Harbor Freight Tools recalls tank top propane heaters

July 26, 2021 By Brian Richesson

Harbor Freight Tools recalled the One Stop Gardens 15,000- and 30,000-Btu tank top propane heaters, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported.

Propane heater recall image courtesy of Consumer Product Safety Commission

Photo: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

The heaters are designed to mount on top of a standard 20-pound propane tank and have an “easy start” with variable heat control valve, high efficiency heat reflector and safety shutoff.

In windy weather, the CPSC says, the flame can be directed to the rear of the unit, which can melt the “tip switch” safety shutoff feature at the rear of the heater. This poses a risk that the heater will not turn off if tipped over and poses a burn hazard to consumers.

The firm says it has received reports of nine incidents of flame redirection to the rear of the heater and/or the tip switch safety feature melting. Three of these incidents resulted in minor burn injuries when the consumers attempted to turn off the unit.

About 350,000 affected units were sold at Harbor Freight Tools stores nationwide and online from December 2015 through April 2021.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tank top propane heaters and return them to their local Harbor Freight Tools store for a full refund of the purchase price, plus applicable tax, in the form of a Harbor Freight Tools gift card, according to the CPSC recall notice. Harbor Freight Tools is contacting all known purchasers directly.