8 Kitchen Appliances You Can Buy Used (And Ones You Shouldn't)

Kitchen appliances are getting costlier, and that isn't even news anymore. According to Zonda Media, a housing market research and analytics firm, homeowners spend about 34% more on appliances now than they did 15 years ago, per CNBC. And it's not just because they are more expensive. It's also because, despite the fact that most appliances are smarter now with screens and app integration, they still manage to break down faster compared to older models. This situation only makes buying used kitchen appliances more attractive. With a fraction of the price of a new unit, you might be able to get a used appliance that handles all your needs and lasts longer than a new one. It's almost a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, there are some hidden risks you should consider before buying refurbished or secondhand appliances. Some appliances are great secondhand buys, while others are simply recipes for disappointment and stress when you buy used, with issues like leaks or worn parts. To help you shop confidently for your next kitchen appliance purchase, here's which units can safely be bought used, and which you should avoid for better performance down the line.

With secondhand kitchen appliances, few make as much sense as used ranges. Sure, used ranges may not have all the latest features, but they often still work as they should, and you can shave up to 50% off the cost of a new unit. Plus, they don't make them as strong as they used to. The famed chef, Julia Child, bought a Garland gas stove in 1956, and it's still in working condition today. And we can be certain that stove cooked its fair share of dishes. A used range from a reputable seller can be a solid deal.

If you're going for a used range, there are a few tips you should follow to choose the perfect range for your kitchen. If you find it in a secondhand store, you can start your inspection with a visual check for any noticeable dents, rust, broken knobs, or cracks on glass stovetops. Ensure that the burners ignite or heat up evenly, and that the oven reaches and holds set temperatures. Use some soapy water to check the gas lines in gas models for leaks. Any bubbling indicates a leak, which means the hose has to go.

Chest freezers are a great addition to any kitchen that requires bulk storage of perishables, and if you're planning on getting one, you might want to opt for a used unit. These units are made for one thing only: To keep things frozen. This is why they usually have fewer features than refrigerators, which means fewer moving parts and avenues for things to go wrong. For this reason, chest freezers are very durable. You can expect about 12 to 20 years of functionality from a well-maintained chest freezer, so a fairly-used or refurbished chest freezer still has a lot to give. A used chest freezer might be just what the doctor ordered for your kitchen.

Before you purchase a freezer, there are some preliminary checks you should make to ensure you've got a good unit. Don't skip the visual inspection, as dents and leaks during usage can show that the unit wasn't well-maintained. Next, check the seals, as poor seals can cause energy waste and temperature instability. A freezer is useless if it can't do what the name suggests. Finally, ask how long it's been unplugged, as long idle times can cause compressor issues.

If you bake, then a stand mixer is a great addition to your kitchen. These units are versatile, helping with kneading pastry dough and even mashing potatoes. They are also very durable, especially if it's a reputable foreign or American-made appliance from a brand like KitchenAid. KitchenAid typically offers warranties on its stand mixers for a year from purchase, but they tend to last far beyond that, as the internet is full of people who swear by their KitchenAid mixers' decades-long longevity. With proper maintenance, a good stand mixer can even be passed down like a family heirloom. But stand mixers from reputable brands can cost a fair penny, making the used units even more attractive.

When shopping for a used stand mixer, test the motor on all speeds and check the attachments for wear and tear. Listen carefully as it runs for any screeching or grinding noises, as those are indicators of damaged or weak motor parts. Thanks to the durability of the unit, you can ignore the occasional scratch and dent as long as the mixing portion is functional. Inspect the bowl and mixing arm for corrosion or rust.

Slow cookers aren't for everyone, but if you're in the target demographic, a used crockpot might be a great idea. Slow cookers are designed to cook food over a long period of time, allowing flavors to blend better in meals. These appliances are very durable, usually made with stainless steel and sturdy components. Many have simple features: An on/off switch, three intensity settings (high, low, and warm), and sometimes a timer. This means they have fewer failure points, letting them run at peak efficiency for years.

To find a used crockpot in great condition, start with a visual inspection. Check for dents and cracks, especially on the ceramic insert. If it is cracked, then the food might not heat evenly and could even get contaminated. Check whether the lid of the slow cooker is loose, which can make the cooking even slower. Signs of rust and discoloration are also a no-no, as that can contaminate your food. If everything lines up properly, you can snag an affordable crockpot that even your kids can use. After purchasing, just double-check that the cooker reaches a safe temperature before cooking in it.

