Manufacturing everything from appliances and bedding to home and health products, Sunbeam unfortunately did not fare very well in the gas-grill market. Read on to know the whole story… 
Sunbeam gas grills were sold across the nation by mass merchandise stores, such as Bradlees, Caldor, Home Depot, Service Merchandise and Wal-Mart, from 1996 through July 1998.
Due to an unforeseen manufacturing defect, in June 2006, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sunbeam Products Inc. recalled approximately 80,000 Grillmaster gas grills with side burners.
The defect? The side burner’s propane gas hose would twist up toward the aluminum casting of the grill, causing overheating and melting of the hose. This hose damage could result in gas leakage or fire.
Although Sunbeam Products received only one complaint from a consumer who requested a replacement hose due to the damage caused from the heat of the grill casting, they decided not take a chance and recalled the Sunbeam patio gas grills for repair. Thankfully, there were no reports of injuries associated with these grills.
The model numbers of the recalled grills were:
- 56GR8
- 560R8
- 562D1
- 562D9
- GC548517
- GG546517
- GS544417
- GS544717
- GS546517
- GG546537
- GG547517
The above models were black in color and had a side burner. You can identify these grills from the identification label on the back of the grill, and on the assembly instructions and parts list. The word, “Grillmaster” will also be written on the front of these grills.
If you own any of these Sunbeam gas grills, don’t lose heart as Sunbeam Products Inc. is offering a free retrofit kit. The retrofit kit contains a wire bracket guard with instructions for easy installation to help you correctly position the side burner’s propane gas hose.
However, if you were thinking of buying a Sunbeam grill, we suggest you also consider other options as a few Sunbeam grills had also been recalled in March 1998 because of a similar hose placement hazard. Safety comes first, so why take a risk?
