Cooker Repair: Is It Worth Fixing Yours or Buying New?

Cookers don’t exactly send smoke signals when they’re about to quit, but weird noises, uneven heating, or a stubborn burner are classic warning signs. If the cooker’s still fairly new or has only minor issues—like a dodgy knob or a busted ignition—a simple repair can save a chunk of cash.

Before you pick up the phone or start Googling new models, it’s worth checking what’s actually wrong. Sometimes it’s just a clogged burner, a blown fuse, or a worn-out door seal. Quick fixes like these are way cheaper than buying a new cooker and you might even handle them in a single afternoon, if you’re handy with a screwdriver.

• Common Cooker Problems That Can Be Repaired
• When Repair Makes More Sense Than Replacement
• Hidden Costs of Cooker Repairs
• Signs It’s Time to Give Up and Replace
• DIY Fixes vs. Calling an Expert
• Making the Final Decision

Common Cooker Problems That Can Be Repaired

Most folks stress out when their cooker repair job pops up, but honestly, some of the most common issues are quick fixes—no need to panic or empty your savings.

Here are problems that come up all the time and can usually be sorted without replacing the whole cooker:

• Igniter Not Sparking: Gas cookers sometimes won’t light because the igniter is dirty, cracked, or loose. Cleaning or swapping out the igniter is usually straightforward and affordable.
• Burner Won’t Heat Properly: If flames are uneven or the electric coil isn’t getting hot, the burner might just need cleaning or a new element—not a big job if you’re handy.
• Oven Not Heating to Correct Temperature: This is often a busted thermostat or a faulty heating element in an electric oven. Both can be replaced without calling in a whole crew.
• Door Seal Is Worn Out: If your oven door isn’t closing tightly and heat keeps escaping, odds are the rubber gasket is tired. Swapping it out stops heat loss and improves efficiency.
• Control Knobs Broken or Stuck: Replacement knobs are cheap and usually just snap into place. No toolbox necessary.
• Fan Not Spinning: If your fan oven isn’t circulating heat, sometimes it’s just the fan motor or a loose connection. A new motor doesn’t break the bank.

To give you an idea of repair frequency, check out this quick tally from a 2024 appliance repair survey:

Don’t write off your cooker just because it’s acting up. With appliance maintenance and quick fixes, you often get years more out of what you’ve already got in your kitchen.

When Repair Makes More Sense Than Replacement

If your cooker’s only a few years old and wasn’t giving you grief until recently, cooker repair often beats a full-out replacement. You’ve already paid a decent chunk to get it installed, so why ditch it for a little hiccup? Manufacturers usually design cookers to last at least 10 years—even longer if you’re good with regular appliance maintenance.

Here’s when fixing is the obvious way to go:

• The repair bill is less than half the cost of a new cooker. Let’s say a basic new cooker runs you £350, but your local tech can swap out a broken part for £120. That’s a no-brainer.
• No major body parts are damaged—like the main oven lining or the hob frame. Surface stuff and replaceable parts are usually quite easy to fix.
• Replacement parts are available and don’t require you to wait months or pay import fees.
• The issue is a classic, well-known fault, like a broken oven element, dodgy thermostat, or faulty switch. Appliance engineers have seen these hundreds of times—they’re usually cheap and quick to sort.

According to repair techs, about 70% of cooker breakdowns are down to small, fixable problems—think blown fuses, burned-out heating elements, or wonky ignitions. Here’s a taste:

Plus, if your cooker’s still under warranty, repairs can cost nothing or next to nothing. Make sure you check your paperwork before you pull out your wallet.

Word to the wise: older cookers with sturdy metal parts are often worth repairing. They tend to outlast some of the new plastic-heavy models anyway. If fixing up means you get a couple more years out of it, that’s money in your pocket.

Hidden Costs of Cooker Repairs

The price tag for fixing a cooker repair isn’t just the call-out fee or parts. There’s usually a bunch of sneaky costs most people overlook until they see the final bill. Ever noticed how technicians love to tack on extra charges for labor after the first hour? That hourly rate stacks up, especially if they have to order special parts or return for another visit.

Parts for older home appliances can be surprisingly expensive—sometimes nearly as much as half the price of a budget new cooker. Plus, if your model is discontinued, finding the right bits might mean waiting days or even weeks, with hefty shipping fees just to get a replacement knob from overseas.

And let’s not forget the impact on your daily routine. If you’re waiting around without a working cooker, you’ll probably spend more eating out or ordering takeout. That adds up fast, especially if you’ve got kids who stare at you whenever they’re hungry (Cedric can confirm this from experience).

