When You Should Repair Your Oven Vs. Replacing The Whole Thing

That smoking interior, blown bulb, and twitchy timer is telling you that the oven needs a check up. After that, you're left with two options: repair or replace the appliance. Repairing the faulty oven can save you time and money, however, sometimes the damage isn't worth covering the cost of labor and materials. In an exclusive House Digest interview, we spoke to Michael Cornell, an Asurion appliance expert, to find out when it's best to replace your oven instead of repair it.

According to Cornell, you need to consider the damage, how old the oven is, and the repair cost. "Severe electrical damage, gas line damages, and main control board components can be a kiss of death for ovens," the expert said. However, those aren't the only issues you might encounter. There are several signs your oven is too old and you're better off browsing the kitchen appliance aisle at your local hardware store. On the other hand, minor issues do occur and there's no need to spend upward of a thousand dollars on a new appliance when a quick fix will do.

There are general oven issues homeowners can repair DIY-style. Michael Cornell exclusively told House Digest, "Common replacements for your oven at home would be minor component swaps like switch covers, light bulbs, rack replacements and maybe even warming pan replacements." These breaks are fixable and don't warrant buying an entirely new appliance. "It should be added though that working on ovens comes with a high level of risk, so if you are not sure about the process for the repair or are not sure what you are looking at specifically, it's best to hire a professional," Cornell said. With electrical and gas components at play, there is potential for fire and injury. While it's possible to replace your oven light without the hassle, you want to be sure a blown bulb is the actual issue, and the same goes for the other complications.

With buying replacement parts and/or hiring a professional, "Typically you can expect [to spend] between [$250 to $350] for a common repair," Cornell explained. However, the price can increase with gas ovens because they require more skill to fix. Induction oven repairs can also be more expensive due to costly replacement parts. Double ovens and wall mounted ovens are another premium repair because they require two people to service the appliance. Another thing to consider is how long you've had the oven. "The appliances will have around a 10 to 12 year lifespan," Cornell said. If it's on the latter end of its life or the cost will exceed its current depreciated value, then repairing it might not be worth the time or money.

"Signs that you will need to replace your oven would be interior cabinet damage, damage from a fire, or pest infestation," Michael Cornell exclusively told House Digest. Once the gas line, control board, or electrical components are impaired, it's time to let the appliance rest in peace. Such issues would be irreparable or too expensive to fix. Further, there is "the risk that the issue could present itself again in the future, regardless of the quality of the work done," Cornell said. Another reason you might have to opt for replacing the entire unit is because the replacement parts are no longer available, which is often the case with older oven models.

Prices vary greatly for new ovens, depending on style, size, and features. "You can get some as cheap as $500 dollars while others can cost well over [$10,000]," Cornell said. "The average range however is between $500 and $1,300 dollars." Considering the new oven should last more than a decade with the proper maintenance, it's not a bad investment for your kitchen. As long as you avoid the mistakes everyone makes when buying an oven.