‘Do not buy this’: Kmart shoppers demand immediate recall of popular kitchen item
- Replies 7
In a call that echoes consumers' concerns, thousands of Kmart shoppers have raised the alarm over a widespread issue with a popular kitchen appliance.
They're urging the retail behemoth to issue an urgent recall of its renowned rice cooker due to fears it presents a severe safety hazard that could lead to ‘death or injury’.
The 7 Cup Rice Cooker, priced at $14, has attracted concerns that the gadget poses a serious fire risk, with reports of overheating, smoke emission, instances of burning, and letting off a ‘chemical’ smell after just a few uses.
The issue has sparked outrage online, with one user issuing an 'urgent warning' and calling on Kmart to address the issue immediately.
'Please recall your rice cookers! There are so many reports on the web of them burning out and catching fire,' the concerned shopper wrote.
‘They are dangerous! Our first rice cooker from you was great–lasted five years without issue. We have now purchased three in the last three months, and all have burnt out with acrid-smelling smoke on the first use.’
‘The last one was smoking so badly but was drawing electricity, and we had to unplug it and race it outside,’ the shopper added.
‘You have numerous customer reports on the web of these catching on fire. Is it going to take someone’s house to burn down before you recall them?’
Despite the outcry, a Kmart spokesperson has assured that the product 'complies with all required standards' and that any issues raised by customers are being investigated.
The spokesperson further explained that the rice cooker has several protection circuits to prevent overheating and fire.
However, the heating element can overheat if the inner pot is not placed firmly flat on the heating plate during use or if the bowl is damaged.
While the product boasts a 4.6 rating based on 696 reviews on the Kmart website, the narrative is different on other review platforms.
On ProductReview.com.au, 15 reviewers have reported encountering dangerous issues with the Kmart rice cooker. One reviewer even warned that the gadget posed a 'risk of death or injury'.
‘Agree—this product has a serious problem, should be recalled,' one reviewed.
‘Haven’t had mine that long. While using it today, it overheated, and the parts started to burn. Luckily, I smelt it. I came over to find smoke coming out of the “Warm/Cook” button area.’
‘I really do think this needs to be recalled. Difficult to see in the photo, but there is burnt/browning of the surface under the silver hotplate.’
‘Purchased this month, third time using, we could smell a chemical burn from the product,’ another wrote.
‘Quickly unplugged it—all of the base is burnt. Very lucky we were close by otherwise, it may of caused damage.’
‘Needs to be recalled immediately.’
‘Do not buy this rice cooker, it will catch fire,’ another warned.
‘My house could have burned down. I can’t believe Kmart is still selling this product. Kmart should be ashamed of themselves knowing by all these reviews that it’s unsafe and it's still on the shelves.’
‘I’ll be taking this further before somebody ends up dead.’
Another added, ‘Not even two months old, used five times and could smell a burning/electrical stench while sitting on my back patio.’
‘Lucky, I went to investigate, and the smell came from the rice cooker. Unplugged from the wall and even the cord was hot and burn marks inside the bottom of the cooker housing.’
‘Big fire hazard.’
Kmart has urged anyone experiencing issues with its 7 Cup Rice Cooker to contact their local store.
'At Kmart, we take the quality and safety of all our products very seriously,' the spokesperson said.
‘While this product complies with all required standards, we investigate any quality issues that are raised with us.’
'We encourage any customer who experiences an issue with a product to get in touch with our customer service team to ensure that it can be investigated properly.'
It’s understood that Kmart has been selling this product for several years already, and no fire or electrical safety issue has been officially identified.
Sometimes, even if appliances have their safety seals, accidents can happen at a moment’s notice. This was brought to light following one terrifying experience of an air fryer ‘bursting into flames’.
In a previous story, a woman recalled the terrifying moment when the air fryer purchased from Kmart allegedly burst into flames and sparked a house fire.
