Warning: These Multi-Cookers Are Being Recalled Because They’re Overheating And Bursting Into Flames

Anyone who’s an Instant Pot user knows how convenient the contraption is. You dump ingredients into it, press a button, and dinner is ready within minutes—simple.

But the reason these cook so fast is because of the extreme heat it uses on the food—which apparently, couldn’t stand up to certain units of the Instant Pot, resulting in one scary recall due to overheating resulting in flames.

Man, just when we were getting over the crockpot bursting into flames on a This is Us episode last year, it becomes not-so-fictional!

The good news is the recall only affects one model of Instant Pot: The Instant Pot Gem 65 8-in-1 multi-cooker. Unlike its predecessors, this model actually can’t be used as a pressure cooker—it just has eight functions such as roasting, baking, stewing, slow cooking, rice cooking, searing/sautéing, steaming, and warming.

You don’t need to worry about any other models of the Instant Pot besides the Gem 65. However, there are several batch numbers of Gem 65 models that you need to get rid of if you own.

Here are the recalled batch numbers of the Gem 65 model:

  • 1728
  • 1730
  • 1731
  • 1734
  • 1746

You can find the batch code is listed on the silver label on the bottom of the device.

Additionally, note that ONLY these batch numbers that were sold exclusively at Walmart stores and on Walmart’s website are affected by the recall. In total, there are about 104,000 units affected, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recall comes after Instant Pot received 107 reports of their multi-cookers overheating and complaints that their cookers are melting on the bottom. Of the 107, five units resulted in minor property damage. Thankfully, there have been no physical injuries reported thus far.

So what should you do if you do own one of these multi-cookers? Don’t use it anymore! The good news is you’re likely eligible for a free replacement.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled multi-cookers, unplug the unit and return it to Wal-Mart to receive a free replacement,” according to the CPSC.

So if you’re affected by this recall, bring it back to the Wal-Mart you bought it and they can take care of you.

The good thing about the recall is that it opens up the opportunity for people to be safe when using this device, experts say.

“Now that the maker of Instant Pot has announced a formal recall, more people should get the information they need about the problem and the specific steps they need to take to stay safe,” says William Wallace, senior policy analyst for Consumers Union.

“At the same time, the company should investigate whether safety issues are limited to just the recalled products—and if there are other products affected, it should expand its recall and its warnings to consumers,” Wallace adds.

How scary! Keep an eye out on the CPSC website for additional recalls on Instant Pots in the future. Are you the owner of an Instant Pot? Are you affected by this recall?