Using a Glass French Press Safely After the Bodum Recall

Bodum's October 2026 recall covers about 5.9 million French press coffee makers with replaceable glass carafes, sold in the US for more than five decades. The remedy is not a new press. It is a free plastic stirring spoon, a warning label and a change of habit: no more metal spoons in the glass. This guide explains what the recall covers, why damaged glass is the real risk, and how to use and care for any glass French press so it is less likely to fail when it is full of near-boiling water. For the recall announcement itself, see our news story on the Bodum French press recall.

What the recall covers

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) notice dated October 29, 2026 (recall number 27-055):

• Products: Bodum French presses with 8-cup and 12-cup replaceable glass carafes, in the Bistro, Brazil, Caffettiera, Chambord, Crema, Java, Jesper and Kenya models.
• Hazard: a damaged or cracked carafe, including damage caused by stirring with a metal spoon, can break suddenly and cause serious burns.
• Reports: 70 reports of carafes breaking during use, including 48 reports of burns.
• Sold: at Target, Walmart, coffee and home goods stores and online, including Bodum.com, Amazon.com, Target.com and Walmart.com, from 1974 through October 2026, for about $15 to $65.
• Remedy: a free Bodum plastic stirring spoon and a warning label.

To identify a covered press, look for the Bodum name on the frame and inner lid and on the glass, where it is engraved with the warnings. Because sales go back to 1974, hand-me-down and thrift-store presses can be covered too.

How to get the free kit

The CPSC notice lists several ways to request the spoon and label:

• the recall website at bodumfrenchpressrecall.expertinquiry.com;
• "Recall Information" on bodum.com;
• phone 888-879-8213, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday;
• email Bodum3302@sedgwick.com.

While you wait for the kit, use a plastic or wooden utensil, or skip stirring altogether.

Why metal spoons matter

A glass carafe filled with hot water is under stress from heat. A small scratch or chip, which can happen when a metal spoon knocks against the inside of the glass, gives a crack a place to start. The CPSC's description of the hazard is specific: a carafe that is already damaged or cracked, including by a metal spoon, can break suddenly during use. That is why the remedy targets the habit rather than the press. An undamaged carafe stirred with a plastic utensil is what the fix is designed around.

Inspect your carafe before the next brew

Take the glass out of the frame and check it in good light:

1. Look for chips around the rim and spout, where the glass is most often knocked.
2. Run a fingertip gently around the inside and outside surfaces, feeling for nicks.
3. Hold it up to a window to spot fine scratches or cracks, especially near the base.
4. Check the bottom edge, which can be damaged when the carafe is set down hard.

If you find any chip, crack or noticeable scratch, stop using that carafe. Bodum's presses use replaceable glass, so you can replace the carafe or the whole press. Do not try to keep using damaged glass "carefully"; the reported breakages started with carafes that were already damaged.

Safer brewing habits for any glass press

These habits apply to any glass French press, not just recalled Bodum models.

Stir with plastic or wood. Use the plastic spoon from the recall kit, a wooden spoon or a silicone utensil. Stir gently, without knocking the glass.

Place the press on a stable, flat surface. Brew where the press cannot be knocked off the counter, away from the edge and out of reach of children.

Pour slowly and keep your hand on the handle. Hold the press by the handle, not the glass, and pour with the lid in place so grounds and hot water stay inside.

Press the plunger slowly and straight down. Forcing a plunger quickly, or at an angle, puts pressure on the glass and can splash hot coffee. If the plunger is hard to push, lift it slightly and press again more gently.

Avoid sudden temperature changes. Do not move a hot carafe directly onto a cold or wet surface, and let it cool before rinsing with cold water.

Keep children and pets away. Hot liquid burns are the main injury in this recall. Make sure no one is under or next to you when you pour.

Cleaning and storage

• Wash gently. Use a soft sponge rather than abrasive pads or steel wool, which can scratch the glass.
• Remove grounds with a plastic spatula, not a metal spoon.
• Take the carafe out of the frame occasionally to check for damage as you clean.
• Store it where it will not be knocked by other dishes or utensils.
• Re-inspect after any knock. If the carafe is ever dropped or bumped hard, check it before the next use.

If someone is burned

For any burn, seek medical advice as needed. Hot-liquid burns can be serious, especially for children. After any incident, stop using the press and report it to Bodum using the recall contacts above. You can also report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, which helps the agency track product hazards.

Should you switch to a different kind of press?

You do not have to. The recall's remedy keeps undamaged glass presses in service. Some households prefer to remove glass from the equation altogether by choosing a press with a double-wall stainless steel or ceramic carafe, which avoids this particular failure mode. Those designs have trade-offs: they are often heavier and more expensive, and you cannot see the coffee as it brews. We are not recommending specific replacements here; if you buy a new press, follow the manufacturer's instructions and check that it is not covered by any recall.

Common questions

My press is not one of the listed models. Is it safe? The recall lists specific Bodum models with 8-cup and 12-cup replaceable glass carafes. If your press is not listed, it is not part of this recall, but the same advice about metal spoons and damaged glass applies to any glass coffee press.

Do I need to send my press back? No. The remedy is a free plastic spoon and warning label. You keep the press and change how you stir.

Can I use a replacement carafe? Yes, if your current glass is damaged. Replace it before brewing again rather than continuing to use chipped or cracked glass.

My press is decades old. Does that matter? The recall covers presses sold since 1974, so age does not exclude yours. Older glass has had more years of knocks and washing, which is a good reason to inspect it closely.

What if I gave a press as a gift? Let the recipient know about the recall and the free kit, especially if they have young children at home.

Check your other kitchen items

Bodum is one of several recalls announced in October 2026. If you also use a space heater this winter, read our DREO space heater recall safety checklist. For winter gear, see our guide on rechargeable hand warmer battery safety. You can search for any product on the CPSC's recall site at cpsc.gov/recalls.

More about the company is on the Bodum brand page.

Editorial disclosure

This safety guide contains no affiliate links. SurfGirl never earns commission on recalled products. Facts are from the CPSC recall notice as of October 30, 2026; check the recall pages for the latest details.

References

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Bodum USA Recalls 5.9 Million French Press Coffee Makers with Replaceable Glass Carafes Due to Risk of Serious Burn Injury. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2027/Bodum-USA-Recalls-5-9-Million-French-Press-Coffee-Makers-with-Replaceable-Glass-Carafes-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Burn-Injury
2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. SaferProducts.gov. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.saferproducts.gov/