Beware of an accident if you use one of the thirteen models ofpressure cookers, subject to a recall, of the Arthur Martin, Artmétal, Bäcken, Beka, Berlinger Haus, Herzberg, Ogo Living and Tower brands.
They expose to serious burns and injuries. Because pressure cookers, like deep fryers, are potentially dangerous kitchen appliances, requiring flawless build quality.
The principle of the pressure cooker is to allow food to cook more quickly, thanks to an internal temperature of the pressure cooker which can rise to 118 ° C (ceiling fixed by a safety standard, but which could be much higher with suitable equipment). It therefore exceeds that of water vapor at atmospheric pressure, which is 100 ° C, when one is at a normal altitude.
A safety valve ensures, normally, that the pressure does not rise beyond the resistance capacity of the pressure cooker.
In addition, after the cooking is finished and the heat source is turned off, the handle locking the lid normally prevents it from being opened until the pressure is released.
350 years after its invention, still negligent industrialists
The first device of this type does not date from yesterday: it was developed in 1679 by the French physicist Denis Papin, who also invented a powder engine and a compressed air rifle.
Yet three and a half centuries later, some pressure cooker models still present a danger. Because who says pressure says danger, risk of burns and explosion.
This is what thirteen models are exposed to, the list of which has been published by the State services. It is available on the official site for product recalls maintained by the administration, as well as on top that of 60 million consumers , who has just devoted an article to this subject.
None of the models is marketed by a known brand, such as Seb, one of the first manufacturers to have sold on a large scale a reliable model of “pressure cooker”, according to the name registered by the group itself.
The models presenting a risk are as follows: Arthur Martin, “Set clic-clac AM2240 (4 l and 7 l)”; Artmétal, “The master cooks 9 l”; Bäcken “New Kool’or DSW22-7L” and “Steamcook DS24D2-8L”; Beka 16303764 (6l); Berlinger Haus “Turbo Easy Open & Close (Granit Diamond Line)”, “BH-1438” and “Turbo BH-1081 (6 l, 8 l)”; Herzberg “Healthy cooking HG-PS8 (8 l)”; Home “Emma 7 l”; Ogo Living “Gusto DSD 22-7.5”; Tower “T90103 type DSS 22-6”, “DSS 22-4 (4 l), 22-5 (5 l), 22-7 (7 l)” and “T90101 type ASMB 22 (3 l, 4.5 l) , 6 l, 7.5 l) ”.
The explosion of flavors, yes, the explosion of the casserole, no
The main danger observed is that the cover can be opened without the internal pressure having fallen. Hot liquid can then spray out and cause severe burns. © DR
Most of the offending brands are little known, with the exception of Arthur Martin, for a model sold with two containers of different capacities (4 and 7 liters) and a single lid supposed to fit both. other. This “sofa bed”, sold by Auchan and Boulanger (two subsidiaries of the Mulliez group) is the only one to present a risk of explosion in the proper sense.
It presents, moreover, the defect common to all the other sanctioned models, of being able to be opened while the internal pressure has not fallen but still at its maximum level. While this is normally not possible due to a safety lock of the opening handle, the cover can be released.
The most common risk is that the cooking liquid will squirt out of the pressure cooker and seriously burn the user, on the face, on the trunk and even on the legs. But there have also been cases where the cover itself has been violently thrown from a distance.
The owners of one of the models concerned must imperatively stop using it and return it to the place of sale for a refund.
An investigation that resulted in recalls
The investigation which led to these recalls was carried out, following the first cases observed, by the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing of Hauts de France. State services then carried out a whole series of laboratory tests.
In his subject, 60 million consumers indicates that despite some German-sounding brand names, most of the unsafe models were produced in China and, although bearing the NF conformity mark, were poorly controlled by the companies that subcontracted them to production.
It is useful to remember that for any pressure cooker, you must check, before using it, that the safety valve is free to move and is not blocked by food residue. In addition, never forget to place a liquid or fill the container beyond two thirds, the most careful being to stick to half. Finally, do not try to open the cover before, the heat source having been turned off, the pressure has dropped.
– .
