At some point in your stove’s shelf life, the temperature control knobs will fail, or worse break as a result of years of repeated heating and cooling cycles.
When it happens, you’ll need to find their replacements. This begs the question: are stove knobs universal? Can they be used interchangeably across various stove models?
This article explores the answer to this question. Read through to uncover the truth about stove knobs compatibility.
Are Stove Knobs Universal?
Stove knobs are not universal. Most stove manufacturers design the knobs for their specific brand and models.
That being said, there are many universal stove knobs. They may not be similar in many ways, which means they may not fit every stove model in the market but they do exist.
All you have to do is make the necessary research to find the right ones.
What Are Stove Knobs and What Do They Do
Stove knobs are simply those small, circular or oval handles/buttons that are typically situated at the front, side, or back of your stove.
Knobs perform a number of functions;.
1. For starters, knobs are part of the stove’s control panel; a set of buttons that power and control the appliance. They allow you to manually control the heat when cooking. You can easily turn or rotate a knob to increase or decrease the heat output.
2. You can also control the oven using stove knobs.
3. Additionally, stove Knobs control the valves to regulate the amount of gas flow to the burners. By turning the knob, you can attain various aperture positions representing the heat for cooking.
For example, you can rapidly boil liquids with the maximum aperture position, while the minimum aperture positions allow you to simmer.
The minimum and maximum positions are not the only aperture positions you have for cooking: You can achieve other intermediate operating adjustments by turning the stove knobs between the maximum and minimum aperture positions.
And no, there’s never a position between the off and maximum aperture positions.
4. You also need the stove knobs to light the burner. And to do so, you need to push the knob in and turn it in an anti-clockwise direction up to the maximum aperture position (generally labeled as H1) while holding the knob until the flame is lit.
Can You Change Out the Stove Knobs?
There’s never a gas stove where you can not change its knobs. Most gas stove knobs allow you to pull them off conveniently for replacing or cleaning.
And that’s because no matter how sealed the back of your knobs are, food slobs will always find their way there. Also, stove knobs are prone to wear out due to repeated heating and cooling cycles during cooking, which in the end calls for replacement.
Therefore, since it’s necessary to change out stove knobs, it’s also essential to learn how to do it well to avoid damaging other parts of the ignition system.
How to Change Stove Knobs
Materials you will need:
- Replacement stove knobs
- Screwdriver (Flathead or Phillips)
- Pliers (optional)
Step 1: Turn off the stove
Before you start changing the stove knobs, ensure that the stove is turned off and completely cooled down. This will prevent any accidental burns or damage to the stove.
Step 2: Remove the old stove knobs
Locate the old stove knobs on your stove. Gently pull each knob away from the stove, twisting it a little if it feels stuck. If you encounter any difficulty in removing the knobs, try wiggling them from side to side, or use pliers to help pull them off.
Step 3: Check the stove’s stem shaft
After removing the old stove knobs, check the stem shaft of the stove. The stem shaft is the protruding metal rod where the knob fits onto. Ensure that it is clean, free from debris or any damage before installing the new stove knobs.
Step 4: Attach the new stove knobs
Take your replacement stove knobs and slide them onto the stem shafts. Ensure that the knobs are properly aligned with the markings on the stove. Push the knob in place until it fits snugly.
Step 5: Test the new stove knobs
After securing the new stove knobs, turn the stove on and test the new knobs. Ensure that they are working properly by adjusting the heat level on each burner. If you notice any issues, turn off the stove and make sure that the knobs are properly aligned and securely attached to the stem shafts.
NB: Keep in mind that this is best done by a professional.
Conclusion
All stove knobs are not the same, but that should not rule out the possibility of replacing yours should they go missing and you can’t identify your specific brand. With universal stove knob replacement, you can find the perfect replacement solution for your model.
Please pick a replacement knob with an adapter that fits your stove.
Changing out stove knobs may be easy, but you may damage your stove’s ignition should you fail to do it carefully.
Call a professional when the knobs are tough to remove, or you notice unexpected changes.