Fountain Inn Fire Marshal Issues Local Alert Following Federal Pressure Cooker Warning

The Fountain Inn Fire Marshal’s Office is urging local residents to immediately stop using and dispose of a specific model of Gourmia digital pressure cookers following a series of reports involving severe burn injuries. The local alert follows an urgent safety warning issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) this week.

Fountain Inn fire officials are specifically highlighting the Gourmia Six-Quart Digital Pressure Cooker, model number GPC625. These appliances were sold primarily at Best Buy, as well as other retailers and online platforms, between 2017 and 2020.

The Fire Marshal’s warning emphasizes a critical design defect: the lid can be opened while the unit is still under pressure, causing the scalding-hot contents to be forcefully expelled. Additionally, the unit features a float valve located inside the handle that is difficult to see, potentially leading users to believe the pressure has been safely released when it has not. The inner cooking pot also contains incorrect volume markings, which may lead to overfilling and further increase the risk of a dangerous eruption.

“We want our residents to be proactive in checking their small appliances to prevent avoidable injuries,” the Fire Marshal’s office stated in a community notice. “If you have this specific Gourmia model in your kitchen, the safest course of action is to stop using it immediately.”

The CPSC took the unusual step of issuing a direct public warning after the importer, Steelstone Group LLC, and the primary retailer, Best Buy, declined to agree to a voluntary recall. Because no formal recall is in place, consumers are advised not to return the product to the store for a refund, but rather to dispose of it in accordance with local waste regulations to ensure it is not resold or donated.

To date, there have been five reported incidents of hot contents being expelled under pressure, resulting in four cases of severe second-degree burns. Residents are encouraged to report any incidents involving this product to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.