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

[Dotty]

I have had a SLG2007BN, Natural gas grill, for ~2 years now. I always thought the flame ups were misuse, so worked around it. UNTIL 2 evenings ago when the gas hose caught fire as I turned off the middle burners for indirect grilling.
After registering the shock of the situation, I turned off the other two burners, which did not stop fire. I then turned off the gas feed and the fire burned out.

I realize I have little to no recourse through Lowes or the manufacturer, but will definitely do a more diligent check on the next model number before purchase!

[Bill Pickle]

Perfect Flame SLG2007B Magnesium Fire Hazard
DO NOT LEAVE THIS GRILL UNATTENDED IF YOU USE IT AT ALL.
May 15th 2009 in less than 10 minutes, long enough to eat 1/2 a burger. Both magnesium lid endplates were aflame, glowing like the sun on my front porch. Molten magnesium flowing down, into the grill and onto the porch. Burned both my hands pulling the gas tank out. Wife sprayed the flaming magnesium with the water hose. The flaming metal exploded splattering her legs with molten balls of burning metal. One side completely burned away, and with some effort I was able to extinguish the other side.
This grill was purchased sept 2008 for my birthday. Lowes blew me off also. No matter it almost burned my house down.

[Robin B]

We purchased the SLG20006B from Lowes. When lighting the grill it is like a fireball. And heat only comes out the back of the cooking surface. We have had our 3 years and I figured Lowes wouldn't do anything about it. When we went in 3 weeks ago to buy new burners they said they didn't carry them and pretty much dropped the conversation.

[Rick]

I purchased an SLG2007B perfect flame grill in late fall 2007. Last night 5/17/09, after using my grill, I was doing the 5 minute burn off for the cleaning of the grill. After going inside to place the food on the table and finish preparing the remaining dinner, My son son noticed the gril was on FIRE!, not just the normal smoke from the burn off, but flames burning from the back, sides and front. The grill dome completley engulfed in flames and beginning to melt. I have tried to call the customer service number however it apparently is not valid. It gave me a different phone number which was some sort of award winning telemarketing firm. What is my recourse?

[Joel]

I have an SLG2006B and it catches on fire all the time. Stupid me, I thought it was something I was doing. I now grill so as to control the fires, but after reading this I guess I'll stop that. It toasted the inside of the grill and melted burners and other parts.

I bought it in the summer of 06, do you think I have any chance of getting a replacement from Lowes? Is it under recall?

[Chris Wil]

Cleaned our grill at the start of this season and started it up for a dinner of baked potato and steaks -- To our surprise the burners started to shoot out flames. We started searching for new parts and to our surprise they cost an average of $33.00 for each burner on the internet and impossible to find at Lowe's. Not to mention we could not get the burners off the bracket - the screws rusted and it was impossible to remove the burners. We gave up. From the other comments listed I guess it is time to purchase a NEW GRILL and definitely not a PERFECT FLAME. I guess the PERFECT FLAME GRILL was not the perfect grill. HA HA HA

[Don]

I also have the SLG2007A. I have had the same problems as everyone else. Burners rusted after 8 months to a year and split shooting flames. I replaced them at a cost of over $100. Now the heat deflecters are rotted and falling into the bottom of the grill. Today I went to light the grill to cook a steak and the regulator apperantely failed wide open and nearly blew up in my face. I have had several large grease fires erupt in the grill over the years that I am sure would have burned the grill to the ground had I not been tending to the grill.

[B Johns]

We purchased a SLG 2006 B gas grill from Lowes in October of 2006. We have only used a total of two tanks of propane and with no warning after starting the grill for the first time this year April 2009 the grill catches on fire. From the looks of the fire it started from the burnes to the outside of the grill. We have see recalls for the other model but have not found a recall on this model. For the saftey of consumers this model should be included. If anyone knows of any recall please e-mail me at bwjmassage@aol.com.

We are out a grill with no rembursment of anything to purchase a new grill .

