‘F*ck this shit’ Oven Mitt by BlueQ from The Design Gift Shop
I’m writing this post today because for me, it is definitely time to buy a new oven. In fact, it has been time to buy a new oven for quite some time now. Maybe years in fact. There were many signs that I should be looking to replace my oven. Many, many signs. But did I pay attention? No, no I didn’t. And did I replace it when we did our kitchen makeover? Also no! So I thought I would write this post for anyone else who clearly needs to buy a new oven but is currently unaware or simply ignoring the signs. Don’t be like me!
1. Slow Preheating
Candy FCP602X E0/E Black Built-in Electric Single Oven from B&Q
This has been an issue with my oven for years, in fact probably since we moved in (the kitchen was reasonably new when we bought our home). It has always taken an absolute eternity to preheat. We need to allow at least 30-45 minutes for the oven to preheat which means mealtimes have to be pre-planned so we have enough time for the oven to get to temperature which can be very inconvenient.
If your oven takes significantly longer to preheat than it should, it could be a sign that it’s not functioning efficiently. It might be that your oven never even reaches the desired temperature. That too is a sign that you might need to buy a new oven.
2. Inconsistent Temperature
If you often find your meals coming out of the oven undercooked or burnt despite following the recipe to the letter, you may have assumed you’re just a terrible cook. But what if it’s not your cooking skills? What if your oven simply doesn’t maintain a consistent temperature? When the oven temperature frequently fluctuates during cooking, it can affect how the dishes turn out.
It’s possible that parts of your oven could be worn out. It could be a faulty temperature sensor, damaged elements or a broken fan. It’s definitely worth looking into repairs so that you can keep your oven going if it can be fixed.
3. Visible Signs of Wear and Tear
Sherwood Oven in Sage Green from Benchmarx Kitchens
The issues mentioned above may not be easy to see for the untrained eye. However, there could potentially be visible signs of wear and tear that may signal it’s time to buy a new oven. Rust on the interior or exterior of the oven, for example, is a clear indicator that the oven is deteriorating.
It’s possible to clean rust off of an oven using a simple solution of water and baking soda. However, once rust sets in, it’s generally a sign that your oven is on its way out. Rust that has been there a while could eventually corrode through the metal. Replacing the metal walls of your oven is possible, but it’s probably more economical to buy a new oven – especially if there’s rust on several surfaces.
Another sign of wear and tear is a cracked or damaged door and deteriorating seals. Both these issues can lead to heat loss and inefficient cooking and may be a sign that it is time to buy a new oven.
4. Frequent Repairs
While ovens can encounter a variety of different problems, many of these problems are easily fixable. You should only consider scrapping your oven if it keeps encountering issues. Not only will it become inconvenient to keep calling out an engineer, but the repair costs will add up. You don’t want to spend more money fixing your oven than you would replacing it. Look into new oven prices and consider how much you’ve spent already to calculate whether buying a new oven is worthwhile.
5. Difficulty Getting Replacement Parts
You may actually have no choice but to replace your oven. If your oven is particularly old you find that replacement parts are difficult to come by or extremely expensive. If this is the case, it might be time to upgrade.
6. Poor Energy Efficiency
Poor energy efficiency may be the sign that it’s time to buy a new oven. If your energy bills are particularly expensive it could be that your old, inefficient oven is using more energy.
Both gas and electric ovens typically last about 15 years. An oven bought in 2009 or earlier won’t be as efficient as a more modern oven, and you could save money on your energy bills by upgrading. Electric ovens in particular have come a long way in the last decade. Newer ovens are designed to be more energy-efficient and often come with eco-friendly features, so you could see massive savings by buying a new oven.
7. Lack of Features
Wolf Range Oven, From Rehome.co.uk
Another good reason to replace your oven could be that it’s simply no longer meeting your needs. If you love baking or cooking large meals, a tiny oven with only a couple of hob rings could hold you back. Installing a larger oven with more features could give you greater freedom to cook what you want.
Maybe you’d like an oven with a sous-vid feature or maybe you’ve been dreaming of a steam function or perhaps you’re hankering after one of latest models that integrates an air fryer function. And come to think of it, maybe you’d like to relocate the oven to a more ergonomic position to make it easier to use without bending down.
Of course, some of these changes could require some kitchen renovations and may require you to remodel your entire kitchen.
So those are the signs that you might need to consider buying a new oven. Obviously, repairs should be the first option if you have an issue with your oven, but definitely weigh up the cost of repairs versus buying a new model. If there are any signs I’ve missed, drop them in the comments below.