Pressure Cooker Explosion Lawyer: When Kitchen Appliances Cause Severe Burns

How Pressure Cooker Injuries Happen

• Pressure cooker explosion lawsuits typically involve several types of manufacturing and design defects:
• Defective Lid-Locking Mechanisms – Popular pressure cooker models feature faulty lid-locking systems that fail when needed most. Users receive false signals indicating safe opening conditions when dangerous internal pressure still exists. The lid releases, and superheated contents explode outward with volcanic force.
• Malfunctioning Pressure Release Valves – Some designs incorporate pressure release valves that clog, malfunction, or prove inadequate. Pressure builds beyond safe thresholds, seals rupture, and contents escape—frequently through the lid pathway where users stand.
• Float Valve Defects – These critical components should physically prevent lid opening until pressure drops to safe levels. Manufacturing inconsistencies or design inadequacies compromise this safety function, resulting in lids that unlock despite internal conditions guaranteeing explosive decompression.
• Electronic Sensor Failures – Digital models introduce additional failure modes: sensors that misread pressure levels, control boards displaying “safe” indicators while chambers remain pressurized, and software glitches permitting premature lid unlocking.

Common Pressure Cooker Brands Involved in Lawsuits

Defective pressure cooker lawsuits have been filed against numerous manufacturers, including:

• Instant Pot explosion cases
• Power Pressure Cooker XL injuries
• Crock-Pot Express malfunctions
• Cuisinart pressure cooker burns
• Ninja Foodi explosion claims

Some kitchen appliances are inherently more dangerous than others. Because of their design and method of operation, pressure cookers can be some of the most hazardous items in an American household.

Pressure cookers rely on high pressure to cook foods quickly, trapping extremely hot liquid and food. If the appliance happens to break or fail due to defects in materials or design, an accident may occur involving spills and explosions.

Each year, defective pressure cookers are recalled by appliance manufacturers and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). However, by the time the specific defective models are recalled, consumers may have already suffered serious injuries.

In fact, many recalls are not initiated until injuries are reported or lawsuits hold companies accountable for the damages they have caused. Victims of defective products and their attorneys have the right to file claims against any company who sells and distributes dangerous defective kitchen appliances like pressure cookers.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated recall lawyer and product liability attorney representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of consumer product liability and Faulty Pressure Cookers. 

Pressure Cooker Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission analyzes whether a product poses a “substantial product hazard,” and makes recall decisions based on the three following factors:

• Types of defects—design defects, construction and packaging flaws, and inadequate warnings or instructions may all lead to recalls.
• Volume of defective products—one poor safety report can lead to a recall, but usually recalled products have already caused harm to many consumers.
• Severity of the risk—the safety agency carefully notes the number of injuries reported, the severity of those injuries, and the likelihood of more injuries occurring in the future.

Devastating Injuries From Pressure Cooker Explosions

Types of Burn Injuries We Handle

• Third-Degree Burns requiring skin grafts, multiple surgeries, and months of recovery. Victims often face permanent scarring and disfigurement that reconstructive surgery cannot fully repair.
• Facial Burns and Disfigurement causing both physical damage and severe psychological trauma. According to the American Burn Association, facial burns often require the most extensive treatment and result in lasting emotional distress.
• Hand and Arm Burns that compromise fine motor function permanently, affecting victims’ ability to work and perform daily activities.
• Eye Injuries occur with disturbing frequency. Boiling liquid striking eyes causes vision impairment or blindness, with potential for secondary complications like glaucoma or cataracts.
• Blunt Force Trauma from explosive force itself—users struck by flying lids suffer concussions, facial fractures, and dental damage.

Pressure Cookers Injury Risk

Pressure cookers can cause a number of serious burn injuries, and as a result the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published safety measures to help consumers protect themselves in the kitchen. The following safety tips may reduce the risk of burn injury and encourage safe kitchen practice:

• If the pressure cooker model you own is recalled, do not use it and return it the place in which it was purchased.
• Do not buy a second hand pressure cooker, as it may malfunction, have broken parts or old seals.
• Keep seals and rubber gaskets clean.
• If a seal or gasket looks cracked or broken, replace it or purchase a new cooker.
• Follow the instruction manual and safety instructions.
• Measure liquids precisely. This is important as too much or too little liquid can present safety hazards.
• Do not overfill pressure cookers. Some foods expand when they cook and need extra space.
• Beware of frothy foods. Frothy foods can block steam valves and pressure-release vents. When cooking foods like pasta, split peas, oatmeal, applesauce or cranberries, make sure the quantity is well below the maximum-fill line.
• Release pressure and lid safely. Pressure is released by letting the cooker cool until the pressure drops to a safe range. Consult the instruction manual.
• Stay clear of steam. Open the cooker with the lid facing away from you.
• Use dry pot holders.
• Inspect pressure cookers before use. Check the lid for cracks, and make sure the vent is open and clean.
• Clean pressure cookers after each use.

Why Are Pressure Cookers Dangerous?

Pressure cookers are sealed cooking devices that use a high amount of pressure to increase the boiling point of liquids. This allows food to cook without large amounts of water, energy or time. Food is usually placed within the pressure cooker and sealed with an air-tight lid that will not allow steam to escape during the cooking process.

As the steam pressure rises, the water’s boiling point increases as well. When the optimal pressure of the cooking device is attained, the heat is reduced and the built pressure and high temperature cook the food in quick fashion.

But because some cooking devices are defective, the steam and boiling water may escape, or the entire pressure cooker may explode, causing serious injuries to consumers.

Pressure Cooker Lawsuits

Pressure Cooker Defect Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of injured plaintiffs throughout the United States. Product Liability law holds companies responsible for dangerous consumer products that present a burn hazard or safety risk.

Pressure Cooker defects are common, and companies have a duty to properly test their products before they are sold to the public and pose burn injury risks. The Lyon Firm is proud to target companies who fail to provide safe consumer products, and has experience filing personal injury claims on behalf of burn injury victims nationwide.

Defective kitchen appliances can turn an ordinary day in the kitchen into a quick disaster. Due to their method of cooking contents at extremely high pressurized temperatures, pressure cookers have been known to cause serious pressure cooker injuries when they explode or spill boiling contents.

Most reported pressure cooker explosions are the result of the seal failing or the lid popping off prematurely. Burns are the most common injuries linked to defective pressure cookers. Consumers who are nearby when a device fails may suffer severe burns and scalding pressure cooker injuries across their face and body.

Pressure cooker lids are meant to be designed to create airtight seals with a rubber gasket, but if the seal is faulty and breaks before the device has time to release pressure, it can cause the lid to detach and spill boiling contents. This malfunction can occur even with safety locks if the materials are inferior and the design is defective.