GE Oval and Double Dish Slow Cookers
CPSC Recall #05-085 — January 13, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-085 |
| Recall Date | January 13, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 600,000 |
| Importer | Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex Inc., of Glen Allen, Va. |
Where It Was Sold
| Wal-Mart stores nationwide from August 2000 through December 2002 for about $25 (4.5-quart model) and $35 (6-quart model). |
Product
GE Oval and Double Dish Slow Cookers
Description
The recalled slow cookers include the 4.5-Quart Oval and 6-Quart Double Dish models sold under the General Electric (GE) brand name. The model name is printed on the front of the units. The 4.5-quart unit has model number 106661 and the 6-quart unit has model number 106851. Both models have series codes A through D, which are printed on the bottom along with the model number. The base of the slow cookers is white with an olive or honeysuckle graphic.
Hazard
The handles on the base of the slow cookers can break, posing a risk of burns from hot food spilling onto consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Hamilton Beach and Wal-Mart have received 531 reports of handles breaking, including four reports of consumers who were burned by hot food.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the product immediately and contact Wal-Mart to receive a replacement slow cooker base.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.