Millions of air fryers and pressure cookers are being recalled for burn and fire hazards
Posted By Darrigo & Diaz
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Popular brands of air fryers and pressure cookers are overheating and malfunctioning, leading to serious burns, fires, and explosions
They are the latest obsession in the culinary industry—air fryers and pressure cookers. Small countertop appliances that make food prep easier and faster, air fryers and pressure cookers are wildly popular. In just the last two years, over 25 million have been sold in the U.S. alone.
However, more than 2 million air fryers and pressure cookers are under recall for serious malfunctions and design flaws that are causing severe burn injuries, fires, and explosions.
Below, find out which air fryers and pressure cookers are affected, what to do if yours is under recall, and how to remain safe while operating these appliances.
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What’s the difference between an air fryer and pressure cooker?
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven designed to simulate deep frying without submerging the food in oil. A fan circulates hot air at high speed to make food crisp—similar to deep-frying, but without the oil.
A pressure cooker, commonly known as an Instant Pot, is an airtight cooking device that cooks food quickly using high-heat steam pressure that builds up inside.
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Which air fryers and pressure cookers are under recall?
- Insignia Air Fryers are under recall due to the appliances catching fire, burning, or melting. Learn more here.
- Crock-Pot® 6-Quart Multi-Cookers are under recall due to lids detaching during use, resulting in an explosion of hot food or steam. Learn more here.
- Faberware 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cookers are under recall for flawed safety mechanisms that cause too much pressure to build up in the cooker, resulting in an explosion of hot food and steam. Learn more here.
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What to do if your air fryer or pressure cooker has been recalled?
If your air fryer or pressure cooker has been recalled, stop using it immediately. Depending on which appliance you have, contact the manufacturer for information on reimbursement or replacement.
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Safety tips for operating air fryers and pressure cookers
For air fryers
- Don’t overcrowd the food basket – Leave space between your food and the heating component in the air fryer—otherwise, you risk starting a fire.
- Unplug your air fryer after use – Once you’re done cooking, unplug your air fryer—it’s the safest way to make sure all heating components stay off and don’t accidentally start-up.
- Ease up on the oil – While some recipes call for light oil, be sure to use just as much as directed, as too much oil in an air fryer can start a fire.
- Don’t put anything on top of your air fryer – The external parts of an air fryer can get very hot and covering sections of the air fryer can cause it to overheat.
- Give your air fryer plenty of clearance – Air fryers have vents to release heat. If you put the appliance too close to a surface, like a wall or overhead cabinet, the air fryer an overheat. Allow at least five inches of clearance around your air fryer.
For pressure cookers
- Don’t overfill the cooker – Only place food and liquid in two-thirds of the pressure cooker to avoid blocking the vents. Remember, grains, rice and beans swell when cooking.
- Use enough liquid – A pressure cooker needs liquid to create steam. If you don’t add enough liquid and steam can’t build, the pressure cooker can overheat.
- Release pressure in a safe way – When releasing pressure, protect your hands with potholders and be sure your face and body are away from the steam vent. Standing too close can result in burns.
- Replace the sealing ring when necessary – The sealing ring is one of the most vulnerable parts of a pressure cooker and how most people are injured. Regularly inspect the seal of your cooker for cracks and replace when needed.
- Do not use oil – Pressure cookers are not fryers. Adding oil to a pressure cooker can result in overheating, fires, and severe burns.
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What to do if you are injured by an air fryer or pressure cooker?
The product liability attorneys at Darrigo & Diaz can help.
Hundreds of reports of people being seriously injured by air fryers and pressure cookers are resulting in lawsuits across the country. If you or a loved one are injured by a defective kitchen appliance in Tampa Bay, the product liability attorneys at Darrigo & Diaz can help.
Our product liability attorneys have a 20+ year successful track record of holding large companies and corporations responsible for negligence. We have the experience and resources needed to prove negligence and get you the compensation you deserve.
We offer FREE, no-obligation consultations, and you do not have to pay for anything, unless we secure a financial settlement for you. Learn more about our services by calling our Tampa product liability attorneys today at 813-437-5523.
