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Original poster

Appliances that have lasted forever!

130 replies

Dogcatmousedog · 13/12/2023 18:48

Have just emptied tumble dryer and it occurred to me that this amazing dryer is over 28 years old ! Have had a new washing machine delivered today ,and we have replaced washing machine every 3-4 years !
Anyone else ?

OP posts:
TwoMoreBoxesJayne · 14/12/2023 00:27

I think the energy consumption on some old appliances is shocking compared with new ones. Might be worth getting them checked out using a smart meter (turn everything else off and just run the appliance)

CatSighs · 14/12/2023 00:29

We bought a very basic Tesco microwave when we got married 18 years ago. It finally gave up the ghost last week. Like PPs, it was originally white but ended up a creamy yellow shade.

CatSighs · 14/12/2023 00:35

I think the energy consumption on some old appliances is shocking compared with new ones. Might be worth getting them checked out using a smart meter (turn everything else off and just run the appliance)

This is probably true, but as I understand it, the largest part of an appliance's carbon footprint is during its manufacture (the materials required to make it, the energy needed to power the factory and transport it around the world to your kitchen etc). So it's often better from a "green" perspective to continue to use an old, energy-guzzling appliance until it no longer works, rather than replacing prematurely with a new, energy efficient one.

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Home improvement
threecupsofteaminimum · 14/12/2023 01:23

My mums tumble dryer is 47 years old!

stepintochristmas1 · 14/12/2023 01:26

threecupsofteaminimum · 14/12/2023 01:23

My mums tumble dryer is 47 years old!

Does your mum have washboard as well 😁

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 14/12/2023 01:36

I am actually surprised tumble dryers were invented 47 years ago. Though less surprised it’s lasted - the timespan of planned obsolescence has shortened.

Madwife123 · 14/12/2023 01:43

Omg what am I doing wrong!

Nothing lasts that long in my house!

The oldest is probably my hairdryer that’s about 6 years old but it makes some suspicious sounding noises when used too long so I suspect it’s on its way out.

HollywoodTease · 14/12/2023 02:06

I bought a blender to puree food for my baby son. That was in 1986 and it's still in working order.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 14/12/2023 04:06

I have my mum’s hand mixer, I remember her getting it about 1972. Dd suggested buying a new one, but there’s no point. I’d only use it to make more cake, which I seriously don’t need.

Phillipa12 · 14/12/2023 04:52

Henry. Mine is 11 years old and still going strong, even the builders couldn't break him.

TheSandgroper · 14/12/2023 05:28

My chopping board from 1907-1910 when my GG parents lived in Argentina. One of those round ones. My mother remember it saying Pane around the edge but that was scrubbed away by the time I got it.

Hairdryer from Dunne’s Stores 1990. I don’t use it much, though. Assorted Sunbeam Mixmasters and Kenwood Chefs from then’60’s and ‘70’s tucked away.

My mothers nativity from 1950. I’m just about to put it up again.

EtiennePalmiere · 14/12/2023 10:51

My parents have a miele from the late 90s that still works great, it's so satisfying to use. It replaced a hoover from the 40s that did work but didn't have great suction. Some family friends had a drinks fridge that looked like it was from the 40s, a really cool design.

For me, a knockoff nutri bullet from 2018 probably. Not so impressive but I move a lot !

AffIt · 14/12/2023 11:02

We have an 18-year-old Dyson.

I wish it would hurry up and die, because I hate it, but I'm too parsimonious to spend money replacing something that functions perfectly well and it seems to be staying alive out of spite...

LaChatte · 14/12/2023 11:42

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 14/12/2023 00:19

Oh yes my bike is older than me, and my Mum has a house plant older than me. I am mid forties

Show quote history

Ooh yes DM also has a maidenhair fern that's older than me (40s).

Sequinne · 14/12/2023 11:57

I’m 36 but didn’t really own many of my own appliances till I was early 30s (when we bought our first home)
Hopefully some of the things we bought will stand the test of time like everything on here!!

Having said that, our Henry Hoover has lasted 12 years so far. We inherited it from a kindly old landlord whose house we rented for many years, he gave it to us as a leaving present!🥹

Delphigirl · 14/12/2023 12:05

My washing machine and dryer both date from 2003. Both Miele.
I also have a purple hairdryer (Cindy Crawford edition 🤣) which i bought in 1990 and still works fine (for visitors, I don’t blow dry ever, so it’s only had the equivalent of about 2 years use!)
I had a kenwood hand-held mixer from 1997 working absolutely perfectly (and stored in its original box) but i dropped it on a stone floor and smashed the casing a couple of months ago. I was so sad! Have replaced it with something seemingly identical which I have high hopes will outlive me.

Rollingdownland · 14/12/2023 12:06

My Samsung fridge is 13 years old
My Delonghi Magnifica lasted 11 years

Original poster
Dogcatmousedog · 14/12/2023 12:14

Madwife123 · 14/12/2023 01:43

Omg what am I doing wrong!

Nothing lasts that long in my house!

The oldest is probably my hairdryer that’s about 6 years old but it makes some suspicious sounding noises when used too long so I suspect it’s on its way out.

That’s the problem, it’s all the old goods that last ! Anything I have bought in the last 20 years has to be replaced every few years . I now go for cheap , more expensive washing machines,dishwashers ,microwaves etc just breakdown just as often from my experiences!

OP posts:
Storynanny1 · 14/12/2023 12:15

My kenwood chef is a mid 70’s model ( inherited from my neighbour) and is still going strong. One small repair a couple of years ago and the repair man said there’s hardly anything to go wrong on a chef so will “ see me out”!

First edition of ghd’s still going strong

Sewing machine for my 18 th ( so almost 50 years old) still going strong for the friend I gave it to when I upgraded to a fancy computer one.

FlibbedyFlobbedyFloo · 14/12/2023 12:16

Reallybadidea · 13/12/2023 18:57

My hairdryer still works after 33 years. It's a bit annoying actually because I wouldn't mind a new one but it seems a shame to throw it away 😂

Same here, mine is 30 years old. It wasn't even expensive and is a travel hairdryer with a folding handle!

Storynanny1 · 14/12/2023 12:17

Talking of kenwood, my original food processor from 1982 lasted til 2010, in use every day. I’ve had 3 since then , all kenwood, which have packed up after a couple of years of much lighter use.

hashisucks · 14/12/2023 12:18

My Dualit toaster is 25. My last Miele washing machine lasted 20+ years hoping new one will do same! On the flip side a new Samsung fridge freezer is (literally) disintegrating after 2 years.

Konfetka · 14/12/2023 12:18

1950s Singer sewing machine. Made in Scotland. No doubt it will still be humming along in another 70 years.

hashisucks · 14/12/2023 12:19

Oh and my Nespresso machine (a v basic one - one of the first models I think) is 16!

FlibbedyFlobbedyFloo · 14/12/2023 12:22

My parents have fairy lights that I have just worked out are 55 years old!