You know the vibe. You’re trying to live your best "sliving" life, your skincare routine is a 12-step masterpiece, and you’ve got a cute pink fridge on your vanity to keep your serums chilled. Then, out of nowhere, you hear that your "That’s Hot" aesthetic might actually be… a little too hot.
Literally.
In late 2025, a massive recall hit the beauty world. We’re talking about the Paris Hilton mini fridge recall. It wasn't just a minor glitch or a "maybe this isn't great" situation. It was a full-blown safety warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If you’ve got one of these sitting on your desk or vanity, you need to pay attention.
The Core of the Problem: Why It’s Not Just a Rumor
So, what’s the deal? Basically, the electrical switch in these units has a nasty habit of short-circuiting. When that happens, the fridge doesn't just stop working; it overheats.
The CPSC received 27 reports of these fridges overheating and catching fire. Imagine waking up to your skincare stash literally going up in smoke. It sounds dramatic, but for nearly thirty people, it was a reality. While nobody was hurt—thankfully—there was plenty of property damage.
The recall involves about 110,000 units. That’s a lot of pink plastic.
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The company behind the fridge, Epoca International, had to step up and issue a voluntary recall. They realized that the "recalled mini fridges' electrical switch" was a genuine fire hazard. Honestly, it's the kind of news that makes you want to go unplug every small appliance in your house right now.
Which Models Are We Talking About?
Not every single Paris Hilton fridge is a fire starter. The recall is specific to certain models manufactured before August 2024. If you bought yours recently, you might be in the clear, but you’ve gotta check the labels.
The affected units were sold at major spots: Walmart, Ross, Amazon, and various other online shops. They moved a ton of these between November 2022 and July 2025.
The 10-Liter Model
If you have the bigger 10-liter version, look at the bottom of the unit. You’re looking for these:
- Pink (Model PH11887): Serial numbers starting with 2024.
- White (Model PH11887-1): Serial numbers starting with 2024.
The 4-Liter Model
The smaller 4-liter ones are more common. Check the back of the unit for the label:
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- Aqua (Model PZB02-E001): Serial numbers 202206 through 202406.
- Hot Pink (Model PH12540): Serial numbers starting with 2024.
- Pink (Model PZP01-E001): Serial numbers 202206 through 20240704020.
- White (Model PZW01-E001): Serial numbers 202206 through 202406.
It’s kinda confusing, I know. But if your serial number falls in those ranges, stop using it. Now.
Why Do Mini Fridges Always Seem to Have Issues?
The Paris Hilton mini fridge recall isn't the first time we’ve seen this. Earlier in 2025, over 600,000 Frigidaire mini fridges were also recalled for fire hazards. It's becoming a pattern.
Why? Most of these "beauty fridges" are actually thermoelectric coolers. They don't use a compressor like your big kitchen fridge. Instead, they use a small fan and a ceramic plate to move heat.
Here’s the thing: they aren't really designed to run 24/7.
When you leave a $30 or $60 plastic box plugged in for six months straight, the components get tired. If the switch is cheap or the wiring is thin, things get melty. A lot of people on Reddit and TikTok have pointed out that these gadgets are "vibes-based" more than "appliance-based." They look cute in a "Get Ready With Me" video, but they aren't built like tanks.
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How to Get Your Money Back
Epoca International isn't just saying "sorry." They are offering a full refund. But you can't just toss it in a box and mail it back. They have a very specific process to make sure the "dangerous" fridges are actually taken out of commission.
- Unplug it immediately. Do not "wait until the weekend."
- Take a permanent marker and write the word "RECALL" in big, ugly letters across the front door.
- Cut the power cord. This is the "no going back" step. They want proof that nobody else can plug this thing in.
- Take three specific photos. You need one of the "RECALL" writing on the door, one of the model/serial label, and one of the cut cord.
- Upload them to the official recall site. You'll find the form at epoca.com/minifridgerecall.
Once they approve it, you get a refund via electronic check. It’s a bit of a hassle, but better than a house fire.
The Reality of Celebrity Branding
It’s easy to blame Paris Hilton. Her name is on the door. But celebrities usually just license their name to manufacturers like Epoca. Paris likely had zero input on the internal electrical switches.
Still, it’s a hit to the brand. When people search for "sliving," they don't want the top result to be a CPSC safety warning.
The lesson here is to be skeptical of "drop-shipped" style celebrity tech. If it feels like a toy, it might not be the best thing to leave running next to your bed while you sleep. Safety experts often suggest that if you really want chilled skincare, just use a small corner of your actual kitchen refrigerator. It’s safer, more efficient, and definitely won't catch fire because of a faulty 20-cent switch.
Actionable Steps for Owners
If you own any small beauty fridge, not just the Paris Hilton one, here is what you should do to stay safe:
- Audit your serial numbers. Check the list above. If your unit matches, unplug it right now. Even if it "seems fine," the short circuit can happen at any time.
- Don't ignore the cord-cutting step. It feels weird to destroy something you paid for, but it’s the only way to get your refund.
- Check your surroundings. If you have a mini fridge that isn't recalled, make sure it has plenty of airflow. Don't shove it into a tight closet or cover the vents with clothes or towels.
- Set a timer. If you use a non-recalled thermoelectric cooler, try giving it a break once a week. Unplugging it for a few hours can prevent the internal components from wearing out prematurely.
- Check for heat. Periodically feel the back of your small appliances. If the plastic feels hot to the touch or smells like "toasted electronics," it’s time to say goodbye.
The Paris Hilton mini fridge recall serves as a big reminder that even the most "glam" accessories need to meet basic safety standards. Be safe, get your refund, and maybe keep your eye cream in the "grown-up" fridge for a while.