Eno stove - sticking gas valve when oven on

[sitara]

Yesterday after heating pies for lunch following a chilly sail we found that one of the knobs for the stove top burners was very stiff. The other worked OK. When the stove had cooled down the sticking valve was back to normal. Has anyone experienced this? My crew suggested WD40 spay.

[Charlie-Bravo]

Not had this problem on any boat cooker, but a bbq in the garden had a similar issue, as it was only 7 years old I resisted the urge to buy another and started taking it to pieces.
Gas valves are quite simplistic items, despite the danger the gas poses on a boat, ( that's why we all have gas alarms) if you can change your oil and fuel filters you have the skill set required.
Having removed some tin ware to get to a valve you will probably see a couple of screws on the valve body, ( turn the gas off first !!! ) when the screws are removed the valve comes apart easily, .... there is a spring, the one you push against whilst lighting a burner. the valve its self is likely to be a tapered brass plug with one or more holes in it, and matches nicely to the tapered hole in the body, a tiny bit of corrosion or dirt causes havoc, and a bit of heat probably just exaggerates the problem . worth taking apart when you get a bored moment and giving the cone a clean, and the body, and the knob spindle, popping it back together with a very light smear of grease, and you may have a trouble free oven for years to come, yes it's not a bbq, but the valve gear is pretty much the same  ....... the bbq is still fine 3 years on ! ..... but rusting away slowly as they do.
WD40 is a lousy lubricant, the clue is in its name "Water Displacement 40" it might free it up for a bit, but expect the stiffness to return at some point ... no harm giving it a little squirt I suppose for a speedy fix, and cheaper than replacing an Eno.
Good luck with it and hopefully many more hot pies to come.
CB