Electric Smokehouse Smokers

CPSC Recall #06-173 — May 30, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number06-173
Recall DateMay 30, 2006
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 10,700
ManufacturerMasterbuilt Manufacturing Inc., of Columbus Ga.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Sporting goods stores sold these smokers nationwide from July 2005 through May 2006 for between $200 and $250.

Product

Electric Smokehouse Smokers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Masterbuilt Manufacturing Inc., of Columbus Ga. is voluntarily recalling about 10,700 Electric Smokehouse Smokers. Smoldering wood chips used in the wood chip box can ignite into flames when the door of the unit is opened, posing a risk of burn injuries to users and property damage to nearby combustibles.Name of Product: Electric Smokehouse SmokersUnits: About 10,700Manufacturer: Masterbuilt Manufacturing Inc., of Columbus Ga.Hazard: Smoldering wood chips used in the wood chip box can ignite into flames when the door of the unit is opened, posing a risk of burn injuries to users and property damage to nearby combustibles.Incidents/Injuries: Masterbuilt has received two reports of units that were damaged as a result of wood chip flare-ups. No injuries or property damage were reported.Description and Models: The smokers cook food slowly at lower temperatures and use wood chips to produce smoke inside the unit for flavor. Wood chips are placed inside the smoker and heated using an electric burner element to produce smoldering coals. The electric smokehouse model ESQ30B has a black powder coated outer shell with the Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse logo on the front door. The electric smokehouse model ESQ30S has a stainless steel outer shell with the Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse logo on the front door. The model number is located on a metal plate on the back of the unit.Sold at: Sporting goods stores sold these smokers nationwide from July 2005 through May 2006 for between $200 and $250.Manufactured In: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should stop using these smokers immediately, and contact the firm to receive free repair kit.Consumer Contact: For more information, call Masterbuilt at (800) 489-1581 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.masterbuilt.com.

Hazard

Smoldering wood chips used in the wood chip box can ignite into flames when the door of the unit is opened, posing a risk of burn injuries to users and property damage to nearby combustibles.

Incidents & Injuries

Masterbuilt has received two reports of units that were damaged as a result of wood chip flare-ups. No injuries or property damage were reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these smokers immediately, and contact the firm to receive free repair kit.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.