PlainRecalls
CPSC Moderate Active

CPSC Issues Warning About Hazardous Red Devil Gas Grills

Reported: May 24, 2002 Initiated: May 24, 2002 #02159

Product Description

These red metal gas grills have a tripod stand. They have a logo on the label of the lid and grill base showing a devil cooking at a grill with the writing, "Red Devil." CPSC sued e4L Inc. and Quantum North America Inc. to obtain a recall, and an administrative law judge granted CPSC a default judgment when these manufacturers failed to appear. The firms are liquidating their assets under bankruptcy law.

Reason for Recall

The product's design allows consumers to light the grill at an air intake tube, instead of at the burner. Though the grill appears to function normally, gas inside the air intake tube ignites. The tube can reach temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and present a burn hazard to consumers. In some earlier grills, the heat produced by lighting the grill at the air intake tube damaged the plastic support piece, and caused the grill to fall to the ground. When it collapses, flames from the grill can burn nearby consumers and ignite surrounding combustibles.

Remedy

Both the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and QVC voluntarily notified their customers directly about the hazard these grills pose, and provided a remedy. Grills purchased from retailers other than the HSN and QVC are dangerous, and CPSC urges consumers to stop using them immediately. Since Quantum and e4l have declared bankruptcy, there is no remedy available. Vendors who are still selling these grills also are encouraged to stop doing so and contact CPSC. About 19,300 of these grills, sold directly by e4L, were recalled in July 1998 because the burners could disconnect from the burner pan. Even if consumers participated in this previous recall program, they should stop using these grills since this warning addresses a different hazard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
These red metal gas grills have a tripod stand. They have a logo on the label of the lid and grill base showing a devil cooking at a grill with the writing, "Red Devil." CPSC sued e4L Inc. and Quantum North America Inc. to obtain a recall, and an administrative law judge granted CPSC a default judgment when these manufacturers failed to appear. The firms are liquidating their assets under bankruptcy law.. Recalled by Quantum North America Inc., of Encino, Calif.. Units affected: About 155,000.
Why was this product recalled?
The product's design allows consumers to light the grill at an air intake tube, instead of at the burner. Though the grill appears to function normally, gas inside the air intake tube ignites. The tube can reach temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and present a burn hazard to consumers. In some earlier grills, the heat produced by lighting the grill at the air intake tube damaged the plastic support piece, and caused the grill to fall to the ground. When it collapses, flames from the grill can burn nearby consumers and ignite surrounding combustibles.
What should consumers do?
Both the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and QVC voluntarily notified their customers directly about the hazard these grills pose, and provided a remedy. Grills purchased from retailers other than the HSN and QVC are dangerous, and CPSC urges consumers to stop using them immediately. Since Quantum and e4l have declared bankruptcy, there is no remedy available. Vendors who are still selling these grills also are encouraged to stop doing so and contact CPSC. About 19,300 of these grills, sold directly by e4L, were recalled in July 1998 because the burners could disconnect from the burner pan. Even if consumers participated in this previous recall program, they should stop using these grills since this warning addresses a different hazard.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on May 24, 2002. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 02159.