Sensio Pressure Cooker Recall Issued for 800K Devices, After Reports of Explosions, Burns

The recalled Sensio pressure cookers were sold at major retailers such as Target, Kohl’s, Lowe’s and Macy’s, and may pose a risk of serious burns when the lid is removed, causing pressurized contents to explode onto consumers

Following dozens of reports of pressure cooker explosions and burn injuries when the lids were removed, a Sensio pressure cooker recall has been announced which impacts about 860,000 units sold under brand names such as Bella, Crux and Cooks.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Sensio pressure cooker recall on August 10, warning that the lids can be unlocked and removed while the contents are still pressurized, which can cause the hot contents to forcefully spray onto consumers.

Modern pressure cookers have become popular in recent decades, amid marketing that has promoted advanced features that were supposed to prevent pressure cooker explosions that have plagued older, stove-top designs. Products have been marketed under a number of brand names, through social media, websites and home shopping stations. However, hundreds of consumers have experienced severe burn injuries when the marketed automatic lid locking features failed, allowing the lid to be removed before all of the internal steam and pressure had been released.

Sensio and a number of other manufacturers already face a number of pressure cooker lawsuits filed throughout the U.S., each raising similar allegations that the safety features marketed to consumers were defective and failed to work, causing users to experience severe burns, often covering larger portions of their bodies. However, other injuries linked to pressure cookers have included eye injuries, broken bones and other complications that resulted from electrocutions, spills or explosions.

According to the Sensio recall notice, the manufacturer has received at least 63 reports of pressure cooker explosions involving their products, including  61 burn injuries, such as second and third degree burns to the face, torso, arms and hands of consumers.

The recall includes six, eight, and 10-quart capacity electric pressure cookers, as well as five, eight- and 12-quart capacity stovetop pressure cookers sold between September 2015 and September 2020. A full list of affected models and their model numbers is available in the recall notice. The model or item numbers of the affected pressure cookers are printed on a permanent on-product label or stamped into the bottom of the recalled appliances.

The affected units were sold at JCPenney, Kohl’s, Lowe’s Macy’s and Target stores nationwide, as well as online through Amazon.com, for between $30 and $70 for the electric models, and for between $8 and $18 for the stovetop versions. The pressure cookers were manufactured in China and imported by Sensio, Inc. of New York.

The CPSC recommends consumers with the recalled pressure cookers immediately stop using them and contact Sensio for a full refund. Consumers can call Sensio at 855-647-3125 or by visiting https://recall.sensiobrands.com/.

Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawsuits Reviewed

Given design problems linked to recalled Sensio pressure cookers, as well as similar electronic pressure cookers sold by other manufacturers, including Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot, Crock Pot and others, financial compensation may be available from the manufacturer. Pressure cooker injury lawyers provide free consultations to help determine whether individuals nationwide are eligible to pursue a lawsuit.

As more of these electric pressure cookers have been introduced in recent years, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued several similar pressure cooker recalls over problems where lids were able to be opened while contents are under pressure, allowing hot contents to be expelled and causing a scald or burn injury to individuals in the immediate area.