CPSC recall 02-159, announced May 24, 2002, covers Quantum North America Red Devil Gas Grills (about 155,000 units). The product's design allows consumers to light the grill at an air intake tube, instead of at the burner. The notice cites 21 incident reports. Both the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and QVC voluntarily notified their customers directly about the hazard these grills pose, and provided a remedy. Recall contact: call (800) 638-2772.
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Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
The CPSC data does not provide a discrete model-number list for this record. Compare the product description and identification details on the official notice.
They have a logo on the label of the lid and grill base showing a devil cooking at a grill with the writing, "Red Devil." CPSC sued e4L Inc. and Quantum North America Inc. to obtain a recall, and an administrative law judge granted CPSC a default judgment when these manufacturers failed to appear.
Which products are included?
These red metal gas grills have a tripod stand. They have a logo on the label of the lid and grill base showing a devil cooking at a grill with the writing, "Red Devil." CPSC sued e4L Inc. and Quantum North America Inc. to obtain a recall, and an administrative law judge granted CPSC a default judgment when these manufacturers failed to appear. The firms are liquidating their assets under bankruptcy law.
Confirm these details on the official CPSC noticeWhat to look for
- When sold
- May 1998 through January 1999
- Price paid
- $160
Why it was recalled
The product's design allows consumers to light the grill at an air intake tube, instead of at the burner. Though the grill appears to function normally, gas inside the air intake tube ignites. The tube can reach temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and present a burn hazard to consumers. In some earlier grills, the heat produced by lighting the grill at the air intake tube damaged the plastic support piece, and caused the grill to fall to the ground. When it collapses, flames from the grill can burn nearby consumers and ignite surrounding combustibles.
Incidents and injuries
The firm received 21 reports of the burners on these grills disconnecting and one consumer suffered burns. There have been 44 reports of consumers suffering burns to legs, hands and fingers, including reports of some third degree burns, after the grills collapsed during use. More than 1,000 consumers returned their grills to the manufacturers because the grills collapsed.
Official remedy
Both the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and QVC voluntarily notified their customers directly about the hazard these grills pose, and provided a remedy. Grills purchased from retailers other than the HSN and QVC are dangerous, and CPSC urges consumers to stop using them immediately. Since Quantum and e4l have declared bankruptcy, there is no remedy available. Vendors who are still selling these grills also are encouraged to stop doing so and contact CPSC. About 19,300 of these grills, sold directly by e4L, were recalled in July 1998 because the burners could disconnect from the burner pan. Even if consumers participated in this previous recall program, they should stop using these grills since this warning addresses a different hazard.
What to do now
- Check the product. This notice lists no model numbers. Compare yours with the description and photos in the official notice.
- Stop using it. The notice says to stop using recalled units immediately.
- Contact the firm. Call (800) 638-2772.
- Read the official notice. The CPSC notice is the final word on which units are included and what to do.
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Product and sales details
- Manufacturer
- Quantum North America Inc., of Encino, Calif., e4L Inc., of Encino, Calif.
- Product type
- Grills
- Recall number
- 02-159
- Units
- About 155,000
- Manufactured in
- Hong Kong
- Sold at / sales period
- Quantum and e4L sold these grills directly to consumers through television infomercials, from about May 1998 through January 1999, for about $160.
Red Devil Gas Grills
CPSC product type: Grills, Smokers & Accessories
This recall in context
Compared with the 77 grill recalls in this index, as of October 31, 2026.
- Size
- 155,000 units: the 4th-largest of 63 grill recalls that state a unit count. The median is 13,750 units.
- Hazards
- Fire: named in 52 of 77 grill recalls, the most common hazard among them. Burn: named in 34 of 77 grill recalls.
- Brand history
- Quantum North America is named in 4 CPSC notices in this index, from 2002 to 2003. This recall is the earliest. 4 of them are grill recalls.
- Time on sale
- 9 months. Recalled 40 months after the last month of sales the notice gives.
Recall contact information
Consumers who own one of these grills, who are aware of any incidents with these grills, or who want additional information should contact CPSC at (800) 638-2772 anytime.
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
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