Steam cleaner went up in flames!!!!!

[3happydancers]

JUST LIKE THAT! One minute it was fine, the next it was smoking!

I went outside to empty the dirty bucket water, so maybe I was gone 15 seconds, noticed a funny noise coming from the house, rushed inside only to find the thing smoking AND RUNNING!! (You have to turn it off to take the bucket out to empty so I know it was turned off).

The thing would not turn off at the switch, so I quickly unplugged it, carried this machine that weighs more than I do outside onto a rocky area, and WOOSH! UP IN FLAMES IT WENT!

Had to call the fire department to assist. The fire was so intense, the flames and black smoke rose high above my two story house. My neighbors from up the street came running to "SAVE ME" thinking it was my house and I was in it!

So, after all said and done, I called the B....l company (not sure if I can mention their name). They wanted the machine shipped to them so they can examine what went wrong . I had to explain 3 times that it literally went up in flames and there was very little left. They still asked for any parts to be shipped to them at their expense along with any pictures I could provide.

Today, I received a call from the company and they are replacing my machine with a brand new one!!!!! along with a few bucks to replace the gravel that was damaged outside. I must say, they resolved this problem in less than 3 weeks, IMPRESSIVE!

Just had to share with you guys.

I hope this is the right forum since it has to do with my not having to "PAY" for a new machine, saving me a few hundred dollars!!!

 

[TheRatPack]

Yikes...not sure if I'd want another one of their machines if it did that LOL Glad they took care of you as a customer though...how scary to have something that intense happen when you're just trying to clean the carpet.

 

[3happydancers]

Yikes...not sure if I'd want another one of their machines if it did that LOL Glad they took care of you as a customer though...how scary to have something that intense happen when you're just trying to clean the carpet.

I honestly DID think about not wanting another one of their brand, BUT, I know many other people who own them and have had no problems. (Maybe I should have just asked for the cash and then purchased the H..v.. brand )

And yes, it was extremely scary. Lesson learned, never leave anything plugged in unattended especially if it is a product that "heats up". This was a pro heat steam cleaner that would heat up the clean cleaning water.

 

[Maddle]

One more anecdote to add to my "Housework is Dangerous" file.

I am glad you are okay, and had the presence of mind to handle the situation. I would love to hear what the fire fighters thought of the event.

Maddle

 

[Local_Girl]

One more anecdote to add to my "Housework is Dangerous" file.

Maddle

What else is in that file?...this could be helpful in convincing DH that I shouldn't be doing something so dangerous.

To the OP, wow , glad you and your house are okay.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

One more anecdote to add to my "Housework is Dangerous" file.

I am glad you are okay, and had the presence of mind to handle the situation. I would love to hear what the fire fighters thought of the event.

Maddle

It is!

op, I'm glad you got it outside in time and are ok. Good to hear they made things right for you.

 

[EKW]

I have the old Big Green Machine. I need to replace a few parts...and thought about going with another brand after I saw your first post. The good thing is, it doesn't heat the water...you have to fill it with hot water. Guess I'll stick with my antique model!!!

 

[3happydancers]

One more anecdote to add to my "Housework is Dangerous" file.

I am glad you are okay, and had the presence of mind to handle the situation. I would love to hear what the fire fighters thought of the event.

Maddle

Thanks Maddle, we are very grateful that the only thing lost was the steam cleaner!

Do you think we should give up house cleaning due to the "danger on the job"?

 

[3happydancers]

What else is in that file?...this could be helpful in convincing DH that I shouldn't be doing something so dangerous.


To the OP, wow , glad you and your house are okay.

It is!

op, I'm glad you got it outside in time and are ok. Good to hear they made things right for you.

Thanks! And to think that we don't even get a "salary" for the hard, dangerous jobs we encounter every day!

I have the old Big Green Machine. I need to replace a few parts...and thought about going with another brand after I saw your first post. The good thing is, it doesn't heat the water...you have to fill it with hot water. Guess I'll stick with my antique model!!!

My husband says, "The less parts there are the less to go wrong." I do like the idea of just filling the machine with hot water too!

 

[Mommee]

OP did you also report it to the CPSC? You can do it at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

 

[lovetoscrap]

And yes, it was extremely scary. Lesson learned, never leave anything plugged in unattended especially if it is a product that "heats up". This was a pro heat steam cleaner that would heat up the clean cleaning water.

