Which Small Appliances are Worth Being Repaired?

When a small kitchen appliance breaks, what do you do? Most people throw it out and buy a new one. But is that the right move? After all, some small appliances can be repaired very affordably with a call to a local repair shop or the manufacturer. Here’s a guide to help you decide when small appliance repair is worth it and when it’s better to throw the broken device away and replace it.

Repair or Replace MicrowaveRepair or Replace Microwave>

Most North American homes have a microwave oven, making them easy to take for granted. But when yours stops working, you’re suddenly asking yourself—should you repair or replace the microwave?

A replacement appliance costs about $100 and should work for at least seven to 10 years. If your microwave is relatively new and the repair costs less than replacing it, the fix is worth it.

In general, the problems worth fixing include:

• No light when the door opens or while cooking
• Door switch problems
• Touch pad not working

However, these problems usually warrant replacing your microwave:

• Loud noises while cooking
• Loud buzzing when you hit the Start button
• Cooking times take longer than usual

Repair or Replace Toaster/Toaster Oven

There aren’t too many things that can go wrong with these simple appliances. Here are some examples of what you might be experiencing if your toaster or toaster oven is broken:

• Blown fuse (resulting in no power)

• Bad timer (causing the unit not to shut off automatically)
• Bad thermostat (no heat or unregulated heat)
• Door won’t close (applies to toaster ovens only)

Because these problems are so basic, it’s usually worth the time and effort to repair a toaster or toaster oven—provided you can find the replacement parts. Some manufacturers don’t make replacement parts available to consumers. If you can’t find a replacement fuse, timer, thermostat, or door hinge, you might have no option but to replace your toaster or toaster oven.

Repair or Replace Wine Cooler

When you have a prized collection of wine chilling in your wine cooler, you may be distraught to discover that the appliance isn’t working properly. Fortunately, you may be able to fix the wine cooler for a lot less than the cost to replace it. Start with a few troubleshooting tips:

• If the wine cooler won’t turn on, make sure the power cord is tight and that the circuit breaker isn’t tripped.

• If the air is too humid in the wine cooler, make sure the evaporator fan has adequate air circulation. If the fan runs loudly, lubricate it.
• If the temperature is too warm, vacuum the condenser coils. If the problem persists, check the circuit board and replace it if it no longer functions. Also, test the door gasket for a tight seal, and repair or replace the gasket if necessary.
• If the dual-zone temperature isn’t working properly, check the thermostat settings.
• If frost builds up in the wine cooler, check and adjust the defrost timer as needed. Store the cooler at room temperature to reduce ice buildup.

If you can’t get your wine cooler functioning normally, call a repair technician. Only if the wine cooler is old or the cost to repair it is too high should you replace it.

Call Mr. Appliance® for Small Appliance Repair

Our goal is to keep your kitchen running smoothly with properly functioning appliances, both large and small. If your microwave, toaster, wine cooler, or another small appliance is on the fritz, contact Mr. Appliance to see if your broken kitchen appliance is among those we repair. We’re happy to deliver quick, efficient small appliance repair to our customers!