The knob does pull of yes. The base does turn but there is very little response. The light flickers and seems to indicate that it heats for just a few seconds. Not enough to get any real heat.
I've got a problem. I've used my SSV for about a year, and from the beginning I noticed that the knob had some unhealthy play, even though there is a specific warning not to turn it too far in one direction or the other. Last night I went to turn it on and the knob was completely shot. Worked...