Investigations into the Elite Bistro pressure cooker by Maxi-Matic are ongoing after reports of malfunctions that caused serious burns.

The Elite Bistro pressure cooker is advertised as a way to cook meals more quickly. Contrary to the old-fashioned pressure cookers that sit on a stovetop, the Elite Bistro is an all-inclusive unit that plugs in, heats and cooks the food, much like a crock pot, but faster.

The reason the food cooks so quickly is because of the combination of pressure and heat. Pressure cooking traps steam inside the sealed chamber where the pressure inside is increased by up to 15 pounds per square inch (psi). The unreleased pressure causes the cooking temperature to increase up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some cases, this pressure/heat combination can be hazardous. One reviewer wrote: “Dangerous! I received my cooker on Monday and Wednesday, it blew up. I have to repaint my kitchen, probably replace flooring and was lucky the kids weren’t around. I followed all the directions and have been using pressure cookers all my life! I am now trying to deal with the company!”

Another reviewer described her experience: “Tried the mac-n-cheese recipe and ‘released pressure’ according to the directions. Hot cheese sprayed all over my kitchen! The mess took forever to clean!”

Other consumers have issued complaints after pressure cookers explode with the lid blowing off, sending scalding hot food and liquid on anyone near the appliance. Some explosions allegedly occurred after the consumers followed the device’s instructions to depressurize the cooker before loosening and opening the lid.

A faulty valve causes some units to fail to release pressure as intended. In other cases, locking lids are supposed to keep the lid from becoming loose until the unit has been depressurized. Locked lids have been known to explode off the top of the pressure cooker. Pieces of glass mixed with hot food and liquid become projectiles that can lead to cuts and first, second or third-degree burns.

Elite Bistro Pressure Cooker Lawsuit

One customer, Geniva O., has filed an Elite Bistro pressure cooker class action lawsuit.

She alleges the Elite Bistro pressure cooker is defective because the lid locking safety feature is easily bypassed, allowing the lid to be rotated and removed when the cooker is still pressurized. A separate defect allegedly allows the pressure cooker to fully pressurize when the lid is not securely attached, which can lead to the lid exploding off of the cooker without warning.

Geniva claims she followed the directions of use for her Elite Bistro pressure cooker, but still incurred physical harm and property damage.

The incident occurred in April 2016 when she prepared chicken and dumplings in the pressure cooker. Geniva says the incident occurred after she turned the pressure release valve and let the unit depressurize for 10 or 15 minutes. She heard and saw steam escape from the Elite Bistro pressure cooker, and thought it was safe to open.

Unfortunately, the unit allegedly still retained enough pressure inside that the scalding contents erupted as soon as the lid loosened, spraying hot food and liquid all over Geniva and her kitchen.

The Elite Bistro Pressure Cooker Lawsuit is Geniva O. v. Pick Five Imports d/b/a Maxi-Matic USA, Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-08452 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Join a Free Pressure Cooker Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you experienced a pressure cooker explosion and were injured and/or suffered other damages, you may have a legal claim. Filing a personal injury pressure cooker lawsuit or joining a pressure cooker class action lawsuit could help you recover expenses related to medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

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