89,000 Colsen Fire Pits Recalled After 19 People Suffer Burns

On Oct. 17, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall for over 89,000 Colsen-branded fire pits. According to the CPSC, the agency issued the recall after receiving 31 reports of fiery accidents involving the product that resulted in 19 burn injuries, including two instances of third-degree burns.

What’s Wrong With the Fire Pits?

The Colsen fire pits have a fairly simple design. They are made from concrete and range from 5 to 18 inches wide. The pits have an open reservoir in the center meant to hold liquid alcohol as it burns. Unfortunately, this design creates an opportunity for what is known as “flame jetting” when the alcohol reservoir is being refilled.

“Flame jetting is a serious event that can occur while pouring alcohol, when fire flashes back to the alcohol container and suddenly propels burning alcohol out of the container and onto people nearby,” the CPSC detailed in the recall announcement. “Alcohol can also splash, spill or leak out of the fire pit reservoir during use, causing a flash fire that can spread and create larger hotter flames that can escape the unit.”

What To Do If You Have a Colsen Fire Pit

The CPSC recommends that anyone who owns a Colsen fire pit stop using the unit immediately and dispose of it. Federal law makes it illegal to sell or distribute recalled items, so disposal is the only option.

According to the CPSC, the firm selling these fire pits “stopped selling Colsen-branded fire pits less than one year after it acquired the product business and does not have the financial resources to offer a remedy to consumers.”

Customers can contact Colsen by email or on the web at colsenfirepits.com.