose of them.
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