Dozens of lawsuits have been filed by people who were burned by exploding pressure cookers, including the Tristar Power Pressure Cooker XL, Maxi-Matic, Crock-Pot, Instant Pot, QVC/Cook’s Essentials, Bella, Nuwave, Phillipe Richards, Ninja Foodi, and more.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting pressure cooker explosion injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been burned or injured by an exploding pressure cooker — even if the pressure cooker has not been recalled yet — you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pressure cooker?
What makes a pressure cooker burst open?
What happens when a pressure cooker explodes?
What is a steam explosion?
Are pressure cookers safe?
Was my slow cooker recalled?
Was my Instant Pot recalled?
Was my pressure cooker recalled?
What is the Power Pressure Cooker XL?
How many people have been injured?
Have pressure cooker lawsuits been filed?
Do I have a pressure cooker lawsuit?
What is a Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cookers heat food with steam, which cooks food faster with less energy. They essentially have three parts: a pot, a lid, and a valve to release steam and keep the pressure from increasing too much. Here is a list of some of the most popular brands of pressure cookers:
- ALDI Crofton Chef’s Collection
- Instant-Pot
- Power Pressure Cooker XL
- Tower Pressure Cooker
- Wolfgang Puck Pressure Cooker
- Maxi-Matic Pressure Cooker
- Nattork Electric Pressure Cooker
- Crock Pot Pressure Cooker
- Bella Cucina “Zip Cooker”
- NuWave Nutri-Pot Pressure Cooker
- Philippe Richard Pressure Cooker
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker
- QVC Cook’s Essentials Pressure Cooker
Our lawyers are also investigating legal claims involving the following pressure cookers:
- ALDI Chef’s Collection Pressure Cooker
- Bella Cucina “Zip Cooker”
- Breville Fast Slow Cooker
- Cook’s Essentials
- Crofton
- Cuisinart
- Elite Bistro 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
- Instant-Pot (also called the “Insta Pot”)
- Maxi-Matic Pressure Cooker (Maximatic)
- Manttra Pressure Cooker
- Ninja Foodi
- Nuwave
- Phillipe Richards
- Power Pressure Cooker XL
- Prestige
- QVC Electric Pressure Cooker
- Tabletops Unlimited (Philippe Richard)
- Tower Pressure Cooker
- Tristar
- Ultrex
- Wolfgang Puck Pressure Cooker
What Makes a Pressure Cooker Burst Open?
During cooking, the lid is “locked” onto the pot and the only way for hot steam to escape is through the valve. If the valve is blocked, the pressure will eventually increase so much that the lid blows off the top. They can also burst open if the lid does not seal or lock completely. The steam inside rapidly expands and sprays out burning-hot food.
What Happens When a Pressure Cooker Explodes?
Here is a picture of what can happen when the safety features on a pressure cooker fails. The lid is embedded in the ceiling — picture a metal frisbee flying at 100 miles per hour. Hot food sprayed all over the kitchen. The force of the explosion shattered the cooktop and destroyed the stove below it.
What is a Steam Explosion?
Steam explosions violently eject a cloud of boiling-hot water that can fill an entire kitchen. Hot steam can rapidly burn large sections of skin. These burns are not very deep, but they are extremely painful and can cause scarring.
Are Pressure Cookers Safe?
Hot foods like beans can also spray out, stick to the skin, and cause severely disfiguring burns. People can be injured or killed by metal shrapnel. The injuries linked to pressure cooker explosions include:
- Steam burns
- Eye injuries and blindness
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussion)
- Leg amputation, bleeding, lacerations
- Face burns
- Death of a pregnant woman in Spain
Was My Slow Cooker Recalled?
In December 2015, about 35,000 Breville Fast Slow Cookers were recalled because hot steam and food could escape. Five people had 2nd-degree burns on the hands, arm, or stomach.
Was my Instant Pot recalled?
In July 2015, about 1,140 Instant Pot Pressure Cookers were recalled due to the risk of electrical shock. Three consumers reported being electrocuted.
Was My Pressure Cooker Recalled?
- ALDI Pressure Cookers
- Alcan Pressure Cookers (Rochedo®)
- Breville Fast Slow Cookers
- Cook’s Essentials Electronic Pressure Cooker (QVC)
- Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker
- Crofton Chef’s Collection Stainless Steel Pressure Cookers
- Double Insight Multi-Cookers (Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker) – Walmart
- Welbilt Electronic Pressure Cookers (HSN)
- Manttra Pressure Cookers
- H&H Asia Limited — Crofton Chef’s Collection 6L Pressure Cooker
- HSN Bella Cucina Zip Cookers
- HSN Ultrex Pressure Cookers
- Instant Pot
- Power Pressure Cooker XL
- Prestige Smartplus Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
- QVC Pressure Cooker
- Rena Ware Nutrex Pressure Cookers
- Tower Pressure Cookers
- 3-Squares Tim3 Machin3 Cookers
What is the Power Pressure Cooker XL?
Tristar Products Inc. — the “As Seen on TV” company — sells the Electric Power Pressure Cooker XL. It has not been recalled, despite a growing number of reports of people who were injured or burned.
How Many People Have Been Injured?
At least 10 accidents have been reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Pressure cooker injuries have been reported in the news, including a 48 year-old cafeteria worker who had to be airlifted to a hospital with a burn unit in New Jersey.
Have Pressure Cooker Lawsuits Been Filed?
Yes. In 2015, a lawsuit (PDF) was filed by two people who suffered 3rd-degree burns when their Tristar Pressure Cooker XL exploded — Case No. 1:15-cv-22364.
Also in 2015, a lawsuit (PDF) was filed in Texas who was severely burned and permanently scarred by pinto beans that exploded out or her Tristar Pressure Cooker XL — Case No. Case No. 1:15-cv-00108.
In August 2017, a class action lawsuit was filed by a woman from Texas who suffered severe burn injuries when her Wolfgang Puck Pressure Cooker exploded boiling-hot food onto her skin.
Do I have a Pressure Cooker Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting pressure cooker explosion injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been burned or injured by an exploding pressure cooker — even if the pressure cooker has not been recalled yet — you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs’ law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm’s reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
