Magnalite Professional Saucepans
CPSC Recall #87-018 - March 16, 1987
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 87-018 |
| Recall Date | March 16, 1987 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
Product
Magnalite Professional Saucepans
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperations with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, General Housewares Corp., Stamford, Connecticut, today announced a voluntary recall of one, two and three-quart Magnalite Professional saucepans that have covers that fit too tightly. If too much pressure accumulates due to a tight fit, the cover may explode from the saucepan or the cover may become difficult to remove.General Housewares Corp., has been advised of nine such incidents, six of which reportedly involved burn injuries and two of which reportedly involved property damage.The saucepans that are being voluntarily recalled are any that were produced between September 1984 and July 1985 that have covers that fit too tightly on the saucepan. The saucepans and covers are cast from aluminum ingot.The saucepans are dark grey in color and the word MAGNALITE is impressed on the bottom of the saucepan. The cover and handle have an aluminum metallic shine, which contrasts with the saucepan. The sauce pans sold for a price between $54.00 - $80.00 and were sold in better department stores and gourmet cookware shops.Consumers can test for any overly tight fit by placing the pan on a stable surface, putting the cover on the pan and pushing down firmly. If the saucepan can be lifted by the cover to any degree, the cover is b too tight. The tight fit may not be evident on the first attempt of testing. If not, repeat the test several times but rotate the cover each time to a different point of contact on the saucepan.Another test is to place the cover firmly on the saucepan and gradually turn it 360 degrees in one direction. If the cover rubs closely against the saucepan and locks in place at some point while turning, the cover on the saucepan is too tight.Since July 1985 General Housewares has employed new quality control measures to safeguard against the possibility of a particular cover being too tight for a particular saucepan.General Housewares is accepting returns of saucepans and tight- fitting covers under the l00-year warranty offered on this product. The cover and saucepan can be returned to: Consumer Relations Department, General Housewares Corp., 1536 Beech Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47804. The saucepan and cover will be replaced without charge. General House- wares will bear shipping costs.Anyone wishing additional information may call General Housewares Corp., at 800-457-2665 or the Consumer Product Safety Commission toll- free hotline number at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.
Hazard
If too much pressure accumulates due to a tight fit, the cover may explode from the saucepan or the cover may become difficult to remove, posing a risk of injury.
Incidents & Injuries
General Housewares Corp., has been advised of nine such incidents, six of which reportedly involved burn injuries and two of which reportedly involved property damage.
Remedy Instructions
General Housewares is accepting returns of saucepans and tight- fitting covers under the 100-year warranty offered on this product. The cover and saucepan can be returned to: Consumer Relations Department, General Housewares Corp., 1536 Beech Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47804. The saucepan and cover will be replaced without charge. General House- wares will bear shipping costs.
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.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.