Does the Perfect Flame grill recall go far enough?

Late last week the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of 24,000 Perfect Flame Double Lid Four Burner gas grills. The recalled grills, model number GAC3615, were made by Lucas Innovation Inc., of China and sold at Lowe’s Stores from October 2007 through July 2008 for about $300. The hazard is serious: The cooking chamber can "melt or ignite," posing risk of fires and burn injuries. According to the recall notice, there have been 175 reports of grill fires, and 25 reports of grills melting, some of which resulted in minor property damage. Owners are advised to stop using the grill immediately, disconnect the propane tank, and return the grill (without the tank) to any Lowe’s store for a full refund.

It wasn’t hard for us find complaints about Perfect Flame grills on Internet newsgroup forums and the complaints weren't limited to the GAC3615 model. In fact, our own database, which collects information from our readers, has two complaints about Perfect Flame grills catching fire; one specifically citing another model, an SLG2006.

A Fox television station in Tulsa has also reported numerous problems with Perfect Flame grills including an SLG2006 model. The video footage and consumer stories are striking. One Tulsa man reported that he found the lid and firebox of his Perfect Flame engulfed in flames after making a quick trip inside to finish preparing his meal. He also said that the grill exploded when he was trying to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, spraying shards of hot metal across his deck and yard.

We contacted the reader who reported a problem with a Perfect Flame SLG2006 model to us, asking for some additional information about that incident. He told us that his grill suddenly ignited while he was cooking burgers. The metal in the firebox was actually burning and flames were spreading down the hose to the propane tank. His daughter burned her fingers trying to put out the fire. Fortunately, a neighbor, armed with a fire extinguisher, was able to douse the flames.

At our recommendation, he reported the incident to the CPSC as well as to the manufacturer, which was quick to make amends, arranging for him to choose a free replacement grill of any brand from a Lowe’s store.

How can a metal gas grill suddenly catch fire?  We spoke with a product specification engineer who used to write gas grill design specs, who believes that too much magnesium in the firebox's aluminum alloy could be the problem. Magnesium can burn and is very difficult to extinguish; such fires are best left for the fire department.

We called Lucas Innovation last Friday and spoke with a customer service representative who confirmed that the Perfect Flame grill recall was due to a problem with the material used for the cooking chamber. But when we asked for more specific information and whether the problem had shown up in other models, we were referred to the company's attorney who provided no additional information.

We contacted the CPSC’s Office of Compliance to find out why Perfect Flame SLG2006 wasn’t recalled along with the GAC3615. We noted the information we got from our reader, and expressed our concern that the recall did not include that model of Perfect Flame grill, which we know has had incidents and at least one injury. But according to the CPSC, current law forbids them from discussing an ongoing investigation. We were told they’d “look in to it.” We hope they do.

In our years of testing we've found it highly unusual for a grill to melt or catch fire. If  you’ve experienced problems with gas-grill fires, melting or deformation, please comment on this posting and be sure to report it to us as well as to the CPSC. The CPSC's recall system relies heavily on consumer complaints and without them many problem products wouldn't be recalled. Sharing this information can help us accomplish our mission of reducing the number of unsafe products in the marketplace and help protect consumers from serious injury.—Don Mays, Bob Williams

More on grills from Consumer Reports

• The Broil King Signet 90 986784LP recall and remedy
• Gas grill buying advice and Ratings
• Five most common grilling mistakes
• How to maintain your grill to prevent accidents

Comments

[Tom Rossi]

I bought the SLG2007A model in April 2006. It worked well until October 2008. Couldn't get it started though the side burner did light. Had plenty of propane and had sparks at the electrodes. Upon inspecting the grill I noticed that the tubes were cracked. Called BBQTek and replaced the three tubes - no receipt so I had to pay for them. That didn't solve the problem. Called them again and they suggested that I replace the regulator with a Universal regulator. Did that and it didn't solve the problem. Cruised the web and found these postings. Based upon what I've read, maybe it's not so bad that I can't get it started! Looks like I wasted $340 dollars.

[Gnat]

Wouldn't you know it.
I bought the SLG2006B in 2006 and liked the product for 2 years, but I noticed that the flames were turning from a nice precise blue flame to hissing yellow and orange. It wasn't until I found these posts, and countless others on similar sites that I realized the severity of the situation. Last night I pulled the grates and found 3 of the 4 burners are cracked and splitting. I too looked for local replacement parts with no luck and after reading about the magnesium in the fire box I think it is time for a new grill. Vastly disappointed.

[Dan in Florence, SC]

I think I have the slg2007b. No fires yet, but at least two of the burners are visibly corroded with flames shooting out, haven't physically inspected the other two yet. I've barely had it over a year, no receipt anyway. I am VERY concerned about replacing the burners. Hate to see this thing catch on fire.

[Mike]

Everyone who has lost their receipt, Lowe's should have your receipt on file!! You do need to have your credit card bill info though, and with that information they will be able to pull that receipt up. They won't be able to do it at your local store and it will take a couple of days but they will get back to you. That's how I got my receipt and was able to get my burners replaced for my crappy SLG2007A, however now my screws are rusted in, looks like either a screw extractor or a drill.

