Remote Control Kits for Electric Fireplaces and Stoves Recalled by Dimplex North America Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Remote Control Kits for Electric Fireplaces and Stoves

Date of Recall
2010-03-16

CPSC Release Number
10-167

Manufactured In
China

Company Phone Number
(866) 673-9880

Units
About 700,000

Importer
Dimplex North America, of Ontario, Canada

Sold By
Mass merchandise, home improvement, specialty fireplace and furniture retailers from January 1998 through December 2008 for between $200 and $1,500 for the fireplaces and stoves. This recall includes remote control kits subsequently replaced under warranty.

Problem/Hazard
The plug-in wall unit can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Injuries/Incidents
Dimplex has received about 5,000 reports of the plug-in wall units overheating including 19 reports of damage beyond the remote control and one report of a house fire in Columbus, Ohio that resulted in considerable property damage.

Description
The recalled remote control kits are used with Dimplex, Electraflame, Symphony, Optiflame, Electralog and Charmglow brand electric fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts. They include a black or dark gray hand-held remote control and also a black or dark gray wall unit that plugs into an electrical wall outlet. Recalled model numbers include 47-1001, 47-1010-R and APT-1315. The model number is printed on either the plug-in unit or the hand-held remote control. The fireplace or stove's brand name is printed on both units.

Label on Model APT-1315
Label on Model 47-1010R 47-1001

Remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using the remote control kits, unplug the power cord from the remote control kit's wall unit, remove the wall unit from the electrical outlet and contact Dimplex for a free replacement kit. Consumers can continue to operate the fireplace or stove by plugging the fireplace or stove's electrical cord directly into an electrical outlet.

Consumer Contact
For additional information, contact Dimplex North America toll-free at (866) 673-9880 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.recall.dimplex.com

Recall Comments

Leave a Comment
02
Mar

Posted by Anonymous


3/2/11 11:31AM

A scarry situation this morning ... crackling noise and smoke coming from back of stove, and the remote box was on fire and plastic was literally melting in front of my eyes ... I grabbed it out of the wall outlet (I do not recommend such action - I should have turned off breaker to outlet). Dimplex representative provided excellent customer service - we will require a new power cord, which will be re-wired by a service person they are sending out. I am pleased with the service but disappointed that the recall was not made more public ... we are talking about fire, lives at stake, and financial hardship if your home were set ablaze.

04
Jan

Posted by boots


1/4/11 11:00AM

yes i have the same problem my remote box melted in the outlet. plug the insert in to the outlet and the cord still get hot .afraid to use it now

10
Nov

Posted by Misty


11/10/10 11:26AM

We have 2 of these units and one we replaced the proper part and the other caught fire and melted the plug to the box that plugs in the wall. We were not home at the time and thank GOD cause for some unknown reason the fire put it's self out with only very minor damage. I am not happy that you can not get a live person when you call the company and then if you leave a message they say they will call you within 10 days. That is crazy!!!! What a joke.

03
Oct

Posted by Anonymous


10/3/10 11:03PM

We have two. One of each. Both failed. We found the last one smoking and it had burnt the plug and wire to the fireplace. Thank goodness we were at home

13
Apr

Posted by Anonymous


4/13/10 1:31PM

Yes, Hello
I had the same problem, my remote box over heated and scorched my outlet, thank God that it never set fire.
I usually use it 1-2hrs at most. I like to see the fire in the winter time, but I usually us it to take the chill off of the room.
P.R.

30
Mar

Posted by Sandie


3/30/10 12:32PM

my model # is 47-1010-R date code is 02J8
my power cord has melted into the plug in remote and can not be removed. What should I do?

27
Mar

Posted by Anonymous


3/27/10 1:06PM

Shortly after purchase we found that the fire would switch on without the use of the remote. At first thought we were mistaken but this was later proven. Retailer advised us that it may be interferience from car remote start. We requested a new control and remote. They were not forthcoming. We also noted that the control plug became quite hot, as did the immediate wiring. We therefore did not have the fire on at any time without supervision. The longest period that the fire would be on continuously would be three to four hours.