Recall: QVC Recalls Red Devil Gas Grills

May 17, 2002 Alert #02-541

CPSC, QVC, Inc., Announce Recall of Red Devil Gas Grills

PRODUCT: Red Devil Gas Grills - QVC, Inc., of West Chester, Pa., is voluntarily recalling about 11,100 Red Devil Gas Grills for the attachment of warning labels and the provision of revised operating instructions. 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." The lid also reads "The Portable Outdoor Kitchen." Components sold with the grill include a heat plate, an oversized skillet with handles, a table-safe serving trivet, and carrying totes. QVC sold the grills between May 1999 and December 2000. The grills were sold to consumers for approximately $150.

PROBLEM: The product's design allows consumers to light the grill at an air intake tube, instead of at the burner. When the grill is lit at the air intake tube, it will appear to function normally, though gas inside the air intake tube will ignite. The tube can reach temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and present a burn hazard to consumers. In earlier, but similar products sold by a different firm, the heat produced by lighting the grill at the air intake tube has damaged the plastic support piece, and caused the grill to fall to the ground. Flames from the lit grill can burn nearby consumers when it collapses and ignite surrounding combustibles.

INCIDENTS/INJURIES: CPSC has received 44 reports of consumers suffering burns to legs, hands and fingers, including reports of some third degree burns. There have been no incidents reported by QVC customers.

WHAT TO DO: Consumers who purchased one of these grills from QVC should stop using them immediately and call QVC Customer Service at (800) 334- 9324, between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.qvc.com. Consumers who purchased the product after August 1998 will receive, upon notifying QVC, revised operating instructions and a warning label to be put on the locking mechanism next to the air hole, warning users not to light the grill at the air hole opening in the venturi tube.