When your kitchen has a gas stove, the open flame opens a world of cooking possibilities that lend different flavors to your food. However, if the knob controlling the gas flow gets jammed into the on position, you have new problems that need immediate attention.
What to Do If Your Gas Knob Won’t Turn Off
Nothing is more dangerous for a home kitchen than a gas stove that won’t shut off. The constantly-releasing fumes fill your home, can go off with the slightest spark, and prove hazardous for everyone inside. When facing this type of situation, you have a few gas stove repairs in Alameda, CA, that you should tackle immediately.
Step One: Shut Off the Gas
Shutting off the gas to your stove will mitigate much of the danger a jammed knob presents. Without a fuel source, your stove doesn’t have anything to ignite, and you can safely disperse the existing fumes. Each range has dedicated supply valves located beneath or behind the unit, but if you have difficulties reaching them, you can shut off your home’s main supply valve.
Step Two: Identify the Issue
There are a few possible reasons why your oven knob got stuck in the “On” position. Sometimes debris has accumulated inside of it and prevents it from fully turning; other times, the age of your major appliance has finally caught up to it. If the issue stems from an internal source, remove the knob and thoroughly clean the inside. Removing the debris and residue should do the trick.
However, if cleaning it doesn’t work, finding a reliable oven repair service should give you the answers you need.
Step Three: Fix the Oven Knob Shaft
Sometimes the problem has nothing to do with the knob itself but the shaft holding it in place. If it has seized up over time, the turning mechanism becomes useless. While some may turn to WD40 in these instances, this is not advised, as it is an aerosol and is flammable. If you wish to fix the problem by lubricating it — although it rarely fixes this issue — we recommend a non-flammable high heat-resistant lubricant.
Give the lubricant enough time to soak into the shaft, then try turning it with gentle pressure — too much force may break it. If it turns, you’re in the clear. If it doesn’t, it’s time to call in the appliance repair experts.
What Should I Do If the Knob Doesn’t Turn on?
While a gas oven that won’t turn off presents an immediate problem you need to address, one that doesn’t turn on represents just as serious an issue. Without a functioning handle, your kitchen loses one of its most versatile appliances. Some people may try removing the knob and turning the shaft by hand, but that presents its own problems.
The knob allows you to more accurately control the flow of gas coming from the stove. Without the precision offered by a fully intact stove, you don’t know if you have the stove set to low, medium, or high heat and have to play a delicate guessing game. Instead of leaving your cooking to this inexact science, the expert appliance repair specialists at FixEm Appliance Repair can help!
Let Us FixEm Up Right!
No matter the underlying issue with your gas stove knob, you need a proven and reliable service to help fix the problem before it gets worse. For Alameda County, CA, and the surrounding areas, FixEm Appliance Repair can help get your stovetop range back in good working order in no time.
Our gas oven repair service experts know what to do when the knob doesn’t turn on or off, and we’re ready to help. Contact us to schedule your next service appointment today.