Thanks,

B Johns

[Notsoperfectflame]

I purchased my Perfect Flame SLG2006C in July 2006, thinking this grill looks well made, loved the high cover for rotisserie, the side burner. Well everything inside of it is rusting out. I have had small flames more often than not, but just attributed it to my lack in grilling experience. I have 3 of the 5 burners rusted as well as all the covers are rusting. Replacing them will be expensive, and even if I were to do that, the ledge that you screw these burners into and that hold the covers are rusting out. I am extremely disappointed in this, especially when I was looking up replacements parts and those are made of stainless steel. This grill is covered with a full cover that was almost $100 from the day I bought it.

There should be no way a $400 grill should rust out like that in 2 yrs. Unfortunately I know how to go buy a new one, and it for certain will not be a Perfect Flame. Complaints to the company have gone unanswered. And I agree with the article...why weren't all the grill recalled? If any class action suit, please contact me!

[DONALD CHANDLER]

APRIL 26TH OF 2009. HAD A GAC3615 GRILL UNTIL A FEW HOURS AGO. LIKE OTHERS, STARTED GRILL TO PRE-HEAT WHILE INSIDE TO PREPARE BURGERS. CAME BACK OUT AND GRILL HOOD WAS ALL BURNT AND BLISTERED PAINT. FIREBOX WAS IN FLAMES AND MELTING. THERFORE I PROCEDED TO SURF FOR A RECALL ON THE MODEL AND FOUND THIS SITE. WILL BE CALLING LOWE'S FIRST THING IN MORNING FOR A REFUND!!!! WILL LET YOU KNOW THE IT GOES. (PERFECT FLAME---THE NAME FITS!!!)

[Laura Tracy]

Just a message to Jonathan and other members of the general shopping public: Please be conscious of where you channel your frustration. While I understand why Jonathan and other consumers find it difficult when there is no "face" to complain to about a manufacturers product, but do so with some level perspective. Retailers utilize customer feedback, "returns" statistics, and consumer reports to constantly make adjustments to their inventory. So, by all means, speak your mind, but don't expect the unreasonable. When you make your purchase, do your homework first, don't be lazy and don't expect a sales associate to know EVERYTHING about every product in a warehouse store like Lowe's. Don't expect special treatment when you turn down purchasing the extended protection plan for these items. And most of all, don't take your anger with poor craftsmanship out on the minimum wage employee just trying to do their job. If you really want to be heard, start a blog, write an editorial, or here's an idea, be persistent with the manufacturer until you are satisfied. Not all grills at lowes are crap, as 'Jonathan' would have you believe, and most are even sold at several other retailers! More importantly, don't assume that because an employee in one of these stores "can't" help you that it is evidence of poor customer service. Store policies are established for a reason, and most of the time, it is to avoid allowing return of merchandise that has been used/abused by someone who just wants something for free. People who participate in that kind of behavior cost all of us more as it drives up prices at places like Lowes. Buyer Beware: you don't do your research on a large purchase, you don't purchase the extended plan, you don't care for your item, and you give up after only a few calls to the manufacturer, then you get what you get. It's a crappy lesson, but welcome to life.

[Brad Turner]

I was gifted the SLG2007A for my birthday in March 2007. Upon cleaning it for this season, I noticed that two of the tube burners had rusted and cracked open (like other responders, 1" from the back). I was considering replacing the burners, but I the mounting screws have completely rusted on and I can't get them off. It's just as well because the burners are $30 a piece, and I'll probably have to replace the third one before the end of the season. Looking at it, the only two pieces of metal that haven't started to rust are the outside chrome and the drip pan. My money is better spent toward a better grill IMO.

[Sara Bryant]

Like everyone else here, I wish I had at least googled the SLG2007A before buying it in June of 2008. When we had a problem with the igniter, I googled the model number and found all these posts. NO amount of money wasted is worth having a grill blow up in your face. We cut our losses. I couldn't return it because we had used it and I no longer had the receipt, so we left it outside through the winter with plans to toss it in the spring.

