Archives for 2009

Recall: Fiesta Recalls to Repair Gas Grills Due to Fire, Burn Hazards

September 3, 2009 By Appliance

Name of Product: Blue Ember Gas Grills

Units: About 88,000 units in the United States (47,000 gas grills were previously recalled in October 2008) and 25,000 in Canada

Importer: Fiesta Gas Grills, of Dickson, Tenn.

Manufacturers: Unisplendor Corp., of China and Keesung Corp., of China

Hazard: The hose of the gas tank can get too close to the firebox and be exposed to heat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Fiesta has received 161 reports of grill fires, resulting in nine injuries, including two incidents of major burns on different parts of the body, six incidents of minor burns, and an incident involving temporary hearing loss.

Description: This recall involves Blue Ember liquid propane (LP) outdoor grills with model and serial numbers listed below. The cabinet style grill has two doors and is silver and black or silver and gray. “Blue Ember” is printed on the grill’s hood. The model and serial numbers are printed on a rating plate label on the rear of the grill.

MODEL NUMBERS	SERIAL # RANGES
FG50045 FG50057 FG50069
	07000003 thru 07010912	07057153 thru 07060224
	07012413 thru 07014716	07060681 thru 07060808
	07015613 thru 07018300	07062217 thru 07062344
	07021341 thru 07023260	07063453 thru 07063580
	07023645 thru 07026460	07064221 thru 07064604
	07029021 thru 07031580	07065373 thru 07065500
	07032093 thru 07038876	07065885 thru 07067164
	07039261 thru 07039743	07067165 thru 07073548
	07039837 thru 07039964	07074189 thru 07074316
	07040221 thru 07042332	07074573 thru 07074828
	07043013 thru 07043112	07075213 thru 07085436
	07045954 thru 07046387	08K000001 thru 08K000640
	07046416 thru 07046465	08U000001 thru 08U012000
	07049362 thru 07050897	08U015961 thru 08U027640
	07056257 thru 07056896

Sold at: Various home centers and retailers nationwide from November 2006 through June 2008 for between $400 and $500 in the United States and from November 2006 through May 2009 for between $400 and $600 in Canada.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the grill and call Fiesta Gas Grills to obtain a free replacement grease pan assembly and instructions for installing the part and the gas tank. The grill should not be used until the new grease pan assembly and the gas tank have been installed correctly. Consumers should also inspect the gas burner hose and regulator, which will be replaced free of charge if there are signs of damage.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fiesta Gas Grills toll-free at (866)740-7849 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email mnorman@fiestagasgrills.com or visit the company’s Web site at www.blueembergrills.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=807

Recall:Frigidaire and Kenmore Smoothtop Electric Ranges Due to Fire Hazard

September 2, 2009 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Certain Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges

Units: About 200,000

Manufacturer: Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga.

Hazard: Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or, 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Frigidaire has received 126 reports of incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two reports of minor property damage.

Description: This recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. The following model and serial numbers are included in the recall:

Frigidaire (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx – VF831xxxxx) and Models Beginning with
FEFBZ90GC FEFLMC55GC FEFLZ87GC	GLEF396AB GLEF396AQ GLEF396AS GLEF396CQ GLEF396CS GLEFM397DB	GLEFM397DQ GLEFM397DS GLEFM97FPB GLEFM97FPW GLEFM97GPB GLEFM97GPW	LEEFM389FE	PLEF398AC PLEF398CC PLEF398DC PLEFM399DC	PLEFMZ99EC PLEFMZ99GC PLEFZ398EC PLEFZ398GC

Kenmore Elite (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx – VF334xxxxx) and Models Beginning with
790.99012	790.99013	790.99014	790.99019

The model and serial number can be found by opening the range drawer at the base of the unit.

Sold at: Sears and other national chain and independent retailers nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Frigidaire at (800) 449-9812 between 8 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com. Consumers who purchased their products at Sears should call Sears at (800) 449-9810 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.

