Most people don’t think about how long their electric stove will last until it stops working. Then they’re stuck with a broken cooktop, a full fridge, and no way to heat up dinner. The truth? An electric stove doesn’t last forever-but it also doesn’t need replacing every few years. If you’ve got a standard model from a reputable brand, you can expect it to last 13 to 15 years with normal use. That’s not a guess. It’s based on data from the National Association of Home Builders and real-world repair logs from Australian appliance technicians.
What Actually Determines How Long Your Stove Lasts?
It’s not just about the brand or price tag. The real lifespan comes down to three things: build quality, usage habits, and maintenance.
Higher-end models with thicker heating elements, solid-state controls, and ceramic glass tops tend to outlast budget units. But even the best stove will fail early if it’s constantly overloaded, cleaned with abrasive pads, or left with spills baked onto the surface for weeks. In Adelaide’s dry climate, dust and fine particles get into the control panels and burner bases. That’s why many stoves here die not from electrical faults, but from corrosion around the terminals or grit grinding into the rotary switches.
Think of your stove like a car. A well-maintained Toyota Camry can hit 300,000 km. A neglected one might break down at 80,000 km. Same principle applies here.
Signs Your Electric Stove Is Approaching the End
You don’t need to wait for the whole thing to die to know it’s time to start thinking about replacement. Watch for these red flags:
- One or more burners won’t heat-even after replacing the element and checking the socket. If it’s not the element, it’s likely the infinite switch or wiring harness.
- Sparking or buzzing from the control panel-this isn’t normal. It means insulation is breaking down. Fire risk increases.
- The glass top cracks or chips-even a small fracture can let moisture in and short out the heating coils underneath.
- Food takes twice as long to cook-if the elements are weak or dirty, efficiency drops. You’re paying more for less heat.
- Repeated repairs within 12 months-if you’ve replaced the element, thermostat, and control board in under a year, you’re throwing money at a sinking ship.
One technician in Norwood told me he sees the same pattern every winter: people waiting until Christmas Eve to fix their stove because they need it for the big roast. By then, the control board is fried, the bake element is dead, and the repair costs $450. A new entry-level stove? $800. Sometimes, replacing is smarter than repairing.
Repair vs Replace: When Does It Make Sense?
Here’s the hard truth: if your stove is over 10 years old and needs a major repair, replacement is usually the better financial move.
Let’s say your bake element goes out. Replacing it costs $80-$120 for the part, plus $150-$200 for labour. Total: $230-$320. Fine-if your stove is 5 years old. But if it’s 12 years old? That’s 80% of its expected life gone. The next failure could be the control panel. That repair? $400-$600. And then the timer. And then the wiring.
Newer stoves are more energy-efficient. A 2025 model uses about 20% less electricity than one from 2010. Over five years, that adds up to $150-$250 in savings. Factor in better temperature control, faster preheating, and safety features like auto-shutoff, and the upgrade pays for itself.
There’s one exception: if your stove is a high-end model (like a Bosch or Electrolux) and the issue is isolated to one component, repair makes sense. But if it’s a no-name brand from a discount store? Save your cash and walk away.
How to Make Your Stove Last Longer
You don’t have to wait for disaster. Simple habits can add years to your stove’s life.
- Clean spills immediately-especially sugary or acidic foods. Let them bake on, and they’ll eat through the coating and corrode the heating elements.
- Use non-abrasive cleaners-no steel wool on glass tops. Use a razor blade scraper designed for cooktops and a pH-neutral cleaner.
- Check the vents-dust buildup under the cooktop can trap heat and overheat the electronics. Vacuum the area twice a year.
- Don’t overload pots-heavy pots on small burners stress the element and can warp the surface.
- Turn off the power before cleaning-even if you’re just wiping the control panel. Moisture and electricity don’t mix.
One Adelaide homeowner I spoke to replaced her stove after 18 years. She cleaned it weekly, never used the self-cleaning function, and replaced the burner switches herself every five years. That’s not luck-that’s care.
What to Look for in a New Electric Stove
If you’re replacing, don’t just buy the cheapest one on sale. Look for these features:
- Induction-ready options-even if you don’t want induction now, models with compatible wiring make future upgrades easier.
- Thermal cut-off sensors-these shut off the stove if it overheats. Standard on most 2020+ models.
- Warranty of at least 2 years-covers parts and labour. Avoid “parts only” warranties.
- Easy-to-remove control panels-makes future repairs simpler and cheaper.
- Brands with local service networks-Bosch, Electrolux, and Samsung have repair centres in Adelaide. Lesser-known brands? Good luck finding a technician who knows their circuit boards.
Don’t fall for “stainless steel looks premium” marketing. The finish doesn’t affect lifespan. What matters is the quality of the heating elements and the thickness of the wiring inside.
What Happens to Old Stoves?
Don’t just leave it on the curb. Electric stoves contain copper wiring, steel, and sometimes hazardous materials like asbestos in older models (pre-1990). Adelaide City Council runs a free e-waste drop-off at the Waste Management Centre in Tonsley. Some appliance recyclers even pay $20-$50 for old stoves to reclaim the copper.
If you’re trading in your old unit, ask the retailer if they offer recycling. Most big chains like Harvey Norman or Bunnings do.
How long does an electric stove usually last?
A standard electric stove lasts between 13 and 15 years with normal use. High-end models with good maintenance can reach 18 years, while budget units or those neglected may fail after 8-10 years.
Is it worth repairing a 12-year-old electric stove?
Generally, no. If your stove is over 10 years old and needs a major repair like a control board or wiring harness replacement, the cost often exceeds 50% of a new unit’s price. Newer models are more energy-efficient and come with better safety features, making replacement the smarter long-term choice.
What causes electric stove burners to stop working?
Burners fail due to worn-out heating elements, faulty infinite switches, corroded wiring, or moisture damage. Spills left uncleaned can cause corrosion under the cooktop, especially in humid or dusty environments. Replacing the element is common, but if multiple burners fail, the issue is likely the control system.
Can I extend the life of my electric stove?
Yes. Clean spills right away, avoid abrasive cleaners, vacuum dust from under the unit twice a year, and don’t overload pots. Turning off the power before cleaning and using compatible cookware also helps. Regular maintenance can add 5+ years to your stove’s life.
Should I buy a new stove or switch to induction?
If you’re replacing anyway, induction is worth considering. It’s faster, more energy-efficient, and safer (the surface doesn’t get hot). But if you already own a lot of traditional cookware, a standard electric stove with good elements and a solid warranty is still a reliable, lower-cost option. You can always upgrade to induction later if your wiring supports it.
Final Thought: Plan Ahead, Don’t Panic
Your electric stove isn’t a disposable item. It’s a core appliance that should last over a decade. But it’s not magic. Treat it right, and it’ll serve you faithfully. Ignore it, and you’ll be eating cold meals on a holiday weekend.
Start paying attention around year 10. Check the burners. Clean the vents. Note any strange noises or delays. If you’re already replacing parts every year, it’s not a repair problem-it’s a replacement warning.
Don’t wait for Christmas Eve. Plan ahead. You’ll save money, stress, and a lot of burnt dinners.
