Recall: Slow Cookers Recalled by Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 17, 2003 Release # 03-160

Company Phone Number: (800) 429-6363 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex Announce Recall of Slow Cookers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Slow Cookers

Units: 2.7 million

Manufacturer: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, of Glen Allen, Va.

Hazard: The handles on the base of the slow cookers can break, posing a risk of burns from hot food spilling onto consumers.

Incidents/Injuries:The company has received approximately 4,700 reports of handles breaking, including two reports of consumers who required medical attention for burns.

Description: The recalled slow cookers were sold under the Hamilton Beach and Proctor-Silex brand names, which are printed on the front of the base of the unit. The slow cookers are either round or oval, and were sold in solid white and various print designs. They have a capacity of 3.5 to 6.5 quarts. The slow cookers have series codes A through D which are printed on the bottom along with the model number.

Brand Names	Model Numbers
Hamilton Beach	33390, 33475, 33575, 33590, 33675, 33690, 33725, 33850, 33860
Hamilton Beach / Portfolio	33680
Proctor-Silex	33320, 33320FD, 33325, 33375, 33380, 33625A

Sold at: Discount department stores nationwide from January 1999 through December 2002 for between $15 and $45.

Remedy: Consumers will be shipped a replacement slow cooker base.

Consumer Contact: Hamilton Beach toll-free at (800) 429-6363 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.proctor-silex.com

Media Contact: Kirby Kriz at (804) 527-7299.