For Immediate Release
July 17, 2003
Release # 03-160
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recalls in voluntary cooperation with the firms listed 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.

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.hamiltonbeach.com or www.proctor-silex.com.

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