Today (4/24/09) before tossing it, I figured I would try one last ditch effort at getting a refund. Because the SLG2007A is not listed as part of the recall, the CPSC couldn't do anything except recommend that I file a complaint. What could I complain about? I don't feel unsafe using it because I WON'T EVER USE IT! The CPSC then recommended that I call the manufacturer.

I called BBTek, explained the situation, and the operator cut me off, saying, "There is nothing wrong with that grill." I told her that I had over 30 posts telling me the opposite. "Am I supposed to wait until the thing blows up in my face before you will do anything about this? Why isn't it covered in the recall?" It's a good grill, she told me.

"Do you own one?" I asked. "No, but it's a good grill," she said. "Then how do you know it's a good grill?" The operator told me (I am not kidding) that she gets calls all the time from people who say they love the grill, and when I asked her what I was supposed to do with a dangerous grill that only an idiot would use, she said it's a good grill and that I should use it!

Here's the best part: I said, "As an employee of the company who HAS to stand by the product and read the responses off the teleprompter, I get that you have to say it's a good grill. As a human being, if ten people told you the grill was unsafe, would you use it?" She said, "No." HA!

Then she took my name and number, assuring me that her manager would call me back. I hung up and started holding my breath, of course.

[Jonathan]

This issue is not all towards Perfect Flame but Grillware that is sold at Lowes. My grill was purchased by wife for father's day in 2007 amd less than a year later my stainless steel burners were rusted. I call customer service warranty per my owners manual with no success. Later went to Lowes to speak to a manager amd his comment was "and what specifically do you want me to do?" I said, contact the manuafacture for my burner replacements, he refused because the manufacture will only respond from the customer. Replacement burners cost $40 each X3 $120+tax which is the price of a new grill at Walmart. My grillware ended up in the street and started using charcoal in my 10 year old Weber

[Bonnie Lebow]

So we just 1 week ago had a major fire with this grill cooking a steak grill is about 8 months old grease got on the inside box and started a metal fire that could not be extinguished with a white kitchen extinguisher melted down towards the propane tank luckily got that off and carried down to the ground by two big guys and they proceeded to shovel dirt on the grill area and underneath until fire slowly was smothered VERY SCARY espically if there had been small children around as it was almost caught our house on fire. Major Junk!!!!!! Take it back for a refund pronto is my advice.

[Nester hillin]

ya'll can forget going to Lowes with your Perfect Flame grill issues.I have been fighting this for sevral weeks and they just keep giving me a number that is no longer in service.

[RRR]

I found this site because my grill almost blow up! When I finally fought the flames back, I noticed the burners were all rusted. I can not believe this happens in America. I also lost my receipt. This is more things Lowe's has to deal with!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lisa B.]

I find all these comments interesting. I purchased my Perfect Flame grill (SLG2007B) from Lowes in July, 2007. This past December the burners caught on fire for no apparent reason. When we examined the grill closer, all the burners and inside parts had rusted through and as a result of the fire, were now burnt. We went into to Lowes to find replacement parts and were told that they do not sell the parts and we needed to contact Perfect Flame directly. What a farce!! BBQ Tek was no help either, since like everyone else, we no longer had our receipt. Today I stumbled onto this site and was amazed that I am not alone in my disgust with this product. I did find a site that would replace my parts for about $300..... I puchased the grill on sale for $425. Needless to say, I won't be replacing anything!!

[Wayne]

I guess I should feel fortunate to get almost 2 years out of mine. Same problems as others. Great grill until the "stainless" burners rusted out and are throwing large flames everywhere. I haven't tried customer service yet...not looking forward to it.

