Edited to add, I have no experience with Kitchen Aid products specifically, and I'm not referring to KA products in particular with my information below. When I say "this is an intentional design feature" I am applying that statement to a wide number of manufacturers and not just Kitchen Aid. I found this discussion because I'm specifically looking for information about stove knobs that can be adjusted for tension, or are extremely easy to manipulate. While this discussion mostly complains about how easy these knobs are to turn on, and even criminally so, what I didn't see anyone mention is that this is an intentional design that is made that way to be in accordance with ADA regulations. Per those regulations: In the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, it states: 309.4 Operation. Operable parts shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate operable parts shall be 5 pounds (22.2 N) maximum. They literally want the knobs to be so easy to manipulate (under 5lbs of force required) so that people with disabilities can use these stoves easily even if they might be missing their hands and only have nubs to grasp the control knob with. My advice to people in this thread, or future people that might find this thread when doing research looking for the right stove for themselves, is to check the specifications on the product webpage and see if it is labeled as "ADA compliant". If it is, and if it has knobs like this, then it's very likely that those knobs are going to be super easy to turn on and manipulate. If you don't want that feature, then you might opt for a non-ADA compliant stove that isn't designed the same. I might use some of the stoves that are mentioned in this thread as examples of stoves that may be suitable for our disabled clients! Thanks for the resources!

Personally, I'd see if you could get the highly reputable appliance store to take back the range (lemon law?) and let you get a different brand. Sounds like this range has too many built-in problems that can't get resolved - an extended warranty will just prolong the agony. You know, it's strange, I have a KA fridge, DW, and compactor and they all work fine after 5 years, but the ranges and ovens all seem to have problems - at least as reported on this forum. Good luck!

I can get either a Jenn Air or a Kitchen Aid gas slide-in range for about the same price (between 1700 and 1800.) Both have convection ovens. Which would you choose?

If you click "Dimensions" off to the right on the page you linked, you'll get a PDF data sheet that lists the cutout dimensions: A. 13" (33.0 cm) upper cabinet depth B. 30" (76.2 cm) min. opening width C. For minimum clearance to the top of the cooktop, see NOTE. D. 23 " (59.1 cm) opening depth E. 30" (76.2 cm) min. opening width F. Junction box - 5.5" (14.0 cm) min. from either cabinet, 10" (25.4 cm) max. from floor. Outlet must be flush. Nothing located in shaded area can extend more than 2" (5.1 cm) from wall or range will not slide all the way back. G. Cabinet door or hinge should not extend into cutout. H. 18" (45.7 cm) I. 3" (7.6 cm) min. clearance from both sides of the range to the side wall or other combustible material. NOTE: 24" (61.0 cm) minimum when bottom of wood or metal cabinet is covered by not less than 1⁄4" (0.64 cm) flame retardant millboard covered with not less than No. 28 MSG sheet steel, 0.015" (0.4 mm) stainless steel, 0.024" (0.6 mm) aluminum or 0.020" (0.5 mm) copper. 30" (76.2 cm) minimum clearance between the top of the cooking platform and the bottom of an uncovered wood or metal cabinet.