Hamilton Beach Recalls Toasters For Fire Hazard

Hamilton Beach has recalled about 14,000 Hamilton Beach® Classic Chrome 2-Slice Toasters for fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The defective Hamilton Beach® Classic Chrome 2-Slice Toasters were manufactured in China; imported by Hamilton Beach Brands Inc., of Glen Allen, Virginia; and sold at Mass merchandisers and department, grocery, and home center stores nationwide from August 2011 through November 2011. The toasters retailed for between $19 and $34.

Some of these toasters were sent to consumers as replacements for model 22600 toasters, which were recalled in June 2011.

When the toasters are first plugged into the outlets, the heating element can be energized although the toaster lifter is in the up or off position, which can pose a fire hazard if the toaster is near flammable items. To date, Hamilton Beach has received five reports of toasters being energized when first plugged into an outlet. There have been no reports of injuries or property damage.

This Hamilton Beach recall involves model 22602 toasters. The model number is printed on the bottom of the toaster. The toaster has a chromed steel exterior, a front control panel with a rotary toast shade selector and function buttons arranged in an arc, a front removable crumb tray, and the words “Hamilton Beach” printed below the control panel.

The firm is advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled Hamilton Beach® Classic Chrome 2-Slice Toasters and contact the firm to receive instructions on how to obtain a free replacement toaster. Hamilton Beach can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800. 576.6600, anytime, or at the firm’s website at www.hamiltonbeach.com. General toaster safety information is available from Hamilton Beach at http://tinyurl.com/43va5sd.