Electric ceramic hot pots marketed under the names, "Wide Mouth Hot Pots" and "Brew Masters"
CPSC Recall #78-033 - May 7, 1978
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 78-033 |
| Recall Date | May 7, 1978 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
Where It Was Sold
| They have been sold in Eckerd Drug Stores for $1.99 - $3.49 in the following states: Florida |
| Texas |
| Georgia |
| Louisiana |
| Mississippi |
| Oklahoma |
| Colorado |
| Alabama and Tennessee. |
Product
Electric ceramic hot pots marketed under the names, "Wide Mouth Hot Pots" and "Brew Masters"
Description
WASHINGTON, DC (May 8) -- The Jack Eckerd Corporation of Clearwater, Florida, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today announced the voluntary recall of electric ceramic hot pots marketed under the names, "Wide Mouth Hot Pots" and "Brew Masters." The pots, intended for heating up to 5 cups of liquid such as water or soup, may pose a shock hazard to the user. According to the CPSC staff, if the heating coil at the bottom of the pot is heated while not immersed in liquid, the coil will be damaged. If a user, while grounded, should subsequently stir the liquid in the pot using a metal article, the user could receive a severe electric shock. These white ceramic hot pots are decorated with several different types and colors of decals. The box in which the unit is packaged is clearly marked with the Jack Eckerd Corporation name. On the bottom of each unit are imprinted the words, "120V-350W JAPAN." They have been sold in Eckerd Drug Stores for $1.99 - $3.49 in the following states: Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Colorado, Alabama and Tennessee. Consumers who have purchased their Brew Masters or Wide Mouth Hot Pots at Eckerd Drug Stores are asked to return them to an Eckerd Drug Store (and, if available, a copy of the sales receipt, the box in which the unit was packaged or other documentation of purchase) for a full refund. Eckerd's removed the electric hot pots from sale in March when it first learned from the CPSC of the potential hazard to users. The Commission is also investigating other importers of this product.
Hazard
According to the CPSC staff, if the heating coil at the bottom of the pot is heated while not immersed in liquid, the coil will be damaged. If a user, while grounded, should subsequently stir the liquid in the pot using a metal article, the user could receive a severe electric shock.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who have purchased their Brew Masters or Wide Mouth Hot Pots at Eckerd Drug Stores are asked to return them to an Eckerd Drug Store (and, if available, a copy of the sales receipt, the box in which the unit was packaged or other documentation of purchase) for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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 (Refund) at no cost to you.
No, you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.
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.