Do not buy anything Perfect Flame!

[Brian]

Purchased a SLG2007A a year and a month ago. Had to buy a new burner as one cracked then developed a hole only months after use. Got the burner replacement at Walmart for $10 (of course Lowes didn't carry one). Now the other two have holes and without paying $30+ per burner from an online store, I can't find one. Of course grill parts are seasonal. No problems with the whole grill going up in flames but after seeing this it's time to send it to the junk yard. Lowes needs to ditch this brand!

[K Anderson]

I too have the SLG2007A and was looking for replacement burners since Lowes doesn't stock them. I bought my grill in Summer 2007 and thought the "stainless" burners would have lasted much longer. Now that I've found this forum, I don't think I'm going to spend the $90 + shipping on this grill. What a waste of money and I'm so disappointed in Lowes lack of customer support on this product. The sticker on my grill shows lgsourcing.com which is a subsidiary of Lowes.

[Jeff]

I purchased a Perfect Flame 2007A grill at Lowe's in April 2008 and tonight just after I took our steaks off the grill and came back to turn it off, found the entire insides engulfed in flames. The material coating the lid seemed to have peeled off and caught fire. I will contact Lowe's and the company that makes the grill and see what they say, as well as the CPSC.

[Josh]

My wife and I purchased a SLG2006C from Lowes approximately 2 years ago. Last month, a few minutes after we turned on the grill to start heating up, the entire grill caught on fire -- inside and out!! We seriously thought the propane tank was going to explode as the fire was enormous. We were eventually able to put the fire out with 2 fire extinguishers. This is crazy, I am so glad I came across this.

[Bill in Georgia]

2.5 year old model GSC2418N, burners crumbling. After reading other posts it is now in the trash heap. Home and health mean more.

[Richard]

Bought a perfect flame SLG2007A during the holiday season in 2006. Everything was fine the first year, other than the "stainless" steel was anything but stainless. Went to fire it up this July and the whole thing caught on fire. Had to hose the whole thing down till it was cool enough to shut off the propane tank. Luckily I had moved it out from under the patio, the fire ate through the line almost to the regulator on the tank and was shooting a 6 foot flame into the air. Called perfect flame, they said they wont do anything for me after one year. My dad also bought the same grill recently, tried to use his receipt and they told me to go pound sand. What a horrible company!

[Ed Simanek]

Just another one who had the burners almost oxidize away to nothing. BBQTRK did not really care, as I had registered the product, this ment nothing. They say the is for manufacturing info and nothing to do with warranty. Since I do not have a reciept they will not do anything, except sell me 4 burners @ $30 / burner plus shipping had handling. Hello "Weber"

[Ron Montgomery]

I to experinced my Perfect Flame going up in flames. Luckily I was able to get to it and get the gas turned off brfore much damage ahppened

[channelcat]

I have a SLG2006c with the same issue, the burners went bad within 8 months. When I went to Lowes, they said "sorry" you have to deal with bbqtek. I called bbqtek and they said due to high volume of people requesting burner replacements I will be forced to pay over $25 for shipping to get new burners. Assuming that these replacement burners are made of same material and metal thickness, I will be calling bbqtek and getting replacement for the next 8 years which will result in approx $200 worth of shipping fees that will probably go up. I think burner replacements should atleast be free of charge due to possible safety issues that could result from huge holes in old burners. Shouldn't Lowes and/or Lucas Innovation Inc stand behind thier product and offer a replacement grill without playing the must have receipt game or must have registered your purchase within 10 days game to qualify for it.

[james finnell]

I own a Perfect Flame SLG2007A, the center burner split in 6 mo. Lowes in Cleveland Tennessee DIRECTED ME TO THE MANUFACTOR. if had a receipt would replace burner for $ 28.00,shipping @handling . thanks a lot Lowes . I found with free shipping for the same price , I will not shop at Lowes again , HOME DEPOT FOR ME.

[ralph bracco]

OH MY GOD ,WHAT A SCARE THIS BARBECUE CAUGHT UP IN FLAMES AND WE COULDN'T GET IT OUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS TRYING TO GET THE TANK DISCONNECTED SO MY WIFE HOSED ME DOWN WITH THE HOSE IN CASE FLAMES HIT ME AS I TRIED TO GET THE TANK REMOVED ,GOT IT OFF IN TIME AS THE COVER JUST WAS BURNING MORE AND MORE. AS WE HIT IT WITH WATER THE WHITE BALLS OF FIRE WERE SPURRING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND HITTING ME .THE COVER WAS ALL MELTED. WHAT A HORRIFIC TIME. I WILL BE GOING TO LOEWS TOMORROW.TO SEE WHAT THEY THINK AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT, I RECEIVED IT FOR CHRISTMAS AND THEY BETTER DO GOOD BY IT. PLUS ALL MY RIBS WERE RUINED I HAD THEM MARINATING ALL DAY .WHAT A WASTE..

[edward grossman]

I purchased a Perfect Flame Grill model slg2006b about 2 years ago. Not only have the burners decomposed, allowing dangerous flames to escape, but the stainless "finish" has developed serious streaking marks on the front door panels. It now looks bad and performs poorly ! Do not buy this product !!!

