Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported June 15, 2004
CPSC, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Announce Recall of Slow Cookers
The heating element can drop to the bottom of the slow cooker and melt through the plastic outer shell, posing a burn hazard to users.
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Select Brands, Inc., of Lenexa, Kan. recalled The recalled General Electric (GE) Cool Touch 6 Quart Slow Cooker has a removable blue ce… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Announce Recall of Slow Cookers was recalled by Select Brands, Inc., of Lenexa, Kan. in June 15, 2004. Reason: The heating element can drop to the bottom of the slow cooker and melt through the plastic outer shell, posin…. Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the slow cooker to Wal-Mar…. Verify recall #04159 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Select Brands, Inc., of Lenexa, Kan. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The heating element can drop to the bottom of the slow cooker and melt through the plastic outer shell, posin….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 146K units
- affected scope
- June 15, 2004
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04159 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #04159) was formally reported on June 15, 2004. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Select Brands, Inc., of Lenexa, Kan. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 146,000, a scale large enough to require multi-state distribution tracking.
The documented reason for this recall is: The heating element can drop to the bottom of the slow cooker and melt through the plastic outer shell, posing a burn hazard to users. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the slow cooker to Wal-Mart for a full refund. - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Household Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
146,000
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
The recalled General Electric (GE) Cool Touch 6 Quart Slow Cooker has a removable blue ceramic bowl with a glass lid. The enclosure that surrounds the ceramic bowl is made of plastic. The GE logo is located on the front of the unit underneath the temperature control knob. The model number 168945 is located on a silver label on the bottom of the base.
Reason for recall
The heating element can drop to the bottom of the slow cooker and melt through the plastic outer shell, posing a burn hazard to users.
Remedy, what to do
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the slow cooker to Wal-Mart for a full refund.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 04159 |
| Date reported | June 15, 2004 |
| Date initiated | June 15, 2004 |
| Recalling firm | Select Brands, Inc., of Lenexa, Kan. |
| Affected scope | 146,000 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the slow cooker to Wal-Mart for a full refund.
- Check the recall number (04159) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
The recalled General Electric (GE) Cool Touch 6 Quart Slow Cooker has a removable blue ceramic bowl with a glass lid. The enclosure that surrounds the ceramic bowl is made of plastic. The GE logo is located on the front of the unit underneath the temperature control knob. The model number 168945 is located on a silver label on the bottom of the base.. Recalled by Select Brands, Inc., of Lenexa, Kan.. Units affected: 146,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
The heating element can drop to the bottom of the slow cooker and melt through the plastic outer shell, posing a burn hazard to users.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return the slow cooker to Wal-Mart for a full refund.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on June 15, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04159.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (04159) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Nearby Recalls in This Category
Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported June 15, 2004. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.