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Party Fondue Set

CPSC Recall #82-025 - May 31, 1982

Recall Summary

Recall Number82-025
Recall DateMay 31, 1982
Remedy TypeRefund, Replace
Units AffectedApproximately 3,046
Manufactured InJapan

Where It Was Sold

The recall covers only fondue sets sold by Gimbels stores in packaging labeled "Party Fondue Set." The Party Fondue Sets which were made in Japan were distributed from June
1978 through October 1
1980 in New York City
Milwaukee
and Pittsburgh
by Gimbel Brothers
Inc.
for retail prices ranging from $15.99 to $19.99.

Product

Party Fondue Set

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Gimbel Brothers, Inc., New York, New York, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,046 Party Fondue Sets sold in Gimbels stores in New York City, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, due to a fuel leak at the seam of the alcohol-burning fuel cup. If the fuel cup is filled above the level of the seam joining the upper and lower parts of the cup, the alcohol fuel may leak out and cause a flash fire when the heating element is ignited by a user. Gimbel Brothers has received one complaint of burn injuries sustained by a person attempting to extinguish a flash fire in October, 1980. The recall covers only fondue sets sold by Gimbels stores in packaging labeled "Party Fondue Set." There is no further identification on the units or on the packaging. Owners are urged not to use them until they have obtained a replacement fuel cup. The Party Fondue Sets which were made in Japan were distributed from June 1978 through October 1, 1980 in New York City, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh by Gimbel Brothers, Inc., for retail prices ranging from $15.99 to $19.99. Gimbel Brothers discontinued importation and removed all units from sale in October, 1980. Consumers who own one of these fondue sets may exchange the alcohol burning pot for a solid Sterno burning pot or receive a refund in the departments where purchased in any of the Gimbel stores.  

Hazard

If the fuel cup is filled above the level of the seam joining the upper and lower parts of the cup, the alcohol fuel may leak out and cause a flash fire when the heating element is ignited by a user.

Incidents & Injuries

Gimbel Brothers has received one complaint of burn injuries sustained by a person attempting to extinguish a flash fire in October, 1980.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who own one of these fondue sets may exchange the alcohol burning pot for a solid Sterno burning pot or receive a refund in the departments where purchased in any of the Gimbel stores.

What Should You Do?

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

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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, 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.

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