Microwaves are a great convenient appliance in the kitchen for cooking and reheating foods, but sadly their lifespan isn’t that good. So, how long do microwaves last?
Microwaves typically last for about 5-7 years, depending upon the use; however, when properly maintained, i.e., cleaned regularly, and not used heavily, you can expect a microwave to last for about 10 years.
Microwaves are supposed to last for ten years, or at least eight years, but sadly that’s not the case with all of them as most households use the microwave almost daily, be it for cooking, reheating, or defrosting.
Also, once in a while, people tend to put something in the microwave that was not supposed to be placed inside, for example, a metal spoon. Not to mention the loud door slam.
As a result of all these things, plus wear and tear with time, the lifespan of a microwave gets reduced to about half, i.e., five to seven years.
If you want to learn more about the average life expectancy of a microwave oven and when you should replace your microwave, keep on reading!
Related Post: Do Microwaves get hot on the outside
How to tell if a microwave is bad or is going bad?
Below are some signs that your microwave is going bad –
- Slow cooking
A general indication that your microwave oven is bad or is going bad would be the delay in its operation, i.e., cooking time. If you are making food and taking way too long to cook than usual, then you know that your microwave is bad.
- Delay in Start
Your microwave should start working right away once you insert the power cord into the wall outlet and press the start button.
However, if your microwave isn’t starting as quickly as it usually does, then maybe it’s time to replace the microwave oven.
- Odd Sounds-
If you are cooking food in your microwave and hearing some odd sound that is not normal, then it’s definitely time to start replacing your microwave.
The irritating sound is one of the leading indicators that the microwave has significant power problems.
- Burnt taste or smell –
Another indication that your microwave oven is bad would be the burnt taste or smell when you cook in it. Cooking food in your microwave should not be giving you a bitter taste or an unpleasant odor.
If your microwave is giving you unusual or unpleasant tasting food and if the burned smell permeates the whole space of your kitchen, then you can say that it’s going bad.
- Problem with the Door
Your microwave door should close adequately and smoothly to ensure there is no leakage of radiation.
However, If your microwave door is not working as it should, and you can not close the door properly, this may indicate that it’s time to replace your microwave oven as it has gone bad.
- Microwave Interior is Peeling
If the inside of your microwave is very messy, like the paint is peeling off, then it’s definitely going bad and has reached its age. You should never ever use a microwave with a bad or messy interior.
Is an old microwave worth a repair?
First, you have to think about the issue of the cost. Nowadays, microwaves are incredibly cheap as their prices have dropped dramatically. So, getting a new microwave is not that expensive.
If a microwave is more than 7 years old, then it’s not worth a repair, in my opinion, because 5-7 years is the expected life of a microwave. After that, it is not considered a reliable appliance and will go bad again after some time.
A repair is worth only if your microwave is less than seven years old, and you find it economical to go with a repair instead of buying a new one.
Old Faulty microwaves are not really worth fixing.
On the other hand, if your microwave is relatively new and expensive, it’s definitely worth a repair. Many electronic appliances break down because they are poorly made, but microwaves are not one of them.
Why do microwaves suddenly die?
Based on analysis of the warranty, most microwaves are expected to last for five years; the truth is that these devices undergo a lot of wear and tear, and they eventually die.
But for some, microwaves die even before they are supposed to be dead, which often happens. Let’s take a look at why it happens!
The reasons for this sudden death of microwaves can actually be pretty straightforward. Most of the time, it’s due to a power surge, a power failure, severe internal damage, a faulty magnetron, a faulty keypad switch, or a technical malfunction.
The above reasons are generally the main culprit for a microwave’s death.
Is it safe to use an old, rusty microwave?
It’s better to be safe than sorry! An old, rusty microwave can cause more harm than good, so it’s best to avoid them. If you have a rusty microwave, I would suggest you stop using it and purchase a new one.
A leaky seal of the door may allow external corrosion to come, which can cause food poisoning.
Avoid using an old microwave busty if possible, but if you’re dead set on using one, make sure to use extreme caution. Even one minute of usage on high can cause severe burns or illness if the microwave is faulty.
Microwaves that last the longest
If now you are thinking about which microwave brand lasts the longest or what are the most reliable brands.
The answer is popular brands like Panasonic, GE, Toshiba, and Samsung all usually last longer than standard microwaves as their manufacturing is done with premium materials.
The above best brands are well-known for being durable and functional microwaves with numerous features to satisfy any kitchen need.
Also Check: Is a burnt microwave-safe to use
How long does a cheap microwave last vs an Expensive Microwave?
The life cycle of any product can be determined by the materials and the manufacturing processes used in constructing the product.
It’s no surprise that cheap microwave ovens are more prone to failure than expensive microwave ovens.
Generally, the components used in cheap microwaves are not durable as compared to expensive ones. Hence, Cheap microwaves can be easily damaged; as a result, the life of the cheap microwave oven will be reduced.
Typically, you can expect a cheap microwave to last about 2-3 years with proper care and less usage. The figure can sometimes go up to a max of 4 years.
On the other hand, expensive microwaves are built with good, high-grade quality material to last for many years.
Hence, you can expect the life of an expensive microwave to be around 7 years, and if you take care of it properly, it can easily go all the way to 10 years.
So should you go for a cheap microwave or an expensive microwave?
Well, a microwave costs lower than most of the other kitchen appliances, but it can end up costing a lot more in the long run if it breaks down frequently.
It’s worth spending a little more now to get a microwave that will do the job for as long as possible.
What is the best cheap microwave to buy?
Some cheap microwaves of good quality can last longer with appropriate care, like Commercial Chef Microwave, Amazon Basics Microwave, etc.
The best thing you can do is to read reviews of the microwave before you buy it.
The Bottom Line
For a quick summary in this blog post, I have talked about the average lifespan of a microwave, how long do microwaves last, and what you can do to maximize the lifespan of your microwave.
The average microwave lifespan is 5 to 7 years. This will vary depending upon the quality of material used for manufacturing, usage, and care.
A microwave’s lifespan will decrease if not used and not mentioned properly.
I hope that this comprehensive guide has successfully addressed all of your questions about the lifespan of a microwave.
You should note that while cheaper microwaves are indeed highly affordable, you get what you pay for; they won’t last long, which is why I’ve linked some Cheap microwaves with good quality having a decent lifespan.
Also, to increase the life of your microwave, you can follow the above steps and add a few years to your dearest kitchen appliance.