GE recalls 92,000 microwave ovens over fire hazard

[flashl]

General Electric Co is recalling 92,000 microwave ovens because they pose a fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Wednesday.

The agency said the ovens in question were sold at department and appliance stores from January 2000 to December 2003 under the GE and GE Profile brands, as well as the Kenmore brand of Sears Holdings Corp.

The recall will have no material effect on the financial results of the second-largest U.S. company by market capitalization, GE spokesman Russell Wilkerson said in an e-mail.

"The priority is always to solve the issue for our customers," he said. "The cost of the recall is immaterial."

GE knew of more than 30 cases of property damage, but no injuries related to the problem, the safety commission said.

The units in question, which retailed for $1,500 to $2,000, feature a traditional thermal oven below a microwave in a design that can be embedded in a wall, a picture on the safety commission's Web site showed. The agency said consumers could safely continue to use the lower thermal oven.

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Just in time for the holidays.

[shain from kane]

1. Made in China.

(Actually, the article doesn't say, could be Mexico, but conspicuous by its absence.)

[Ian David]

2. Maybe GE will drop them on Iraq. n/t

[Warpy]

3. Reuters never likes to load

Did that article give model numbers? Or should I just give up?

On edit: they're the wall combo units for over the stove, not the cheapo countertop units. Whew.