Electric ranges pose fire danger

Heating elements of some smoothtop electric ranges from Frigidaire and Kenmore were found to turn on spontaneously in some cases or malfunction in other ways, prompting a recall notice for about 200,000 appliances.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in its release said Frigidaire has catalogued 126 incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two cases involving minor property damage.

The recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional, and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. The manufacturer, Frigidaire, is a division of Electrolux Home Products, of Augusta, Ga.

The CPSC said that depending on the model, the recall involved three kinds of problems: Surface heating elements can turn on spontaneously without being switched on, the elements might fail to turn off after being switched off, or the elements might heat to different temperatures than the ones selected. Those pose a fire and burn hazard to consumers, according to the CPSC.

The Frigidaire ranges involved in the recall have serial numbers beginning with VF122 to VF831.The Kenmore Elite ranges involved have serial numbers beginning with VF122 to VF334. Go to the companies' Web sites for more model details. You can find the model and serial number of the range by opening the drawer at the base of the unit.

The ranges, made in the U.S., were sold at Sears and other national chains and independent retailers throughout the country from June 2001 through August 2009 for $1,000 to $2,500.

Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair. You can call Frigidaire at 800-449-9812 or go to its recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com. Consumers who purchased their smoothtop ranges at Sears should call Sears at 800-449-9810.