iOpener computers and video games
1 report to CPSC, the latest made Mar 4, 2015. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 1report to CPSC
- Mar 4, 2015the latest report was made
- Mar 4, 2015the earliest
- 1with the company’s comments
- Brand
- iOpener
- Maker
- IFIXITMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Computers and video gamesComputers, their equipment and electronic gamesCPSC’s product type: Computers (Equipment and Electronic Games) (code 557), in Electronics: Computers, Monitors, Projectors
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| March 2015 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
-
First aid Made Mar 4, 2015, sent to the company Mar 12, 2015, published by CPSC Apr 2, 2015
The product, in the report: iOpener from ifixit.com - a plastic container with glycerin? inside that is heated with the intent of then using to warm up adhesive holding together [REDACTED]s or other electronic devices. The model number for this report should be updated to be: IF145-198-5
Product: the “iOpener” by ifixit.com
The iOpener is a glycerol-filled container that is heated in the microwave and then used to heat [REDACTED] cases to ease in their opening (by heating the adhesive holding together their cases.)
I used the iOpener very strictly according to the directions. I never heated it for longer than 30s in the microwave and waited significantly more than the 2-minutes between heatings minimum that they recommend. On the first heating, I wrapped the iOpener in a damp paper towel, as recommended, and on the 2nd and 3rd heatings, it was on top of the damp paper towel.
After the 3rd heating, which was for 30s, the iOpener appeared normal while sitting in the microwave - no obvious leakage or damage. However, when I picked it up by one end and the iOpener went vertical, it burst about 1 or 2 seconds later as I was walking with it to my work table. When it burst, it sprayed hot glycerol over my torso and then leaked on to my foot resulting in 2nd-degree burns in both locations. The contents definitely seemed to escape “under pressure” and I have a photo showing how the contents sprayed onto my shirt (the pattern is interesting - not random).
I would think that even if overheated, the glycerol should not escape under pressure and so my own suspicious revolve around 2 issues; 1) the manufacture allows too much air into the inside of the iOpener; this air can get superheated, expand, and cause failures, or, 2) i was operating the device in Santa Fe, New Mexico at an altitude very close to 7500’ above sea level. perhaps the quantity of air inside the iOpener and the pressure differential was enough to cause failure at this altitude but the same conditions do not result in failure at sea-level.
I have photos of my blisters as well. I notified the company of the failure and they sent me a replacement which I am loathe to use given that it is the most dangerous consumer product I’ve run across in my 55 years.
- Model
- iOpener (new version)
- Bought from
- ifixit.com
- Bought
- Feb 21, 2015, about then
- Where
- Santa Fe, New Mexico: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 55, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand iOpener, made or sold by IFIXIT
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.