Do any of you keep spare appliances?

[D60]

If you know for sure you need it, then yes the store is just a place to hold things for you for a fee. The capital can be used for investment (say T-Bill at 3.5% state income tax free), the living space freed up, and you can wait for a discount.

The permanent storage space is the biggest cost to me in my area. Storing all the spare would be an equivalent to upgrading or downgrading my house to a new size that cost an extra 600k for the space, or a personal storage space in a warehouse that cost $200 a month.

Most people likely aren't in that bad of a shape when things break if they are not going to flood your house and your condo downstairs neighbor. You can still microwave your dinner for a few days or bake in the oven, or grab a $70 microwave driving 30 mins to a store. Fridge can be a problem but there are plenty of old fridge on craigslist people want to get rid of just because they are remodeling. Buying used then get rid of it cheap is likely just a quick cheap rent that isn't going to break the bank and just a temporary garage storage instead of a permanent eyesore as a spare. We all know how to wash dishes by hand so it is not that big of a deal really.

Also one last thing: your warranty start when you buy it, and if you keep a spare in the warehouse for 5 years since new you lose all the warranty for nothing.

If you're into car camping (the kool kids need to say overlanding), something like an ARB/Dometic is a quick answer for temporary refrigeration

 

[97prizm]

I don't have any spare appliances..... But maybe I should think about getting some? I think the washer and the microwave date from about 1984, the fridge and the drier from the 90s, the furnace from 1995, the stove and dishwasher from the early 2000s.... It's funny to look at them and note how the style and design language changes over the years.

Furnaces tend to last twentyish years or so but 1995? That's really good.

 

[PF52]

Furnaces tend to last twentyish years or so but 1995? That's really good.

So far so good..... Hopefully I'm not jinxing myself. I keep it cooler in the house than most people do so I probably don't over-work it.

The HVAC guy comes periodically to service it and the air conditioner. He reminds me every year "it's not getting any younger!".

 

[repairman54]

I have a couple spare small appliances. From combining 2 houses into 1. Laundry equipment, I have spare parts acquired from my retired from job. Plenty of surplus parts. I'll never have to buy another washer or dryer.
Seals and hoses dry out from storing them long term, I've seen it many times. RV antifreeze in the washer may help though to keep pump seals ''wet''. I've only seen the ones that didn't make it.
27 year old Utica oil boiler in my old house was just fine when I sold the place. And it idled all summer staying hot to minimize boiler section excessive expansion to keep the gaskets healthy.

 

[97prizm]

So far so good..... Hopefully I'm not jinxing myself. I keep it cooler in the house than most people do so I probably don't over-work it.

The HVAC guy comes periodically to service it and the air conditioner. He reminds me every year "it's not getting any younger!".

Have you ever had the ducts cleaned? My parents got 21 years out of their original hvac unit. I would always use the 3M 2100 fine mesh backed air filters. I always figured filters were way cheaper than a new unit. What brand is your system?

 

[NibbanaBanana]

We have a Hotpop Microwave Popcorn Popper. $15 from Amazon. It's a large collapsible for storage silicone bowl. Throw in some kernels and into the microwave and pop, pop, pop, about 5 minutes later you have a bowl full of popcorn. It works really well. In case one of you popcorn makers breaks, you can go the silicone bowl that is unbreakable.

I didn't mention that. I also have Orville Redenbacher PowerPop by Presto as a double backup. It sounds like what you have: a microwave popper. Works excellently but you have to be careful not to leave the microwave on too long or you can scorch the popcorn. And it also leaves more unpopped kernels than the hot air popper. The dogs love the kernels though.