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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning customers who purchased certain pressure cookers from Best Buy and other retailers to immediately stop using them after several customers suffered severe burns.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, February 24, the CPSC cited three main issues with Gourmia pressure cookers, one of which led to five reports of customers suffering burns after the cooker opened under pressure. Two other issues have to do with the pressure cooker’s flat valve and capacity markings.
The commission added that from 2017 to 2020, approximately 43,500 Grumia six-quart pressure cookers were sold at Best Buy and other retailers and e-commerce sites for between $50 and $80.
“The CPSC has received five reports of incidents in which hot content was released under pressure,” the commission said in a notice. “Severe burns were reported in four cases.”
The agency said pressure cooker lids “may open while under pressure and spill out hot contents, potentially causing serious second-degree burns to consumers.”
The injuries have led to at least two lawsuits, according to CPSC and court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
The importer Steelstone Group, LLC, doing business as Gourmia, and Best Buy, which the agency says sold most of the products, “refused to agree to an acceptable recall to address this hazard,” according to the CPSC.
“Pressure cookers are safe if used according to instructions,” says Gulmia.
In a statement to USA TODAY on Feb. 26, Gourmire said the company was aware of the CPSC’s notice. The company added that it stopped selling the model GPC625 pressure cooker six years ago.
“We are thoroughly considering this matter,” Gurmia said in a statement. “At this time, the CPSC has not provided Gourmia with the underlying data that the CPSC reportedly relies on. Gourmia’s GPC625 pressure cooker is designed and tested to comply with UL standards. It includes a mechanism to prevent the lid from opening when the unit is under pressure. The pressure cooker is safe when used according to instructions.”
The company says it stands behind its products and is “focused on supporting our customers.”
Best Buy said in a statement to USA TODAY on Feb. 26 that the company first learned of the pressure cooker problem six years ago. Best Buy learned of the problem six years ago, and the electronics giant alerted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and stopped selling the product, the company said.
“This product is sold by multiple retailers, and approximately half of all products on the market were sold by Best Buy,” Best Buy said in a statement. “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers, so we encourage anyone who has purchased our products to contact the manufacturer, Steelstone, for a solution.”
What are the problems with the Gourmia pressure cooker?
According to the CPSC, affected Gourmia pressure cookers have issues with the following materials:
- Lid – The lid can open while the cooker is pressurized and the hot contents can cause burns.
- Float Valve – Float valves are meant to rise when pressure is applied within the product and fall when pressure is removed. However, the valve is located inside the handle, so it can be difficult to find. The customer may not realize that the float valve is still up and the lid may open while the pressure cooker is under pressure.
- Capacity markings – Pressure cooker inner pots have incorrect capacity markings, which can lead to customers overfilling. Hot food or liquids can spill out when the pot is vented or its contents are pressurized.
The CPSC said customers should stop using the pressure cooker and dispose of it.
“Do not sell or give away these dangerous pressure cookers,” the agency wrote.
According to the CPSC notice, the affected Gourmia pressure cookers were manufactured in China.
The lawsuit alleges the child suffered “scarring and disfigurement”
According to a lawsuit filed against Gourmire in May 2025, a North Carolina mother claims her child was injured when the rice cooker opened under pressure.
The May 2025 lawsuit cites at least 10 lawsuits filed against the company for injuries dating back to 2020, and says that “despite being notified of these similar incidents…Gurmia continued to aggressively market its pressure cookers and promote them as ‘safe.'”
The mother also said her child suffered emotional distress and “scarring and disfigurement” as a result of the pressure cooker malfunction. She sought damages to cover medical, treatment and other expenses.
Customers can report pressure cooker incidents to the CPSC (www.SaferProducts.gov).
Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia (757). Email sdmartin@usatoday.com.
