Like a lot of people who rent instead of own, my kitchen appliances are basic in every sense of the word. My fridge? It’s hideous — off-white and unrefined, without an ice maker or even humidity-controlled crispers. My matching gas range is equally barebones. It has no temp display, no light, no oven window. My stovetop is basically just four open flames. I have always wanted models that were a little bit easier or more precise to use, or perhaps just better-looking — as Wirecutter’s appliance writer, I am often surrounded by the shiniest, fanciest new things. But that all changed after I spent nearly six months figuring out why appliances seem to die so much faster than they used to. And I now think of my old-fashioned kitchen suite in a newly rosy light. It turns out that the stripped down-but-sturdy appliances in my apartment are uniquely capable of one thing: surviving. Ugly as they are, they have what it takes to avoid the pitfalls of the vast majority of appliances sold today. READ RACHEL’S INVESTIGATION The real reason your appliances die young→ Most modern stoves, fridges, washers, dryers, and dishwashers are absolutely stuffed with soon-to-be outdated computerized components and extra features. And they are now so low-priced — compared to any other point in history — that it is nearly as expensive to repair an appliance as it is to replace it. And that’s if you can even find somebody who really knows how to fix it. Likely this doesn’t shock you, especially if you’ve battled a busted ice dispenser or dishwasher control panel. In my reporting, I found out where to cast the blame: on our lust for increasingly high-tech features; on the ongoing appliance price wars; on government efficiency regulations that continue to change; on our avoidance of regular maintenance or reading manuals. But we can also blame our own nostalgia. Many people have a memory of some ancient, avocado-green washing machine or refrigerator chugging along for decades at their grandparents’ house. But even then, decade-spanning durability was uncommon. Maybe more important, I also found out what you can do to make your appliances last just a little longer — more on that below — and it’s not just buying the most barebones appliances around like mine. (To that end, I do have one big request for appliance manufacturers: Can you please, please, please just make these budget machines in cool colors again?) We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Rachel’s research uncovered some great advice, especially when it comes time to purchase a new appliance. A few of her takeaways: 1. Skip the features you can live without. As tempting as it may be to, say, buy a dishwasher with an app-controlled spray arm, any added feature adds a layer of complexity to an appliance and makes it more susceptible to breaking. There is merit to getting a more basic model. 2. Invest in extended warranty and maintenance plans. These plans should work just as they would for one you’d get for a cell phone, reducing the cost of repairs, ideally to the point where repair makes more sense than replacement. 3. Learn how to use your appliance the right way. Most people rarely read the manuals to learn how to use their appliances properly, and they tend to forgo regular maintenance. But it’s worth it to actually sit down and read that booklet upfront: Simple maintenance, such as vacuuming away dust and pet hair from behind a fridge, can prevent many problems. Rachel’s guide to having a long-term relationship with your appliances→
More from Rachel: We have the technology to make appliances that last a very long time. Why isn’t it more popular? Listen to the podcast episode: “The Death of Durable Appliances.” You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
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