[Rick]

My grill SLG2007A has worked well until I tried to clean it; all burners were cracked at the end. Went to Lowe's, they have no repair parts and suggested that I contact the manufacturer for warranty service since it's only 1 1/2 years old. It was difficult to remove the burners but got them out. After reading this I am concerned whether I want to bet replacement parts.

[Lori Wiggins]

I had this grill model#AC3615G and it did catch fire and the area surrounding the grill would not go out with water, fire extinguisher, or baking soda. Each time the area was hit with water it would cast off white hot balls of flame. Like it was made of magnesium. The grill was 4 months old and clean. This occurred just prior to the recall when I contacted Lowes they denied refund and I had to contact the manufacturer. After sending photos they gave me a letter to take to Lowes with the grill for a refund. Approximately 2 days later the recall was announced.You can see the photos @ http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg76/loriwiggins/Fire%20BBQ/

[Karen]

I bought a Perfect Flame SLG2006B grill from Lowes for $400.00 the end of the 2006 Season. I loved it at first. Until the burners started to rust and the burner covers rusted and fell apart the middle of the first season. I couldn't figure out why my burners burned unevenly. My husband and I fight all the time over the grill. He says I am not using it properly, and making it too hot- "that is why it caught on fire" one day. Luckily it burned itself out when I turned off the gas and openend the lid. I never called the manufacturer because my husband kept telling me It was my fault. But, reading all these bloggs, I am now positive, IT ISN'T MY FAULT!!! it is a piece of junk that we spent hours shopping for and making a decision to purchase when spending that much money for a grill. I have always baught the cheap $100.00 grills and they usually last me about 3-4 seasons. this one lasted me 1/2 a season and i have been fighting with it ever since. we even had to put a new regulator on it. Now we need to buy 4 new burners and covers that will cost me about 200.00. SORRY, I will be calling the manufacturer and the CPSC like everyone else. DO NOT BUY A PERFECT FLAME.

[Garrin Powers]

This is my second post... My burners were cracked/split and crumbling within a year on model number SLG2007B and spouting large flames in various directions.

Follow-up from Lowes: Unless it is within the initial warranty aor extended 1yr warranty they cant/won't do anything to remedy this situation.

I have left a complaint with the consumer product safety council https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx, and am trying to get Clark Howard to roll in on this. I will also try to contact Lowes headquarters because these grills are unsafe and not worth the money that we've all paid. I have been a loyal customer of theirs and spent tons of money with them... this could be a deal breaker.

[jane]

I bought the Perfect Flame SLG2007A I have had to wait a year to get money to have it hooked up. Lowes gave me a converter kit to change from propane to natural gas. Well today when this was hooked up by professionals it had a flame so high it was like it flaming when it gets too hot cooking. a flare up is what i mean. turned down low to almost off is the only way i would be able to cook. After reading this I am afraid to use it. It isnt the one i purchased i couldnt afford this one but i got a cheaper model but when delivered this is what i got. Lowes asked if i liked it and i said yes and they said keep it it would cost more to come get it and give you the right one. I am wondering what in the world i did.
It seems to me they need a recall on these right away before people lose their homes. I have mine in the open on a patio. But it doesnt mean it couldnt cause me problems.

[Bill Eckman]

Perfect Flame SLG2008A serial #ky272083 My wife was grilling very lean pork chops, when the grill began to burn excessively. She turned off the burners, but the flames continued. She shut off the propane tank, grill continued to burn. She called the fire department at that point, then tried our fire extinguisher (First Alert Model FE1A10G). Its an ABC type, but didn't put out the fire. Fire department arrived and used an extinguisher that finally stopped it.

[Carole Mendoza]

I have a Perfect Flame SLG2006B that is anything but a perfect flame. The burners have all rotted even though it was always covered. I went to Lowes to buy replacement burners to find they don't carry them. I found Appliance Factory parts online but they want $50.00 each, I think NOT! After reading these blogs I think it may be more than a burner issue. When I could't find parts I decided to switch the burners around leaving the most damaged one for the last pilot. Needless to say it didn't help. When I light the first burner it is fine,Then I light the 2nd one the pilots go down to a minimium flame and no higher.If I then try to light the 3rd burner the flame goes out,so forget the 4th one, No Chance. I'll be contacting the CPSC. If there is no restitutions for this matter I will be dropping that grill off right where I bought it.I wouldn't want anyone eles trying to restore and use this grill because on the out side it looks pretty good and well kept.

[Gaurav]

I have a Perfect Flame SLG2006C grill that has dangerously caught fire near the back end of the burners. I turned the grill off immediately to prevent further damage, but am scared to use it. If other customers are having similar problems should this grill not be recalled?

[mike z]

I purchased a perfect flame grill model slg2007a on 6/19/07 on august 30 2008 while grilling steaks the center burner cracked and fell apart.it was approx. an inch long section at the back of burner.I went to Lowes looking for replacement burner I was unable to find any parts. My previous grill was a cheap grill and it lasted 8 years before rusting out. I expected this grill to last longer than 14 months. I should have known better than expect lowes to sell anything of any quality