Spikey Fire
Products and appliances

Drinks makers

Drinks makers usage and safety

For sparkling water, cocktails, or slushies at the press of a button, an electric drinks maker is the perfect addition to your kitchen. But they pose a risk if used incorrectly.

Electric drinks makers come in all shapes and sizes nowadays, such as cocktail mixers, draught beer dispensers, fizzy flavoured soft drinks or water machines, milkshake makers, and slushie machines.

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Key points

  • Drinks machines must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug and fuse. 

  • Only clean your drinks maker when it is unplugged. 

  • Do regular checks of the plug socket and cable for burn and scorch marks. 

  • Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them. 

Buying a drinks maker

  • Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the appliance may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse.
  • You will find lots of online reviews of drinks makers but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers.
  • Look for safety features to prevent accidents such as a valve to release excess pressure (which may be automated) and safety locks to prevent the device from being opened while it is pressurized.
  • Some drinks makers include a pressure gauge so you can monitor the pressure level and controls to manually adjust the amount of carbonation in your drink.
  • Register your appliance so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered. 

Using a drinks maker safely

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on using and cleaning it. 
  • Sit the drinks maker on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface, away from the sink or any liquids that could spill on it. And unplug it when not in use.
  • A drinks maker must only be used by or under the supervision of a responsible adult. Use and store it out of reach of children.
  • Be careful when pouring liquid in or out of the drinks maker so the power cable and socket remain dry. And don’t fill the drinks maker above the max mark.
  • Make sure the drinks maker is unplugged before cleaning it and ensure it is dry before being used again. Don’t immerse the drinks maker in water for cleaning. 
  • If you notice any odd smells, any sparking, cracks or damage, unplug the drinks maker immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer.

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first before buying. 
  • Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer.
  • Register your appliance with the manufacturer.
  • Keep the power cable and socket dry when pouring liquid in or out.

      

AVOID

  • Buying from third-party sellers online.
  • Overfilling the drinks machine beyond the max line.
  • Allowing children to operate a drinks machine.
  • Using the drinks maker if you notice any damage or sparks. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

Additional info

The market for at-home drinks makers is expected to keep growing as consumers are increasingly influenced by health and environmental concerns (reducing single-use plastic waste), convenience, cost savings compared to buying drinks from shops, and the opportunity for more personalised beverages.

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Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

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