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Loose gas stove knobs and gas stove knobs turning too easily are a terrifying concern of consumers who report that the issues have led to gas leaks and even home fires. The knobs are also the subject of investigations into the safety of stoves sold by several manufacturers.
Consumers Warn of Loose Gas Stove Knobs
Indeed, there are dozens of complaints on Consumer Affairs about loose gas stove knobs that turn too easily. These complaints led one local news source, WSOCTV 9 out of Charlotte, N.C., to investigate further, finding that 20 consumers reported loose gas stove knobs on a particular LG stove. LG also reportedly recalled over 150,000 stoves for the same issue in 2012.
The problem is not limited to LG stoves, however. The following companies have also reportedly received complaints about gas stove knobs turning too easily:
- LG
- Whirlpool
- GE
- Electrolux (parent company of Frigidaire)
- Samsung
- Viking Range
- Jenn-Air
- Maytag
- Amana
Consumers say that they have experienced their gas stoves turning on after lightly brushing or bumping the knobs. They also express concern that young children can easily turn on stoves if gas knobs turn too easily.
One woman who reportedly came home to the smell of gas reports that investigators told her it was coming from her stove.
“They said that the back burner [of the stove] had just been leaking gas and I hadn’t used the stove honestly in days,” she told Boston 25 News. “One of us must have just bumped it lightly. If I would have been gone longer, I mean I just happened to be gone for two hours, if I had been gone longer, I don’t know what could have happened.”
Solutions if Gas Stove Knobs Turn Too Easily
According to Boston News 25, one easy solution is to use gas stove knob locks to ensure that nobody can inadvertently turn on the appliance. Reportedly, these devices cost less than $10 and come in a variety to match kitchen décor.
Chicago Tribune reporters reviewed various stove knob options and recommend consumers consider the following factors:
- The size and placement of the knob
- Removal of the cover
- How the knob is released
- Level of heat resistance
- Cleaning options
- Design and color
- Cost
In addition, experts told reporters that consumers should be sure to have working smoke detectors. Additionally, consumers should be sure to leave the house and call 911 if they ever smell gas in the home.
Finally, one solution is to consider replacing the stove. While many consumers have complained of loose gas stove knobs, no company has proposed a solution yet.
Gas Stove Knobs Loose Leading to NY Fire
In 2017, a child was able to turn on a GE gas stove, reportedly due to loose knobs and lack of maintenance. The New York Post reports that a three-year-old was playing with the knobs, leading to an inferno that killed 13 people. Reportedly, the child’s mother says that she complained to the landlord about the issue, but the issue had not been addressed.
Companies Address Issue
Companies Address IssueReportedly, none of the appliance manufacturers has proposed to fix loose gas stove knobs yet, though some have issued recalls.
In fact, one company, Samsung, has recommended customers consider “third party products” to address the issue of stove knobs turning too easily. On its website, Samsung notes that it meets “international standards” for stove knobs, while also pointing out that some of its products come with child safety features that “will not prevent the knobs from turning on the cooktop.”
For its part, LG has reportedly made the following statements in response to consumer complaints about loose gas stove knobs: “LG manufactures this gas range to meet or exceed all relevant standards” and “LG takes very seriously the concerns of our customers and uses such feedback on an on-going basis to evaluate and improve our products.”
Loose Gas Stove Knob Lawsuits
Some consumers have turned to product defect lawsuits to hold appliance manufacturers accountable for gas stove knobs that turn too easily. In 2015, General Electric was hit with a lawsuit alleging the loose knobs on the stove were a design defect.
“The defects make the defective gas range unsuitable for its intended use, and unable to operate as sold or intended,” stated the complaint. “The defects create dangerous, volatile conditions for consumers, who are exposed to inadvertent fire ignition, unattended and uncontrolled gas fumes, or both.”
Electrolux was hit with a lawsuit in 2017 claiming it had known the gas stove knobs on its products were too loose, but failed to do anything about the problem.
