Over-the-Range Microwave Handles Get Hot Enough to Burn, Plaintiff Says

Consumers who find their Electrolux over-the-range microwave handles get hot enough to burn may be able to get compensation through a new Electrolux class action lawsuit.

The problem with these metal microwave handles has to do with the metal they’re made of, according to plaintiff Alex Kukich. The handle in these Electrolux-made microwave ovens is made of 400-grade stainless steel.

According to Kukich, when the stovetop beneath the microwave is in use, the metal microwave handle takes up heat from the stovetop until it becomes too hot to touch safely.

Kukich says that according to standards set by Underwriters Laboratories, the maximum acceptable temperature for a “[b]are or painted metal” microwave oven handles is 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

Electrolux over-the-range microwave handles fail to meet that standard, he says. Temperatures in these handles have allegedly been recorded as high as 168 degrees or more.

Metal at that temperature is hot enough to burn skin almost instantaneously on contact, according to ASTM International.

Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Over-the-Range Microwave Handles

Between 2011 and 2015, Electrolux sold over 800,000 over-the-range microwaves with metal handles in the U.S.

The units at issue were sold under several brand names including Electrolux, Electrolux ICON, Frigidaire, Frigidaire Professional, Frigidaire Gallery, Eureka, Kelvinator, Tappan and White-Westinghouse.

These Electrolux microwaves were designed specifically to be installed above a working stovetop. However, Kukich claims Electrolux provided no warnings about the allegedly overheated handles nor instructions on how to avoid or resolve the problem.

Kukich says the metal handle on his own Electrolux microwave gets extremely hot when the stove beneath it is in use. He says that if he had known about the problem, he would not have installed that particular Electrolux microwave in his kitchen.

Kukich says Electrolux is fully aware of the problem with these over-the-range microwave handles and has known about it since at least as early as February 2015.

He believes the company has internally acknowledged that these metal handles cause burns and injuries to consumers.

Yet despite being aware of the problem, the company has refused to address it, he claims. Electrolux continues to sell over-the-range microwaves with metal handles.

The company has made no modification to the handles to prevent them from getting hot and has not offered replacements or repairs.

Some consumers who purchased these over-the-range microwave ovens had made warranty claims with Electrolux, but Kukich claims Electrolux has been routinely denying these claims.

Replacement over-the-range microwave handles are available at a retail cost of about $84.12, but Kukich says Electrolux refused to reimburse customers for that replacement cost.

Kukich’s Electrolux class action lawsuit seeks to represent a plaintiff Class consisting of all persons in the U.S. who own a microwave with a 400-grade stainless steel handle.

He seeks an award of compensatory and punitive damages and reimbursement of court costs and attorneys’ fees, all with pre- and post-judgment interest.

The Electrolux Overheating Over-the-Range Microwave Handles Class Action Lawsuit is Alex Kukich v. Electrolux Home Products Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-03412 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.