Here’s a quick look at how these expenses pile up:

Another biggie is the cost of repeat repairs. If your cooker has broken down before and keeps giving you trouble, you’re likely heading toward what repair techs call a “money pit.” Sometimes it’s cheaper in the long run to bite the bullet and replace rather than patch things up again and again. Don’t forget, newer cookers often use less electricity or gas, so you could save on bills after you upgrade your kitchen repair plan, too.

Signs It’s Time to Give Up and Replace

There comes a point where cooker repair just isn’t worth it, no matter how stubborn you are. The first big sign? Age. Most cookers hit their expiration date after 10 to 15 years. If yours is past that, repairs will keep piling up and performance usually drops off a cliff.

Everyone hates that ‘one burner’ that stops working for good, but if you’re dealing with multiple failure points—like flaky oven temps, non-stop tripping fuses, or a display panel that’s gone dark—it’s usually smarter to retire the whole thing. Replacement parts for older models can get pricey fast or might not even be available. A typical stat: nearly 30% of homeowners who repair an appliance older than a decade end up needing another repair visit within 18 months.

Look for safety warnings too. If you smell gas or spot electrical burning, stop everything and get it checked—sometimes that’s not even worth fixing. And if energy bills are creeping up, an old cooker could be sucking more power than you think. Swapping it for a new model with better energy ratings seriously cuts down monthly costs in the long run.

Here’s a quick rundown of signs you should ditch your old unit:

• Repairs cost more than half the price of a new cooker
• Replacement parts are obsolete or too expensive
• Consistent safety risks (gas leaks, sparks, or overheating)
• Multiple repeated breakdowns despite fixing issues
• Rising energy bills linked to appliance inefficiency

If two or more of these points hit home, it’s probably time to start shopping instead of fixing. Don’t sink money into a lost cause when new home appliances have solid warranties and use less energy.

DIY Fixes vs. Calling an Expert

If your cooker’s acting up, you’ll probably wonder, “Can I handle this myself or do I need the pros?” Here’s the thing: plenty of cooker repair jobs are totally DIY—if you know what you’re doing and aren’t dealing with anything dodgy like gas leaks.

The most common DIY repairs include:

• Replacing a broken burner or heating element
• Swapping out a worn door seal
• Cleaning clogged burners
• Resetting tripped circuit breakers or swapping out blown fuses

I tried swapping out our oven’s bulb last winter. It took ten minutes and cost less than a fancy coffee. For simple part swaps or cleaning jobs, you’ll save time and cash. Handy tip: always unplug the cooker before getting started—don’t trust the switch alone.

But there are times when DIY is a bad idea. Anything to do with gas leaks, broken igniters, or electrical wiring is best left to certified technicians. Messing up these repairs can turn a small problem into a real hazard.

As appliance expert Andy Spinks puts it:

"If you smell gas or see scorch marks around wiring, don’t touch it. Get out, call the professionals, and let them handle it. Safety first, always."

Here’s a basic guide for when to do it yourself and when to get help:

The more comfortable you get with small fixes, the more you save. For anything involving home appliances safety or where the manual says, “call a pro,” don’t chance it—your cooker isn’t worth risking your health or your house.

Making the Final Decision

This is the moment of truth—should you invest in cooker repair or bite the bullet and shop for something shiny and new? It’s not just about the price of fixing it up. You’ve got to factor in age, reliability, energy use, and your own comfort with living without it if things go south again.

Here’s a practical checklist you can use before deciding:

• Cost of repair vs. replacement: If fixing the cooker costs more than half the price of a new one, it usually isn’t worth it. Brands often release newer models with better energy efficiency and features every few years—sometimes it’s smarter to upgrade.
• Age of your cooker: Most modern cookers last 10 to 15 years. If yours is getting up there, new problems could pop up soon after the first repair. Reliability matters.
• Frequency of issues: Have you already called in a technician this year? Repeated breakdowns are a big red flag. You don’t want a home appliance turning into a money pit.
• Energy costs: Older cookers can rack up higher bills every month. According to the U.K. Energy Saving Trust, newer electric ovens can be up to 20% more efficient than old models. That adds up over a year.
• Warranty or insurance: If it’s still under warranty or you’ve got appliance insurance, repairs can be free or super cheap. Always check the small print before making a move.

To make things clearer, here’s a simple comparison table for when a repair makes sense versus when you’re better off replacing:

So, what’s the play? Add up your costs and hassle, then trust your gut. Most folks are surprised how often a basic appliance maintenance call fixes the problem, but if you’re just patching up an ancient cooker again and again, your money may be better spent elsewhere—like that dream holiday or a solid new cooker that won’t let you down.