Maytag Expands Recall of Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

September 1, 2009 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators

Units: About 46,000 (1.6 million units were previously recalled March 2009)

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 23 additional reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 4 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:

	Serial Numbers ENDING with	AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with
Side by Side Refrigerators	CN, CP, YY, YZ	MZ
Top Freezer Refrigerators	CA, CC, CE, CG, ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH	CT15G4, CTB152, CTL151, CTM152, CTN151, MTB195, MTB215, MTB245, MTF195, MTF215, PTB155, PTB175, PTB195, PTB215

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from September 2000 through May 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and if so, to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com

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 it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

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Cash For Clunkers – Appliance Clunkers

August 27, 2009 By NightOwl

Here’s some good news if you’ve got an old household appliance you’ve been wanting to replace. The government’s $300 million dollar incentive plan will help you pay for it. The plan is meant to help the appliance industry by giving a boost to slow appliance sales nationwide, but the relatively small amount of cash will not make a big impact on major appliance appliance dealers such as Whirlpool, GE, and Electrolux. There are also some potentially confusing details to be worked out:

The Wall Street Journal says unlike the clunkers plan, the program allows each state to pick qualifying models and tailor rebate amounts. Ohio might decide one washing machine qualifies for a $100 rebate, while California picks another for $125.

Manufacturers and retailers said they are reluctant to ramp up production or order new stocks until it is clear what models qualify. The Department of Energy, which designed the program, wants states to focus on just 10 categories of appliances carrying the federal Energy Star seal of approval for efficiency.

But other details are still uncertain. States could ask to include up to 46 other types of products, ranging from light bulbs to computers. While rebates are expected to range between $50 and $200, qualifying models and precise rebate amounts won’t be provided until late this year or early next.

Some of the nation’s biggest appliance makers are lobbying to make the plan rules uniform nationwide. They said the unknowns and the varying rules by state will make the program harder to explain to shoppers, in turn making it tougher to win sales.

The program “will provide consumers a unique opportunity to save money on energy-efficient appliances,” said Dave McCalpin, chief marketing officer for GE Appliances. He said Fairfield, Conn.-based GE is working with state governments to adopt rebate programs that rely on Energy Star ratings.

Some states are considering standards that exceed Energy Star requirements, a move GE opposes. “We believe it is very important that rebate programs are consistent across the country,” Mr. McCalpin said.

The stricter proposals underscore criticisms that the Energy Star program is not tough enough in raising energy efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency is looking at revising the program’s standards. If it does so after the states set their rules, the rebates could end up subsidizing some appliances that are not as energy efficient as they could be.

Wahl Best Facial Hair Contest

August 24, 2009 By Appliance

Wahl Clipper Corp. is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the facial hair trimmer with the launch of its “Wahl Man of the Year” photo contest to find the best mustache, goatee and beard in America.

Men can enter the contest by submitting a photo at www.wahlnation.com. National winners will receive a 42-inch flat panel HDTV. Entries must be submitted by Dec. 13 and the national winners in each category — beard, mustache and goatee — will be announced March 15, 2010.

As part of the initiative, the Wahl Let It Grow Tour and mobile barbershop hit the road in August and will travel through October, searching for men with great facial hair as well as educate men on proper trimming techniques.

Wahl will be using the new Lithium Ion grooming tool to provide trims throughout the tour. A tour schedule can be found on Wahl’s Web site.

For every “Man of the Year” photo contest entry, $1 (up to a maximum of $5,000) will be donated to Movember, the month formerly known as November, when men grow a mustache for 30 days to raise funds and awareness to fight against prostate and testicular cancer. All funds raised will benefit Movember’s beneficiary sponsors, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong. Wahl will also award a 42-inch HDTV to the top fundraiser of Movember’s U.S. campaign.

Recall: Black & Decker Coffeemakers By Applica Consumer Products Due to Burn Hazard

August 21, 2009 By Appliance

Name of Product: Black & Decker® Thermal Coffeemakers

Units: About 9,800

Distributor: Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla.

Hazard: The coffeemakers can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a coffeemaker melting. No injuries reported.

Description: This recall involves Black & Decker 8-cup programmable thermal coffeemakers. Model number TCM1000IKT is printed on the rating plate on the bottom of the coffeemaker.

