October 27, 2026 — A consumer has reported a serious incident involving an Instant Pot Smart Wifi 60 pressure cooker, which reportedly exploded while in use, expelling hot food and causing minor burns and significant property damage. The incident highlights potential safety concerns associated with the operation and maintenance of pressure cooking appliances.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident occurred while the consumer was preparing a pot roast in their Instant Pot Smart Wifi 60. Before the pot reached full pressure, a “Food Burn” error was displayed, despite the presence of sufficient liquid and no indication of food glazing to the bottom. Approximately 5 to 10 minutes after the appliance reached pressure, the consumer observed a slight leak from the pressure relief valve, a condition they noted had occurred on several previous occasions. About 20 minutes into the pressure cooking cycle, the leak from the valve escalated significantly. While the consumer was standing nearby, searching for a replacement valve online, the Instant Pot violently jetted hot pot roast through the seal between the lid and the pot. Fortunately, the majority of the food was propelled away from the consumer, who sustained only minor contact with hot food on their face and hair. However, the force of the explosion resulted in widespread distribution of food throughout the kitchen and dining area, causing extensive property damage to walls, ceiling, windows, kitchen appliances, dining table, silverware drawer, pantry, and a nearby couch. The consumer states they have a video recording of the incident.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises several serious safety concerns related to pressure cookers and potentially defective units:
- Immediate Danger of Burns: The primary and most immediate danger is severe thermal burns from superheated steam and hot food. Pressure cookers operate at extremely high temperatures and pressures, and any breach of the seal or uncontrolled release can cause agonizing and debilitating injuries to anyone nearby.
- Property Damage: As evidenced by this report, an exploding pressure cooker can cause extensive and costly property damage. Hot food and steam can ruin walls, ceilings, furniture, and appliances, leading to significant cleanup efforts and repair expenses.
- Mechanism Failure: The reported sequence of events—a “Food Burn” error without apparent cause, a consistently leaking pressure relief valve, and ultimately a catastrophic lid seal failure—suggests a potential defect in the product’s design, manufacturing, or safety mechanisms. A pressure relief valve is a critical safety component designed to prevent over-pressurization, and its consistent leaking indicates a malfunction that could lead to more severe incidents.
- Risk to Bystanders: While the consumer in this incident fortunately avoided serious injury, a similar event could easily impact children, pets, or other individuals in the vicinity, leading to more severe and widespread injuries.
- False Sense of Security: The “Food Burn” error without actual burning, combined with the recurring valve leak, might lead users to dismiss these as minor anomalies, potentially delaying intervention until a critical failure occurs.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own an Instant Pot Smart Wifi 60 or a similar pressure cooker, it is crucial to prioritize safety:
- Discontinue Use if Malfunctioning: If your pressure cooker exhibits any unusual behavior, such as persistent error codes without clear cause, leaking from the pressure relief valve or lid, difficulty sealing, or any other signs of malfunction, immediately discontinue use.
- Inspect Your Unit: Regularly inspect your pressure cooker’s lid, sealing ring, pressure relief valve, and float valve for any signs of wear, damage, or blockage. Ensure the sealing ring is properly seated before each use.
- Never Override Safety Features: Do not attempt to force open a lid before all pressure has been safely released. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and maintenance.
- Check for Recalls: Periodically check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website (www.cpsc.gov) for any recalls or safety alerts related to your specific Instant Pot model or similar pressure cookers.
- Report Incidents: If you experience a similar incident or any malfunction with your Instant Pot or other consumer product, report it immediately to the manufacturer and the CPSC. Your report can help identify safety trends and prevent future incidents.
- Retain Evidence: If an incident occurs, preserve the product, document the damage with photos or videos, and keep any purchase receipts or warranties.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.