How long does an electric cooker last?
Typical
13 years
Range
10–15 years
A freestanding electric cooker (also sold as a range or stove) typically lasts around 13 years — the same machinery as a built-in oven with a hob on top. Rings, elements and fans are cheap consumables; the control board, door hardware and hob top are what decide when the whole unit retires.
What decides it
- Grease build-up making elements and fans run hotter
- Ceramic-top care — a cracked hob glass on an older model can write off the cooker
- Door seal integrity — heat escaping past a tired seal cooks the electronics
- Being freestanding helps: no cabinetry to dismantle, so repairs stay cheap
When to replace rather than repair
Rings, elements, fans and thermostats are cheap fixes at any age; a failed control board or cracked hob glass past year 10 usually means a new cooker.
Typical ranges from manufacturer guidance and industry surveys — individual machines vary with use and care. General information, not advice on a specific appliance.