CPSC Recalls Snow Peak Takibi Propane Fireplace Inserts After Lava Rocks Explode
Portland, Oregon — On October 8, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Snow Peak USA announced a recall of the company’s Takibi propane fireplace inserts and the lava rocks packed with them, warning that the rocks can ignite and burst apart when heated. The hazard at the center of this recall — a lava rock explosion inside a live propane flame — is exactly the kind of failure that turns a relaxing backyard fire into a burn-and-fire emergency, and it is a timely reminder as households roll out patio heaters and fire features for the cooler months.
What happened
The recall, assigned CPSC number 27-021 and handled through the agency’s Fast Track program, covers the Snow Peak Takibi Fireplace Propane Insert and the lava rocks sold with it, model number ST-332-US. The model number is printed on the packaging and in the user manual. The insert is an add-on accessory designed to run a propane flame inside Snow Peak’s Pack & Carry Fireplace L (model ST-032) and XL (model ST-034). About 100 units are affected.
According to the CPSC notice, the recalled inserts and rocks were sold exclusively on Snowpeak.com during July 2026 for roughly $350. Snow Peak received one report of lava rocks exploding and one report of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported. Snow Peak USA, Inc. of Portland, Oregon is the importer, and the products were manufactured in China and Taiwan. The company has said that its internal testing confirmed the problem and traced it to the wrong rock materials being substituted at the factory; newer inserts now sold on its website use different, tested rocks and are not part of this recall.
Why a lava rock explosion is a serious safety hazard
Lava rock is a staple of gas fire pits, fire tables, and propane fireplaces because it spreads heat and diffuses the flame for an even burn. But the material is porous, and that is where the danger lies. When the wrong type of rock is used, or when moisture becomes trapped inside the pores, rapid heating from a propane burner can cause that trapped water to flash to steam faster than it can escape. The pressure builds until the rock cracks or shatters, launching hot fragments. Near an open flame, those fragments can carry fire and cause burns, eye injuries, or property damage several feet away.
In this case, the CPSC states plainly that the rocks “can ignite and explode when heated in the propane insert,” and it classifies the risk as one of serious injury or death from burn and fire hazards. Even with a small number of units in circulation and no injuries reported so far, the mechanism is unforgiving: a single failure happens in the split second a flame is already burning, often with people seated close by.
- Affected product: Snow Peak Takibi Fireplace Propane Insert and lava rocks, model ST-332-US.
- Used with: Snow Peak Pack & Carry Fireplace L (ST-032) and XL (ST-034).
- Where and when sold: Snowpeak.com, July 2026 only, for about $350.
- The hazard: Lava rocks can ignite and explode when heated, risking burns, fire, and serious injury.
- Reported so far: One report of rocks exploding and one of minor property damage; no injuries.
What you should do
If you bought a Snow Peak Takibi propane insert from Snowpeak.com in July 2026, stop using the insert and the lava rocks immediately and contact Snow Peak for a remedy. The company is offering two options. You can return the insert and the rocks for a full refund using a prepaid shipping label. Or, if you want to keep the insert, you can request replacement lava rocks at no cost — but you must not use the insert until the new rocks arrive. The recalled rocks should be disposed of according to your local and state ordinances, not simply tossed in with regular household trash if your area regulates it.
What to do. Stop using the recalled Snow Peak Takibi propane insert and its lava rocks now. Contact Snow Peak at 888-424-4916 (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. PT, Monday–Friday), email info@snowpeak.com, or visit the recall page at snowpeak.com/pages/takibi-propane-insert-recall to arrange a full refund or free replacement rocks.
Context and what’s next
This is not the first time lava rock in a gas fire feature has drawn a federal safety action. In 2023, the CPSC announced a recall of Best Buy’s Insignia and Yardbird fire tables sold with lava rocks over burn and impact injury hazards, after reports that the rocks could be ejected from the units. The common thread is that the media inside a gas fire feature is not decorative filler — it is a component that has to be the right material, kept dry, and maintained, or it can become a projectile.
For the broader population of fire pit and propane fireplace owners — not just those affected by this specific recall — the safe practices are consistent and worth repeating as outdoor heating season begins. Use only the lava rock, glass, or media specified by the manufacturer for your burner, and replace it rather than substituting hardware-store rock of unknown origin. Let media dry fully before igniting, especially after rain or storage, because trapped moisture is a leading cause of rock bursting. Keep people, pets, and flammables back from a lit burner, and never lean over the flame while lighting it. Inspect rocks periodically and discard any that are cracked or crumbling. And register your fire features and sign up for recall alerts so you learn about safety actions like this one promptly.
Snow Peak says it has already moved production of its replacement rocks to a different factory and tested them, and the CPSC notice reflects that current inventory is not part of the recall. Consumers who are unsure whether their insert is affected can check the model number, ST-332-US, against the packaging or manual before using it again.
Disclaimer. This article is for general safety information only and is not legal, medical, or product-specific advice. Details, remedies, and unit counts reflect the official recall notice as published and may be updated by the CPSC or the company. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the latest guidance from the CPSC for your specific product.
Sources: U.S. CPSC — Snow Peak Recalls Propane Fireplace Inserts and Lava Rocks (Recall 27-021); Snow Peak USA — Takibi Propane Insert Recall; U.S. CPSC — Best Buy Recalls Insignia and Yardbird Fire Tables with Lava Rocks (2023); GearJunkie — Snow Peak Recalls Takibi Propane Insert.
