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Questions to Ask When Buying Kitchen Appliances

Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009

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Tired of your gas oven sputtering when it lights? Not sure you can live with your small refrigerator for another minute? Consider whether today's new high-tech kitchen appliances will fit the bill.

Kitchen appliances are the lifeblood of any cook's kitchens. Whether you are a gourmet or a novice cook, it's tough to make dinner without good kitchen appliances. If you are debating whether to replace appliances, start by assessing the situation.

Questions to Consider About Kitchen Appliances

What do you like or dislike about your appliances?
Which appliances work well and which do not?
Which appliances do you use the most often and how effective are they?

When to Replace Kitchen Appliance

Then consider your financial picture. If your kitchen appliances are more than 15 years old and you have the funds available, it will be worth your while to head to a kitchen appliance store and replace them all. Here's why:

The appliances all will look the same.
You will have the same modern conveniences throughout the kitchen.
The overall kitchen design will be cohesive.

When to Keep Kitchen Appliances

If some of your kitchen appliances are 5 to 10 years old and in good working condition, it might be wise to keep them. A refrigerator or oven can last for 15 to 20 years, for example. A dishwasher, however, might only last for 10 years.

When Replacing a Few Kitchen Appliances

If you decide to only replace your old oven, make sure to:

Match the finish with that of your other appliances. This will enhance the kitchen design.
Buy the same size so that it fits in the existing appliance opening.
Buy an appliance that has coordinating products you like. When it comes time to replace other appliances, you can get the rest of the group.

Kitchen Appliance Costs

Before going to a kitchen appliance store, consider the following typical prices:

Dishwasher -- $350 to $700
Oven -- $600 to $1,500 -- or more for a commercial style appliance
Refrigerator -- $700 to $1,500 -- or more for a large or built-in model
Microwave -- $200 to $600

About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer. She has been a writer of home improvement columns for 15 years. Her articles have appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines, and on home improvement web sites.