Is Your Pressure Cooker on the Recall List? Know Your Rights After a Malfunction

Is Your Pressure Cooker on the Recall List? Know Your Rights After a Malfunction

Pressure cookers have become a staple in modern kitchens, promising quick and convenient meal preparation. However, this convenience comes with potential risks. Defective pressure cookers can malfunction, leading to explosions and severe injuries. If you’ve been injured by a pressure cooker, it’s essential to know your rights and understand the steps you can take to protect yourself.

The Hidden Dangers of Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers work by trapping steam inside a sealed pot, which increases the boiling point of water and cooks food faster. While manufacturers tout safety features like pressure release valves and locking lids, these mechanisms can fail due to design flaws, substandard materials, or manufacturing defects. When these failures occur, pressure cookers can explode without warning, launching scalding hot food, metal shards, and heavy lids across the kitchen.

Common Injuries from Pressure Cooker Explosions

Pressure cooker explosions can cause a range of severe injuries, including:

  • Second and third-degree burns: Scalding hot liquids and steam can cause deep, painful burns.
  • Lacerations: Exploding metal shards can cause cuts and puncture wounds.
  • Eye injuries: Hot liquids and debris can damage the eyes, leading to vision impairment or blindness.
  • Broken bones: The force of an explosion can cause fractures.
  • Permanent disfigurement: Severe burns and lacerations can result in lasting scars and disfigurement.
  • Emotional trauma: The shock and pain of a pressure cooker explosion can lead to psychological issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

According to recent reports, pressure cooker explosions have led to numerous injuries, with some victims requiring extensive medical treatment, including surgeries and skin grafts.

Is Your Pressure Cooker on the Recall List?

Due to the risks associated with defective pressure cookers, many companies have issued recalls in recent years. It’s crucial to check if your pressure cooker is on the recall list to prevent potential injuries.

How to Check for Recalls

  1. Identify the Manufacturer and Model Number: Locate the manufacturer’s name and model number on your pressure cooker. This information is usually found on a label on the bottom or side of the appliance.
  2. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Website: The CPSC website (www.cpsc.gov) provides a comprehensive list of recalled products, including pressure cookers.
  3. Check the Manufacturer’s Website: Visit the manufacturer’s website to see if your model is included in any recalls.
  4. Search Online: Use search engines to search for recalls related to your specific pressure cooker model.

Recent Pressure Cooker Recalls

Several major recalls have been issued in recent years, including:

  • SharkNinja: In May 2025, SharkNinja recalled over 1.8 million Ninja Foodi Multi-Function Pressure Cookers due to a defect that allows the lid to be opened during use, posing a burn hazard. The recalled models include OP300, OP301, OP301A, OP302, OP302BRN, OP302HCN, OP302HAQ, OP302HW, OP302HB, OP305, OP305CO, and OP350CO.
  • ALDI: In October 2025, ALDI recalled approximately 46,000 Ambiano Electric Pressure Cookers due to a faulty lid that can open before sufficient steam pressure has been released, causing hot contents to escape. The recalled models include 93550 (KY-318B), 96775 (KY-318A), and 98527 (6L-PC).
  • Sensio: In August 2023, Sensio recalled around 860,000 Bella, Bella Pro Series, Crux, and Cooks electric pressure cookers because the lid can unlock during use, resulting in an explosion of boiling-hot food and liquid.
  • Best Buy: In October 2023, Best Buy recalled approximately 930,000 units of its Insignia pressure cookers due to incorrect volume markings on their inner pots, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
  • Crock-Pot: In November 2020, Sunbeam Products recalled nearly 1 million Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cookers after 99 burn injuries and 119 reports of the lid detaching.

If your pressure cooker is on the recall list, stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer for a replacement, refund, or repair.

Your Legal Rights After a Pressure Cooker Malfunction

If you’ve been injured by a defective pressure cooker, you have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation. You may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the pressure cooker.

Grounds for a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit

Pressure cooker lawsuits typically allege one or more of the following:

  • Design Defect: The pressure cooker was inherently dangerous due to a flaw in its design.
  • Manufacturing Defect: A flaw occurred during the manufacturing process, making the product unsafe.
  • Failure to Warn: The manufacturer did not provide adequate warnings or instructions regarding the product’s risks.
  • Negligence: The manufacturer failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, manufacture, or marketing of the pressure cooker.

What You Can Recover in a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit

Compensation in a pressure cooker explosion lawsuit can cover a wide range of damages, including:

  • Medical Expenses: Emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
  • Lost Wages: Income lost due to missed work, plus future lost earning potential.
  • Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and emotional trauma.
  • Disfigurement and Disability: Compensation for permanent injuries.
  • Property Damage: Replacing destroyed personal property, including kitchen renovations if necessary.
  • Punitive Damages: In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the manufacturer for particularly reckless or malicious behavior.

Steps to Take After a Pressure Cooker Injury

  1. Seek Medical Attention: Get immediate medical attention for your injuries. Burns can worsen quickly and require urgent care.
  2. Preserve the Evidence: Do not throw away the pressure cooker. Take photos of the appliance, your injuries, and the scene of the accident.
  3. Keep All Documentation: Save the purchase receipt, packaging, instruction manual, and medical records.
  4. Report the Incident: File a complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
  5. Contact a Product Liability Lawyer: An experienced product liability lawyer can help you assess your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Why You Need a Pressure Cooker Injury Lawyer

Pressure cooker lawsuits can be complex and often involve going up against large manufacturers with significant resources. An experienced pressure cooker injury lawyer can help you:

  • Investigate the Cause of the Explosion: Determine whether the explosion was caused by a design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn.
  • Gather Evidence: Collect and preserve evidence to support your claim, including the pressure cooker, medical records, and expert testimony.
  • Negotiate with the Manufacturer: Negotiate with the manufacturer or their insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
  • File a Lawsuit: If a settlement cannot be reached, file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
  • Maximize Your Compensation: Fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Don’t Wait to Protect Your Rights

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective pressure cooker, don’t wait to take action. Contact a qualified product liability lawyer today to discuss your legal options and protect your rights. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can pursue the compensation you deserve and hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.