Over 400,000 Waffle Makers Are Being Recalled Due to Potential Burn Hazard

published May 23, 2023
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Crisp and fluffy Belgian waffles stacked on cooling rack.
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell

I like my waffles crispy, maybe even a little burnt. When it comes to my skin, however, I prefer the exact opposite. For some users of the Empower Brands PowerXL Stuffed Wafflizer waffle maker though, that’s unfortunately been the trade-off recently.

On May 18, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a statement noting that Empower Brands of Madison, Wisconsin would be recalling 456,000 waffle makers due to a potential burn risk stemming from the use of their appliance.

According to the CPSC, there have been 44 reported incidents — 34 of which were burn-related injuries, with three requiring medical attention. The waffle makers in question are both the PowerXL 5-Inch (ESWM02) and 7-Inch (ESWM03) models, both donning the PowerXL logo on top of the makers.

The affected appliances were priced between $30 and $60, and were available for purchase at Walmart, Kohls, BJ’s, Home Depot, Target, Sam’s Club, and other home goods stores nationwide. They were also available for purchase online at QVC.com, Walmart.com and Kohls.com from July 2021 through October 2022.

Empower Brands has asked that consumers stop using the PowerXL Waffle Maker immediately, and to register the recall online in order to receive a free Latch Adapter and written instructions to complete the repair. If you have additional questions or concerns, customers can call the brand’s recall assistance helpline directly at 1-866-276-0063 or email the company at wafflizerrecall@brandprotectplus.com.

If you happen to still be pressed for a waffle but want to bypass the burn, take a peek at this $13 waffle maker I think everyone should own.      

Wondering what other recalls and public health alerts have been issued lately from your favorite brands? Check out this page that’s updated regularly to stay in the know.