In the aftermath of the deadly Bronx fire started by a child playing with stove knobs, family members of the victims reportedly lodged a number of lawsuits against the building’s management company and owner, as well as the city. According to an attorney representing some of the plaintiffs, the knobs on the stoves in the building were loose and required no pressure to turn on.
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22 thoughts onWhat Can You Do if Your Gas Stove Knobs Turn Too Easily?
I have a 3 year old Maytag gas stove and 2 knobs are so loose I keep them taped shut – this is dangerous.
Our Maytag gas stove knobs turn enough to let gas through whenever they are lightly brushed up against. This has happened twice recently when my husband brushed up against one while passing by. I smelled gas both times and turned it off. It was right before going to bed, so I’m glad I smelled it. This is dangerous and unlike gas knobs from the 50s and 60s. My
Mom has her gas stove from the 60s and the knobs take quite a bit of effort to turn.
A friend of mine had the same problem with his GE stove. Knob was on and gas leaked for hours. I came across this site. I told him to call RangeSafe. He said that the locking mechanism is a life saver…and the knobs actually look better than the original knobs that came with his stove.
We have a whirlpool gas stove that if the knobs are brush up against they will turn on (not vary safe) need a new design for safety.
I also have a newer (one year old) Whirlpool Model WEG750H0HZ0 gas range and I’ve bumped the knobs many times & the gas just flows….
Last night, must have bumped it again then went to bed. Luckily, my son was in the shower so he smelled the gas when he came out. This is so dangerous; I can’t believe the manufacturer hasn’t solved this issue now that I’m online and reading about it!
I too have the same one and ours was left on accidentally for over half a day. We had been sick and could not smell the gas luckily the lady who cleans hear a hissing. It took me over four hours to get the smell out,we could of died. I called the company and they said they were very sorry but they do not have anything. The way the knobs are it will be creepy difficult to get covers. I need help from someone who has bought some covers and they work.
I have a Frigidaire stove ( Electrolux) about 2 years old. The valves are very easily turned on by sometimes just brushing up against them. This action causes the burner to light sometimes or let’s gas leak thru. Very dangerous!
I have a LG gas stove. Numerous times I have lightly brushed up against one of the burners which accidentally turned on the gas. I have lost my sense of smell several years ago; so therefore I am unaware that the gas is on. There were several times that the smell of gas was extremely intense, and I was unaware of the situation until someone entered my house and smelled the strong gas odor. Sometimes this took place over few hours period of time. I was fortunate that someone came into the house. If they didn’t, my house could have caught on fire, blow up, etc or possibly death !!!! I have even put on safely knobs over the handles, which still has not stopped the gas stove LG knobs from slightly moving and turning on the gas. LG needs to find a solution to ensure the safety of their customers, their families and friends.
Our stove knobs caused a fire that totally destroyed our home. Please add me.
I have one of these stoves the gas burners turn on so easily if you just bump them my house has filled with gas a few times when I didn’t realize it
I have a Maytag gas stove and have smelled gas outside of my home multiple times and come to find the knob on the stove was turned ever so slightly and the gas was blowing. A week later I was in the kitchen and just brushed against the knobs and next thing I know I’m smelling gas. It’s crazy how effortlessly the knob turns and gas is released. This is going to kill someone
I am having this trouble with my whirlpool gas stove top! the knobs are so loose, if you accidentally bump up against them and are unaware of doing so, i later walk back in and the smell gas in the kitchen is overwhelming! This has happened three times in the last month! it’s absolutely terrifying!!! It has been happening randomly in the past, but I’ve noticed it more often now. I believe because I’m retired and I’m home more often. I had reached out to where we purchased it and they are coming to look at it next week but I ended up googling this problem and came across this article. It appears that other people are asking the same question in these comments.. because when you click on the link provided in this article it doesn’t seem to take you anywhere? Please advise? I would like to be added to this class action suit or get more info on this dangerous defect please!