A Hidden Hazard in Your Kitchen

At Philly Injury Lawyer, we have seen firsthand how a faulty product can disrupt lives, cause long-lasting injuries, and burden families with medical bills and emotional trauma. Pressure cooker injuries are no exception.

Pressure cookers have revolutionized home cooking. With the ability to prepare meals faster and more efficiently, they’ve become a favorite kitchen appliance for many families across Philadelphia and the country. However, despite their convenience, pressure cookers also carry significant dangers. When defects, design flaws, or poor manufacturing are involved, these everyday appliances can turn deadly.

Types of Injuries Caused by Pressure Cookers

Pressure cooker injuries are among the most severe we encounter in product liability cases. Because the liquid inside is often heated to temperatures exceeding 240°F, any release can scald or burn instantly. The injuries can be life-altering.

1. Severe Burns

One of the most common injuries is burns—often second- or third-degree. Victims may be splashed with boiling soups, sauces, or water. Burns can occur on the face, neck, chest, arms, and legs. These injuries frequently require skin grafts, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. In some cases, permanent scarring and disfigurement result.

2. Scalding and Steam Injuries

Apart from direct contact with liquids, escaping steam can be just as damaging. A faulty steam release valve or a lid that opens too soon can blast hot steam, resulting in painful scalds. These injuries may not seem serious at first, but they can lead to blistering, infections, and nerve damage.

3. Lacerations and Puncture Wounds

In many incidents, plastic components or metal parts of the pressure cooker are blown apart during the explosion. These broken pieces can act like shrapnel, causing deep cuts or punctures. Victims may suffer from tendon damage, internal bleeding, or nerve injuries as a result.

4. Eye and Facial Trauma

When contents or fragments hit the face, the eyes are particularly vulnerable. Injuries can range from chemical burns to temporary or even permanent vision loss. Some victims require reconstructive surgery or long-term treatment to recover partial eyesight.

5. Emotional and Psychological Harm

It’s not just the physical injuries that matter. Survivors of pressure cooker explosions often report long-term anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cooking—once a simple daily act—can become a source of fear and distress.

Recent Recalls: A Growing Concern

Unfortunately, pressure cooker accidents have become so common that multiple recalls have been issued over the past few years. While manufacturers often claim their products meet safety standards, reality has proven otherwise.

SharkNinja Foodi Recall – May 2025

Over 1.8 million units of the SharkNinja Foodi OP300 Series were recalled following multiple reports of the lids opening during use. At least 106 people suffered burns, with more than 50 victims experiencing second- or third-degree burns. Despite the product’s supposed safety features, many of these units failed under normal use.

Insignia Pressure Cookers – October 2023

Best Buy’s Insignia brand pressure cookers were pulled from shelves due to incorrect volume markings. This led to overfilling, which in turn caused dangerous pressure buildup, which in turn could cause serious burns when hot liquid was vented. More than 900,000 units of Insignia brand pressure cookers were affected by this recall, signaling a significant lapse in quality control.

Sensio Pressure Cookers – August 2023

Sensio recalled around 860,000 units after reports that the lids could unlock and detach while still under pressure. Numerous users sustained severe injuries due to this failure. These accidents happened despite the company’s claim that the design incorporated “safety locking features.”

These recalls show a troubling trend: manufacturers are either failing to test their products thoroughly or neglecting known issues until someone gets hurt.

The Hidden Dangers of Pressure Cookers

To understand the dangers of pressure cookers, one must first understand how they function. These appliances work by sealing food and liquid in an airtight container and cooking it at high pressure and temperature. This process breaks down food faster than traditional methods. However, this high-pressure environment also means that a single failure—whether mechanical or human—can have catastrophic consequences.

When a pressure cooker lid opens prematurely or when the seal fails, superheated contents can explode outward, causing severe injuries. Unfortunately, such accidents are not rare. Defective designs, poor safety features, or manufacturing defects can all lead to explosions, sometimes with little to no warning.

Why These Accidents Happen

Pressure cooker accidents usually result from a combination of design flaws, manufacturing defects, and poor quality assurance. Below are common reasons why these dangerous products reach consumers:

• Defective Seals: If the rubber gasket or sealing ring is faulty, pressure may build up improperly, leading to unexpected releases.
• Weak Lid Locks: Some devices have lid locking mechanisms that fail under pressure, allowing the unit to open mid-cook.
• Faulty Pressure Release Valves: These valves are designed to allow controlled steam release. When they malfunction, pressure builds dangerously.
• User Instructions that Mislead: Poorly written manuals or misleading fill lines can lead to overfilling and hazardous pressure levels.
• Cheap Manufacturing Materials: Low-grade materials are prone to cracking, warping, or failure under heat.

When a company knowingly sells a product with these risks—or fails to act quickly after complaints—they can and should be held accountable.

Holding Manufacturers Accountable

At Philly Injury Lawyer, we believe that manufacturers must prioritize consumer safety. If you or someone you love was injured by a pressure cooker, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a product liability claim.

Our legal team can help determine whether your injuries were caused by negligence, a manufacturing defect, or a failure to warn. When successful, these claims can result in compensation for:

• Medical bills (emergency room visits, surgeries, therapy)
• Lost income (if you missed work during recovery)
• Pain and suffering (for both physical and emotional trauma)
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)

The key is to act quickly. Evidence such as the damaged pressure cooker, photos of your injuries, and your medical records can strengthen your case.

Why Choose Philly Injury Lawyer?

Our Philadelphia-based law firm has built a strong reputation for standing up to powerful corporations. We’ve recovered millions for clients injured by defective products and unsafe consumer goods. What sets us apart is our dedication to personalized, compassionate legal care.

We work closely with experts in engineering, product design, and medicine to build the strongest case possible. From the first consultation to the final settlement—or courtroom trial—we’ll be by your side every step of the way.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis. That means if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

Pressure Cooker Safety Tips

Although recalls and design flaws are out of the consumer’s control, you can take steps to reduce your risk while using a pressure cooker:

• Always inspect your device for damaged seals or cracks before each use.
• Do not overfill the cooker. Stay well below the maximum fill line.
• Use only recommended ingredients. Some foods, like thick sauces, can clog vents.
• Release pressure correctly, using the designated valve—not by forcing the lid.
• Never open the lid until all pressure is fully released and the device is cool.
• Replace worn-out parts regularly, including gaskets and safety valves.

Even when following every precaution, a defective product can still fail. When it does, you need a trusted legal team ready to fight for you.

You Deserve Justice

No one expects to be seriously injured while making dinner. Yet for many families, that’s exactly what happens. The aftermath of a pressure cooker explosion can be painful, stressful, and costly. Medical treatments are expensive. Scars—both physical and emotional—can last a lifetime.

That’s where Philly Injury Lawyer comes in.

If you or a loved one suffered due to a faulty pressure cooker, you don’t have to face this fight alone. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to take on major manufacturers and win. Your well-being is our priority—and we’ll do everything in our power to make sure justice is served.

Contact Philly Injury Lawyer today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Let us help you get the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.