I don't have a GE Cafe but I do have a range with the knobs on the front, and on our range at least it's a non-issue. They don't get hot. No melting, no burning, no noticing "gee that's really warm" -- nada. If the controls go in the back, on the backsplash, then you have to reach across the burners and/or hot pots and pans to work the controls -- hardly seems like the safe arrangement.

I recall reading posts about the older Cafe model that mentioned a problem with a plastic ring around the knobs melting, but also recall reading that they'd taken care of that problem. Again -- never owned a Cafe range so I cannot speak to the temperature of the knobs while the range is in operation. But whatever problem the Cafe does or does not have, you shouldn't read it to suggest a fundamental design problem with putting the controls on the front of the range (which, IMO, is where they belong).

The only time this should ever be an issue is when you are using the broiler, especially if it is a infrared broiler putting out over 1600+ degrees and when you broil you must leave the door cracked open.
So far on our NXR stove this has not been a problem.

When not broiling with door closed everything is cool as a cucumber, when broiling with door open knobs have gotten rather warm but no melting.

You don't have to broil with the door open on some ovens - my Dacor is closed door broiling.

To me this is like people that won't eat sushi because they might get sick from raw fish. A zillion people eat a bazillion pieces of sushi a day, you'd think people should be dropping like flies. How many gas cooktops are out there?

I've seen a lot of cooktops at a lot of houses (including three or four of my own) and melting knobs was never remotely a problem.

-Stooxie

I think that's a danger with doing research on the Internet. Who is going to post reviews? The outliers, the ones who are most and least happy. But when you start seeing the same complaint over and over, you start to wonder, are we going beyond the anecdotal into actual data? Since we're in an area where gas ranges are rare, and those we do know have had their gas ranges for a long time, I just wanted to see if it was a widespread problem with the newest designs. Looks like it's not, which is a relief!

Having had an all-gas range for the last 12 years, first a GE run-of-the-mill range and now a BlueStar RCS, I can say I've never had an issue with the controls getting hot (or even warm).

The GE had plastic white knobs on the front, with electronic controls for baking etc. on the backsplash panel.

The BS has the 5 knobs on the front.

Can't imagine reaching over gas burners to adjust temp or turn things on. In fact reaching over any burners / hot pots etc. to adjust temp, gas or electric, sounds pretty dumb when you think about it.

I get the notion of keeping the controls away from curious little fingers, but there are better solutions to that short-term problem.

Don't let melting knobs deter you from buying a gas range. Can you imagine any manufacturer selling a gas range where the control knobs melted from regular use? They do test these things, and they don't want to be burning down people's homes :)

My Bosch 800 series 5 burner gas cooktop is only 2 years old. We are having to replace the knobs at $27 apiece (out of warranty) because the plastic coating on the outside of the knob has melted on a couple of the knobs (closest to the burners). We have never had any trouble with the cooktop itself - it is wonderful!!! However, we cook - a lot, and must have used too big of a pot on the burner closest to the knob.

Oh - the knobs have never been hot. No problems there. Otherwise, I love my cooktop!!

My gas range has knobs on the front. Never hot, no melting. The lettering has worn off the metal panel in one spot, though.

There is much disinformation online. You must have local friends/neighbors with gas ranges, to see for yourself?

I have the GE Cafe dual fuel range. I haven't had it long enough to have much experience, but I've been using it for the last month. I've mainly been using the burners, but I've used the oven several times at a high temperature (450 and 500 degrees) to make pizza and roasted potatoes. I never had a problem with the knobs getting hot. With the roasted potatoes, I definitely would have noticed b/c I was steaming vegetables on the stove so I was using the burner at the same time.

I did read all the negative reviews the Cafe got, including the issues with the knobs. From what I learned, the knobs were replaced with steel knobs, not the cheap plastic they had before. I was on the fence for a long while about getting the Cafe for a variety of reasons (I have propane, so there were complaints about significant loss of BTUs when converting from natural gas), but in the end, I chose to buy one. A very good friend of mine, who loves to cook, has had one for two years and has been very pleased with hers. I also got positive feedback from someone works at an appliance warehouse who owns one also. Neither of them has had a problem with the knobs getting hot or melting.

Ok! I purchased by Bosch Stove Model # HGS7282UC 4/8/2009. The knobs and seal was replaced 4/21/2008; the knobs and hinges replaced 7/31/2008; knobs replaced 12/11/2008; knobs and hinges replace again 1/8/2009; stove was replaced April 2009. I called Bosch today 11/5/2011 and they are sending me a new set of knobs. I should have paid more attention to what I was purchasing! I really thought I had done good research on this stove. However, if I had known the knobs were PLASTIC I would have NEVER purchased this stove! I paid $1,946.00 for a STOVE with knobs that melt! Bosch's resolution is to "clear coat the knobs" and send another set. I will never buy BOSCH again!

I have a Kitchen Aide cooktop. The company has sent me two sets of new knobs = both melted inside and were not turning the stove off when in the off position. I no longer use knobs! I'm now using the stem that the knobs would slide on because it's the only way I KNOW that the gas is off. Those of you who doubt haven't walked into house stinking of gas fumes. This is a real problem.

I have a Bosch cook top and the knobs are so hot they melt and have several burns from touching them.

I'm on hold with GE right now. We have the 36" Cafe Cooktop. The knobs are plastic and melted over the weekend when we were frying fresh fish. It is a design flaw. I love the appliances other than that (Fridge, double oven, cooktop, and dishwasher). GE needs to replace them with metal knobs. It is a design flaw.

Purchased a Bosch PPS9A6B90 in September 2020 and due to the heat one of the control knobs has cracked and broken. I have contacted Bosch UK who will not replace the item as it is cosmetic. Highly disappointed with the Bosch brand and understanding from their customer service. Is this an issue throughout their product line of cooktops?

I work for warranty companies and get this complaint about 4 times a year or so. Yes, if your pot is LARGE and frying something (~400F) - AND using a FRONT burner (of course) you might MELT your knobs. Also broiling with the oven door open (for a while) WILL melt knobs.

I had this problem as well. It's the result of using larger pans that reflect heat toward the knobs. I realize that we're living in a world that is influenced by millenials, but there is no excuse for such short-sighted engineering. You have to place the knobs where they will not see excessive heat. A competent product engineer would have known this, but it's amazing how many incompitent engineers are out there endangering our lives.

It has nothing to do with gas, electric, whatever. The stove manufacturer shoud state that there is a limit to the size of pots and pans that you can use.