December 17, 2025 – A serious safety incident involving a Kenmore Elite electric range has been reported, where a burner on the appliance unexpectedly remained on at a high temperature despite controls indicating it was off. The malfunction required the homeowner to cut power to the entire unit at the electrical breaker to shut down the continuously active burner.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 29, 2025, an incident was reported concerning a Kenmore Elite electric range, model 790.467196, installed in a home kitchen. According to the report, the right front burner on the electric range failed to turn off after use. Despite the user activating the range controls to turn the burner off, and the digital display indicating that the burner was indeed off, the heating element remained active and at a very high temperature. The burner continued to operate uncontrollably, posing an immediate danger. The only way to deactivate the burner was to completely cut power to the entire range and oven unit by switching off the circuit breaker for the appliance. This indicates a critical failure in the appliance’s control system, where the physical state of the burner does not align with the user’s input or the unit’s digital display.
Safety Concerns
This incident presents a multitude of significant safety risks:
- Immediate Burn Hazard: An uncontrolled, high-temperature burner poses a severe risk of contact burns to anyone in the vicinity, particularly children, pets, or individuals who may not realize the burner is active despite the controls.
- Fire Hazard: The most critical concern is the potential for a catastrophic kitchen fire. An unattended burner operating at a high temperature can easily ignite flammable materials such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging, or even cooking oils left nearby. If left unaddressed for an extended period, the sustained heat could also damage countertops, backsplashes, and cabinetry.
- Property Damage: Beyond fire, continuous high heat can scorch, melt, or otherwise damage surrounding kitchen surfaces and appliances, leading to significant repair or replacement costs.
- Electrical Hazard: A malfunctioning appliance control system could potentially indicate deeper electrical issues, though the immediate report focuses on the burner control.
- Who Might Be Affected: Homeowners, family members, guests, and anyone operating or simply present in the kitchen are at risk. The danger is heightened in households with children or pets who might inadvertently touch the hot surface.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Kenmore Elite electric range, especially model 790.467196, and experience similar issues:
1. Immediately Cut Power: If a burner cannot be turned off using the range controls, immediately turn off the main circuit breaker that supplies power to the entire range/oven unit. Do not attempt to use the unit until it has been inspected and repaired by a qualified professional.
2. Cease Use of Affected Burner/Unit: Do not attempt to use the affected burner or, ideally, the entire range until the issue is fully resolved.
3. Identify Your Model: Check the model number of your Kenmore Elite electric range, typically found on a label around the oven door frame, behind a storage drawer, or on the back of the unit.
4. Report the Incident: If you experience a similar malfunction, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps the CPSC identify potential trends and initiate broader investigations or recalls.
5. Seek Professional Repair: Contact a certified appliance technician to diagnose and repair the issue. Do not attempt to repair electrical appliances yourself unless you are qualified to do so.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the date of this article, the manufacturer’s response to this specific incident report is unknown.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.