Corningware 4-Quart Slow Cookers

CPSC Recall #04-570 — August 4, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-570
Recall DateAugust 4, 2004
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 39,000
ManufacturerSelect Brands Inc., of Lenexa, Kan.
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

QVC television nationwide from January 2004 through April 2004 for about $30.

Product

Corningware 4-Quart Slow Cookers

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Select Brands Inc., of Lenexa, Kan., is voluntarily recalling about 39,000 Corningware Slow Cookers. The heating element can drop to the bottom of the unit and melt through the plastic outer shell posing burn and fire hazards.Name of Product: Corningware Slow CookersUnits: About 39,000 unitsManufacturer: Select Brands Inc., of Lenexa, Kan.Hazard: The heating element can drop to the bottom of the unit and melt through the plastic outer shell, posing burn and fire hazards.Incidents/Injuries: The retailer has received 10 reports of scorched or damaged countertops, though no injuries have been reported.Description: The recalled Corningware 4-Quart Slow Cooker (QVC item number K2585) has a removable white ceramic bowl with a glass lid and a plastic storage lid. The enclosure that surrounds the ceramic bowl is made of plastic. "CorningWare" is printed on the front of the unit underneath the digital display and control buttons. The model number, SC-40PL, is located on a silver label on the bottom of the base.Sold by: QVC television nationwide from January 2004 through April 2004 for about $30.Manufactured In: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product. Consumers will receive direct notification from Select Brands about receiving a free replacement base.Consumer Contact: Call Select Brands at 1-866-663-4500 anytime.

Hazard

The heating element can drop to the bottom of the unit and melt through the plastic outer shell, posing burn and fire hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

The retailer has received 10 reports of scorched or damaged countertops, though no injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the product. Consumers will receive direct notification from Select Brands about receiving a free replacement 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.