She said that she and her partner had been using their air fryer for three years prior to the incident. You can read more about what happened next here.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you experienced similar problems with your kitchen appliances? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
They're urging the retail behemoth to issue an urgent recall of its renowned rice cooker due to fears it presents a severe safety hazard that could lead to ‘death or injury’.
The 7 Cup Rice Cooker, priced at $14, has attracted concerns that the gadget poses a serious fire risk, with reports of overheating, smoke emission, instances of burning, and letting off a ‘chemical’ smell after just a few uses.
The issue has sparked outrage online, with one user issuing an 'urgent warning' and calling on Kmart to address the issue immediately.
Shoppers are urging Kmart to recall its 7 Cup Rice Cooker due to fire risk and injuries. Credit: Kmart
'Please recall your rice cookers! There are so many reports on the web of them burning out and catching fire,' the concerned shopper wrote.
‘They are dangerous! Our first rice cooker from you was great–lasted five years without issue. We have now purchased three in the last three months, and all have burnt out with acrid-smelling smoke on the first use.’
‘The last one was smoking so badly but was drawing electricity, and we had to unplug it and race it outside,’ the shopper added.
‘You have numerous customer reports on the web of these catching on fire. Is it going to take someone’s house to burn down before you recall them?’
Despite the outcry, a Kmart spokesperson has assured that the product 'complies with all required standards' and that any issues raised by customers are being investigated.
The spokesperson further explained that the rice cooker has several protection circuits to prevent overheating and fire.
However, the heating element can overheat if the inner pot is not placed firmly flat on the heating plate during use or if the bowl is damaged.
While the product boasts a 4.6 rating based on 696 reviews on the Kmart website, the narrative is different on other review platforms.
On ProductReview.com.au, 15 reviewers have reported encountering dangerous issues with the Kmart rice cooker. One reviewer even warned that the gadget posed a 'risk of death or injury'.
‘Agree—this product has a serious problem, should be recalled,' one reviewed.
‘Haven’t had mine that long. While using it today, it overheated, and the parts started to burn. Luckily, I smelt it. I came over to find smoke coming out of the “Warm/Cook” button area.’
‘I really do think this needs to be recalled. Difficult to see in the photo, but there is burnt/browning of the surface under the silver hotplate.’
Consumers have reviewed the dangers of the 7 Cup Rice Cooker on ProductReview.com.au. Credit: ProductReview.com.au
‘Purchased this month, third time using, we could smell a chemical burn from the product,’ another wrote.
‘Quickly unplugged it—all of the base is burnt. Very lucky we were close by otherwise, it may of caused damage.’
‘Needs to be recalled immediately.’
‘Do not buy this rice cooker, it will catch fire,’ another warned.
‘My house could have burned down. I can’t believe Kmart is still selling this product. Kmart should be ashamed of themselves knowing by all these reviews that it’s unsafe and it's still on the shelves.’
‘I’ll be taking this further before somebody ends up dead.’
Another added, ‘Not even two months old, used five times and could smell a burning/electrical stench while sitting on my back patio.’
‘Lucky, I went to investigate, and the smell came from the rice cooker. Unplugged from the wall and even the cord was hot and burn marks inside the bottom of the cooker housing.’
‘Big fire hazard.’
Kmart has urged anyone experiencing issues with its 7 Cup Rice Cooker to contact their local store.
'At Kmart, we take the quality and safety of all our products very seriously,' the spokesperson said.
‘While this product complies with all required standards, we investigate any quality issues that are raised with us.’
'We encourage any customer who experiences an issue with a product to get in touch with our customer service team to ensure that it can be investigated properly.'
It’s understood that Kmart has been selling this product for several years already, and no fire or electrical safety issue has been officially identified.
Sometimes, even if appliances have their safety seals, accidents can happen at a moment’s notice. This was brought to light following one terrifying experience of an air fryer ‘bursting into flames’.
In a previous story, a woman recalled the terrifying moment when the air fryer purchased from Kmart allegedly burst into flames and sparked a house fire.
She said that she and her partner had been using their air fryer for three years prior to the incident. You can read more about what happened next here.
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