Prevention for forgetful cooks — ask for the listing mark

Automatic Stove Shut-Off Devices

iGuardStove · FireAvert Canada & United States $$ · Prices not shown on the maker pages we checked

Controllers that cut power or gas to a stove when cooking is left unattended or when a smoke alarm sounds. They prevent fires rather than put them out, and suit seniors, people with dementia and rental units.

Why we like it

Addresses unattended cooking, a leading cause of kitchen fires, before there is a fire
iGuardStove's gas model shuts the gas valve and includes an unburned-gas sensor
FireAvert plugs in between the range and the outlet, with optional monitoring and text alerts

Watch out for

Neither maker's site states a UL, cUL, CSA or ETL listing
Sound-triggered devices only act if the smoke alarm actually detects the fire
Prices and retail availability were not verified

Best for

Households with an older adult or someone with memory loss, and landlords of rental or assisted-living units.

Read the full market guide — costs, install effort and alternatives ↓

Market guide

The whole commitment, end to end

What this actually is, what the market looks like, what it really costs, and how much of your time it wants — before you spend anything.

Buying it Easy

Installing it Easy

Living with it Trivial

Up front

No reliable public figure; prices were not shown on the maker pages we fetched.

Lead time

Direct order; iGuardStove's 2026 model was shown as pre-sale

Time to install

Minutes for a plug-in unit; an electrician or gas fitter for hardwired and gas models

How it works

Two approaches. iGuardStove uses a motion sensor to tell whether anyone is in the kitchen; if the stove is on and nobody has been seen for a set time, it cuts power, and its gas model closes a gas valve and adds a sensor for unburned gas. FireAvert sits between the range plug and the outlet and listens for the specific sound pattern of a smoke alarm; when it hears one, it cuts power to the range, and can send text alerts through optional monitoring. Neither puts out a fire that has already started; they remove the heat source.

Who needs it

Not generally code-required. Used in seniors' housing, multi-family buildings and assisted living. Some jurisdictions may require unattended-cooking protection in certain occupancies; we could not confirm which.

Codes, standards and listings

Canada: No cUL or CSA listing stated on the maker site we checked (iguardfire.com).
United States: No UL or ETL listing stated on the maker sites we checked (iguardfire.com, fireavert.com). Separately, UL 858 has required new electric coil cooktops to pass a cooking-oil ignition test since April 4, 2019.

What the market looks like

iGuardFire, maker of iGuardStove, is based in Kelowna, BC; its site shows a 2026 model as pre-sale. FireAvert is a Utah company whose storefront displays CAD prices to Canadian visitors. Neither page we fetched showed prices, and neither states a safety listing. Separately, since April 4, 2019, UL 858 has required new electric coil cooktops to pass an abnormal-operation cooking-oil ignition test, so newer coil ranges include built-in temperature limiting.

Features that actually matter

Motion-based timer (iGuardStove): Shuts the stove off when the kitchen has been empty too long. Works before any smoke is produced.
Gas shut-off and gas sensor (iGuardStove gas model): Closes the gas valve and watches for unburned gas, which addresses a burner left on without a flame.
Alarm-triggered cut-off (FireAvert): Cuts power when it hears the smoke alarm. Simple, but it can only act once the alarm has detected smoke.
Monitoring and alerts (FireAvert, optional): Text alerts to a family member or caregiver when it trips.

What it really costs

Up front: No reliable public figure; prices were not shown on the maker pages we fetched.
Consumables: None stated.
What else you'll need: Hardwired or gas installations may need an electrician or gas fitter. No reliable public figure. FireAvert's monitoring is optional and its cost was not shown.
Over five years: No reliable public figure.

Retail prices from public listings, October 2026; CAD where Canadian listings exist, otherwise converted at ~1.38.

How it differs from the alternatives

Prevent versus extinguish: These stop unattended cooking from becoming a fire. An extinguisher or lid deals with a fire already burning. They are complements.
Motion versus sound: Motion-based shut-off works earlier, before smoke. Sound-based shut-off depends on a working smoke alarm close enough to the stove to detect the fire.
Versus a newer coil range: Coil ranges built to UL 858 since April 2019 include temperature limiting that targets cooking-oil ignition. That covers one fire mode on one type of stove; it does not cover gas or older ranges.

Buying it

Effort Easy

Where: Direct from the manufacturers' websites (iguardfire.com, fireavert.com). Retail availability at Amazon or Best Buy was not verified.

Lead time: Direct order; iGuardStove's 2026 model was shown as pre-sale

Before buying, ask the maker which certification mark (UL, cUL, CSA or ETL) the specific model carries.

Installing it

Effort Easy

Time: Minutes for a plug-in unit; an electrician or gas fitter for hardwired and gas models

You'll need: None for plug-in · Electrician or gas fitter for hardwired/gas

For a sound-triggered unit, make sure a working smoke alarm is close enough to the kitchen to hear a stovetop fire early.

Living with it

Effort Trivial

Per manufacturer. Test the shut-off periodically and keep the smoke alarm it depends on tested and in service.

If not this, then what

A newer electric coil range built to UL 858 (since April 2019)Has built-in temperature limiting aimed at cooking-oil ignition.
Interconnected smoke alarms plus a listed extinguisher and pan lidThe baseline kitchen setup every home should have regardless.

Caveats

Listing status not shown — ask for the certification mark before buying.
Sound-triggered devices depend on the smoke alarm actually detecting the fire.
Prices and retail availability not verified.

Our verdict

A sensible prevention device where unattended cooking is a real risk, such as an older relative living alone or a rental unit. Neither maker states a safety listing on its site, so ask for the certification mark on the exact model before you buy.

We don't take payment for placement and we don't sell these products. If you think we've got something wrong here, tell us — we'll correct it.

Sources

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