Lawsuit Investigation into Instant Pot Pressure Cookers

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a defect is behind certain problems with Instant Pot pressure cookers.

Consumers have reported that the food inside their Instant Pots has exploded out, and in some cases, caused severe burns. In light of positive rulings in cases against other brands of pressure cookers believed to suffer the same problem, attorneys want to hear from anyone who experienced problems with their Instant Pot to see if a class action lawsuit can be filed.

What’s Said to Be Causing Explosions with Instant Pots?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have reason to believe that some pressure cookers, including Instant Pots, contain a defective pressure release valve that inaccurately indicates that the built-up pressure has escaped the appliance, prompting consumers to open the lids before they should. As a result, consumers have claimed, the food inside the cookers can “blow up” or “explode” out—even in cases where the cookers are unplugged, properly vented and opened without force.

It is suspected that the problem stems from a faulty gasket that allows the lids to be opened even when significant pressure has built up, despite a safety feature designed specifically to prevent the lid from being opened until all pressure has been released.

Instant Pot Linked to Explosions, Burns

The Instant Pot was the center of an individual personal injury lawsuit filed by a family on behalf of their young daughter. According to a news report, the girl’s mother had used the Instant Pot several times and was making soup with her daughter when the incident occurred.

“The valve float drops, and we go to open it and put the kale in,” the mother told FOX31. “We were just going to add kale. And it exploded. Completely exploded.”

According to the lawsuit, the Instant Pot’s lid blew off “releasing with sudden and great force the steam and pressure that was still contained within…spewing its scalding contents” onto the girl. The suit claims she suffered serious, permanent and disfiguring burns to her shoulder, arm, chest and torso as a result of the exploding pressure cooker.

In another report, a Texas woman says she was using her Instant Pot and “somehow set off a blast of hot soup.” According to the report, the soup exploded from the pressure cooker and hit the ceiling. “I noticed my neck was burning, and my arm was burning,” the woman told ABC13, vowing never to use the product again.

Lawsuits Against Other Pressure Cooker Brands

It’s believed that Instant Pot pressure cookers suffer from the same potential defect as other brands of pressure cookers that have been at the center of class action litigation.

Tristar faced a lawsuit over its Power Pressure Cooker XL that has since been settled. According to the suit, the Tristar pressure cookers suffer from “a serious and dangerous design defect” that can result in “significant and painful personal injury.” Tristar agreed to a settlement in January 2018 that offers extended warranties for the pressure cookers and a credit toward the purchase of a new product.

Maxi-Matic also faced a lawsuit over its Elite Bistro Pressure Cooker; however, this case was dismissed on March 4, 2021.

How a Class Action Can Help

A class action lawsuit can help order the manufacturers of Instant Pot cookers to notify consumers of any potential defect, recall and inspect the appliances, and repair and replace the pressure cookers as needed.

A successful class action lawsuit could also help discourage other companies from releasing potentially dangerous kitchen tools onto the market and award compensation to people who own the cookers.

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