Alcohol-fueled fire pits—especially tabletop burners that use isopropyl, ethanol, or gel fuel—continue to cause severe burn injuries, unexpected explosions, and deadly flame-jetting incidents. In recent years, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued multiple urgent warnings instructing consumers to stop using certain fire pits immediately after reporting dozens of catastrophic injuries.
These federal alerts show a clear pattern: many portable or tabletop fire pits lack basic flame-arrestor technology, spill-resistant designs, or stability protections, making them prone to flare-ups and jetting explosions. Even when a flame appears extinguished, invisible embers can ignite a fuel bottle the moment a user attempts to refill it.
This article explains the key CPSC warnings, major dangers, safe disposal steps, and what to do if your fire pit hasn’t caused an accident yet—but matches the design profiles identified in federal safety alerts. We also provide guidance on when to contact a lawyer if you or a loved one suffered burns or injuries from one of these devices.
The CPSC has released multiple high-priority alerts regarding alcohol and ethanol fire pits. Several of these can be linked directly from your FirePitLawsuits.com recalls section, including:
These alerts warn consumers that flame jetting can occur even when the flame looks completely extinguished. Alcohol-based burners often use fuels that burn with a low, nearly invisible blue flame. A user may attempt to refill the burner, unaware that hot vapors remain inside. The moment new liquid is poured, the flame can travel into the container and erupt outward, shooting burning fuel across clothing, furniture, and skin.
CPSC’s warnings also note that many units leak alcohol during operation, allowing vapors or liquid to pool around the device—turning a decorative flame into an unpredictable hazard.
Health Canada has issued parallel alerts regarding alcohol fire pits, pourable fuels, and dangerous tabletop burners. For context and linking, these include:
Both agencies point to the same core hazards:
1. Flame Jetting
Flame jetting occurs when a violent burst of ignited fuel when vapors travel up the fuel stream, creating an explosive fireblast capable of instantly engulfing nearby people, clothing, and surfaces.
2. Spill & Splash Fires
Even slight tipping can cause burning gel or alcohol to splash several feet, spreading flames unpredictably across tables, patios, or skin before anyone has time to react.
3. Invisible Flames
Isopropyl and ethanol flames can be hard to see, tricking users into thinking the fire is out, leading to accidental contact, refueling attempts, and sudden flash ignition without warning.
4. Refueling Hazards
Most jetting injuries occur during refueling—especially indoors or on patios—when hidden embers ignite vapors and turn a simple pour into a dangerous, fast-moving fire explosion.
5. Lack of Safety Features
Many units lack flame arrestors, secure lids, child-resistant fuel bottles, stable bases, and spill-control engineering, leaving consumers vulnerable to fires that better-designed products could easily prevent.
Both agencies strongly urge consumers to dispose and destroy of dangerous units, not repair, resell, or give them away.
Many homeowners assume that since a fire pit has “never caused a problem,” it must be safe. Federal regulators strongly disagree.
CPSC and Health Canada have repeatedly stated that these fire pits:
If your fire pit model appears in any hazard alert, or if you are unsure if it is dangerous, or is similar to others described in alerts and recalls—even if yours hasn’t malfunctioned—you should treat it as a potentially dangerous and defective product.
Federal safety regulators have provided clear instructions: Do NOT use, resell, donate, or give away dangerous alcohol fire pits.
Here is the proper disposal method to avoid further risk.
1. Stop Using the Product Immediately
Even if the flame looks “safe,” alcohol vapors around the burner can ignite unexpectedly.
Do not test it “one last time.”
2. Let the Unit Cool Completely
If recently used, allow at least 24 hours for:
3. Empty Fuel & Dispose of It Correctly
Never pour leftover alcohol down a drain or into trash.
Follow these steps:
If the fuel bottle was part of the recall, keep it for your records.
4. Render the Fire Pit Unusable
This prevents others from mistakenly using it.
CPSC recommends:
Your goal is to ensure the device cannot be reignited by anyone.
5. Place it in Non-Burnable, Sealed Trash
Wrap components in thick layers:
Label it: “DEFECTIVE – DO NOT USE.”
6. Contact the Manufacturer for a Refund or Replacement
Most recalls include:
Keep receipts, photos, fuel containers, and packaging when possible.
People often try to resell unused or “lightly used” fire pits on:
This is dangerous and may even expose you to liability as a defendant in a fire pit injury lawsuit in someone becomes injured
Reasons not to resell or give the fire pit away:
The safest, most ethical action is clear: Destroy & Dispose of it Permanently.
If you need help destroying the product and rendering it inoperable and disposing of any flammable material, then take it to your local fire department and ask for their help and expertise
Victims of fire pit explosions may have claims against:
Because flame-jetting events often indicate design defects, multiple parties may share responsibility.
Fire pit burn cases often involve:
For more information regarding burns and injuries visit our fire pit injuries page.
If you were injured by flame jetting, a spill fire, or a defective fire pit that should have been recalled, contact Board-Certified Trial Lawyer David P. Willis. With 40+ years of experience, hundreds of millions recovered, and licensed in Texas and New York, our firm investigates defective fuel containers, unstable burner designs, missing flame arrestors, and failed warnings.
Your Consultation is Free, and You Pay No Fees Unless Your Case Is Won.
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FirePitLawsuits.com – National investigations of alcohol-fueled fire pit explosions and burn injuries. * Willis is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law (since 1988), certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.Representing injured clients nationwide through association with local attorneys in compliance with each state’s bar rules. Licensed in Texas and New York. Willis Law Firm, 5005 Riverway Drive, Suite 160, Houston, Tx. – Principal Place of Business – All meetings by appointment only.
Acknowledgment & Thank You – Certain Safety Images and Public-Education Materials, Alerts, and Warnings referenced on this site are courtesy of Health Canada and the CPSC.
