Several years ago, the oven quit working in our kitchen stove. The stove top worked fine, but the oven was dead. We have a propane stove in a nearby shed for emergencies, like when the power goes out, so for a few months I trotted back and forth between the house and the shed whenever I needed to bake cookies, or a pie, or a casserole. I was younger then; now I don't think I'd have the ambition to do that. I had kids at home to help, too. Eventually we decided to shop in the local classifieds newspaper for a used stove, rather than invest in a brand new one. We found one, reasonably priced, about 20 miles away. We are still using that stove. My husband has replaced the element in the oven at least once, I'm sure, but it just keeps operating, for which I am grateful.
On the other hand, many of our small appliances recently gave out. The electric griddle, the crock pot, and the hand vac all reached the end of their lifespans within a short time period. I'd rather have $35 items quit on me than $500 items. We are on our fourth used fridge since we bought this house. Only a certain size can be squeezed through the narrow passage into the kitchen, and there is only one spot where it can be placed. I hope this one lasts a few more years! I may have to succumb and purchase a brand new one next time, hoping it will last a long time. But the older ones often last longer than a new one. Appliances were made to last longer, years ago.
