If you’ve been staring at your 10-year-old range, half-expecting smoke to start curling from the back, you wouldn’t be alone. The kitchen is the battlefield for most home appliances, and the range, whether gas or electric, takes the brunt of nightly dinners, experimental bakes, and the occasional pizza meltdown. But when something goes wrong—like burners that won’t ignite, an oven taking longer than your patience, or control panels doing a light show—things get real. Most people want to know: Is this thing worth fixing or is it time to hunt down a shiny new one?
What’s the Life Expectancy of a Range?
Let’s get into it—this isn’t just about the number on your warranty booklet. Most big brands peg the average life of a range at 13 to 15 years. According to the National Association of Home Builders, a well-maintained electric range can push up to 16 years, while gas models usually call it a day a bit sooner. Now, does that mean yours is about to sputter its last flame at exactly 10 years? Not quite. Some folks stretch their stoves closer to 20 years with a little TLC, while others hit trouble at year seven if they skip on basic cleaning or try to melt cast iron pans on high too often. The magic number isn’t just about age—it’s about condition, usage, and a dash of luck.
Here’s something wild: Most range issues that show up around the 10-year mark are actually repairable. Think about igniters, infinite switches, oven thermostats, and door hinges. These aren’t parts that break the bank—an igniter swap, for example, usually runs you under $200 with parts and labor. The real trouble comes with more complicated repairs: panels, computer boards, or when you’re hit with multiple issues at once. Suddenly, fixing your range costs half as much as a brand new model, and your wallet starts to look pretty nervous.
The old “50% rule” is worth remembering: if the repair bill is more than half the price of a replacement (and your range is already a decade old), it may be smarter to aim for a new one. And not just because of cost: newer models offer more bells and whistles, are kinder to your utility bill, and—let’s be honest—don’t carry the stains from last year’s turkey adventure.
Nobody likes surprises, so here’s a quick breakdown of common repair costs:
- Igniter replacement: $125-$250
- Burner replacement: $100-$200 each
- Oven thermostat: $130-$300
- Control board: $200-$600 (yikes, right?)
Knowing your repair bills helps, but what about those subtle signals a stove gives before it totally gives up? Pay attention to these red flags:
- Uneven heating (your cupcakes burn but the chicken isn’t done)
- Delayed igniting or clicking sounds that don’t stop
- Strange smells—besides what you just burned
- Digital display flickers, dies, or gives you error codes
- Constant need to “fix” things, even little stuff
A Consumer Reports survey from last year showed 63% of gas range owners saw their stoves last 12+ years with routine cleaning and servicing. Regular upkeep, like wiping spills before they char and running a self-clean cycle (if you have it), puts off repairs way longer than most people expect. An appliance tech from HomeAdvisor said it bluntly:
“You’d be surprised how much longer a range lasts if owners just clean the burners and don’t use the oven as a storage unit.”
Repair or Replace? Key Factors to Weigh
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the decision isn’t always obvious. Every range has its quirks. The big question is, what’s still working, and how much do you like your current setup? If you’re still running a basic electric coil stove from 2015 that gets the job done, even if it’s not the hottest model on the block, a simple repair might buy you several more years.
If you’re considering repair, ask yourself:
- How often do you cook? Heavy users get more out of newer, more efficient stoves.
- Can you actually find the part? Older or budget brands sometimes leave you scrambling on the hunt for discontinued parts.
- Is your stove showing signs of multiple issues or just one glitch?
- Have you already spent money on repairs in the last two years?
- Do you need features your current range just can’t offer, like convection or self-clean modes?
Don’t forget the hidden perks of getting a new stove. Modern ranges are easier to clean, use way less energy, and usually cook more evenly because of better insulation and smarter controls. Some also come with safety shut-offs, which could matter if you have kids running around or just want to avoid a kitchen disaster.
The price gap isn’t as wide as it used to be. In 2015, new ranges often set you back $1,200 or more. A quick check right now? Entry-level models are still around $500-$600 and mid-range smart stoves hit the $1,000 mark. If you need a technician to fix two or three pricey parts on your old range, suddenly the math isn’t looking so great for repairs.
On the flip side, let’s say your range is a high-end brand like Wolf, Viking, or GE Café. Fixing these can actually be a better value, especially if the body and main systems are solid. Think of it like owning a classic car—it can be worth tuning up the engine if the frame is built to last.
Other factors worth weighing:
- Safety recalls (check your model—sometimes you can get a free repair or credit)
- Home resale value (a busted stove can actually ding your asking price if you’re selling soon)
- Environmental impact (recycling an old range is better than sending it to landfill, but repairing can be even greener)
Finally, don’t forget local rebates or government programs. Some states offer cash back for new energy-efficient appliances if you recycle your old machine. It pays to check before you make your next move.
Tips to Stretch the Life of Your 10-Year-Old Range—Or Make Sure Your Next One Does Better
Let’s say you want to roll the dice on repairs. Or you just bought a new range and want to make it last 15 years instead of 10. Great idea. Here’s what works in the real world:
- Don’t let spills linger—wiping up is a lot more than just about looks. Crusted food gunk around burners or controls is one of the fastest ways to kill a stove.
- Watch your self-clean cycles. Using this feature too often can fry circuit boards. Appliance techs recommend running it only when you actually need it and giving your range some cooling time.
- If you have a gas range, check the flame color regularly. Blue = good. Yellow or orange = problems, possibly with the burner or gas line. Get these checked ASAP.
- Keep those vent filters clean. Grease and dust build-ups are more than gross—they block airflow and sometimes cause overheating or weird smells.
- Run your oven empty for a few minutes every couple months. This is a trick from professional kitchens. It helps get rid of lingering moisture and keeps things from getting musty.
- If anything feels loose—knobs, oven door, or even control screens—tighten or replace quick. Small fix now, expensive fix later if you put it off.
- Power surges or flickering lights? Plug your range into a surge protector if possible. Control boards aren’t cheap, and this little step can save you hundreds down the line.
One more tip: know your appliance’s model and serial number. Keep it handy, ideally taped inside a cabinet door or saved in your phone. This shaves hours off troubleshooting, ordering parts, or checking for recalls.
You don’t need to become an appliance expert. But paying attention to small quirks—funny clicks, smells, or heating that seems off—usually means you can catch issues before they start. And unlike your fridge or dishwasher, most ranges don’t have much in the way of sneaky mechanical issues. When something goes wrong, you’ll know it. The hard part is deciding if it’s worth fixing or time to upgrade.
No range lasts forever, and sometimes even the best-maintained stove needs to go. Still, most kitchen ranges aren’t ready for the scrap heap at ten years unless they’ve suffered hard use, frequent breakdowns, or you’re facing huge repair bills.
Truth is, you can usually get several more good years out of a 10-year-old range with a couple of smart fixes, if it’s a quality brand and you’re not chasing recurring problems. If your repair costs are pushing close to the value of a new stove, or you’re itching for modern features and energy savings, replacing might just make you happier in the long run. Whatever you do, don’t let a burnt-out igniter or annoying error code push you into a decision you’ll regret—take a little time, check your costs, and lean on the advice of a technician you trust. Your kitchen deserves it.