The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·89030·Announced 1989-04-24

Rowenta Recalls Coffee Makers and Water Boilers Due to Fire Hazard

Rowenta is recalling specific coffee makers and water boilers because malfunctioning thermostats can cause the appliances to catch fire, even when the switch is off.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with five reported incidents of the appliances catching fire. According to the rubric, significant injury or property-damage reports (or the threat thereof in fire hazards) align with a Severe classification.

Plain-English summary

Rowenta, Inc. is voluntarily recalling the Instant Hot Water Maker, model FK-91, and the Coffee Maker and Water Boiler, model FK-95, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall is necessary because the thermostats in these appliances may malfunction, causing the units to catch fire. This potential hazard exists even when the switch is off, provided the appliance has been in use. Rowenta has received five reports of the models catching fire. While these incidents did not result in any injuries, the threat of injury and property damage exists.

The recalled products are counter-top electrical appliances made of white plastic. The text "Rowenta Made in W. Germany" appears on the front and back of the units, and the model number FK-91 or FK-95 is imprinted on the back. Approximately 15,000 of these units were sold nationwide through retail stores and mail order catalogues since 1986.

Consumers should immediately unplug the units and discontinue all use. To receive a refund of $20, consumers should cut off the plug end of the cord and send the plug in a soft pack envelope to Rowenta, Inc. at 281 Albany Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139. Consumers must include their name and address with the cut-off plug. For more information, consumers can call Rowenta toll-free at 1-800-769-3682.

The recalled product

Product
Rowenta Coffee Maker and Water Boiler
Manufacturer
Rowenta
Category
Consumer Product — Small Appliances
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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