Instant Pot Flags Potential Problem with Its Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker
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Instant Pot is telling owners of its Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker to stop using the model following reports that some overheated.
The Canadian maker of the popular line of multicookers said on its Facebook page that it received a "small number of reports" about the overheating, which it added resulted in "localized melting damage to the underside of the product."
The problem is limited to five batch codes: 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734, and 1746, according to Instant Pot’s statement. You can find the 4-digit batch code on the silver label on the bottom of the pot.
Before it closed commenting to its Facebook post, Instant Pot was hearing from consumers frustrated about not being able to use their Instant Pot. “It's not a few customers,” wrote one commenter.
What are the Next Steps?
Instant Pot didn't respond to requests for additional information but in its statement said it's “working cooperatively with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and anticipate providing updated information and next steps regarding receiving a replacement Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker within the next few weeks.”
Patty Davis, a CPSC spokeswoman, declined to comment on any discussions with Instant Pot, citing a federal statute.
William Wallace, senior policy analyst for Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer Reports, said, "While we're glad that Instant Pot says it's working with the CPSC, and has given some limited guidance to consumers, the company should do more."
"It should pin down the problem, identify which products are affected, and clearly inform consumers about a remedy and what steps they should take to stay safe," he said. "If this turns out to be a safety defect, Instant Pot should call it one, and carry out a recall."
If you own the Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker from one of the affected batch codes, contact Instant Pot's customer service department by emailing support@instantpot.com or calling 1-800-828-7280 and immediately pressing 2 to skip the phone tree.
Word to the wise, you get a much quicker response by calling rather than emailing or using Instant Pot's support portal.
The Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker is one of 14 models by Instant Pot and the only one that’s oval shaped. The device's eight functions are: roast, stew, bake, steam, slow cook, sear/sauté, rice cooking, and warming.
Consumer Reports hasn’t tested this model, but we have evaluated the Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1. We found no issues with the DUO60 7-in-1 when we used it in several cooking face-offs against: the Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker SCCPPC600-V1; the Big Green Egg; and the seven countertop appliances it claims to replace.
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