Double Insight Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker Lawsuit Update: Injuries, Recall Status, and Legal Options

The Double Insight Gem 65 8-in-1 multicooker, sold at Walmart with “Instant Pot” printed on the front, was recalled for a fire hazard. The CPSC says a manufacturer defect can cause it to overheat and melt on the underside. Double Insight received 107 reports of overheating, with five cases of minor property damage and no injuries. Walmart sold the units for about $80. About 104,000 units were recalled in March 2018. Owners should stop using the multicooker. No federal lawsuit or MDL names the Gem 65.

Latest Double Insight Gem 65 8 in 1 Multicooker Lawsuit Updates

March 5, 2018: Intertek Warns About Double Insight Multi Cookers

Intertek published public notice 18-5 on March 5, 2018. It warns that Double Insight multi cookers bearing a cETLus certification mark pose a public hazard [1]. The notice covers the Gem 65 8-in-1 model and lists its batch codes. It refers to the recall that the CPSC announced four days earlier as 18-110 [2].

March 1, 2018: CPSC Announces Recall 18-110 of Gem 65 Multicookers

The CPSC and Double Insight announced recall 18-110 on March 1, 2018. It covers about 104,000 Gem 65 8-in-1 multicookers. The notice tells consumers to stop using the multicooker right away and unplug it.

Who May Be Affected?

Owners of a Gem 65 8-in-1 multicooker that has the Instant Pot name on the front may be affected. The recall covers units bought at Walmart stores or walmart.com between August 2017 and January 2018. Consumer Reports describes the Gem 65 8-in-1 as the only oval Instant Pot model [3]. Check your unit for one of these batch codes: 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734 or 1746. People whose property was damaged or who were hurt by an overheating unit may want a legal review. A review looks at each person’s facts on their own and does not promise any result.

Reported Injuries or Damages

The CPSC recall notice counts 107 overheating reports. Minor property damage followed in five of them. No injuries have been reported. These figures are regulator incident reports and have not been tested in court. They do not prove that the defect caused every event. The CPSC says a manufacturer defect can heat the unit until its underside melts. Double Insight told CNBC the cause was a tooling misalignment during manufacturing [4]. The CPSC has not made that finding.

Recall and Regulatory Background

CPSC lists the remedy for recall 18-110 as Refund and Replace. Owners can return the unit to Walmart for a full refund or contact Double Insight for a free replacement. Double Insight takes calls at 888-891-1473, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. A recall does not prove liability. Owners of a different Instant Pot model can read the Instant Pot pressure cooker lawsuit page.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep these items if your Gem 65 multicooker overheated, melted or caused damage:

• The multicooker, its power cord and the rating label with the model and batch code
• The Walmart receipt, order confirmation or account record
• Photographs of any overheating, melting or fire damage
• Repair, insurance and fire-department records
• Medical records for any injury
• Messages with Double Insight or Walmart

Do not throw the unit away or fix it before you take photos. Store it where nobody can plug it in.

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines come from state law. They depend on where you live and on when the injury or damage happened. A missed deadline can bar a claim for good, however strong the facts of your multicooker case are. Talk to a lawyer soon after an overheating event or property damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use the Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker as a Pressure Cooker?

You cannot use the Gem 65 8-in-1 multicooker as a pressure cooker, according to Consumer Reports. The CPSC notice lists its functions as roasting, baking, stewing, slow cooking, rice cooking, searing, steaming and food warming.

Where Can I Find the Batch Code on My Gem 65 Multicooker?

The batch code on your Gem 65 multicooker is printed on the rating label on the underside of the unit. The label also shows the Gem 65 8-in-1 model name. Compare the code with the recalled list above.

Who Makes the Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker?

Foshan Linshine Technology Co. of Guangdong, China, makes the Gem 65 8-in-1 multicooker. Double Insight Inc. of Canada imported and distributed it, according to the CPSC recall notice.

How Can I Contact CPSC or Double Insight About the Gem 65 Recall?

You can contact CPSC or Double Insight about the Gem 65 recall by phone or online. The CPSC hotline is 800-638-2772. Double Insight lists recall information at www.instantpot.com, under Product Recall, and at www.gemmulticooker.com.

References

1. https://www.intertek.com/siteassets/resources/pn/2018/pn-18-5.pdf
2. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2018/Double-Insight-Recalls-Multicookers-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Sold-Exclusively-at-Walmart
3. https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/instant-pot-recalls-gem-65-8-in-1-multicooker/
4. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/02/instant-pot-recalls-cooker-over-potential-fire-hazard.html