Toddler proofing a GE Cafe range

[Susie]

We have a GE Cafe range with knobs on the front that Hobbes can now reach:



so I am looking for knob covers that would work to toddler-proof it.  I tried some from Safety 1st, but they don't fit.  The problem is the raised circumference around the knob; the Safety 1st knob covers can only enclose a knob that sits against a flat face, like this:



Has anyone found any options for childproofing this range, or should we just take the knobs off when not in use and store them in a drawer?

[circa1978]

I'd probably just take the knobs off.

[mainelyfoolish]

I've heard stories from other people that the knob covers are like a beacon to kids, whereas the unadorned knobs are mostly ignored. We did not cover nor remove the knobs from our stove and the kids showed minimal interest in messing with them.

[Susie]

Jan 16, 2017 15:45:03 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

Could you get new knobs that fit the Safety 1st knob covers?

No, because the knobs themselves aren't the problem.  It's that the covers don't fit into the recess in the front of the range that the knob sits in.

[lessel]

Knob covers are the bane of my existence. Kid loves to play with them and I always pull them off--along with the actual knob--at really inconvenient times.

What about a stove guard? If you google image search stove guard or shield you'll see what I'm talking about.

Save that, I'd just remove knobs.

[niq]

Can you gate off the kitchen, or is it an open floor plan?

I've never seen a stove guard in real life, but those look like they'd work.

[raangoli]

I was going to say just take the knobs off. Seems like the quickest and easiest solution that won't have you hunting for and buying things that may or may not work.

[Susie]

Jan 16, 2017 15:50:09 GMT -5 niq said:

Can you gate off the kitchen, or is it an open floor plan?

I've never seen a stove guard in real life, but those look like they'd work.

We use baby gates, but the kitchen and family room (i.e. the back half of the house) are the two rooms she's usually in.  We did cabinet locks, etc. in the kitchen to otherwise make it pretty safe for her.  The kitchen is in the center of the house, with doorways to 3 other rooms, so it would be hard to gate off.

The stove guards are an idea we can explore if necessary, but it seems like maybe just pulling off the knobs might be best once she figures out how to use them.  I was hoping somebody would say there was some brand of knob cover that fits, that could keep her from being able to turn a burner on.  Wishful thinking!

[lala]

I've never had covers or anything on our stove and it's very similar; we also never gated the kitchen. 3 kids and it's not ever been an issue. 

[Ashley&Scott]

Would a stove guard like this work if you installed it below the knobs? (instead of above like the picture)

[Noblegirl]

Does it not have a control lock? We have a GE Cafe cooktop and it has a knob to lock the controls. It sends off a loud buzzing noise if someone tries to mess with the knobs while it's locked.  That said, we rarely used it as the kids never seemed to pay any attention to the cooktop.

[Susie]

Jan 16, 2017 16:18:18 GMT -5 Noblegirl said:

Does it not have a control lock? 

I don't think so, but worth checking!  That seems like a really useful feature given the location of the knobs on ours.

Re: "I had ## kids and didn't have an issue!" - we already have a budding issue, so I don't think that's going to work for us.  She follows me to the stove and mimics my grabbing/twisting the knob when I'm making her dinner, she just doesn't get how to do it yet.  Firm boundaries and "No" are a work in progress at 14m.

[undecidedowl]

Jan 16, 2017 16:41:58 GMT -5 Susie said:

Jan 16, 2017 16:18:18 GMT -5 Noblegirl said:

Does it not have a control lock? 

I don't think so, but worth checking!  That seems like a really useful feature given the location of the knobs on ours.

Re: "I had ## kids and didn't have an issue!" - we already have a budding issue, so I don't think that's going to work for us.  She follows me to the stove and mimics my grabbing/twisting the knob when I'm making her dinner, she just doesn't get how to do it yet.  Firm boundaries and "No" are a work in progress at 14m.

The only thing I have to add is that we say "HOT" for the stove instead of "No". It gives them a sliver more incentive to listen.