Blenders are versatile tools that fit in every kitchen. You can use them to prepare soups, sauces, smoothies, and even crushed ice. A good blender can last for years when maintained properly. They're usually made from sturdy, long-lasting materials that stand the test of time. But there's also the fact that secondhand markets are filled with blenders bought with the intention of making healthier meals that ended up barely-used. Rather than taking up valuable kitchen space, these blenders are sold off for a fraction of the price, and you can snag one of these almost-new units for your home.

Before you get a used blender, inspect the unit thoroughly. Check all the blades for rusting and dullness, as that can affect your food quality. Next, check all the speeds and listen for strange sounds and screeching noises. Finally, check all the available attachments and ensure they're working properly. You should be able to get replacements for the parts if needed, but never bank on those.

Food processors are generally very durable appliances. Just like blenders, they are made to last, with corrosion-resistant materials and sturdy components designed to handle years of chopping and slicing. And just like blenders, you can find many units that are almost new being sold in secondhand shops. Sometimes, homeowners buy food processors with the lofty goal of cooking more often and with natural ingredients, but realize they don't have the time for all that. That becomes another unit in the market that you can get for cheap.

For a used food processor, always go for units from the best kitchen appliance brands like Cuisinart or Ninja, which are known for their quality and longevity. Still, don't buy any unit without testing the motor on all speed settings. Ensure that the motor runs smoothly without any screeching sounds or burning smells. Next, inspect the blades for any rust, bending, or dullness. Check that the bowl and lid lock securely to prevent leaks during usage. You wouldn't want to have your salsa decorating the kitchen when using your new purchase.

From defrosting your meals to making some popcorn for Netflix binge sessions, the microwave is a trusty appliance. They can range in cost from $50 to $2000, but if you're strapped for cash, it's probably a better choice to get a used microwave than to buy a cheap new one. For the same price as a cheap new microwave, you may be able to get a used high-end one with more features than simple defrosting and heating capabilities. Microwaves are durable and have an average lifespan of nine years, which is quite a lot of popcorn for your Friends rewatch marathons.

If you're looking to buy a used microwave, start by checking the door. A faulty door can reduce the unit's heating performance and cause the microwave radiation to leak out. This leads to energy wastage and is also a safety hazard. A faulty door interlock can also prevent the unit from working altogether, thinking the door is open when it's closed, causing erratic heating. If that's all in order, check that the turntables are working and that there aren't any sparks or unusual sounds from the unit during usage.

If you're a wine connoisseur, you might be thinking of getting a wine fridge. Regular fridges are too cold for wines and don't do much about humidity. Wine fridges, on the other hand, have strict humidity control, anti-vibration features, and UV light protection that keeps your wines better for longer. Unfortunately, they also come with high price tags, which is why used models can be enticing. The good news: Many wine coolers are sold to make way for bigger ones or for moving out, so you can find some high-quality units on local listings like Facebook Marketplace.

The first thing to check in a wine fridge is the temperature control. Ask the seller to turn it on for half a day before you see the unit, so you can see it at full functionality. Come with your own thermometer to ensure that the temperature of the fridge is exactly the same as the setting. Check the door seals, noise levels, vibrations, and odors. Ask for the age of the unit as well. Even the nicest wine fridges last for 10 to 15 years, so any used wine fridge that has been in use for that long has one foot in the grave.

Secondhand marketplaces are filled with fridges of all sizes, from countertop refrigerators to huge double-door monstrosities. Finding a deal for a used fridge wouldn't be a problem; the issue is that a used fridge is not a good idea. These units have so many moving parts that a lot can go wrong. Unlike chest freezers that are usually left to run as a second unit in an unobtrusive part of the house, fridges usually see daily usage and wear out more quickly. Seals and gaskets can get loose, leading to temperature instability, and the compressor might wear out. Now, parts are not hard to find, but they can be quite expensive. Besides, an outdated refrigerator can skyrocket your energy bill.

For these reasons, it's not advisable to buy a used fridge as your primary unit. The used fridge may break down, and when it does, you'd need a place to keep your perishables till the repairman comes. If you want to go for a used fridge as a secondary unit, check that all sections of the fridge cool properly. Check whether the door seals are intact and working properly, with no cool air escaping. Take note of any odors, mold, or rust, as those are signs of neglect.

