I just got a Foreman grill, and it’s warning me to not use an extension cord with it. I have one outlet in my kitchen, and it’s a good 15 feet from anything else in the kitchen.
Why can’t I use an extension cord with it?
WAG: the grill draws more current than a standard extension cord can safely handle(without, say, melting).
How can I check that?
That would depend on the extension cord.
They are making sure you don’t hurt yourself by using an extension cord. The power cords on these sort of appliances are often intentionally made short so that it doesn’t drag along the floor somewhere. Imagine the possible disaster of somebody tripping over the cord and winding up with the grill falling on them or some-such.
The extension cord shoudln’t be warm to the touch.
If you use a heavy-duty extension cord, you should have no problems; but if you do, you can’t sue them, because they warned you.
Look for a amperage rating on the cord and compare it to the amperage of the grill. Alternatively and potentially dangerously, see if the extension cord becomes perceptibly warm during use.
If the cord does not have an amperage rating molded into one of the ends, see if you can find the American Wire Gauge (AWG) used for the conductors. Smaller number = larger wire = higher amp rating. What the Underwriters Laboratories has to say may be clearer.
An appliance rated for 15 amps should not be used with a cord smaller than 14 AWG. Flexible cords are prohibited for use in lieu of installed wiring because they are subject to damage and are easily overloaded.
Worst comes to worst, 15 amp house wiring is 14 gauge – a 14 gauge extension cord is more expensive, but you should be able to combine convenience and peace of mind for about $20.
Outlets at kitchen counter tops and dinning rooms are required to be 20 amp. A 12 gauge cord would be more appropriate.
In order to help cut down on lawsuits from people burning their houses down, a lot of appliances say not to use them with an extension cord. That way someone can’t blame them when they start a fire by using a cord that isn’t rated for the amperage draw of said appliance.
"Outlets at kitchen counter tops and dinning rooms are required to be 20 amp. "
That has only been true in recent years.15 amp was the norm for so long it’s likely most U.S. houses have them.The prevalence of microwaves and counter top appliances led to the present code requirement.
Per the OP,the extension cord proscription is most likely from the hazards of tripping or snagging. Not to say overdrawing dangers don't exist. Most consumers don't consider wire guage and length in the use of extensions.FWIW my deep fryer has a MacBook style, magnetic breakaway power cord. Probably not a good idea to use it with an extension cord anyway, but still, it’s a means of preventing such accidents. A better accident preventer is my current affinity to my Dutch oven (much better deep fryer).
Ding! Ding!
We have the winner.
Yes, it’s for safety reasons to reduce the risk of having the unit pulled off the counter top resulting in serious injury.
Oh, I think you could still sue. Whether you would win or not is a different story, but you could still sue.
I think you are right…my deep fryer has a cord that’s about 1 foot long, and I always assumed that was why.
So far most of this thread is about using an extension cord with the appliance anyway. But people can trip over the extension as easily as if the company had built in a cord anyway. Say six feet, with the correct amperage rating so you can use the thing where you want to.
They don’t because it’s cheaper not to. They expect you to use an extension cord.
No safety concerns, no caring by the company of who gets hurt. Just cheaper to manufacture.