Small appliances work hard for their size. The microwave runs several times a day, the coffee machine every morning, and the air fryer has taken over half the cooking. When one stops, the first question is whether it's worth fixing at all, and the honest answer depends on the appliance, the fault and what a new one would cost.
We repair microwaves, air fryers, coffee machines, blenders, vacuum cleaners and other small appliances at homes across Johannesburg. The technician finds the fault, tells you what the repair involves and what it will cost, and tells you just as plainly when a new one makes more sense. You decide before any work starts. For a portable or split aircon, see aircon repairs.
Small appliances we repair
Microwaves
Air fryers
Espresso machines
Filter coffee machines
Blenders
Portable aircons
Common small appliance faults we fix
Microwave runs but doesn't heat
The light comes on and the plate turns, but the food stays cold. A failed high-voltage diode, capacitor or magnetron, or a door switch that isn't closing properly, is the usual cause. These are high-voltage parts: never open the case yourself.
Microwave sparking inside
Foil, a fork or a dish with metallic trim is the usual reason. If it sparks with nothing metal inside, a burnt cover over the opening inside the cavity, or chipped paint on the walls, is likely. Stop using it until it has been checked.
Air fryer won't switch on
Many air fryers won't start unless the basket clicks fully into place, so check that and the plug first. After that, a blown thermal fuse, the power switch or the control board is usually at fault.
Air fryer not heating
The fan runs but the food comes out pale. The heating element or its thermostat has usually failed, or grease has built up around the element and the vents.
Coffee machine not pumping water
An empty or badly seated water tank, an airlock in the pump or limescale in the water path are the common causes. A pump that buzzes loudly with no water coming through, after descaling, is a pump fault.
Blender hums but won't turn
The blade assembly has jammed, the drive coupling between the jug and the base has worn, or the motor has overheated and cut out. Unplug it and let it cool before you try again.
Vacuum cleaner lost its suction
A full bag or bin, a clogged filter, a blocked hose or a brush roll wrapped in hair is behind most of it. If suction is still weak after you've cleared those, a seal or the motor needs attention.
Is a small appliance worth repairing?
It depends on what the appliance cost and what has failed. A good coffee machine, a built-in microwave or a large air fryer is usually worth a repair, because the common faults (a pump, a seal, a heating element, a switch or a fuse) cost a fraction of a new one. A low-cost countertop microwave or a budget kettle often isn't, and the technician will say so rather than sell you a repair that doesn't make sense.
No call-out fee when we repair it. If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. On a lower-priced appliance, it's worth asking us first: send a photo of the appliance and its model sticker on WhatsApp, describe the fault, and we'll tell you whether a visit makes sense. Our repair or replace check works for small appliances too.
Microwaves: what not to do
A microwave is the one small appliance where home repairs are genuinely dangerous. Inside the case, the capacitor can hold a charge that injures even when the microwave is unplugged. Leave the inside to a technician, and:
- Don't run it empty: food or water needs to be inside to absorb the energy.
- Stop it straight away if it sparks, and take out anything metal before you try again.
- Stop using it if the door doesn't close properly or the microwave runs with the door open.
- Keep the inside clean: food that burns onto the walls or the cover inside the cavity can start the sparking.
Coffee machines and limescale
Scale from tap water is behind a lot of coffee machine trouble: weak flow, lukewarm coffee, a pump that labours and machines that stop mid-cup. Descale as often as your manual says, with the descaler it recommends, and more often if your water leaves white marks in the kettle. Empty and refill the water tank regularly rather than topping it up.
If the machine still won't pump after descaling, or it leaks underneath, the pump, a seal or a valve needs a technician. Tell us the make and model when you book, because espresso machines vary a lot inside.
Load shedding and small appliances
Microwaves, air fryers and coffee machines with digital controls don't like the surge when the power comes back. Unplug them, or switch them off at the wall, during load shedding, and switch them on again once the power is steady. If one stays dead or shows an error afterwards, check the plug point first, then book a technician.
No call-out fee when we repair it.If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. The technician finds the fault and explains the repair before any work starts, so you decide whether to go ahead.
Book a repairSmall appliance repair questions
Why is my microwave running but not heating?
Usually a failed high-voltage part: the magnetron, the diode or the capacitor, or a door switch that tells the microwave the door is open. First check the power level isn't set low and the door closes firmly. Don't open the case: the capacitor can hold a dangerous charge even when unplugged. If it still won't heat, book a technician.
Why won't my air fryer turn on?
Check the plug point with another appliance, then make sure the basket clicks fully into place, because most air fryers won't start without it. Some go into standby, so press the power button once. If it's still dead, a blown thermal fuse, the switch or the control board has usually failed, and that's a repair: book a technician.
Why is my microwave sparking inside?
Usually metal: foil, a fork, a twist tie or a dish with metallic trim. If it sparks with nothing metal inside, food burnt onto the walls, a damaged cover over the opening inside the cavity or chipped paint is the likely cause. Stop it, unplug it and let it cool. If it sparks again once it's clean, book a technician.
Why has my vacuum cleaner lost suction?
Almost always a blockage: a full bag or bin, a dirty filter, a clogged hose or wand, or hair wrapped around the brush roll. Empty it, clean or replace the filter, and check the hose by dropping a coin through it. If suction is still weak after all that, a worn seal or the motor is at fault: book a technician.
Is it worth repairing a microwave?
A built-in or larger microwave usually is, especially for a door switch, a fuse or a diode. On a low-cost countertop model with a failed magnetron, a new one often makes more sense, and the technician will tell you so. Send us a photo of the model sticker first if you're unsure, or try our repair or replace check.
How much does it cost to repair a small appliance?
It depends on the appliance and the part: a fuse or a switch is a small job, a pump or a heating element costs more. The technician tells you the price before any work starts. No call-out fee when we repair it. If no repair is done, a R500 call-out applies. See how our prices work.
Why is my coffee machine not pumping water?
Start with the water tank: make sure it's full and pushed firmly into place. An airlock after the tank ran dry is common, so prime the pump as your manual describes. If the flow has been weakening for a while, descale it. A machine that buzzes loudly with no water after all that has a pump fault: book a technician.
Why is my microwave not working after load shedding?
Often the surge when the power came back blew the microwave's internal fuse, or the plug point or a breaker tripped. Check the plug point with another appliance and the DB board first, then unplug the microwave for a few minutes and try again. If the display stays dark, the fuse or the control board needs a technician: book one.
