World Kitchen Recalls Immersion Heaters Due to Shock Hazard
World Kitchen is recalling about 472,000 immersion heaters because moisture in the heating element could cause corrosion and a shock hazard. No injuries have been reported.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (shock hazard) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria in the rubric.
Plain-English summary
World Kitchen Inc. is recalling about 472,000 immersion heaters manufactured by Chun Tai Electric Heater Company of Taiwan. The heaters are portable chrome-plated steel units with a white plastic handle and mug hook, used for warming tea, coffee, soup, or other liquids. Some products were sold under the EKCO brand, while others were sold with no brand. "IMMERSION HEATER" and "MADE IN TAIWAN" are embossed on the white plastic handle.
The recall is due to a hazard where moisture in the heating element could cause corrosion over time, presenting a shock hazard. World Kitchen has received two reports of short circuits, but no injuries have been reported.
The heaters were sold at mass retailers, hardware, and grocery stores nationwide from January 1999 through August 2005 for between $5 and $6. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact World Kitchen at (800) 853-6567 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.worldkitchen.com for a refund.
The recalled product
- Product
- Immersion Heaters
- Manufacturer
- Chun Tai Electric Heater Company, of Taiwan
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 472,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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