Three countertop appliances have been recalled over the past five days by the Consumer Product Safety Commission because the small appliances pose a fire hazard. The largest recall included 482,000 Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex toasters because they can remain "on" after popping up and cause nearby items to ignite. JCPenney recalled 27,000 deep fat fryers with faulty heating elements and QVC and Tristar pulled back 13,500 electric grills that can ignite if used with cooking oil or spray. At least three burns have been reported in connection with the fryer and grill. Owners of any of the recalled items are advised to stop using them and follow the remedy outlined in the CPSC's recall notices at the links below.
Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex toasters
How many: 482,000
Description: The recalled toasters are black, red, white, chrome or brushed chrome with 2-slice or 4-slice openings. Hamilton Beach or Proctor-Silex is printed on the side of the toasters. Only specific series codes of each model are included in this recall. The model number and series code are printed on the bottom of the toasters. (The non-sequential model numbers include: 22145B, 22145BC, 22450, 22559, 22625, 22627C, 22635, 22657, 22658, 22779, 22900, 22903, 22903H, 24450, 24559, 24657, 24779.)
Why: The toasters can remain “on” (energized) after popping up, and can ignite flammable items covering or in contact with the toaster.
Incidents: Hamilton Beach has received at least 63 reports of toasters that remained “on” despite being in the “up” position. There have been no reports of injuries or fires.
Sold: At department stores, mass merchandisers, grocery stores, home center stores, and other retail stores nationwide, and various online retailers from August 2007 through February 2008 for between $13 and $40.
What to do: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toasters and contact Hamilton Beach for instructions on how receive a free replacement toaster at (800) 574-6800 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hamiltonbeach.com for Hamilton Beach toasters, and www.proctorsilex.com for Proctor-Silex toasters.
Cooks deep fryers (JCPenney)
How many: 27,000
Description: The Cooks deep fryer has a brushed stainless steel exterior, a wire mesh basket with a handle, a lid with a window and black handles. The deep fryer has a 1/3-gallon capacity. “Cooks” is stamped on the side and model number 22016 is printed on the bottom.
Why: The deep fryer has a faulty heating element that can cause it to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.
Injuries: JCPenney is aware of five incidents involving the deep fryers, including one report of a minor burn and three reports of damaged countertops.
Sold: At JCPenney’s stores nationwide, in the catalog and at www.jcp.com from August 2007 through January 2008 for about $50.
What to do: Consumers should immediately stop using the deep fryer and return it to the nearest JCPenney store for a full refund. For additional information, contact JCPenney toll-free at (888) 333-6063 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.jcp.com.
QVC and Tristar electric contact grills
How many: 13,500
Description: This recall involves a dual surface electric contact grill sold under the “Hulk Hogan’s Ultimate Grill” brand. The grills are silver/gray in color, have removable cooking plates, a cassette to catch drippings, and fold for storage or transport. Model number PZ-3012 is printed on a silver label attached to the back of the grills.
Why: Cooking oils or sprays applied to the grill’s cooking plates before preheating can cause the oil to ignite and/or flare up. Cooking sprays can ignite and/or flare up if used on the grill at any time.
Injuries: QVC and Tristar have received five reports of the grill igniting or flaring up, including two reports of minor burns.
Sold: At QVC through its television station, Web page, toll-free number, and its employee, retail and Studio stores; and through Tristar’s Web site www.hulkhogangrill.com, and a direct response television commercial from May 2007 through August 2007 for about $100.
What to do: Consumers should immediately stop using cooking oils on the grill prior to preheating. Cooking sprays should not be used on the grill at anytime. Consumers will receive a revised instruction manual with a cooking spray/oil use warning. QVC has sent warning notices to consumers to whom it sold the product directly. Tristar will do the same. For additional information, contact QVC at (800) 367-9444 between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. ET daily, or visit the company’s Web site at www.qvc.com. Consumers who purchased the grill from Tristar can call (800)718-5135 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.tristarproductsinc.com.
Bearing in mind the lead time for an article to appear in your printed magazine, surely a manufacturer will have adequate time to post its recalls. Not so with Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex.
We received your June 2008 issue today (May 2, 2008) and I read what appeared to be a recall for my toaster, model 22450 by Proctor Silex. I immediately went to the Proctor Silex website and failed to find ANY recalls -- there were NONE when I searched the site.
Then I went to the Hamilton Beach site and, after a search, found the model of my toaster. Without definitive data on that toaster recall, I called the number you provide in your Recalls & Safety Alerts article. After some fooling around with their menu, I was prompted to enter the toaster's data.
Finally, I was notified that my toaster was not on the list, even though the model number was; it was the additional number of what is probably a production run that determined, according to the recorded voice, my toaster was not recalled.
After such lengthy searching of websites and only finding the data I sought via telephone, I learned I had nothing to fear.
However, I'm not so sure about that because I now consider Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex to be untrustworthy due to their lack of candor that they were holding a recall. Proctor Silex completely ignored the recall and Hamilton Beach seemed to be reluctant to admit it.
Think I want to buy something from this company, even though Consumer Reports recommends the products of this company? Think again. I won't.
I have a Hamilton Beach toaster that should be added to the recall list. This was purchased at a Kohls department store June 2008. The bottom of the toaster shows "Model 22502 Series". It is a chrome/stainless model (two slice) with the bright blue LED on the front that shows the toaster (number) setting. We experienced "smoking toast" that was so hot it was glowing by the time we were able to shut it off. This happened twice and only happens on a second batch of toast. It has never happened on a first batch.
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