Hamilton Beach Classic Chrome Model 22600 – The Never-Ending Heater
This chrome-finished two-slice toaster looks like any other breakfast appliance, but it harbors a terrifying secret. The heating element in these toasters can remain energized indefinitely when an item is placed in the toaster which may ignite the contents, posing a fire hazard if the toaster is near flammable items. Hamilton Beach has received 15 reports of toasters that did not pop-up as intended, including three reports of minor damage to kitchen cabinets. What makes this particularly dangerous is how normal it looks—most people don’t realize their morning routine involves a potential fire bomb. The model was sold for years between 2008 and 2011, meaning thousands of these units are still sitting in kitchens across America. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toasters and contact the firm to receive instructions on how to obtain a free replacement toaster. Yet many people continue using them daily, unaware they’re gambling with their safety every time they make toast.
Hamilton Beach Model 22602 – The Phantom Starter
When the toasters are first plugged into the outlets, the heating element can be energized although the toaster lifter is in the up or off position, which can pose a fire hazard if the toaster is near flammable items. This model creates a uniquely terrifying scenario where the toaster appears to be off but is actually heating up behind the scenes. Hamilton Beach has received five reports of toasters being energized when first plugged into an outlet. Imagine plugging in your toaster in the morning, thinking it’s safely waiting for your bread, only to discover the heating elements are already active. The company recalled about 14,000 units, but these toasters were sold at major retailers across the country between August and November 2011. Also, some of these toasters were sent to consumers as replacements for model 22600 toasters recalled in June 2011. This means some people received potentially dangerous replacements for their already recalled toasters—a safety nightmare that compounds the original problem.
Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima T1000 Type 1 – The Kitchen Cabinet Destroyer
This under-cabinet toaster was supposed to save counter space, but instead it became one of the most dangerous appliances ever sold. In 1997, Black and Decker exercised a recall of 234,000 Spacemaker Optima Toasters, which resulted in 1,066 home fires when some of the toasters continued to produce heat beyond the normal heating cycle. Now Black & Decker has received 1,066 food fire complaints involving these toasters; 656 of these involved property damage ranging from kitchen cabinet damage to one kitchen fire. The design flaw was particularly insidious—when food caught fire, the toaster door would automatically open, releasing flames directly into kitchen cabinets. Eight burn injuries have been reported. Despite the massive recall effort, Over 200,000 of the toasters were suspected to remain in use despite the high risk of fire and injury associated with them. The Consumer Product Safety Commission had to sue Black & Decker because the company’s initial recall efforts were deemed inadequate.
General Electric Models 169115 and 169116 – The Circuit Breaker Killers
After receiving 140 reports of fires and sparks coming from two models of General Electric toasters, Wal-Mart has recalled 210,000 of the two-slice and four-slice units. These toasters didn’t just catch fire—they caused electrical mayhem throughout people’s homes. The toasters have also tripped the circuit breaker in a number of consumers’ homes, according to the recall notice issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide from September 2007 through July 2008, these chrome and black plastic toasters were priced attractively between $17 and $28. With 140 fires on record, we’re wondering why it took so long to recall these toasters. The fact that Consumer Reports had to ask this question reveals how slowly safety issues can be addressed when it comes to everyday appliances. Many families bought these as budget-friendly options, never imagining they were bringing home a fire hazard that could also damage their home’s electrical system.
Salton Inc. Chrome Models – The Self-Starting Fire Starters
The toaster can turn on without bread in the slots and ignite items placed on top of it, posing a fire hazard. This 12,000-unit recall involved multiple brands manufactured by Salton Inc., including Farberware, Hoffritz, and Russell Hobbs models. The toasters were sold through online retailers and liquidators from January 2000 through December 2007, meaning they circulated for seven years before the recall. What makes this particularly dangerous is that people often use the top of their toaster as temporary storage for kitchen items like paper towels, napkins, or bread bags. Consumers should stop using the toaster immediately, unplug it, and cut off the power cord where it enters the body of the toaster. Consumers who return the power cord in the prepaid envelope that will be provided will receive a full refund. The unusual remedy—cutting off the power cord—shows just how seriously the company took the fire risk. Yet with no reported incidents at the time of recall, many consumers likely ignored the warning, assuming their unit was safe.
Viking Range Corp. Four-Slice Electric Toasters – The $300 Shock Hazard
In 2009, five consumers were electrically shocked by Viking Range Corp’s toasters, which cost $300 per unit, due to loose internal wiring within the appliances. Ten thousand units were recalled. These weren’t cheap toasters—at $300 each, they were luxury appliances that consumers trusted for their quality and safety. Wiring inside the toaster can become loose and contact the toaster body, posing a shock hazard to consumers. The high price point made this recall particularly frustrating for consumers who believed they were paying for superior safety and construction. Viking Range Corporation, known for professional-grade kitchen equipment, had to face the reality that even expensive appliances can have deadly flaws. The fact that five people were actually shocked before the recall shows how these problems often go unreported until they cause actual harm.
Wolfgang Puck Toaster Oven/Toasters – The Persistent Heater
The toaster oven can remain “on” after the toast pops up, posing a fire hazard. This W.P. Appliances recall involved about 1,500 Wolfgang Puck Toaster Oven/Toasters that couldn’t figure out when to stop heating. The celebrity chef’s name on the appliance gave consumers confidence in the product’s quality, but the defect created a particularly dangerous situation. Unlike regular toasters that just burn bread, these combination units had larger heating chambers and could accommodate various foods, making the fire risk even greater. In 2009, 1500 toasters were recalled when the manufacturer noted a defective mechanism continued to provide heating power to the toaster elements even after toasting was completed, the bread position was “up” due to that completion and food was removed. The recall came at a time when toaster ovens were becoming increasingly popular as space-saving alternatives to full-size ovens. Many consumers used these units for more than just toast, potentially creating even more dangerous scenarios when the heating elements refused to shut off.
Black & Decker Infrawave Toasters – The Circuit Board Igniter
An electrical component in the toaster can overheat and ignite the circuit board, posing a fire hazard. Applica Consumer Products recalled about 70,000 of these Black & Decker brand toasters in 2007. Applica has received two reports of the toasters igniting, including one report of fire that damaged a kitchen countertop and cab The “Infrawave” name suggested advanced technology, but the reality was a design flaw that could literally set the toaster’s own internal components on fire. The toasters were sold at home improvement and discount department retailers nationwide from March through November this year, the commission said in a statement. This recall demonstrates how even seemingly innovative features can hide dangerous defects. The fact that the circuit board itself could ignite meant the fire risk came from within the appliance’s core systems, not just from overheated food or external factors.
Current Black & Decker Models – The Continuing Fire Reports
Despite years of recalls, Black & Decker toaster problems persist into recent years, with consumer complaints continuing to pour in. I had a Black and Decker toaster oven for less than a year and was making toast when I turned around from the sink and saw a fire in it. There was no grease in the oven at all. Multiple consumers report similar experiences with newer models, suggesting that fundamental design issues may still exist. Last night as we were making dinner, I had looked over at the toaster and noticed the entire thing was on fire. The flames were shooting up the cabinet doors. The cabinet ended up catching on fire. One particularly alarming account shows how these fires can spread beyond the appliance itself. This is frightening and should be recalled! Consumer reports continue to flood in about toaster ovens that catch fire spontaneously, burn food even on light settings, and continue operating even when unplugged. These aren’t isolated incidents—they represent a pattern of safety issues that spans decades of production. The fire hazard is apparent and the potential for disaster obvious. The incident was quite unnerving from a safety viewpoint.
