Defective Design Led to Amazon Pressure Cooker Explosion, Lawsuit Alleges

Device was advertised as “explosion-proof,” though lawsuit alleges safer alternative designs were available that could have prevented the burn incident.

Amazon is facing a product liability lawsuit alleging a 3-in-1 stainless steel pressure cooker sold by the company malfunctioned during use, causing scalding hot contents to be forcefully ejected onto two consumers.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Galileo Francisco and Santa Romero Ortiz in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on September 11, naming Amazon.com Inc. as the sole defendant.

Plaintiffs allege the pressure cooker was defective because its lid could be rotated and opened while the device remained pressurized. As a result, hot contents were ejected from the cooker, causing both individuals to suffer serious burn injuries.

Pressure Cooker Injury Risks

The 3-in-1 pressure cooker sold by Amazon is a kind of modern pressure cooker that uses a float valve and locking mechanism to prevent the lid from being opened when the unit is pressurized.

However, a growing number of pressure cooker lawsuits have been filed in recent years, raising similar allegations that defective safety mechanisms may allow lids to open before internal pressure has been fully released.

When that occurs, scalding food, liquid and steam may be violently expelled from the cooker, exposing users and bystanders to severe burns that can require hospitalization, skin grafts and extensive medical treatment.

Amazon Pressure Cooker Explosion Allegations

According to the complaint, Francisco and Ortiz were using an Amazon-purchased 3-in-1 304 Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, which is a 6 quart stovetop pressure cooker, on October 20, 2024. Francisco says he was able to remove the lid while the pressure cooker was still under pressure.

The lid removal allegedly caused scalding hot contents to be ejected out onto him and Ortiz. They both suffered serious burn injuries and required medical attention.

The filing indicates that the subject pressure cooker features an interlock mechanism and a float valve that is intended to prevent the lid from opening while under pressure. However, it alleges the pressure cooker was defective and the interlock mechanism failed, allowing the device to open while it was under high pressure. This allowed heat and steam still inside the unit to be forcefully ejected out onto the users.

Moreover, the complaint argues the interlock mechanism was not in compliance with industry standards. It says that Amazon knew or should have known of the product defects, but put profit over safety and continued to sell the pressure cooker to consumers.

Additionally, Francisco and Ortiz allege that Amazon failed to warn consumers of the serious risks the pressure cooker posed and failed to recall the dangerous product. Instead, the company allegedly concealed the defects and advertised the device as “explosion-proof” in the product description.

“However, the aforementioned pressure cooker was defectively and negligently designed and manufactured in that it failed to properly function as to prevent the lid from being rotated, opened, or removed with normal force while the unit remained pressurized, during the ordinary, foreseeable and proper use of cooking food with the product; placing the plaintiffs and similar consumers in danger while using the pressure cookers.”

— Galileo Francisco et al. v. Amazon.com Inc.

The complaint raises allegations of strict liability, negligence/negligent design and breach of implied warranty of merchantability. It seeks compensatory damages for painful bodily injuries, medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish and diminished enjoyment of life.

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