Dishwashers help homeowners save time and water, while surprisingly being more energy-efficient than hand-washing dishes. This appliance is a good addition to every kitchen, but it can be pretty pricey. You'll cough up $300 to $1500 for a new dishwasher, and that doesn't include the installation cost. This is why getting a used dishwasher can be tempting, but it's important that you don't fall for it. Used dishwashers can come with worn pumps, leaky seals, or clogged spray arms that you may not notice before purchase. These issues are costly to fix after installation and can leave your home looking like a wet mess.

People don't usually get rid of dishwashers till they're worn out. However, if you've got a deal on a barely used model, you'll want to run a test cycle before buying. Check the spray arms, the drain, the filter, and the noise. Take note of any burning or moldy smells, which are red flags. Finally, test whether the unit actually cleans dishes properly.

Pressure cookers save you a ton of time when cooking meals. They work by trapping the steam from your meals in the pot, raising the pressure and cooking more energy-efficiently and faster than conventional pots. The high pressure locks moisture and flavor into the food quite effectively, but that's the major reason why this appliance shouldn't be purchased from a thrift store or yard sale. Pressure cooker lids have the important job of keeping the dangerously hot steam in the pot, but if this lid or the valve is faulty, the cooker can explode and burn anyone in the vicinity.

This risk doesn't seem worth it when you can get a new electric pressure cooker for less than $80, and a stovetop pressure cooker somewhere at the $50 mark. Used pressure cookers can also hide worn pressure seals and cracked lids. If you do have to buy used, look for a professionally refurbished pressure cooker, rather than one from a regular secondhand market.

Toasters are great for that early morning toast that just hits the spot with a generous slathering of butter or peanut butter and jelly. You might want to pick up one of these units from the thrift store, but that wouldn't be advisable. Toasters aren't the most durable appliances to begin with, and they're so small that you can't examine their heating elements well enough before making a purchase. This means that a used unit can be hiding degraded heating elements and wiring, leading to uneven toasting. Plus, there may be a ton of internal crumb buildup. Both of these issues are fire hazards during usage.

All this is more stress than it's worth when you can get a new toaster for under $20. As with pressure cookers, if you're set on buying used, go with a professionally refurbished unit from a reliable retailer, rather than grabbing a random toaster from the thrift store. A used toaster oven might be a better idea if you have the counter space for it, but you should know that a toaster oven is one kitchen appliance that experts advise you not to waste your money on.

Investing in a coffee maker can save you money in the long run if you normally buy your coffee each morning. Just avoid trying to save even more by getting a unit from a secondhand store. Coffee makers, especially the high-end ones, have delicate parts that might hide faults that will only be evident during usage. You can never tell how well the machine was maintained or even cleaned, exposing yourself to higher servicing costs and unpleasant residue.

An old coffee maker may also have worn-out parts that need to be replaced, and if the model is old enough, those replacements may be difficult to find. Before purchasing, you'd need to check the age and model of the machine. Ask the seller how the unit was used and maintained, as that can give you a good idea of wear and tear. Questions like "How often was the unit descaled?" and "How frequently were filters changed?" can tell you a lot about its condition.

A vacuum sealer is a kitchen appliance that many home chefs don't know they need until they get one. It works by removing the air from bags and sealing them to keep them airtight. This preserves the food in the bags, improving shelf life and preventing freezer burn. The longevity of the food depends on the integrity of the vacuum and sealing functionality, but you can't be sure of that in used vacuum sealers. These units can have faulty parts that fail to remove enough air, or weak heating strips that allow air into the bags. 

Before making a used vacuum sealer purchase, run a full sealing test to ensure the machine removes air completely and creates a tight seal. Check for wear in the heating strip. If there's inconsistent sealing performance, you should avoid that unit. Finally, check for availability of replacement parts.

Air fryers are all the rage now, so the temptation to get one for your kitchen may be pretty high. However, hopping on the air fryer train with a used unit is probably a bad idea. These appliances only have a lifespan of three to five years with regular maintenance, so there's a high chance you're buying a machine on its last legs. They can also have scratched Teflon coatings, which release toxic fumes at high temperatures, that are toxic to humans and fatal to pet birds.

Inspect any used air fryers for dents, cracks, and scratched Teflon coatings. To be safe, you might want to skip Teflon models entirely and stick to stainless steel or ceramic models. Ensure that the unit was properly maintained and cleaned while it was being used. Check the thermostat's accuracy and the condition of the heating element. And finally, listen for any strange noises when the unit is in use.