Sold at: Walmart and small retail stores nationwide from April 2008 through July 2009 for between $50 and $65.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the coffeemakers and contact Applica to receive a free replacement household product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Applica at (866) 699-4595 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acprecall.com

Recall: Wii Battery Recharge Stations by Griffin International Due to Burn and Fire Hazards

August 20, 2009 By Appliance

Name of Product: Psyclone Essentials and React Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Stations

Units: About 220,000

Distributor: Griffin International Cos., Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries: Six incidents of overheating have been reported to the firm. Two consumers reported minor burns to the hand.

Description: The Wii 4-Dock Recharge Station includes a white docking station with four recharge stations and a four rechargeable battery pack. Brand names are on the front of the packaging and the model numbers, Psyclone (PSE6501) and React (RT530), can be found on the bottom side of the product.

Sold at: The Psyclone Essentials brand was sold at Target, Toys R Us and Amazon.com nationwide; React was sold at Best Buy stores nationwide. Both were sold from January 2008 through July 2009 for about $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recharge stations and contact Griffin International to obtain information on how to return the product and receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Griffin International toll free at 888-344-4702 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday-Friday, email productsafety@psyclonegamer.com or visit this Web site www.psyclonegamer.com/Wii4Dock

Samsung’s Latest Includes New Induction Range – Lower Laundry Pricing

August 18, 2009 By NightOwl

Samsung Electronics America will add induction technology to its cooking appliance line this fall.

Details are sketchy, but the company said the freestanding model will be produced entirely in-house.

“It’s gorgeous,” said James Politeski, sales and marketing VP for Samsung digital appliances. “The controls are intuitive, more accessible and very cool.”

Joining the induction unit will be Samsung’s first gas-fueled ranges. Two models are also set to ship this fall, along with a $600 speed oven that features microwave and electric heating.

In laundry, Samsung has added a step between its opening price point $999 front-load washer and its $1,499 front-load steam washer. The new, Energy Star-rated WF419 (suggested retail $1,199) also features steam cycles and Samsung’s vibration-reduction technology (VRT), plus 4.3 cubic feet of capacity and a diamond-patterned drum surface that’s gentler on fabrics.

Samsung also lowered its opening price point in front-load laundry to $699 in a Lowe’s-exclusive model that could join the open line next year depending on marketplace conditions. Senior marketing manager Jeffrey Armstrong said the company is hesitant to play in the promotional arena after establishing Samsung as a premium appliance brand — a strategy that has paid off with a 100 percent increase in first-quarter laundry sales.

In refrigeration, Samsung showed three French door models with dual ice makers, a feature it described as an industry first. The dual system includes an external filtered water and ice dispenser in the refrigerator and an additional ice maker in the freezer to provide twice the ice-making ability of standard units.

Cool Off With a Room Air Conditioner -and Save Money

August 13, 2009 By NightOwl

The hot, humid weather of summer is about to meet Americans’ continuing desire to cut costs this cooling season. Room air conditioners are a practical way to cool down when temperatures heat up, especially if you want to save money by only cooling the rooms you use the most.

New room air conditioners are significantly more energy efficient and now offer a variety of features, including varying fan speeds, remote controls, timers and different types of filters. The average room air conditioner manufactured in 2008 also uses 23 percent less energy than units made in 1990. ENERGY STAR units can save you even more.

Before going to the store to purchase a new unit, consumers should visit www.cooloff.org to search through a list of models that are AHAM-certified. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers tests and certifies room air conditioners in an independent lab to verify that the product performs according to the manufacturers’ claims.

To get the maximum benefit from a room air conditioner, consider two important factors — cooling capacity and efficiency. Many people size air conditioners incorrectly, purchasing an air conditioner with more cooling capacity than needed.

More is not necessarily better. A unit with too much capacity may cool a room so quickly that it won’t run long enough to lower humidity. This results in a cold, clammy feeling caused by chilly, humid air. More importantly, you will be wasting energy and lots of money.

Cooloff.org also offers a cooling calculator for consumers to determine the proper cooling capacity for their room. The Web site will also take you through a series of questions before recommending models that fit your needs.

