The k**b on my oven is so stiff it won't turn. Do I have to replace the whole thermostat?

Question

It is not a k**b that has to be pushed in to turn. It's an electric stove about 20 years old. Amana brand.

Answer 1

May I ask, is it one that has to be pushed in to turn?

Answer 2

You might try heating it with a hair dryer and then spraying it with WD40. It might be a combo of old grease and corrosion; the heat and lube might break it free.  Remove the k**b and use pliers to work the switch back and forth to work the lube in.

Answer 3

You may have tried this,,, take a DRY toothbrush and try scouring around the stem after you pop off the k**b.  Sometimes just an accumulation of gunk will form thus making it hard to operate.

I have an older stove in the house I just purchased and that was the cure here.

Answer 4

DO NOT LISTEN TO RHAM816 whatever his name is!!! a carburetor on a car isn't connected to 240 volts and sitting inside your house!!!! carb clean is extremely flammable!! the fumes from it can build up inside the thermostat and could start a fire! the proper cleaner would be electrical contact cleaner, and even with that you should unplug the stove when you use it, and then let it dry out for a few hours before you plug it back in. to use it, just spray the shaft for a second or two, let it work a few sec's, then put the k**b back on and try to work it. repeat a few times, if that fixes it great, but in all likelyhood, it is probably worn out and you'll need to replace it, if it is still available. 20 years is a long life for an electrical control that is exposed to the heat your thermostat is exposed to. and amana may not make it any more, if it wasn't used on another stove made by them in the last 10 years. find the model # and serial # on the metal tag on the stove, write them down, then give a call to your local appliance parts supplier to see if it's still available, and what it will cost. it may be more than your stove is worth, don't forget, all the other switches and elements have been put through the same use, and they could fail next. it's kind of like putting a new engine in a 20 year old car that's driven everyday, it's just going to cost you more and more to keep it going. and the thermostat is probably the single most expensive piece to replace on it. sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but i'd hate to see you keep sinking your money into a losing battle. good luck, i hope this helps

Answer 5

If it were me I would go to an auto parts store and get a can ( spray) of carbeurator cleaner.. spray it down (clean it with a brush too). afterwards clean the area thoroughly with soap & water to clean up any residue from the can of cleaner.

Remember to work it as you spray & scrub...

Why carb cleaner...It is uesed to clean exsessive grease & grime from a carb .which has internal moving parts....so this should be along the same lines.