How to Decide: Repair or Replace Cooktop
Here’s when you should fix your cooktop—and when it’s time to get a new one
Highlights
Repairing a cooktop can be a fast and affordable job.
If your cooktop isn’t at the end of its life span, try repairing before replacing.
Replace old cooktops that are malfunctioning or pose a safety risk.
Common cooktop issues include a gas burner that won’t ignite or a single electric burner that won’t come on.
Gas leaks and sparks are major cooktop problems that may necessitate replacement instead of repair.
A cooktop is an important appliance in the kitchen. If yours stops working, you’ll find you’re unable to make many of your favorite meals. But before you drop a bunch of money to replace a broken cooktop, stop to consider if it’s possible (and worth it) to repair the appliance instead.
Below, we’ll help you evaluate whether you should repair or replace a cooktop—and how much each option costs.
Note: For this guide, we are discussing standalone cooktops, which are different from gas or electric stove tops as part of a larger oven/stove appliance.
Is It Worth It to Repair a Cooktop?
Not sure if it makes sense to repair or replace your cooktop? The table below breaks down factors that can help you decide:
| Repair Cooktop | Replace Cooktop |
|---|---|
| It’s a premium appliance that was expensive to purchase | It’s a cheap cooktop that would be cheap to replace |
| It’s still under warranty or covered by a home warranty | It is not covered by any warranty |
| It is less than 10 years old | It is 10 years or older |
| The issue is minor, or the damage is cosmetic | The issue is major |
Let’s break down these cooktop repair vs. replacement factors a little further:
Cost of the Cooktop
If you spent the money for a premium cooktop (in the thousands of dollars), it makes a lot more sense to try to repair the cooktop than simply replace it. Repairing a cooktop may cost as little as $100 or $200—not a high price to pay to salvage an expensive appliance you’ve already invested in.
However, if you have a cheap cooktop, it’s likely not worth the cost to replace it. Instead, purchase a new cooktop, and consider spending a little more to get a higher-quality (and likely longer-lasting) model.
Warranty
If your cooktop is under warranty, work with the manufacturer to get it repaired. The manufacturer will likely send a technician out, who can advise on the proper repair (or, in some cases, replacement). Similarly, if your cooktop is protected by a home warranty, you should go through your home warranty company to get the unit repaired, rather than replace it.
If your cooktop is no longer under warranty, it still may make sense to repair it rather than replace it. Just note that you’ll be footing the bill either way.
Age of the Appliance
Gas, electric, and induction cooktops last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. If your cooktop is on the younger end, it makes sense to replace it. Assuming you can fix the issue, you could get another 5 to 10 years out of it.
However, if you have an older cooktop model and it’s started to malfunction, it likely makes to replace it, rather than throw more money at it to try to fix it.
Extent of Damage
Cooktops are relatively easy to fix if you’re a trained appliance installer or technician. Simply call a trusted appliance repair contractor near you, and they can likely fix basic issues in an hour or two.
Even if you don’t get your cooktop repaired immediately, you might be able to work around some issues for the time being. For instance, if the gas burner won’t light, you can use your own lighter to get the cooktop going. Or if only a single electric burner is out, you can work with the other burners temporarily.
However, if there’s a larger issue—like none of the burners are working, you can smell gas, or there are sparks when you turn the burners on—repairs may be off the table. Instead, you may need to hire a local appliance installer to install a new cooktop for you.
How Long Does a Cooktop Last?
Cooktops last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. If your cooktop is new (or even somewhere between 5 and 10 years), it often makes more sense to repair it, as you can expect another 5 to 10 years out of the unit. But if your cooktop is malfunctioning and is 10 years or older, it probably makes more sense to replace it.
Cost to Repair a Cooktop vs. Cost to Replace a Cooktop
Repairing a cooktop is generally much more affordable than replacing a cooktop. Though pricing will vary depending on the type and extent of the issue, appliance repair costs for a cooktop generally range between $100 and $500.
Replacing a cooktop is much more expensive. Assuming your kitchen is already set up with the proper connections and surfaces—and you’re simply removing a broken cooktop to install a new one of the same stove dimensions and power source—you should budget between $70 and $155 for the appliance installation cost.
But that’s only for the labor. The units themselves can range from $300 to $2,500, depending on type of cooktop:
Electric cooktops are the most affordable and cost between $200 and $1,000 for a new unit.
Gas cooktops are slightly more expensive, at $300 to $1,500 for a new unit.
Induction cooktops cost the most; you will spend anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 for the new cooktop. Induction cooktops are a great alternative to a gas stove.
When to Repair a Cooktop
Here are some scenarios where it makes sense to repair a cooktop:
The Gas Burner Won’t Ignite
If you can’t get your gas cooktop to light, you can work around the issue by using your own lighter. Over time, this can get obnoxious. A repair tech can usually fix the issue in under an hour.
Not sure who to call to fix a gas stove? In most cases, we recommend a gas plumber near you.
An Electric Burner Is Out
If only one of your electric burners is out, there could be a loose connection. If the cooktop is otherwise still in good shape, it makes sense to have that single burner repaired rather than replace the entire unit.
Here are some other reasons your electric stove may not be working.
The On Light Isn’t Working
If you’re able to turn your cooktop on and use it without issue—but the “on” light simply won’t come on—you can call in a tech for a simple repair.
The Burner Won’t Turn Off
More troubling is if you get your cooktop on but can’t get the burners to turn off. Call in a pro to fix the issue as soon as possible. (Unplug the appliance for the time being.)
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Repair a Cooktop
Unless you have ample experience working with electric appliances or gas hookups, we highly recommend hiring a pro to handle cooktop repair. Risks of DIY include electric shock and gas leaks—or simply misdiagnosing or incorrectly fixing the issue.
When to Replace a Cooktop
There are a few scenarios where you’ll need to replace the cooktop instead of repairing it, including if:
There’s a Gas Leak
Gas cooktops are great for cooking, but they pose a lot of dangers. If you suspect your cooktop is leaking gas, shut off the gas supply and replace the unit as soon as possible.
There Are Sparks
Notice sparks when you turn on the electric cooktop? There are likely poor connections, broken coils, or frayed wires. A tech might be able to repair the issue, but you’ll probably need to replace the unit.
It’s Old
Even if the issue is repairable, repairing an old, failing cooktop may not make the most financial sense. If you have an old unit, use this opportunity to get a new one, rather than fix a cooktop that is likely to break down again soon.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Replace a Cooktop
Replacing one cooktop with another (as long as it’s the same size and type) can be quite easy for homeowners, but you may want an experienced appliance technician to inspect the old cooktop to determine if repair is possible before deciding to replace it.
In that case, it may make more sense simply to pay the appliance contractor to swap in a new cooktop for the old one, if they’re already in your home inspecting the cooktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Repairing a cooktop is often worth it, as long as the cooktop isn’t old. In many cases, repairs are simple and affordable, compared to the cost of installing a new cooktop, which can be in the thousands of dollars.
Often, it’s better to repair a cooktop. As long as the issue is minor and the cooktop isn’t near the end of its life, you’ll spend less money—and send less waste to the landfill—by repairing your current cooktop instead of replacing it with a new one. You should, however, replace a malfunctioning cooktop if it’s at the end of its life or beyond repair.
Stoves generally last between 10 and 15 years. A 20-year-old stove has more than done its duty; if your old stove is broken, it usually makes much more sense to install a new one. In fact, a stove that old is likely highly inefficient; you could save a lot of money on your gas or electric bill by upgrading to a newer model.