Knives

Starting off with what we know best, how often you need to replace your kitchen knives will depends upon how well you’ve been looking after them.

If you invest in a good quality knife sharpener and make sure to regularly hone and shape them, they’ll last a lot longer.

That being said, all knives will reach the end of their lives at some point and there are a couple of things that you should look out for that might suggest it’s time to replace them.

For example, while small nicks in the blade are to be expected, large chips are a sign of a bigger problem.

Other things to look out for include the tip becoming bent, or the rivets on the handle starting to come loose, both of which mean it’s time for a new knife.

Obviously, this all depends on the knife itself and how much you use it, but good knives, that are properly looked after, should last you a very long time!

Pots & Pans

While some cookware (especially those made from the likes of cast iron) can last forever, much like knives, it’s all about how well you look after them.

Most of the time our pans end up looking a bit worse for wear, mainly just because they’re not being cleaned properly.

If they’re still looking a bit grim after a proper clean, then it might be time to replace. For regular non-stick cookware, you’ll probably want to replace them after around five years of use.

Just keep an eye on the surface. If it’s started to become pitted or peeling away, then it’s time to buy some new ones.

Chopping Boards

Your chopping board probably gets used at least once a day, so they’re bound to develop some wear and tear sooner rather than later.

However, there comes a point where a worn chopping board could prove a danger, whether that’s through the build-up bacteria or the risk of your knife slipping and causing injury.

How long you can use a chopping board will depend on whether it’s plastic or wooden, but generally speaking, if it’s starting to develop deep grooves that you struggle to clean, or they’re just looking excessively worn, don’t hesitate to replace them.

Generally speaking, plastic boards are more likely to get warped (if you’re putting them through the dishwasher) and they also don’t resist bacteria growth as well as wooden boards, so they’ll probably need to be replaced more frequently.

Sponges

It’s often said that your kitchen sponge contains more bacteria than your toilet, so just how often do you need to replace yours?

Some people recommend that you need to be using a new one as frequently as every day and while this will obviously ensure that you’re not building up any dangerous germs, it’s not totally necessary.

Instead, if make sure that you always use it with hot, soapy water and make sure to at least clean it and decontaminate with bleach daily, then you should be fine to use a sponge for about one to two weeks.

Spices

Spices can often sit on the rack unused for many, many years and while they do last a fair while, it’s important to remember that they’re an ingredient and you need to keep on top of their shelf life.

Ground spices generally last for around eight months, while for whole spice it’s a little longer (one to two years).

Of course, this depends on the spice itself and some will last longer, like sticks of cinnamon, but some finely ground powders will lose their flavour in a matter of months.

Refrigerator

Moving onto appliances, a fridge can last you anywhere from six to fifteen years. The older they get, the more likely it is that you’ll probably want to just get a new one rather than trying to get your current one repaired.

In fact, many people are more likely to purchase a new fridge earlier rather than later, not because there’s anything wrong with their current one, but just because they want to keep their kitchen up to date with the latest technology.

Oven

The lifespan of an oven depends on the type, as well as how often you use it. A gas oven could last anywhere from ten to 18 years, while for an electric model it’s more likely to be around 13 to 15 years.

Countertops

While some countertops, such as stone and marble will probably last the whole time you’re living in a house, laminate ones will usually only last a maximum of 20 years due to wear and tear.

Of course, just because a countertop is going to last forever doesn’t mean that you can’t give it a modern refresh if you want to!

Hopefully, this has given you a very rough idea as to how long certain tools and appliances in the kitchen should last before they need replacing.

If you do need to replace your current set of kitchen knives, be sure to browse our extensive selection of knife sets and individual knives!