When a major appliance starts acting up, fixing it is usually the move — particularly if it’s not old or overused. And honestly, the economics back that up. Repairing a newer refrigerator, oven or range is almost always cheaper than replacing it outright.
When it comes to small appliances like toasters and coffee makers, how often do you consider fixing them when they malfunction rather than just replacing them?
The US produces a tremendous amount of electronic waste: as much as 70 pounds per person per year, according to 2021 data. While some small kitchen appliances may be beyond repair or cost more to repair than to replace, even some of your cheapest countertop models may actually be fixable.
“So many people dispose of a faulty appliance without even opening it up,” says Caleb John, owner of Exceed Plumbing & Air Con. “The assumption that it will be more expensive to repair than the item itself is not true in many situations.”
So before you think about sending your finicky stand mixer or electric kettle to the landfill, consider whether it might make sense to try to fix what’s broken. Along with John, I spoke with Dennis Godynuk, owner of Comfort Appliance Repair, for their insights on what you may actually be able to repair versus those that aren’t worth the trouble.
These small appliances may be worth fixing
Toasters
“Toasters and coffeepots are small kitchen appliances that are easy and cheap to repair,” Godynuk says. Even though you can sometimes get something like a new toaster for less than $20, ask yourself whether that money would be better spent on a local service provider or technician to keep your old appliance out of the trash.
Coffee pots and espresso machines
Heating elements are also surprisingly simple for professionals to work with. “The heating component is simply a coil of resistive wire that transforms electricity into heat,” John says. “After thousands of cycles, the wire becomes fatigued, forms hot spots and ultimately fails.
“The good news is that heating elements are one of the most inexpensive parts to replace in virtually all types of appliances.”
Electric kettles
John also adds electric kettles and sandwich presses to that list: “These appliances contain very few parts, the points of failure are well understood and the parts are inexpensive and readily available.”
Stand mixers
“Stand mixers are also worth repairing most of the time, regardless of their age,” John says, “because the components are standardized across models.”
Older appliances are often easier to fix
Even if your appliance is bordering on a historical relic, that might work in its favor when it comes to repair. “This is especially true for older models because their designs are simpler,” Godynuk says. “Modern appliances, on the other hand, are overly engineered, which leads to many points of failure.” He cites smart features, electronic sensors and control boards as among the usual culprits behind appliance breakdowns.
Wear and tear can affect mechanical parts such as levers, push buttons, gears and motors, but many of these can probably be brought back to life. Sometimes it’s just a matter of literally greasing the gears.
Read more: There’s an Electric Version of Every Kitchen Tool. Here’s What Chefs Think About That
Check the warranty
With any appliance, “registering it with the manufacturer can streamline warranty claims,” Godynuk advises, which is especially true of sizable and expensive appliances. “Those are essentially investments.”
Some smaller appliances come with generous warranty terms, especially with higher-end, legacy brands such as Vitamix or Kitchenaid. However, “the benefits tend to be minimal for (most) small appliances,” he says. “Many of the issues can be resolved by local technicians like me. With a local technician, you can also quickly get your appliance back,” rather than waiting for a replacement model or part from the manufacturer.
Replacement parts
For many malfunctioning kitchen appliances, the fix may simply be a replacement part, which you can find through a repair service or even on your own. “Surprisingly, many consumers are unaware that they can buy appliance parts separately,” Godynuk says.
New filters for larger appliances such as refrigerators or air purifiers may be obvious to consumers; however, “filters and carafes for coffee makers are often sold separately,” he says. “The same goes for blades, lids and sealing rings for blenders and food processors. Different whisk attachments are also available for stand mixers.”
Read more: One of the Most Common Causes of Dishwasher Decline Is Completely Avoidable
“Switches and power cords break nearly as frequently,” John says. “They take physical stress every day, getting pulled, bent and plugged in repeatedly until the internal wiring breaks down or the switch contacts wear out.
“You would be amazed at the number of appliances that are discarded because of a frayed cord that can be replaced for $4.”
When to discard a small appliance
Naturally, if the price to repair an appliance is appreciably higher than its original cost, or if an element has already been repaired and malfunctions again, “it’s not worth repairing an appliance if it frequently breaks down,” Godynuk says. “The cost of those repairs may end up being close to the amount of a replacement.”
Burnt motor
“There are two scenarios in which I wouldn’t even bother getting a quote,” John says. “The first is a burnt motor — when your appliance has broken down and left a sharp, acrid odor in the kitchen, that motor is dead, and the price to repair will nearly always be more than the cost of the replacement.”
Blenders and food processors, for instance, often fail due to a burnt or broken motor because they operate at such high power. Replacing the motor is almost certainly not worth the hassle and cost.
Melted plastic on internal parts
“The second one is observable burns or melted plastic on the internal parts, since that indicates an electrical fault that poses a safety hazard even after the repair,” John says.
How to dispose of a small appliance
If it truly is in your best interest to get rid of a malfunctioning or underperforming appliance, consider more environmentally responsible options than simply throwing it in your curbside trash. If it still works, consider donating it to a local charity or offloading it in a neighborhood freebie group, such as Buy Nothing, in your area. (On a personal note, I’ve had luck getting rid of broken appliances this way to people who like to tinker and see if they can repair it, though please don’t give away appliances that may pose safety hazards, as described above.)
If those options aren’t available, “some appliance manufacturers and retailers have take-back programs,” Godynuk says. “Some recyclers also accept old and broken appliances for the metals in them.”
You can check with your local sanitation department or review local ordinances regarding the collection of electronics, and make sure you’re following instructions on when and where to properly dispose of them.
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