News

Recall: Tassimo Single-Cup Coffee Makers by BSH Home Appliances Due to Burn Hazard

March 7, 2012 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Tassimo Single Cup Brewers

Units: About 835,000 in the United States and an additional 900,000 in Canada

Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Irvine, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic disc, or T Disc, that holds the coffee or tea can burst and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers using the brewer and onto bystanders, posing a burn hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been 140 reports of incidents with the brewers spraying hot liquid, coffee grounds or tea leaves onto consumers, including 37 reports of second-degree burn injuries. One incident involved a 10-year-old girl from Minnesota who received second-degree burns to her face and neck and had to be hospitalized.

Description: This recall involves Tassimo brewers with the Bosch brand name and Tassimo Professional brewers. The brewers use plastic T Discs that are filled with coffee or tea to brew hot drinks. “BOSCH” and “TASSIMO” are printed on the front of the brewers. “TASSIMO PROFESSIONAL” is printed on the front of the professional model. The Bosch-brand brewers were sold in black, white, anthracite, gray, silver, red, titanium and white/gray colors. The Tassimo Professional brewers were only sold in black. The following model numbers and date codes are included in this recall. The model number and date code are located on the bottom of the brewer. No other Tassimo brewer is included in this recall.

Brand	Model Numbers That Begin With:	Date Codes Beginning with FD and Within the Range of:
Bosch®	TAS100	FD 8806 through 9109
	TAS200
	TAS451
	TAS46
	TAS651
Tassimo Professional	TAS6512CUL	FD 8905 through 9109

Sold at: Department, mass merchandise and home improvement stores nationwide and on various websites, including www.tassimodirect.com, from June 2008 through February 2012 for between $100 and $250. The Tassimo Professional model was sold directly to hotels and food service providers and they are being contacted directly.

Manufactured in: Slovenia and China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Tassimo brewers and contact the firm to order a free replacement T Disc holder for the brewing mechanism.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, visit www.tassimodirect.com/safetyrecall to order a free replacement T Disc holder or contact the firm toll-free at (866) 918-8763 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Saturday.

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1529

TAS100x/TAS451x/TAS46x

TAS651

TAS200x

Picture of Recalled Coffee Maker Tassimo Professional
Tassimo Professional

Picture of Recalled Coffee Maker Model Showing T Disc
T Disc

Picture of Recalled Coffee Maker Label showing model number and date code

Recall: Fire Concerns Prompt York International to Reannounce Recall of Gas Furnaces for Manufactured Homes

February 8, 2012 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T Gas Furnaces for Manufactured Homes

Units: About 223,600 in the U.S. and 2,400 in Canada (previously recalled in November 2004)

Manufacturer: Unitary Products Group (UPG), a division of York International Corp., of York, Pa.

Hazard: The furnace can overheat and cause the heat-exchanger to crack and create openings that allow flames to be exposed. When this happens, drywall and other nearby combustibles are exposed to the flames, posing a fire and smoke hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received reports of 393 incidents, including some involving extensive property damage that could be related to these hazards, 366 of those reports were received after the November 2004 recall announcement. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces. The furnaces are silver with white access panels. “Coleman,” “Coleman Evcon” and “Red T” brand names are located on the middle of the front access panel. The model number is written on a faceplate, found by removing both front access panels. The faceplate is found mounted on the left inside surface behind the lower panel. Models included in the recall are:

DGAM075BDD
DGAM075BDE
DGAM075BDF

DGAT070BDD
DGAT070BDE
DGAT070BDF

DGAT075BDD
DGAT075BDE
DGAT075BDF

DLAS075BDD
DLAS075BDE
DLAS075BDF

Sold by: Nationwide between 1995 and 2000 as original equipment in manufactured homes and as replacement furnaces in manufactured homes.

Manufactured in: U.S.A. between 1995 and 2000

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the furnace until it has been inspected and repaired. Consumers should contact UPG to schedule a free inspection and repair of any furnace involved in the recall.

Consumer Contact: For more information, including information about installation issues that may lead to the hazard, contact UPG toll-free at (888) 665-4640 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit their website at www.dgatprogram.com. UPG Technical Services is also conducting a comprehensive notification and communications program and working with its distributors to locate owners.

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1416

Recall: HP Fax Machines Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

February 6, 2012 By NightOwl

Name of Product: HP fax 1040 and 1050 machines

Units: About 928,000 in the U.S. and 240,000 in Canada and Mexico

Importer: Hewlett-Packard Co., of Palo Alto, Calif.

Hazard: The fax machines can overheat due to an internal electrical component failure, posing fire and burn hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: Hewlett-Packard is aware of seven reports of fax machines overheating and catching fire, resulting in property damage, including one instance of significant property damage and one instance of a minor burn injury to a consumer’s finger. Six incidents were reported in the U.S. and one in Canada.

Description: This recall involves HP Fax 1040 and 1050 models. The HP logo and the model number are printed on the front of the fax machine. The fax machines are dark gray and measure about 11 inches high x 14 1/2 inches wide.

