On March 11, 2008, JCPenney recalled about 27,000 Cooks Deep Fryers after receiving one report of a minor burn to a consumer and three reports of damaged countertops. The recalled deep fryers may pose a fire and burn hazard because of a faulty heating element that can cause the units to overheat.

Recalled Cooks Deep Fryers have a stainless steel exterior, a wire mesh jacket with a handle, a lid with a window and black handles. ?Cooks? is stamped on the side of the recalled deep fryer, which has a 1/3-gallon capacity. Model number 22016 is printed on the bottom.

JCPenney stores nationwide sold the Cooks Deep Fryers. They were also sold in the JCPenney catalog and at www.jcp.com from August 2007 through January 2008 for about $50.

Consumers who own a recalled deep fryer should immediately stop using it and return it to a JCPenney store for a refund. For more information, customers can contact JCPenney at 888-333-6063, or visit the company?s website.

Source: ?JCPenney recalls Cooks Deep Fryers due to fire and burn hazards,? US Consumer Product Safety Commission Release #08-216, March 11, 2008.