120 volts on Instant Pot screws

[group7access]

My spouse was breaking up pulled pork in the Instant Pot using metal forks while the Instant Pot was plugged into the wall, but not on/heating – the stainless steel pot with the food was in the Instant Pot unit.

While doing so, she got a shock.

I know just enough to be dangerous (literally), so I got out my multimeter, took out the stainless steel pot, unplugged the Instant Pot from the wall, and started by putting my meter on Ohms/continuity and putting one lead inside of the pot and the other on each of the hot and neutral leads. Didn't see anything alarming.

Next, I plugged the Instant Pot in, but pulled the plug out just enough that I could be one of the meter leads on the neutral prong and the other, while on AC voltage, inside of the Instant Pot liner - nothing.

Next, I put the stainless steel pot back inside and now when I touched it with a lead, there was 120 volts. I took the pot out and thought maybe it was because the big button/pressure sensor thingy needed to be pushed in, so I pushed it in with the lead, and still nothing.

Then, I noticed two screws inside of the Instant Pot metal liner, so when I touched one with my lead, there was the 120 volts. Mystery solved... the stainless steel pot – while inside of the Instant Pot liner – is touching those screws.

My question now is: Am I correct in assuming that there should not be 120 volts on those screws/the stainless steel pot when it is in the unit?!
I have found some recall information about some Instant Pot units, however, the Serial Numbers quoted don't appear to match my serial number.

Pictures attached.

Thanks in advance!

 

[littlespark]

We hope your partner hasn’t had a serious injury from this. Might be worth mentioning it to a doctor.

The appliance looks fairly new, so is there any warranty period left? No harm in contacting the manufacturer and letting them know there is a problem.


Pulled pork….. yum.