Electrolux Over-the-Range Microwaves Can Have Dangerously Hot Handle

Electrolux over-the-range microwaves have stainless steel handles that can reach a dangerous 168 degrees when the stovetop below it is in use, according to recent Electrolux class action lawsuits.

In one case, a Pennsylvania woman claims that the handle on the Electrolux Gallery Model FGMV174KFC she purchased becomes too hot to handle when something is cooking on the range below.

She bought the microwave in October 2013 and had it installed 30 inches above the stove as the directions indicated, but she says the instructions did not mention how high the base of the microwave needs to sit above the stove.

When she boiled a pot of water on the stove, the temperature of the microwave handle reached 168.2 degrees, and she burned her hand when she grabbed it.

She said she called Electrolux customer service to report the defect, but her warranty claim alleging such a defect was denied in February 2014.

The lawsuit contends that other Electrolux over-the-range microwaves are sold that do not heat to a high enough temperature to promote burns.

Electrolux Over-the-Range Microwaves Allegedly Have Hot Handles

From 2011 through 2015, more than 800,000 Electrolux over-the-range microwaves with stainless steel handles were sold in the United States.

According to the Electrolux class action lawsuits, the microwave oven handles in question use a 400-grade stainless steel that does not meet Underwriter Laboratories (UL) standards.

UL is an independent group that oversees the safety standards for thousands of electrical and other products each year. It has set a standard that “bare or painted metal” handles should not exceed 131 degrees Fahrenheit when hot.

Any metal surfaces that reach more than 158 degrees  can burn the skin, according to ASTM International.

Electrolux sells appliances with the following brand names:

• Electrolux
• Electrolux ICON
• Frigidaire Professional
• Frigidaire Gallery
• Frigidaire
• Eureka
• Kelvinator
• Sanitaire
• Tappan
• White-Westinghouse

Both Electrolux lawsuits contend the company knew about the defect of its metal handles, but continued to manufacture and sell the Electrolux over-the-range microwaves anyway.

Electrolux Has Had Other Manufacturing Defects

Electrolux has faced class action lawsuits involving more than its Electrolux over-the-range microwaves.

The company settled a lawsuit regarding ice makers in certain refrigerators in February of this year.

Additionally, a class action settlement was reached in 2011 over Electrolux dryers manufactured in the United States between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2011 because of possible fires due to lint buildup.

In yet another round of class-action lawsuits, Electrolux has come under scrutiny for its front-load washing machines. The rubber seal on the washing machines creates an airtight environment for mold to grow.

Defective Microwave Handle Is Latest Woe

If you have purchased an Electrolux over-the-range microwave with a stainless steel handle and suffered harm, you could be eligible for compensation through a class action lawsuit.

Don’t wait until you or someone in your family grabs a hot handle. Look into whether you own one of these models today.