Ranges (GE) pushbutton vs infinite control repair

[sarahperdue]

So, I'm looking for a semi-vintage range for a friend. I'm thinking GE and wondering about the repairability of infinite controls vs push buttons.

 

I surmise that infinite controls would be easier to find parts for, but I don't know. What say you?

 

 

[ea56]

Sarah,
I know nothing about repairing stoves with the pushbutton controls, but I would imagine that the replacement parts may be more difficult to find,

I have replaced the infinite controls on a couple of stoves and its was easy-peasy! Just order the right control, pull the range out from the wall, either turn off the circuit breaker for the stove or unplug it from the wall, remove the back of the control panel and unscrew the old control from the panel. Then just remove one wire at a time and connect it to the same tab on the new control and repeat with each wire,(or take a picture of the connected old control with your phone or iPad so you’ll know the correct way to connect the new one) screw the new control onto the panel, replace the back of the panel, plug the stove back in or turn the circuit breaker back on and move the stove back into place. It takes 10-15 mins start to finish.

Eddie

 

[114jwh]

Hi Sarah

I restored a 57 GE two years ago with pushbutton controls for three of the elements. Before I fixed it up, it had been sitting in a shed since the 1970's. I didn't have any issues with the pushbuttons at all - they all work perfectly fine. I've read on various threads here that it is rare for them to require replacement but I'm not a repair guy so can't confirm that.

I have to say, I actually find the pushbuttons incredibly convenient. I've never had a stove that had them until now and after cooking on it for awhile, I really really like them. I don't miss having the in-between settings at all - the buttons have more than enough variety for any cooking tasks I use them for. The certainty of knowing exactly what temperature I'm going to get with the simple push of a button is something I've been surprised at how much I enjoy. Highly recommend and wouldn't hesitate to own another!

Of course though replacements are NLA - I've seen them come up on eBay and they are very expensive for some reason. But, I think they are a fairly simple design so probably not very much to potentially go wrong but just speculating. Others can probably chime in and provide better insight but that just my 2 cents.

 

[sarahperdue]

Replacement parts

I'm really wondering about replacement parts. 

 

How common are push button parts vs infinite controls. Is there a lifespan comparison for the parts?

 

Sarah

 

[bradfordwhite]

JFYI

The push button controllers were eliminated from appliances because of safety concerns. There are several incidents where buttons were bumped and suddenly the stove top was heating up and there was a fire.

I would think one could adapt or replace a push button controller with a typical push-and-turn controller but I'm not sure about how it would look.

 

[ea56]

Re: Reply#2

I agree with James about the certainty of knowing exactly what temperature you’re gonna get by adjusting the control by the numbers. Even though my GE electric stove has infinite controls for the burners I almost always set the control based upon the number on the dial that I know from experience will give me exactly the heat that I want and need for whatever I happen to be cooking at the time.

I don’t see that the pushbutton controls are limiting as far as control of the heat at all. A good cook pays attention to whatever stove they have for day to day use and learns to use their stove to its best advantage. Infinite controls aren’t any better than the old fashioned pushbutton or other controls that have set indents for each temperature.

The advantage of infinite controls is that replacement parts for a failed control are more readily available. I imagine one can still find a replacement pushbutton control, but it may take some time and probably cost more too.

Eddie

 

[combo52]

Electric elements with push buttons or infinite control

While the GE five pushbutton heat selection burners were actually pretty easy to cook on. They’re very limiting because you can’t get the in between heats so it’s not surprising they disappeared.

GE did not want to re-designed them to meet the safety standards that require two separate motions to turn the heating element on so they disappeared in the early 70s,

Infinite controls are actually less durable than the push buttons that’s for sure they are more universal and you have an easier chance finding something that’ll fit if the exact parts no longer available.

We’ve been cooking on our 1965GE cooktop for the last 40 years in the mountain house, it’s easy enough to cook on, but I much prefer the infinite controls on my electric ranges here at the primary house, my induction cooktop only has 10 different heats but that’s more than enough.

John