GrillBlazer Torch Recall Lawsuit Investigation

GrillBlazer LLC voluntarily recalled its Su-VGun and GrillGun propane torch guns on December 9, 2020, working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission under recall number 21-049. Propane gas can leak from the torch, creating a fire hazard. About 10,000 of the torches were sold in the United States, and roughly 450 more in Canada, between December 2019 and July 2020. GrillBlazer received hundreds of leak reports, including some that led to fires, before agreeing to the recall. Consumers should stop using an affected torch right away and reach out to GrillBlazer for a free repair. No notice has announced the recall’s end, so it is treated as open.

Latest GrillBlazer Torch Recall Updates

January 11, 2021: Health Canada Posts Its Own Recall

Health Canada posted its own consumer product recall of the Su-VGun and GrillGun torch guns on January 11, 2021, a month after the US recall [1]. The recall, identification number RA-74721, covers roughly 450 units sold in Canada. GrillBlazer had received 33 reports of leaking valve stems in Canada as of December 30, 2020, with no injuries reported. The notice tells owners to stop using the torch and contact GrillBlazer for repair instructions.

December 9, 2020: CPSC Announces the U.S. Recall

CPSC announced GrillBlazer’s voluntary US recall of about 10,000 Su-VGun and GrillGun torches on December 9, 2020 [2]. The recall followed leak reports, including some that led to fires. The recall, CPSC number 21-049, offers a free repair for any affected Su-VGun or GrillGun torch. The section below on reported incidents has the full count and outcome of those reports.

Which GrillBlazer Torches Are Affected?

The recall covers two GrillBlazer torch gun models, each one identified by its size and the marking printed on its barrel:

• Su-VGun: a propane torch gun for searing meat. 14.5 by 8 by 2 inches, black, with “Su-VGun” printed in yellow on the barrel
• GrillGun: a propane torch gun for lighting charcoal, wood grills, and smokers. 21 by 8 by 2 inches, black, with “GrillGun” printed in yellow on the barrel

The CPSC notice lists no model, lot, or serial numbers for either torch. Owners identify an affected unit by its product name and printed barrel marking alone. Both models were sold online at grillblazer.com, Kickstarter.com, and Indiegogo.com from December 2019 through July 2020. Both are also included in Health Canada’s separate recall of units sold in Canada.

Why Were GrillBlazer Torches Recalled?

GrillBlazer’s Su-VGun and GrillGun torch guns were recalled because propane gas can leak from the torch, posing a fire hazard to consumers, the CPSC notice states. GrillBlazer received numerous leak reports from US customers before agreeing to the recall. Health Canada’s parallel recall notice attributes the leak specifically to valve stems on the torch. The CPSC notice does not name a specific part. CPSC accepted the recall under its Fast Track Recall program. That let GrillBlazer act voluntarily, without the Commission first voting on whether the torch violated a federal safety law. The recall covers every Su-VGun and GrillGun sold during the affected window described above, no matter when a particular unit began leaking.

Reported Incidents, Injuries, or Illnesses

GrillBlazer told CPSC it had received 260 reports of the Su-VGun or GrillGun leaking propane before the recall. Three of those incidents led to a fire. The company reported no injuries connected to any of the reports. Health Canada logged a smaller set of reports for units sold in Canada. It recorded 33 valve-stem leak reports as of December 30, 2020, again with no injuries. Neither notice states how many involved property damage. These figures come from GrillBlazer’s and Health Canada’s own recall notices. They reflect the reports each company and agency received, which may undercount how many incidents actually happened with an affected torch.

What Should Consumers Do?

Anyone who still owns a recalled Su-VGun or GrillGun torch should take the following steps right away, even if it has not leaked:

1. Stop using the torch immediately.
2. Do not attempt to repair or modify the torch’s propane connection.
3. Contact GrillBlazer for a free repair: call 888-267-9022 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT, Mon-Fri), email support@grillblazer.com, or visit grillblazer.com/support. You may also report a leak or fire to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov [3].
4. Keep the torch, its original packaging, and any purchase receipt on hand until GrillBlazer confirms that your repair is complete.
5. Move away from the torch and shut off the propane cylinder if you smell gas or hear hissing near a fitting.

Other Recalls, Warnings, or International Actions

Health Canada also separately recalled the same Su-VGun and GrillGun torch guns described above, citing the same propane-leak fire hazard. The Canadian notice tells owners to stop use and contact GrillBlazer. It also reminds Canadian sellers that redistributing a recalled product is against the law.

Legal Options

No lawsuit, class action, or multidistrict litigation over the GrillBlazer Su-VGun or GrillGun recall has been filed so far. Only attorney-marketing pages describe the recall as possible grounds for a claim. A recall does not automatically establish liability or eligibility for compensation. Anyone whose torch leaked propane, started a fire, or caused property damage may want an individual review of their situation. Schmidt & Clark offers a free case review of a potential claim, and the review does not promise eligibility or any result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a CPSC Hotline for Reporting a GrillBlazer Torch Problem?

Yes, CPSC operates a Consumer Hotline at 800-638-2772 for reporting a dangerous product like an affected GrillBlazer torch. That number is separate from GrillBlazer’s own repair line, and from SaferProducts.gov, where CPSC also takes reports online.

Is the GrillBlazer Recall Listed on an International Database?

Yes, GrillBlazer’s Su-VGun and GrillGun recall is listed on an international database. Health Canada’s recall notice says it is posted on the OECD Global Portal on Product Recalls, separate from the CPSC’s US notice and Health Canada’s own Canadian notice.

What Is SaferProducts.gov and How Do I Use It?

SaferProducts.gov is the public database where CPSC lets consumers file and read complaints about thousands of consumer products. That includes reports connected to a recall like GrillBlazer’s. You can use it to report a leak or fire involving your torch, or to search for reports other owners filed.

Does GrillBlazer Still Sell the Su-VGun and GrillGun Torches?

GrillBlazer still sells the Su-VGun and GrillGun torches on its own website. That includes refurbished units and a service and upgrade kit for each model. Neither recall notice says whether current production changed the design that caused the recalled units to leak.

How Do I Report a GrillBlazer Torch Problem to Health Canada?

Health Canada asks Canadians to report safety or health incidents involving the GrillBlazer torches, or any other consumer product, using its Consumer Product Incident Report Form. That is separate from SaferProducts.gov, the US website CPSC uses for the same kind of report.

Where Are GrillBlazer Torch Guns Made?

GrillBlazer’s Su-VGun and GrillGun torch guns are manufactured in China for GrillBlazer LLC. That Oklahoma company imported and sold them under the recall notice. The CPSC notice lists China as the country of manufacture and Chouteau, Oklahoma, as GrillBlazer’s home base.

References

1. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/su-vgun-and-grillgun-propane-torch-guns-recalled-due-fire-hazard
2. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/GrillBlazer-Recalls-Propane-Torch-Guns-Due-to-Fire-Hazard
3. https://www.saferproducts.gov/