Once you know what size unit you need, consider its operating efficiency. The higher the energy efficiency ratio, or EER, the more efficient the model. When shopping, you’ll also want to look for the “AHAM-certified” seal. Models certified through AHAM’s program have been tested and their performance verified by an independent laboratory, assuring consumers that the product will perform according to the manufacturer’s product claims for BTU’s per hour, amps and efficiency.

Once you have the perfect air conditioner for your home size, you’ll want to keep it running smoothly. Here are some maintenance tips from the AHAM:

* Turn off the unit and open doors and windows during cooler periods.
* Use the unit fan and portable fans to draw in cooler outside air and increase circulation.
* Use a higher (warmer) thermostat setting during peak periods or when the area is unoccupied. A 75 to 80 degree setting will cut power consumption by 15 percent.
* Don’t let heat build up all day and then try to cool areas quickly by turning the controls to maximum settings.
* Draw the shade or window blinds to reduce solar and outdoor heat.
* Regularly change or clean filters and check air flow for blockage or frost on evaporator coil.

MicroFridge-Sized and Designed for the Dorm Room

August 11, 2009 By NightOwl

MicroFridge, the industry leader in compact specialty appliances, today introduced the next generation in small space convenience. The new product line includes patent-pending Safe Plug® technology and also features a Dual Outlet Charge Station that enables people to safely and conveniently charge a range of popular electronic devices such as laptop computers, MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras and more.

Combining a spacious refrigerator, freezer and microwave in a single unit, a MicroFridge appliance is perfect wherever space is limited and there’s a need for food and refreshments – including hotels, college residence halls, assisted living residences, military housing, offices and at home too. The compact MicroFridge refrigerator features over two cubic feet of storage space, while the separate freezer boasts a 0.75 cubic foot capacity. For food preparation, there is a fully programmable 700-watt microwave oven. The refrigerator’s Smart Store Door allows the upright storage of two-liter bottles or half-gallon containers to eliminate leaks and spills that can result when storing tall containers on their side. And the roomy zero-degree freezer ensures that items like ice cream stay perfectly frozen.

The microwave features three, distinct “Express Cook” settings, along with pre-programmed recipes for soup, beverages, pizza and popcorn; the beeper volume is adjustable and can also be set to mute. The patent–pending Safe Plug power management system technology is another feature that makes MicroFridge truly unique, automatically shutting off the refrigerator and charging station when the microwave is on, limiting the maximum electrical draw of the unit to just 11 amps.
“This reduces utility expenses and is good for the environment,” said Jim Russo, Vice President Product Sales of Intirion Corporation – the makers of MicroFridge. “Traditional refrigerators and microwaves can pull nearly twice that amount, potentially overloading electrical systems and creating costly problems.”
MicroFridge’s Safe Plug technology also enables users to operate both the refrigerator and microwave utilizing only one electrical socket. The blue plug on the refrigerator unit plugs into the back of the microwave with only the microwave plug required to power the unit. This oneplug-to-the-wall operation saves valuable outlet space as well.
The new Dual Outlet Charge Station makes MicroFridge the only company to offer this design and technology, providing exceptional convenience to safely charge personal electronics. Located in the front of the microwave, busy consumers can power up their laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, digital cameras, or any device that draws four amps of power or less. This eliminates the need to reach into inaccessible places to plug and unplug devices that require charging. And the integrated Cord Clip prevents cables from getting tangled or caught in the doors of the fridge or freezer while the Dual Outlet Charge Station is in use.

MicroFridge is ENERGY STAR rated and has achieved the highest rating for energy efficiency: CEE Tier 3 status. In addition, the Safe Plug technology further enhances the products’ energysaving benefit by temporarily shutting off the refrigerator when the microwave is in use.

Price and Availability
The MicroFridge combination appliance is used by college students across the U.S., and is also found in hotel and motel rooms, assisted living residences and on U.S. military bases. Models are available in classic black, white and stainless steel. The MicroFridge 2.9MF-7TP model combination appliance retails for $425.00 and is available for purchase, along with other models, direct from the manufacturer online at www.microfridge.com.