Some Thermos, Structo Gas Grills To Be Retrofitted To Prevent Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Thermos Company, Freeport, Illinois, is voluntarily replacing a component part in some of its "Thermos" and "Structo" brand gas barbecue grills sold since April 1989. The part is a hose, valve and regulator assembly which might leak gas and possibly result in fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is not aware of any fires caused by defective assemblies placed in "Thermos" or "Structo" grills.

Consumers who have purchased Thermos or Structo gas grills since April 1989 should inspect their grills before cooking again. Check for the name of the manufacturer of the hose, valve and regulator assembly which is stamped on the round metal regulator which connects to the liquid propane gas tank. If the name "Taiwan Pao-An Ind. Co." is not stamped on the regulator, no further action is required and the grill may be used for normal operation. If the name stamped on the regulator is "Taiwan Pao- An Ind. Co.," look for the serial number located on either end of the bottom base or inside the side panel of the grill. If the serial number is between 721791 and 886390, the hose, valve and regulator assembly may be defective and the grill should not be used until the assembly is carefully examined. If the serial number is not between these numbers, the grill may be used.

Consumers with Thermos or Structo grills bearing serial numbers within the suspect range should call the Thermos Company toll-free at 1-800-446-0475 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time, to obtain instructions for determining whether the hose, valve and regulator assembly on their grill is in fact defective and, if it is, instructions on how to retrofit their grill with a new assembly from Thermos. Consumers having questions about their Thermos or Structo gas grills may call the company, or write Customer Service Department, Thermos Company, 1555 Route 75 East, Freeport, Illinois 61032.

According to Thermos, 87,606 of approximately 675,000 grills shipped since April 1989 contain a hose, valve and regulator that may be defective. Thermos statistical studies indicate that one percent of those 87,606 (877) parts are defective.