15 year old electrical appliance, virtually unused--safe to use?

August 1, 2023 5:57 AM

We've got a toaster oven which, for reasons that are not terribly interesting, was never used more than once or twice. We hate to throw it out rather than donating it or giving it to somebody. But is there something inherently unsafe about using a kinda-cheap appliance that's 15-odd years old? Will the components have deteriorated in some invisible way that makes it not safe? Thanks for your thoughts.
posted by Sing Or Swim to Home & Garden (19 answers total)

Unless it got wet, I think it'll be fine. Just plug it in and try it. If you're very concerned about it failing in some spectacular fashion (very unlikely), test it outside with an extension cord.
posted by alex1965 at 6:09 AM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

My only relevant experience here is that somebody gave me a vintage 1950s toaster for my wedding (in 2012) and it was fine until one of my kids toasted a yogurt lid in it. If I were you, I would use the toaster oven. If it works, great; if not, no big loss.
posted by number9dream at 6:10 AM on August 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

That's a normal age for a small kitchen appliance and if it's in good condition and working you should absolutely give it to someone who can use it!
posted by fritley at 6:12 AM on August 1, 2023 [6 favorites]

I'm still using a 20+ year old cheap Black and Decker toaster oven daily. No reason to be believe it's faulty just because it's old.
posted by advicepig at 6:32 AM on August 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

Unless it smells weird -- mold/mildew, or a burned smell -- I would throw a piece of bread in it and give it a go!

Stay nearby and keep your oven mitts handy in case things go poorly and you need to unplug it in a hurry.

But if you can't see any visible damage, it's unlikely to have the kind of hidden problems (e.g., burst capacitors) that plague more-complex electronics.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:37 AM on August 1, 2023

We just started using a ??-year-old microwave that we've moved with us but not used because the last couple of places we lived in had microwaves already. I absolutely had the same moment of "hmm, is this going to be OK?" But it was stored in a dry place in a box (thus out of the sun) and it turns out to be totally fine, fully operable.
posted by wintersweet at 6:38 AM on August 1, 2023

I was just using a hot plate from the ***1970s*** and it worked well for several months until it shot out sparks at me the other day. But, kidding aside, from this I infer that a 15-year-old thing is fine. I wouldn't think twice about using it.
posted by 8603 at 6:46 AM on August 1, 2023

15 years is nothing. Donate it, it will be useful to someone.
posted by mumimor at 6:51 AM on August 1, 2023

I'd just check to see if the power cord has deteriorated in any way. Sometimes the cheaper plastics can get brittle or dry out and the cord will start cracking apart when bent.

If that's okay, I'd say you're fine.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:56 AM on August 1, 2023 [5 favorites]

I'm using a vintage art deco toaster of my grandmother's that had its cord replaced sometime in the 50s (it's cloth-wrapped!) I should probably get its cord replaced again, but it makes the. best. toast. So I say go for it.
posted by restless_nomad at 7:13 AM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

I legit use a clothes iron from the 70s occasionally. I had the same doubts but as long as there's no visible damage, sparks or burnt smell, I wouldn't think twice about using anything made in this century.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 8:19 AM on August 1, 2023

I regularly use a toaster oven that's even older than that for baking my poly clay pieces. Please donate it - there's lots of life left in it!
posted by sarajane at 8:32 AM on August 1, 2023

Fire it up outside the first time. There will be dust on the coils and it burns off the first time you use it, just like electric wall heaters in the fall.
posted by flimflam at 9:29 AM on August 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

Of you've never dropped it hard, then get out the jelly and get ready to toast.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:35 AM on August 1, 2023

Our toaster oven is from the 1970s and gets used daily. I expect yours is perfectly fine.
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:07 AM on August 1, 2023

If you are afraid that it might be unsafe, you shouldn’t donate it!
posted by Samarium at 5:52 PM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

I would not worry about it being unsafe, but I guarantee the first time you use it it will smell bad as it burns off whatever dust it gathered in 15 years that you didn't manage to wipe off. You might want to run it outside, at least for the first time.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 6:36 PM on August 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

The parts in a toaster oven don't degrade all that quickly even with use; most of the time what kills them is one of the heating elements breaking or food residue causing problems. You'll be fine.
posted by Aleyn at 1:24 AM on August 2, 2023

Response by poster: Sounds like a pretty clear consensus. I expect we'll donate it and make its age known to whoever takes it. Thanks for your thoughts!
posted by Sing Or Swim at 5:29 PM on August 2, 2023