Sold at: Electronics, computer and camera stores nationwide, and online at www.shopping.hp.com and other websites from November 2004 through December 2011 for between $90 and $120. Some of the recalled fax machines were replacement units for a previous recall involving HP fax model 1010 in June 2008.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled fax machines, disconnect them from the electrical outlet and contact HP for a rebate on the purchase of an authorized replacement HP fax machine or a partial rebate of certain HP ink jet printers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact HP toll-free at (888) 654-9296 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at http://www.hp.com/go/faxrecall/US-en

Jenn – Air’s “Designer Dialog”

January 19, 2012 By NightOwl

Jenn-Air is offering those planning or considering a kitchen remodel a fresh way to get professional advice and answers to their kitchen design questions. Designer Dialog, a newly-launched discussion tab on the Jenn-Air Facebook Brand Page, allows visitors to tap the expertise of a rotating lineup of kitchen designers recruited from throughout the country.

“Input from a professional kitchen designer can make the difference between a good and a great kitchen,” notes Juliet Johnson , Senior Manager of brand experience for Jenn-Air. “Beyond offering stylish, high performance appliances, we see providing access to design expertise as another way to help make great kitchens possible.”

Professionals moderating Designer Dialog discussions are members of the Jenn-Air Design Advisory Council, a group that meets regularly to share insights on industry trends and product design. East Coast designer, Morton Block , and , Juditch A. Neary from the West Coast are the first two moderators sharing input on the page. Morton Block is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), holds professional status in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS). Judith A. Neary is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD).

“This is a forum that lets consumers ask seasoned professionals their design questions and get different perspectives from designers with diverse experience,” says Neary. “Anyone embarking on a design project will appreciate this resource and should take advantage of it.”

Block recommends that prior to beginning a kitchen redesign the first step should be conducting research to understand the extent of the project and the costs involved with what you want to achieve.

“Many consumers today begin a kitchen research project by doing online research,” notes Block. “When new appliances are part of that plan, the Jenn-Air Designer Dialog provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to tap into the knowledge of veteran design professionals and obtain advice to ensure a successful project is achieved.”

In addition to being on hand to answer specific questions, moderators will share ideas and insights on a new design topic each month. To join the conversation, click the Designer Dialog tab on the Jenn-Air Facebook Brand Page.

Recall: Kaz USA Recalls Honeywell Portable Electric Heaters Due to Burn Hazard

January 13, 2012 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Honeywell Surround Select Portable Electric Heaters

Units: About 19,000

Distributor: Kaz USA Inc., of Southborough, Mass.

Manufacturer: Ningbo SMAL Electrics Co. Ltd., of China

Hazard: The heater’s internal housing, including the fan, heating element and circuitry, can detach, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall includes Honeywell Surround Select Series portable electric heaters with model numbers HZ-420, HZ-430, and HZ-440 and five-digit date codes that have 11 as the last two digits. The heaters are black or white cylinders with a handle on top. The model number is stamped into the plastic on the bottom of the heater. The date code is located on the metal prongs of the heater’s electrical plug. “Honeywell” and “Surround Heat” are printed on the front of the heaters. This heater was distributed by Kaz USA under license from Honeywell.

Sold at: Best Buy, Meijer and Walmart stores nationwide from July 2011 through December 2011 for between $50 and $70.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the heaters and contact Kaz for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kaz at (800) 370-8137 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.kaz.com/recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell them about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

Check Your Cart at Sears.com

January 3, 2012 By NightOwl

Is Sears.com tacking on added purchases without your consent? Automatically adding on a service package is up-selling and Sears.com may have been doing just that.

Edgar Dworsky, a nationally-respected consumer advocate and founder of the website ConsumerWorld.org, says he went on the site on Black Friday weekend looking for a refrigerator. He found a model he liked, put it in his cart and noticed that a five-year service contract for $469 had been added without his consent.

Dworsky points out that the charge for the service plan is easily removed from the cart if the customer spots it. If not, they could overpay from $110 to $550.

“How many shoppers have in their mind, ‘Oh, I’d better check the cart just to make sure they haven’t slipped something in there that I didn’t order?'”

Dworsky shopped for various appliances on Sears.com and he says the same thing happened every time: an expensive five-year extended warranty turned up in the shopping cart.

After Mr. Dworsky contacted Larry Costello, Sears’ public relations director, who says the company has received “very little negative customer feedback” about its up-sell policy,the company says it will change the way its website operates. Sears will now make their extended warranties an optional add-on, just as other major appliance sellers do.

Frigidaire Gets Most Efficient Label for Washers

October 12, 2011 By NightOwl

“ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” is a new EPA program designed to identify and advance highly efficient products in the marketplace. The effort will call out the most efficient products among those that qualify for the ENERGY STAR in particular product categories.

Frigidaire offers eco-friendly washers that use up to 82% less energy and 60% less water than washers from just ten years ago. Plus, the Energy Saver Option further reduces energy use up to 60%.

Many Frigidaire washers have been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as three of the most efficient ENERGY STAR washers on the market. Look for the certification on most of the Affinity models.

