Exploding Pressure Cookers

Recent consumer complaints about exploding pressure cookers have prompted multiple people who were injured while cooking with the steam-fueled pots to file federal pressure cooker lawsuits after suffering severe burns when the devices blew up while they were cooking. Pressure cookers are sealed pots that turn liquid into steam when heated, allowing foods to cook more quickly as steam pressure rises and the water's boiling point increases. Attorneys are now investigating possible pressure cooker explosion lawsuits by consumers alleging injuries caused by defective and exploding pressure cookers.

Consumers have reported more than 30 incidents of injuries or experiences with exploding pressure cookers on SaferProducts.gov the consumer product safety information database website of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The pressure cooker explosion complaints have raised safety concerns about best-selling pressure cookers, including models manufactured by Tristar Products, manufacturer of the “As Seen On TV” Power Pressure Cooker XL, Fagor America, Tabletops Unlimited and Maxi-Matic pressure cookers.

Reports include incidents of unexpected pressure cooker explosions such as this account filed by one consumer who used the Maxi-Matic Elite 13-Function 8qt Electronic Pressure Cooker: "The lid of the pressure cooker broke away from the body with a loud boom. The lid was thrown through the air and broke my light fixture in the dining area about 4 feet away and landed on the floor of the kitchen. Things fell so fast and hard it ripped up pieces of the flooring."

Another woman reported injuries she suffered while making soup with the Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL. After turning the pressure relief valve and waiting until the valve dropped, she began to turn the lid to remove it "when the pressure from the cooker exploded, causing hot, scalding soup to erupt all over my kitchen and myself. I received second degree burns on my left hand and right breast."

The SaferProducts.gov website contained reports on a variety of pressure cooker models, including brands manufactured by Tristar, Fagor America, Maxi-Matic and Tabletops Unlimited. Reports from consumers gave accounts of pressure cooker lids flying off and scalding soup and stew spewing onto cooks, kitchen walls, floors and ceilings. Some people suffered severe burns that required visits to hospital emergency rooms.

In 2015 Breville recalled more than 35,000 of its 6-quart capacity Fast Slow Cookers after receiving consumer reports of a defective sealing gasket that could allow the cooker's built-up pressure to release without warning.

The defective gasket "poses a risk of burns to the user of consumers nearby," according to the recall notice: "Breville USA has received five reports of steam or hot contents escaping from the pressure cooker, resulting in five reports of burns, including second degree burns to the hands, arms or stomach." That same year, Double Insight released a recall on its Instant Pot Pressure Cooker because the cooker's thermometer probe could cause electric shocks.

There have not yet been recalls on any of the pressure cookers manufactured by Tristar, Fagor America, Tabletops Unlimited or Maxi-Matic.

In June 2015 a Texas couple filed a federal lawsuit Ninfa Vasquez et al v. Tristar Products Inc., Case No. 1:15-cv-00108, US District Court, Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division against Tristar Products. The plaintiffs claimed that the Tristar Power Cooker they bought after seeing it advertised on television exploded the first time they used it, causing extensive and severe burns to Ninfa Vasquez when the scalding hot pinto beans she was cooking blew out of the pan and seared her body.

A Florida couple also filed a federal lawsuit Serguei Tchernykh et al v. Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. and Tristar Products Inc., Case No. 1:15-cv-22364, US District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division in 2015, alleging that their Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL blew up when Serguei Tchernykh opened the machine's lid and suffered second-degree burns to his arms, fingers and legs.

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Last updated on Feb-27-17