Common Causes of Pressure Cooker Explosions

Defective components represent the most common cause of pressure cooker explosions. For example, faulty pressure release valves or malfunctioning seals can lead to sudden and excessive pressure buildup inside the cooker.

If you were injured while using a defective pressure cooker, a Fort Myers pressure cooker lawyer can help you file for compensation. An attorney can also provide more information about the steps you should take after an explosion.

What Are the Main Causes of Pressure Cooker Explosions?

Electric pressure cookers may explode for many reasons. Defective components, typically resulting from design or manufacturing errors, often malfunction during the cooking process, spraying hot food and shrapnel around the kitchen without warning.

Some of the most common defective components include:

Safety Mechanisms

Safety mechanisms should stop your cooker from overheating, even if it’s left unattended for too long or when the heat source is too high.

The pressure inside the cooker builds up rapidly, exceeding the safety limit, and sometimes resulting in an explosion. To prevent overheating, always monitor the heat level, use the recommended cooking times, and never leave your cooker unattended.

Faulty Pressure Release Valves

A pressure release valve is a critical component that regulates and releases excess pressure accumulating during cooking. However, if the valve malfunctions, it can fail to release the built-up pressure effectively.

As a result, the pressure inside the cooker can rise to dangerous levels, exceeding its structural limits and overwhelming safety features, and potentially leading to an explosion.

A product liability lawyer in Fort Myers can determine if faulty safety valves caused your electric pressure cooker to explode.

Defective Gaskets

A gasket is a flexible, usually rubber or silicone, ring that forms a tight seal between the lid and the main body of the pressure cooker. This seal is essential for creating airtight conditions inside the cooker, allowing pressure to build up as the contents heat up.

Regularly inspecting the rubber gasket ensures it is in good condition and free from any cracks or tears. If you notice any wear or damage, replace the gasket immediately to maintain a proper seal, avoiding an explosion that can spray you with the cooker’s hot contents.

Improper Lid Seals or Locks

The lid seal should keep the hot contents of the modern pressure cookers safely contained. Unfortunately, the pressure cooker lid could seal or lock improperly, resulting in an explosion that could easily result in first-, second, or third-degree burns.

Improper Ventilation

Issues with improper ventilation can prevent steam from safely escaping your appliance, resulting in pressure cooker injuries that require immediate medical treatment. Excess steam could be released all at once, sometimes blowing the lip off, resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

Faulty Wiring

Sometimes, a design defect results in faulty wiring in a pressure cooker. Faulty wiring can cause the machine to malfunction or lead to a fire and burn injuries. We can help you seek compensation in this situation.

Digital Indication Malfunctions

Finally, your kitchen appliance may have a digital indication malfunction that provides you with incorrect information about the status of the pressure cooker. You may open the defective pressure cooker under the impression that it’s safe because of an incorrect digital indicator.

An attorney can give you more information about the common causes of pressure cooker explosions.

Defects Can Lead to an Excessive Pressure Buildup

Check if your cooker has excessive pressure buildup by examining the gauge and listening for unusual hissing or steam release sounds. These are vital signs to watch out for, as excessive pressure buildup can lead to accidents.

When the pressure gauge shows abnormally high pressure, or you hear hissing or steam release sounds that are out of the ordinary, take immediate action. Turn off the heat source and carefully release the pressure using the proper method recommended by the manufacturer.

Injuries Caused by Pressure Cooker Explosions

Pressure cooker accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and property damage. Common injuries include:

Burn Injuries

Pressure cooker accidents often lead to painful steam burns. Hot liquid and steam can be forcefully released when a pressure cooker explodes, causing severe burns. These burns can be deep, affecting multiple layers of the skin, and can cause:

• Excruciating pain
• Blistering
• Scarring

If you suffered a pressure cooker injury, seek immediate medical attention. Burns can be excruciating and easily become infected. Getting prompt medical care will prevent further complications. You can also file a product liability lawsuit in some cases.

Scald Injuries

Always ensure the pressure cooker fully depressurizes before opening to prevent injuries. Scald injuries occur when hot liquid or steam escapes from the pot and comes into contact with the skin.

Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their products, and when they fail to do so, innocent consumers suffer the consequences.

Shrapnel Injuries

When a pressure cooker explodes, it can send sharp metal fragments flying in all directions. These fragments, known as shrapnel, can cause severe injuries to anyone nearby. An explosion may occur due to issues tied to faulty gaskets or excess pressure in the machine.

You may face high medical bills if you sustain injuries from the metal or hot contents of an electric pressure cooker.

Blast Injuries

The force of a blast can cause severe injuries, including deep cuts and internal damage. When an appliance explodes, the impact can be devastating. They may also cause property damage.

When accidents occur, determining liability is critical to seeking compensation for the injuries sustained. A lawyer can investigate the circumstances that led to the incident and identify the at-fault party, potentially helping you file a lawsuit. 

Thermal Injuries

You should be cautious of the intense heat and steam a blast produces, which can result in severe burns and permanent scars. When a cooker explodes, the thermal injuries caused by the sudden release of hot liquids and steam can be devastating. 

The scalding hot liquid can cause deep burns to the skin, leading to excruciating pain and long-term complications. The high temperatures can also cause the skin to blister and peel, leaving behind permanent scars that serve as a reminder of the traumatic incident.

It is essential to seek immediate medical attention if a defective pressure cooker explosion has injured you or someone you know. These thermal injuries require proper treatment to prevent infection and promote healing.

Funds Available After a Pressure Cooker Explosion

If you were injured while using a pressure cooker, a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer will help you determine the cause of the accident and seek compensation. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for funds to pay for your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Pain and emotional distress
• Mental anguish

A personal injury lawyer can review the facts about your claim and help you take action against the at-fault party. A lawyer can also explain your legal actions after an injury from a defective pressure cooker.

Product Liability Lawyers Can Help You After an Explosion

What are the common causes of pressure cooker explosions? Defective parts, like faulty safety mechanisms and mistakes in manufacturing, can lead to severe accidents and injuries.

Fortunately, if a defective pressure cooker injures you, a product liability attorney will investigate the accident to identify the liable party. By determining the accident’s cause, they can build an evidence-based case to establish liability.

At Viles & Beckman, we provide personalized legal representation to injured victims. Our team will guide you through the claim process and help you secure the maximum compensation. We have Over 90 years of combined experience, with team members who speak Spanish, Creole, and Russian.