Frigidaire’s new collections of kitchen and laundry appliances include ENERGY STAR qualified appliances in every product category, where applicable, offering a variety of appliances that are from 10% to 80% more energy-efficient than non-ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. The line features washers that use up to 82% less energy and 60% less water along with refrigerators and freezers that use at least 10% less energy and dishwashers that use at least 41% less energy and 40% less water than was used just 10 years ago.

Kenmore Announces New Laundry Pair

October 10, 2011 By NightOwl

Kenmore has added a new steam washer and dryer to its laundry line-up, the Kenmore Elite 4.3-cubic foot Front Load HE Steam Washer and the matching Kenmore Elite 7.4-cubic foot Steam Dryer.

The Kenmore Elite® 4.3 cubic foot Front Load HE Steam Washer and the matching Kenmore Elite 7.4 cubic foot Steam Dryer bring technology and convenience to the laundry room. Additionally, the washer has been awarded the ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient designation in 2011.

In only 20 minutes, the Steam Refresh technology (dryer models only) gently refreshes clothes by relaxing wrinkles eliminating the need for ironing or re-washing

Wash a load in just 26 minutes using Express Wash, and dry a load in 30 minutes using Express Dry

Features Smart Motion Technology with cycle selection that provides the right amount of cleaning and care

Large capacities of 4.3 cubic foot washer and 7.4 cubic foot dryer to accommodate super king-sized loads, saving both time and energy without sacrificing performance

The washer uses 71 percent less water and 63 percent less energy than a conventional top-load washer manufactured prior to 2004

Features Kenmore Connect, a functionality that sends customers’ real-time diagnostic information directly from the washer or dryer over the phone to highly-trained service experts who answer questions, suggest solutions, or provide instructions to help keep the appliance running properly

The washer and electric dryer in white are $1,199 per unit and $1,299 in color finishes. Gas dryers are slightly more expensive.

Kenmore Debuts Two New Kitchen Appliances

October 7, 2011 By NightOwl

Kenmore has announced two new additions to its kitchen appliance offerings, the Kenmore Elite Double Oven Free Standing Range and the Kenmore Elite Trio 31-cubic foot Refrigerator with Grab-N-Go™ Door.

The Kenmore Elite Double Oven has two, 3.5-cubic foot ovens that perform equally and independently. Main dishes, such as full-sized turkeys or hams, can cook at the same time in separate ovens and at different temperatures for greater cooking convenience and versatility.

Each oven features true convection to provide maximum air movement and to deliver more even cooking throughout the oven. Additionally, Electric Turbo Boil technology rapidly brings pots to boil quicker than any other leading freestanding range brand (Compared against leading freestanding range competitors.)

The new double oven is available in white and black at $1,899 for model 97512/9 and $1,999 for model 97513.

The Kenmore Elite Trio Refrigerator with Grab-N-Go Door keeps users’ most-often-used items within reach. With the most storage space of any Kenmore refrigerator available (Based on capacity measured through AHAM Standards; storage space measured through Kenmore Brand Standards and among leading brands with capacities measured using AHAM standards.), this 31 cubic foot model has a separate compartment accessed with a simple push of a button. Removing the need to open both refrigerator doors and letting cold air escape, the Grab-N-Go Door is accessible via the exterior door and is best used for items such as snacks, drinks, leftovers.

The model’s integrated water dispenser virtually disappears into the door and is large enough to fill tall items like pitchers, coffee pots and water bottles. As an enhanced version of the recently released Kenmore Elite Trio Signature Refrigerator, this model is currently scheduled for national availability at Sears in January 2012.

Energy Star’s New Most Efficient Designation

October 5, 2011 By NightOwl

It seems that every appliance in the stores these days has qualified for the Energy Star label. A look around the local appliance store is dotted with the ubiquitous bright yellow tags.

Energy Star, in an effort to improve the system – everything can’t be the BEST – has added a “Most Efficient” designation to their listings.

“This new designation will help Americans save money and cut pollution by quickly pointing them to the best Energy Star products have to offer. Highlighting Energy Star’s Most Efficient products is a great way to encourage the strides in innovation that bring even more energy and money saving choices to our stores,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We know American consumers are eager to make purchases that save them money on their utility bills and reduce the pollution in the air we breathe, and these labels will help them identify the best ways to find those purchases.”

Products that receive the Most Efficient designation demonstrate exceptional and cutting-edge efficiency performance. The Most Efficient recognition will represent approximately the top five percent of models on the market in the following categories: clothes washers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions, and refrigerator-freezers. The following Energy Star partners’ products are among the first to be recognized as Most Efficient: Electrolux Major Appliances, Sears’ Kenmore, LG, Samsung, Best Buy’s Insignia Brand, Panasonic, Nordyne, and Rheem. Later this year, EPA will initiate a process to consider additional product categories for potential inclusion in 2012.

Consumers will be able to identify Most Efficient products on the Energy Star website and in stores by looking for the Most Efficient designation. In addition to meeting established performance requirements, products must also be Energy Star qualified and certified by an EPA-recognized certification body. Manufacturers are encouraged to submit products that meet the requirements to EPA for recognition.

More information on Energy Star’s Most Efficient products: http://www.energystar.gov/mostefficient