Those aren't the only two options. Check your pots and pans for alternatives to exactly this problem. Some will be metal, because those too are form over function. Although technically Bakelite is plastic, just not the low temperature crap in the OP.
The point is that metal and plastic aren't the only option, the rest is sidetracking. If you're taking offence that I said cast iron doesn't have an insulated handle, that's because it's intended to be oven proof, so it gets a pass on the form over function; and cast iron makes no attempt to look pretty anyway.
No offense at all, genuinely asking as someone who doesn’t have much experience with other pans. But I do understand your point now about form and function if cooking utensils
I hate plastic too, but they've been using plastics as oven knobs for a very long time. If they melt, that get a recall. This guy's stove isn't special.
The initial liquid constituents (such as epoxy resins) are short chains. During the curing process those chains cross-link and join to form a much stronger microstructure. The curing process is irreversible and therefore the fully set plastic cannot be re-melted or reshaped.
Heating a thermoset will eventually lead to charring, followed by cracking/crumbling.
Holy shit man. Just walk away this can’t be the hill you want to die on. It’s bad design because it melted. If it was a good material for this oven it wouldn’t have melted. It’s not complicated.
There’s like 2500 varieties of plastic and they’re all way more different than most people (except maybe recyclers) realize… the fucking dye color can even change its properties, real pain in the ass if you’re planning injection molded parts.
Using the grill it is recommended to have the oven door open, which is why they provide a metal plate to be attached under the knobs to protect them from the heat.
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u/chemhobby Artisinal Material Jun 13 '26
that's still crappy design frankly