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Table Of Contents
- What’s the Problem?
- Mantra Pressure Cookers Recalled Over Burn Hazard
- Exploding Pressure Cooker Injuries
- Defective Pressure Cooker Lids and Valves
- Other Common Causes of Pressure Cooker Explosions
- Pressure Cooker Safety Tips
- Do You Qualify For a Pressure Cooker Burn Injury Lawsuit?
- General Pressure Cooker Statistics:
- How You Can Avoid a Pressure Cooker Injury
- Get a Free Manttra Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
What’s the Problem?
According to the Reviewed Organization publication from 2023, electric pressure cookers have recently become popular across the U.S., thanks to increases in mass marketing and plentiful shelf space in big box stores. However, many defective pressure cooker recalls have been initiated over safety concerns [1].
If popular pressure cookers have defective components, explosions can occur, spraying hot food, hot pinto beans, and liquids on users and anyone else nearby. Power pressure cooker explosions can cause third-degree burns and other catastrophic injuries resulting from flying shrapnel.
Pressure cookers work by using pressurized heat and steam, which causes foods to cook faster than traditional cooking methods. Most of the appliances feature a heating unit, an inner pot, and a locking lid with a pressure valve. When cooking, the power pressure cooker’s lid is locked in place and as the inner pot is heated, pressure inside the cooker increases.
The locked lid should be designed to stay in place and not be able to be released until all the pressure has been vented. When the cooking process is complete, the pressure release valve should allow steam to escape, at which point the lid can be released.
Related Article: Why Do Pressure Cookers Explode?
Mantra Pressure Cookers Recalled Over Burn Hazard
As stated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in December 2007, Manttra Inc. recalled nearly 40,000 Manttra brand pressure cookers after the company received multiple reports of hot soup spilling out of the pressure cookers, resulting in catastrophic injuries [2].
If the pressure cookers are not closed properly, the lid can separate and allow hot contents to spill out, CPSC said. This poses a risk of substantial burn injuries to consumers.
The recall affected Manttra Smart Series five-piece stainless steel multi cooker sets. The set included a pressure lid, glass lid, steamer basket, wire trivet, and stock/pressure pot. Model/code number 38270 is stamped on the base of the 8-quart stainless steel pressure cooker.
Exploding Pressure Cooker Injuries
Lawsuits have been filed against the makers of pressure cookers sold since about 2010, which have been linked to reports of:
- Serious burns
- Hot steam burns
- Second-degree burns
- Third-degree burns
- Eye injuries and blindness
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Scalds
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Kitchen and/or property damage
- And more
Defective Pressure Cooker Lids and Valves
In many instances in which recalled pressure cookers exploded or otherwise malfunctioned, causing catastrophic injuries, there is a safety flaw or defect in either the locking lid or the pressure release valve. This causes the pressure cooker to explode, breaking or freeing the lid, and spraying boiling food and liquid on users and others nearby.
Pressure release valves on a pressure cooker have also malfunctioned in many cases, where the boiling point valve fails to release enough steam to avoid excessive pressure buildup when the user removes the lid. Injuries from defective pressure cooker pressure relief valves have been reported to include burns on the face, scalp, neck, back, arms, hands, and torso.
Other Common Causes of Pressure Cooker Explosions
Pressure cookers are intended to safely contain the pressure that builds up inside it during cooking, and then safely vent the steam when the cooking process is done. As long as there is steam built up in the cooker, the lid should not be able to be opened. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many defective pressure cookers.
Explosions may occur if any of the following conditions exist:
- Defective seals: If the seal isn’t designed or installed correctly, it can cause a leak that leads to a pressure cooker explosion.
- Defective gaskets: A faulty gasket that can be opened during high pressure can cause an explosion.
- Inadequate venting: If the vent doesn’t release steam pressure at the appropriate time, the pressure cooker explodes.
- Faulty lid lock: If the lid lock doesn’t work correctly, the lid may open when the cooker is still under pressure.
- Automatic shut-off malfunctions: If the automatic shut-off is defective, the cooker has the potential to overheat with boiling liquid and explode.
Most pressure cooker manufacturers advertise the safety mechanisms they have on their pressure cookers; however, if those mechanisms fail to work as designed, consumers may suffer serious injuries.
Pressure Cooker Safety Tips
According to the CNET publication from 2018, to ensure safe cooking practices with your Manttra pressure cooker and avoid any potential hazards that could lead to a Manttra Pressure Cooker Lawsuit, follow these guidelines to minimize risks [3]:
Proper Filling: Avoid overfilling your Manttra pressure cooker. “As a rule of thumb, don’t let the total amount of precooked food and liquid in the inner pot go over the two-thirds line. If you are pressure cooking food that expands like rice, beans, pasta or dried vegetables, be even more cautious. Only fill the inner pot to half full. Also, always add at least 2 cups (480 ml) of water or other liquids when pressure cooking or the unit won’t pressurize properly.
- Ingredients Caution: Certain ingredients like cranberries, applesauce, cereals, and others can sputter or foam, potentially leading to valve clogging and excessive pressure. Only use these ingredients as per recommended guidelines in approved Manttra recipes.
