Safety Commission Urges Consumers: Check Your Coffeemakers

Washington, D.C. - CPSC and Melitta North American of Cherry Hill, N.J., urge coffeemaker owners to check whether they own a Melitta Aroma Brew Automatic Drip coffeemaker model ACM-10S. About 175,000 of these coffeemakers sold before Feb. 1, 1994, have hinges on the plastic filter holders that may have been damaged in transit or in use. Damaged hinges can cause the coffeemaker filter holder to unexpectedly swing open during brewing, spilling hot water or coffee on people nearby.

CPSC first learned of this problem from a complaint and coffeemaker sent by Ralph Nader. Subsequently, the commission learned that at least three people have been burned from spilled liquid. Melitta and CPSC worked in close cooperation to evaluate these incidents and identify appropriate remedies.

The coffeemakers, available for between $30 and $35, were sold nationwide in retail stores from April 1993 through January 1994.

The coffeemakers involved are white, black, teal, or plum with the word "Melitta" printed on the filter holder and "MODEL ACM-10S" engraved on the bottom of the coffeemaker.

Melitta reports that some Aroma Brew's filter holder hinges may have been damaged in transit or by a consumer improperly opening the filter holder when cleaning or disposing of coffeegrounds. Consumers are asked to immediately stop using these coffeemakers and call Melitta at 1-888-635-4882. Melitta will send a free filter holder replacement kit and installation instructions. The new filter holder contains a stronger hinge pin to keep the filter securely in place during brewing.

All Melitta coffeemakers sold after February 1, 1994, which have redesigned filter cone hinge pins, are not involved in the replacement program.