It comes off rather easily (by design). You have to move the lever carefully as it opens and closes the plate door inside the stove. Again, I wish she wouldn't mess with the stove. I'm going to leave a note today for her to that effect. It's the "banging on the handle with a piece of wood" act I can't wrap my head around. How was THAT going to do anything good for my $7,000 stove??Did you find out how it came off?