[lala]

Jan 16, 2017 17:21:05 GMT -5 undecidedowl said:

Jan 16, 2017 16:41:58 GMT -5 Susie said:

I don't think so, but worth checking!  That seems like a really useful feature given the location of the knobs on ours.

Re: "I had ## kids and didn't have an issue!" - we already have a budding issue, so I don't think that's going to work for us.  She follows me to the stove and mimics my grabbing/twisting the knob when I'm making her dinner, she just doesn't get how to do it yet.  Firm boundaries and "No" are a work in progress at 14m.

The only thing I have to add is that we say "HOT" for the stove instead of "No". It gives them a sliver more incentive to listen.

yes! And hot was one of the first signs they did, probably b/c of this!

ETA: I'm one of the ones how said it wasn't an issue. This doesn't mean they never touched it, it means it was something they learned early enough that it was never worth doing something about it. Very occasionally we have had to discipline for it after they "learned," but again not worth doing anything. We also do not have a set up conducive for gates and I am opposed to gating off sections of the house, for us. 

[edavis]

Jan 16, 2017 16:18:18 GMT -5 Noblegirl said:

Does it not have a control lock? We have a GE Cafe cooktop and it has a knob to lock the controls. It sends off a loud buzzing noise if someone tries to mess with the knobs while it's locked.  That said, we rarely used it as the kids never seemed to pay any attention to the cooktop.

This. We have this range too and there is a Lockout button next to the Oven Light button. We use it all the time.

[jeaniebueller]

Jan 16, 2017 15:58:16 GMT -5 lala said:

I've never had covers or anything on our stove and it's very similar; we also never gated the kitchen. 3 kids and it's not ever been an issue. 

Same. I have never baby proof that part of the house. I don't want them anywhere near the stove in general if I can help it.

[karinothing]

Most of the time we have nothing on ours..Sometimes ds2 wants to mess with them.I just take them off. They pull off

[hbomdiggity]

Jan 16, 2017 16:41:58 GMT -5 Susie said:

Re: "I had ## kids and didn't have an issue!" - we already have a budding issue, so I don't think that's going to work for us.  She follows me to the stove and mimics my grabbing/twisting the knob when I'm making her dinner, she just doesn't get how to do it yet.  Firm boundaries and "No" are a work in progress at 14m.

Different range, same kid fascination. Ours also has a touch pad for the oven which thankfully has a lock out option.

However I found it somewhat short lived and never did anything with the knobs. I am usually standing right there and can turn it back to the correct temp. I also make sure not to have anything other than pots on the stove so nothing gets set in fire.

He also has a play grill right next to the kitchen that he can twist the knobs on.

[InBetweenDays]

We have that same range and ours has a gas/control lockout. You just press and hold the button for 3 seconds to activate it. Otherwise I'd just suggest taking the knobs off.

[noodleoo]

Jan 16, 2017 16:41:58 GMT -5 Susie said:

Jan 16, 2017 16:18:18 GMT -5 Noblegirl said:

Does it not have a control lock? 

I don't think so, but worth checking!  That seems like a really useful feature given the location of the knobs on ours.

Re: "I had ## kids and didn't have an issue!" - we already have a budding issue, so I don't think that's going to work for us.  She follows me to the stove and mimics my grabbing/twisting the knob when I'm making her dinner, she just doesn't get how to do it yet.  Firm boundaries and "No" are a work in progress at 14m.

Oh you definitely need something! We have a similar stove and gas and DD almost blew up our house. I didn't realize she had slightly moved the knob and came home to a house full of gas. I've never been so scared in my life!

she was only 12 months!!! Luckily the regular knob covers work on our stove. Good luck!

[icedcoffee]

I'd just take the knobs off. We have those plastic covers even though DS is only 2 months because our beagle tried to kill us all a couple years ago. I wish they just put knobs on the top as a standard. It's so dangerous.

[pooh8402]

I have a Viking cooktops. I tried the plastic covers and nope. We just take the knobs off. I read that for most professional style cooktops, the knob covers won't work. Everything I googled at the time said to remove the knobs and that worked with their kids.