Do you feel lucky?

I worked retail for ~30 yrs, part time. Probably 6-8 different stores, “we” used the circuit breakers to turn the lights on and off.

Sometimes a breaker would not work. I was there 2-3 times when a breaker would not work, always in the off position, I.e., bank of lights would not come on. I am sure a breaker failed when I wasn’t there too. Replacement was a service call and parts. Today $150.

I think you are saying it's not a good idea to flip the circuit breaker unless really necessary. It also sounds like it could get stuck in the "on" position and I'd have a hot oven until I called an electrician for $$$$.

Thanks for your help!

I'd be inclined to pick up an inexpensive toaster oven for now and leave the oven (and circuit breaker) off. It's a minor inconvenience compared to a house fire.

We turn six breakers on and off every day for lights at work. Three of the six are 36 years old, the others are 7 years. None have failed thus far.

Lights in a commercial property and ovens in a home aren't the same thing. Ovens that won't shut off are already malfunctioning. Ovens generate tremendous heat. People live and sleep in houses. Sleeping people and broken appliances that generate tremendous heat are not a good combination in my book. Give you local Fire Marshal's office and call and see what they suggest.

I think by design a beaker fails in the off position.

Many businesses have enough lights, and do not have “high tech” lighting controls

and it is easier that they use breakers, the retails shops I worked, used breakers to turn the lights on/off.

Are you willing to risk a $150 service call and breaker?

To the OP, no. I did not realize what you were doing, portlander is spot on.

Do not use a circuit breaker to turn your oven off.

A circuit breaker is an on/off switch, but not to control your oven.

I am assuming you guys recommend it stay in the off position until I get it repaired or (most likely) buy a new range. I had been turning it back on so I could use the burners but it sounds like the entire unit is no longer safe, so I'll turn it off right now.

Thank you!

A circuit breaker cuts the power to the wire making up the circuit. You can flip it off as many times as you need. I have had to use a 220v breaker to turn a well pump on and off 1000+ times without issue in a residence.

If it were me, I would turn the breaker off when not in use.

You can buy a whole new stove for less than $700. As a temporary stove we bought a $400 range from Lowe’s while we remodeled our kitchen. It was great, the four burners all worked exactly as they should and the oven heated quickly and evenly. It is a major safety hazard to have an oven that won’t turn off and a major inconvenience to have a stove you can’t use while the breakers are off.

I don't disagree with most of the advice. Fix the oven. Temporarily using the breaker to turn things off isn't going to hurt things. Repeatedly using the breaker not rated for switch duty as a switch can cause it to fail prematurely.

Thank you all for your advice! I really appreciate it.

weedmeister "If it were me, I would turn the breaker off when not in use."

Novel suggestion,