So I would not call it a shameless plug but more of a who knew it could last this long type thing.
My condo I bought ~3 years ago still to this day has the builders grade GE kitchen appliance package that was installed back in 2000, I have confirmed all of the appliance tags they were built in 1999. I bought into this place thinking something was going to break (dishwasher or fridge mainly) in short order but shockingly everything still working pretty much like new with not a single issue to report in 3 years.
Dishwasher - We eat mostly at home so dishwasher gets run probably 5 of 7 days per week and cleans just as well as the new non-builder grade Whirlpool in the apartment I moved here from. I had to do some cleaning of it when I moved in as prior owner did zero cleaning maintenance on it for the 17 years they were here. Because it is builders grade from 2000 its noisy as heck so I dynamatted the door to quiet it down a little.
Range - only thing I have had to do with it is replace the burner drip trays and re-calibrate the oven temp (it was off by ~25 degrees) which only took a $10 oven thermometer, screwdriver and some time waiting for it to heat up and cool down. Took about 5 tries to get it adjusted just right but now its almost spot on, with the cycling it cools to about 340 during off cycles and hits 350 during on cycles with a 350 setting.
Microwave - its a microwave, nothing to do here except clean the interior.
Fridge - I need to get some attachments from Amazon to try to clean the coils buried under the fridge so all I have done is just cleaned the kick plate vents. I'm sure the coils are thick with dust after 20 years but if it kicks the bucket so be it.
Yes the appliances are ugly and 20 years old and they need to be replaced if I decide I want to sell this place and move on, I would take a huge hit on value if I tried to sell with these old dusty appliances. On the other hand I don't have any current plans to leave and not a huge fan of these appliances either (mainly the noisy dishwasher) but have a hard time justifying throwing out working appliances despite their age or appearance.
Getting sidetracked here. Main point is builders grade stuff is not as bad as perceived, well at least back in 1999-2000. Even the builders grade (FirstCo) heat pump and air handler was still doing ok after 18 years, I pre-emptively replaced it last year as it was breaking down 2-3x per year and R22 prices were about to skyrocket.
My condo I bought ~3 years ago still to this day has the builders grade GE kitchen appliance package that was installed back in 2000, I have confirmed all of the appliance tags they were built in 1999. I bought into this place thinking something was going to break (dishwasher or fridge mainly) in short order but shockingly everything still working pretty much like new with not a single issue to report in 3 years.
Dishwasher - We eat mostly at home so dishwasher gets run probably 5 of 7 days per week and cleans just as well as the new non-builder grade Whirlpool in the apartment I moved here from. I had to do some cleaning of it when I moved in as prior owner did zero cleaning maintenance on it for the 17 years they were here. Because it is builders grade from 2000 its noisy as heck so I dynamatted the door to quiet it down a little.
Range - only thing I have had to do with it is replace the burner drip trays and re-calibrate the oven temp (it was off by ~25 degrees) which only took a $10 oven thermometer, screwdriver and some time waiting for it to heat up and cool down. Took about 5 tries to get it adjusted just right but now its almost spot on, with the cycling it cools to about 340 during off cycles and hits 350 during on cycles with a 350 setting.
Microwave - its a microwave, nothing to do here except clean the interior.
Fridge - I need to get some attachments from Amazon to try to clean the coils buried under the fridge so all I have done is just cleaned the kick plate vents. I'm sure the coils are thick with dust after 20 years but if it kicks the bucket so be it.
Yes the appliances are ugly and 20 years old and they need to be replaced if I decide I want to sell this place and move on, I would take a huge hit on value if I tried to sell with these old dusty appliances. On the other hand I don't have any current plans to leave and not a huge fan of these appliances either (mainly the noisy dishwasher) but have a hard time justifying throwing out working appliances despite their age or appearance.
Getting sidetracked here. Main point is builders grade stuff is not as bad as perceived, well at least back in 1999-2000. Even the builders grade (FirstCo) heat pump and air handler was still doing ok after 18 years, I pre-emptively replaced it last year as it was breaking down 2-3x per year and R22 prices were about to skyrocket.