Hamilton Beach Toaster Recall Issued Over Fire Hazard

About 14,000 Hamilton Beach classic chrome toasters are being recalled because they may have a tendency to be energized as soon as they are plugged in, which could cause a fire. 

The Hamilton Beach toaster recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 15, after Hamilton Beach Brands Inc. received at least five reports from consumers that the toasters began heating up as soon as they were plugged into an outlet, regardless of whether the toaster lifter was in the up position.

The CPSC considers the problem to be a fire hazard. If the toaster is near something flammable when it is first plugged in and the consumer is not aware the toaster’s heating elements are energized, it could cause a fire. However, there have been no reports of fires or property damage.

The recall affects Hamilton Beach model 22602 toasters. The toasters have a chromed steel exterior, a front control panel with function buttons in an arc and a rotary toast shade selector, a removable crumb tray in the front and has “Hamilton Beach” printed under the controls. The model number is located on the bottom of the toaster.

The toasters were sold nationwide at department, grocery and home center stores, as well as by mass retailers, from August 2011 through November 2011 for between $19 and $34. The models were also used as replacement toasters for a July Hamilton Beach toaster recall that affected 300,000 units. That recall was also due to problems with heating elements that led to some incidents of minor fire damage.

The CPSC recommends that consumers who have the affected toasters stop using them immediately and contact Hamilton Beach for instructions on obtaining a replacement. Consumers can call the company at (800) 576-6600 or by visiting the company’s website at www.hamiltonbeach.com.