Model SLG2007B

[Paul Vrahiotes]

I too bought a Perfect Flame Grill from Lowes. It has worked well for me, but I have seen the flames in the back of the grill and the interior as degreded quickly. Especially where the burners attach in the back of the grill. This strip of metal is corroded to the point the metal has fallen apart. I have not been able to locate these parts on the web, only the burners, grates and burner covers. To replace these it will cost me almost as much as I paid for the grill. I find this frustrating because I clean my grill after every use, inside and out. I do not leave animal fat laying in the grill or the overflow cup. I keep on my back porch and I use a high quality grill cover. But this grill after a year and a half looks like it ten years old. Now aftr reading the previous comments I understand why. Poor materials were used in the making of this grill. Obviously Lowes does not have quality control when Lowes buyers go out to bring in a product line. As others have said in this thread of comments, Customer Service/Satisfaction is dead. We need to stop allowing these companies to get away with this and begin purchasing locally. The "Big Box Stores" have become our worst nightmare. It's time we as consumers fight back. Hold your hard earned dollars from them, as you have recently seen, these guys are stretched way too thin, crappy sales associates and will dry up and blow away quickly. Here are a few things we all should begin doing at:

1. Keep your receipts
2. If a product begins performing poorly take it back and find another. Put that company's products on your extinct list!
3. Demand all your money back and whatever trouble you went through.
4. If there is a Class action suit join it, even if you don't stand to make a dime, go get em

[Hans]

I purchased the SLG2007A in August 07. Well pleased with it for a time. Last October the burner tubes began to crack, and I watched carefully. Today I pulled it apart and 2 of the 3 burners are completely rusted through and cracked. Also the side burner, despite several adjustments has never worked right. Almost impossible to get a right air gas mixture in a wind. As with everyone else, there were no replacement burners at Lowe's today, and the sales guy just said to me "good luck with that". BTW the other Perfect Flames were also on deep discount.

[Ross]

I bought a SLG2007A about 10 months ago from Lowes. Worked like a champ for several months. then only the back of the burners worked and I the rear grill surface glowed red. Then it stopped working. I installed a new tank of gas, but that didn't work. Now I find the burners are completely rusted through.

I called Lowes. They're referring it back to the store, which doesn't carry replacement parts. I checked. I also called BBQTek, and they quoted me a price of $131 for replacement parts. Insane. I see perfect Flame is a brand of BBQTek, which is owned by Lucas Innovations, which is located in Taiwan.

This is like the Wall Street debacle - a lot of smoke and mirrors covering everyone's butt. Consumer are getting shafted by Lowes and these other entities.

[bigpackrat]

Well I hate to sound like a broken record but I am surfing looking for a replacement burner too. Called the manufacturer and actually got a person but she told me since I couldn't find my receipt, I would have to pay full price for the replacement. I used it alot for about 6 months before the right burner split and flames started shooting out. Furtunately nothing caught fire as it did with some others; I believe I will purchase a different grill instead of wasting money on burners I am going to have to replace every 6 months. I have found them on the Web for between $19-34. I have it on a deck attached to my two story frame home, if it was to spontaneously burst into flames as others have reported, the whole place would go before anything could be done. And since I have no receipt niether Lowes nor Perfect Flame would have any responsibility for the incident. Now that is customer service for the 21st century for you. Every one that owns one of these grills better be cautious. I am shopping for a new one!

[Tammy Washington]

I too purchased a SLG2006B from Lowes for my Husband as a gift, the first one I had to return after getting it completely assembled because the burners wouldnt ignite. Called Lowes they exchanged it for another one (same model). I told them I refused to put this one together, they assembled it for me and told me to pick it up in about an hour or two. We have had this one 2 years and our burners are cracking too. One burner will light but the others wont, I'm not going to chance using it this year. I was going to order replacement parts but now after reading this I will try calling the store and see what they are willing to do. The handles are also caroading away, I dont think I have the receipt still but I will try calling.

[Dan]

I received a Perfect Flame Grill last year. Model Number: SL G2006B. The burners have burnt up. I had problems with the regulator, but Lowe's replaced it. If Lowe's doesn't replace the burners, it will cost me more to replace the burners than it did to purchase the original grill. If Lowe's doesn't stand behind their "Made in China" products, I will report back the outcome.