A kitchen appliance that many of us rely on for quick, convenient meals has become the subject of an urgent federal safety warning. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an alert this week that should concern anyone who owns a Gourmia six-quart digital pressure cooker—a popular model that was widely available at stores many of us shop at regularly.
The warning, issued on Tuesday, February 24, affects approximately 43,500 units sold between 2017 and 2020. If you purchased one of these pressure cookers during that timeframe, particularly from Best Buy or other major retailers, it's time to check your kitchen cabinets.
Why This Matters to Our Community
The safety concern is serious and has already resulted in real injuries to real people. Federal regulators have received five reports of the cookers expelling hot contents under pressure, leading to four severe second-degree burn injuries. Two individuals have been hurt badly enough to file lawsuits over their injuries.
The core problem lies in a dangerous design flaw: the lid can be opened while the cooker is still pressurized. When this happens, scalding hot food and liquid spray out with force, creating a burn hazard that can cause lasting harm. Making matters worse, the float valve—the safety feature that's supposed to indicate when pressure is present—is tucked inside the handle where it's difficult to see. This hidden placement increases the risk that someone might open the lid thinking it's safe when it's actually still under dangerous pressure.
There's another concerning issue with these units: incorrect volume markings on the inner pot. These faulty measurements can lead users to overfill the cooker, which compounds the danger when the appliance is vented or opened while pressurized.
How to Identify the Recalled Cooker
The recalled appliance has distinctive features that make it identifiable. Look for a stainless steel body with black plastic finishes, a pressure lid, a digital temperature and function display, and button controls. These six-quart models were sold primarily at Best Buy stores, though they were also available through other retailers and online platforms. They typically retailed for between $50 and $80.
The cookers were imported by The Steelstone Group LLC, which does business as Gourmia, based in Brooklyn, New York.
What You Should Do Right Now
Federal safety officials are clear about the action needed: stop using these pressure cookers immediately and dispose of them. Don't wait to use up what's inside or finish one last meal. The risk of severe burns isn't worth it.
Equally important: don't pass the problem along to someone else. Regulators specifically warn against selling or giving away these cookers. What might seem like a generous gesture to a neighbor or donation to a thrift store could put another person at risk of serious injury.
If you've experienced any issues with this product or have been injured, you can report it through the federal SaferProducts.gov website. Your report helps regulators track safety issues and potentially prevent others from being harmed.
A Reminder About Kitchen Safety
This recall serves as an important reminder for all of us about the appliances we bring into our homes. Pressure cookers, when working properly, are wonderful tools that save time and energy. But they operate under high pressure and temperature, which means design flaws can have serious consequences.
Take a moment this week to check your kitchen. If you have one of these Gourmia pressure cookers, remove it from service today. Share this information with friends and family members who might have purchased one of these units—they may not have seen the warning yet.
Our community's safety depends on all of us staying informed and taking action when hazards are identified. This is one of those moments where a few minutes of attention could prevent a serious injury in someone's home.
