Recently, questions have emerged about the safety of gas stoves and the emission of toxic substances that can, in some cases, cause asthma and other health complications. Just one year ago, in May 2023, New York became the first state to pass a bill mandating that all cooking and heating utility services be electrified by 2029.
A year later, a large number of electric stoves are now raising serious health and safety concerns. Last week, Electrolux announced a recall of “approximately 203,000” Kenmore and Frigidaire stoves that have been allegedly responsible for multiple fires and injuries.
“Depending on the model, the surface heating element may 1) turn on by itself without being switched on, 2) not turn off after being switched off, or 3) heat to a different temperature than selected,” reports a May 16, 2024 recall announcement from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The recall affects four Kenmore models: VF122xxxxx To VF334xxxxx) and 24 Frigidaire models (serial number range VF122xxxxx To VF936xxxxxAccording to the CPSC, the products are sold under the brand names Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite. The agency said the brand name, model and serial number can be found on the drawer frame, located at the bottom of the unit when the drawer is open.
Affected Frigidaire brand models include:
- FEFBZ90GC
- FEFLMC55GC
- FEFLZ87GC
- GLEF396AB
- GLEF396AQ
- GLEF396AS
- GLEF396CQ
- GLEF396CS
- About GLFM397DB
- language
- About GLFM397DS
- About GLFM97FPB
- GrefeM 97FPW
- About GLFM97GPB
- Greg
- Lee FM389FE
- PLEF398AC
- PLEF398CC Model number
- PLEF398DC
- PLEFM399DC
- PLEFMZ99EC
- PLEFMZ99GC
- PLEFZ398EC
- PLEFZ398GC
Affected Kenmore brand models include:
- 790.990121
- 790.990131
- 790.990141
- 790.990191
According to the CPSC report, the first recall was announced in August 2009, and since then Electrolux has received “at least 212 reports of abnormal range operation, including 14 reports of fires and eight reports of injuries due to burns to the hands and arms and smoke inhalation.”
The manufacturer said it is working with customers to repair or replace the stoves, which were sold at Sears and independent appliance stores from 2001 to 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.
The CPSC suggests customers contact Electrolux or register online to participate in the recall and provide details that will help the company determine if their appliances are repairable. “If the range is repairable, a free inspection and repair will be scheduled,” the CPSC announcement said.
Here is the contact information:
- Phone: Electrolux Group – 888-845-8226 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 8pm EST
- Email: [email protected]
- Register online at https://www.ema-recall.com/potentiometer or www.potentiometerrecall.com or www.frigidaire.com and click on “Recall Information.”
The announcement noted that people are advised to keep anything off the stove when it's not in use.
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