- Secure Lid: Before initiating pressure cooking, ensure the lid is securely locked. An improperly locked or misaligned lid can lead to explosions and burns. Always verify that the sealing ring is clean and correctly positioned under the lid.
- Follow Instructions: Properly align and lock the lid by twisting it clockwise to the designated locked icon. Double-check the lid’s placement before initiating any cooking program to prevent accidents.
- Patience During Cooking: Allow the Manttra pressure cooker to complete its pressurization process without interruption. Do not attempt to open the cooker until it has fully depressurized to avoid potential explosions.
- Release Pressure Safely: After cooking, follow the recipe instructions for releasing pressure. Do not attempt to open the cooker if the float valve is still up or the lid is difficult to turn, as this indicates that pressure is still present.
- Avoid Steam Contact: Keep yourself and others away from the steam valve during operation to prevent burns. Ensure the pressure cooker is inaccessible to children to mitigate potential risks.
By adhering to these safety measures, you can minimize the likelihood of accidents and safeguard against the need for a Manttra Pressure Cooker Lawsuit.
Do You Qualify For a Pressure Cooker Burn Injury Lawsuit?
In hundreds of reports, home cooks have described troubling incidents in which the safety mechanisms built into pressure cookers appear to fail, leading to serious injuries. Many consumers have sustained severe burn injuries, requiring hospitalization, costly medical treatment, and lost time at work.
Attorneys say that hundreds of other people injured by pressure cookers exploding may also be entitled to pursue justice. Injured consumers are now filing product liability lawsuits, claiming that some pressure cooker companies are peddling unsafe products to unsuspecting home cooks.
General Pressure Cooker Statistics:
According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, the majority of pressure cooker users are over the age of 30, with 46% of injured parties between the ages of 30 and 50, and 10% between 51 and 70. In 2008, of 39 sampled cases of pressure cooker-associated emergency room visits, 17 involved injuries where the pressure cooker either exploded or liquids burst from the pot, causing burns. The remaining 22 involved contact burns or steam burns.
There have been several recalls of pressure cookers in recent years due to safety concerns, including:
- FagorSplendid Chef: Over 400,000 were recalled from 2007-2015, with more than 70 burn injuries reported.
- Tristar Pressure Cooker: Recall of 145,000 units in 2012 due to lid detachments caused by excess pressure buildup, resulting in 29 reports of injuries.
- Power Pressure Cooker XL: Recall nearly 1 million cookers in 2018 due to explosion and malfunction complaints.
- Instant Pot Gem 65: Some batches were recalled in 2018 for potential fire risk from overheating.
- Crock-Pot Express Crock: 2019 recall of 119,000 units following 99 incidents of the lid detaching violently.
How You Can Avoid a Pressure Cooker Injury
The only way to completely ensure your safety is to avoid using pressure cookers in the first place.
However, if you decide to cook with one of the appliances, keep the following tips in mind to reduce your risk of injury:
- Check to see if your pressure cooker has been recalled or if any lawsuits have been filed over it – Research the specific model, name, and brand of the cooker to find out if it’s been recalled, is the subject of a lawsuit, or has been linked to any severe burn injuries. If so, stop using it immediately and return it to the point of purchase.
- Look for damages and defects on your pressure cooker –Most pressure cookers are designed with an array of safety features, but these mechanisms are worthless if they are damaged or defective. Check your cooker’s valves, sensors, latches, and seals before using the appliance.
- Clean your pressure cooker—Many pressure cooker explosions are caused by blocked valves or an accumulation of food. Keeping your pressure cooker clean will reduce the risk of an explosion and severe injuries.
- Vent and open your pressure cooker carefully—Two of the most dangerous steps while using a pressure cooker involve venting steam and opening the device. Follow the instructions carefully when performing these steps.
- Never add oils when using a pressure cooker—Cooking oils can significantly increase the temperature inside pressure cookers, causing safety features to melt. This can also lead to fires.
- Keep children and pets away from your pressure cooker—Pressure cookers can be extremely dangerous and should always be out of reach by kids. Children may open them while they’re still in use, vent them improperly, or even pull them off of countertops, causing them to explode.
- Don’t buy a secondhand pressure cooker—Modern pressure cookers are considered safer than older models because of their safety features; however, those features are less effective with wear and tear. Never buy a used pressure cooker from a third party.
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Get a Free Manttra Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of jury trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Manttra Pressure Cooker Litigation. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new severe injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Mantra Pressure Lawsuit Evaluation: Again, if you or a loved one was severely burned after a pressure cooker exploded, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a pressure cooker settlement for medical expenses by filing a Manttra pressure cooker lawsuit and we can help.
References:
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2007/pressure-cookers-recalled-by-manttra-inc-due-to-burn-hazard
2. https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cooking/news/pressure-cooker-recall-2023-options-to-shop-after-best-buys-insignia
3. https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/safety-tips-every-instant-pot-owner-should-know/
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