I think that is the same as what I have! Sounds like I need to do some research to see if this has happened to others.

So glad you were able to get it outside before it caught fire and weren't injured/burned in the process. That is a very scary story.

 

[3happydancers]

OP did you also report it to the CPSC? You can do it at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html

OMG, I never even thought to do this. I just reported it to the company who said they would investigate the pieces sent to them (no way will they figure out the problem, there was barely anything left except some pieces of metal and the very base of the machine).

Thanks for the info!

 

[3happydancers]

I think that is the same as what I have! Sounds like I need to do some research to see if this has happened to others.

So glad you were able to get it outside before it caught fire and weren't injured/burned in the process. That is a very scary story.

Research would be a good idea. Although the company said they have never had this problem, you never know!!!!

I am very fortunate to have walked away with just the loss of the machine. My family, house and all pets SAFE

 

[jessica52877]

I think we must have one that is super similar if not the same. I'll be extra careful watching DH when he uses it (he always uses it, too dang heavy).

Glad all is safe!

 

[chabs]

I had to click on your post because the same thing happened to me about a year ago. I ordered one of their machines from HSN and the first time that I used it-it started smoking and caught on fire in my living room. I had to hurry up and drag it outside before it burned my carpet. I didn't call the manufacturer (never thought to do so) but HSN did give me a full refund and paid for the shipping back. The lady on the phone at HSN said that it wasn't uncommon for this to happen. I thought that was pretty scary and now I never even leave my vacuum plugged in if I'm not using it!

 

[3happydancers]

I think we must have one that is super similar if not the same. I'll be extra careful watching DH when he uses it (he always uses it, too dang heavy).

Glad all is safe!

I hope I am allowed to post this: It was the B...le brand series #7950. My machine was approx 5 years old. I purchased it when decided to get a puppy!

 

[3happydancers]

I think we must have one that is super similar if not the same. I'll be extra careful watching DH when he uses it (he always uses it, too dang heavy).

Glad all is safe!

I had to click on your post because the same thing happened to me about a year ago. I ordered one of their machines from HSN and the first time that I used it-it started smoking and caught on fire in my living room. I had to hurry up and drag it outside before it burned my carpet. I didn't call the manufacturer (never thought to do so) but HSN did give me a full refund and paid for the shipping back. The lady on the phone at HSN said that it wasn't uncommon for this to happen. I thought that was pretty scary and now I never even leave my vacuum plugged in if I'm not using it!

Chabs, do you remember the style and series # by any chance? I see that HSN said this was NOT uncommon to happen, yet the "B" company said just the opposite. VERY INTERESTING!

Glad to hear you managed to save your house and your health too, but if you do not act quickly, your house could be up in flames!

Did you ever replace it with something else?

 

[cm8]

JUST LIKE THAT! One minute it was fine, the next it was smoking!

I went outside to empty the dirty bucket water, so maybe I was gone 15 seconds, noticed a funny noise coming from the house, rushed inside only to find the thing smoking AND RUNNING!! (You have to turn it off to take the bucket out to empty so I know it was turned off).

The thing would not turn off at the switch, so I quickly unplugged it, carried this machine that weighs more than I do outside onto a rocky area, and WOOSH! UP IN FLAMES IT WENT!

Had to call the fire department to assist. The fire was so intense, the flames and black smoke rose high above my two story house. My neighbors from up the street came running to "SAVE ME" thinking it was my house and I was in it!

So, after all said and done, I called the B....l company (not sure if I can mention their name). They wanted the machine shipped to them so they can examine what went wrong . I had to explain 3 times that it literally went up in flames and there was very little left. They still asked for any parts to be shipped to them at their expense along with any pictures I could provide.

Today, I received a call from the company and they are replacing my machine with a brand new one!!!!! along with a few bucks to replace the gravel that was damaged outside. I must say, they resolved this problem in less than 3 weeks, IMPRESSIVE!

Just had to share with you guys.

I hope this is the right forum since it has to do with my not having to "PAY" for a new machine, saving me a few hundred dollars!!!

, that sounded very nerve wrecking! And for the free replacement. I bet they had that very thing happen in a blind test study and did not report it and that is why the did what they did for you. Thank God you have caring neighbors, some people will watch you get burned up and or other things and not do a thing

 

[dd50]

OMG, how horrible. I still have the big green machine but was thinking of getting new one. Now you have made up my mind to go with the H instead of the B.