Something you purchased has been recalled. What does that mean?
What happens if something you purchase is recalled? Is it voluntary or mandatory? And what does it mean for you?
Nearly 200,000 tour steamers have been recalled over concerns they could cause severe burns.
Approximately 119,000 PurSteam Mighty Lil Steamers and 75,400 PurSteam Elite Travel Steamers were recalled on February 5, according to a notice posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CSPC) website.
The agency said in a recall notice that the steamer can squirt boiling water from the steam nozzle when in use, posing a serious burn risk to consumers.
Between December 2020 and 2024, the company received 80 reports of boiling water gushing from the PurSteam Elite Travel Steamer model PS-510, including 14 reports of burns. During the same period, there were 392 reports of boiling water coming out of the PurSteam Mighty Lil Steamer Model PS-550, including 40 reports of burns.
Here’s what you need to know about the recalled travel steamer.
Which travel steamers have been recalled?
Affected models are PurSteam Elite Travel Steamers and PurSteam Mighty Lil Steamers purchased after December 2020 or with one of the following date codes: 2310, 2308, 2305, 2304, 2303, 2212, 2211, 2210, 2203, 2112, 2111, 2110, 0221, 1019, and 4619.
The PurSteam Elite Travel Steamer is white in color and has a triangular opening for the steam vent. The “PurSteam” logo is printed below the corrugated water storage window, and “Model: PS-510” is printed on the bottom of the product.
Similarly, the PurSteam Mighty Lil Steamer is white in color and has a rectangular opening for the steam vent. The logo is printed below the water storage window and “Model: PS 550” is printed on the bottom. For both steamer models, the manufacturing date (date code) is located on the label on the bottom of the product in YYMM format.
The manufacturer advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled steamers and to submit a recall request by visiting recall.pursteam.com.
How to get a refund for a recalled travel steamer
To receive a refund, consumers must provide contact information. Additionally, you will need to cut the cord of your steamer and upload a photo of the device and the cut wire.
Consumers should keep their devices until they receive a refund. In some cases, you may be required to return the item to the importer, Aterian, Inc., Summit, New Jersey, with prepaid shipping charges.
Where was the recalled travel steamer sold?
The recalled steamer was manufactured in China and imported by Atelian.
CSPC said the devices were sold online at Pursteam.com, Amazon.com, and Walmart.com from December 2020 to April 2025 for approximately $10 to $35, depending on the model.
Recall numbers for this product are 26-250.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
