Kidde had recalls on most of their plastic handle/nozzle models last year (or year before). Like any tool, it’s all about how you treat it and what your intended use is. Cheaper extinguishers are made for small fires and are made to be one time use and disposable (non-serviceable) after some period of time. I don’t think plastic is evil, but you’ve got to know what the tool is made for and have expectations that meet those. Get a type that matches your expected fire type too...a kitchen fire is likely very different than other places inside or outside a structure, so get the right category.
One problem with fire extinguishers in vehicles (or boats, etc.) is that over time, the vibrations cause the powder to pack in the bottom (depends on how it’s mounted) and it becomes less than effective when needed. You would think it would be opposite but if mounted properly and not rolling around, the powder will tend to pack. If its powder is packed, you are spraying the pressurized gas and not much powder. If you are going to keep one in a vehicle, check it every few months and turn it upside down and lightly tap the side and bottom... you should be able to hear the powder moving inside when you turn it over. Another problem with a car extinguisher is getting to it and also being able to get at the source of the fire (usually under the hood). I would say the likelihood of successfully putting out a vehicle fire is lower than in say a kitchen.
The 2 times I’ve used a vehicle fire extinguishers at work was to put out fires not associated with my vehicle. Those are also commercial grade, checked monthly and serviced annually (very nice, but costly). One was to put out a small fire on a lawnmower across the street from where we were working. The other was to put out a small grass fire started from a larger work truck’s exhaust/heat after sitting on a work site for a while. Point is, the “vehicle” extinguishers have been used more for non-vehicle fires so they do have a good purpose.
Also, a lot of problems come from user error when a FE is needed in a time of what is panic for most...spraying the “flames” won’t do a thing! I taught my kids and wife PASS many years ago and ask them about it from time to time. We also made a small fire and I let them use one.
P = Pull the pin
A = Aim at the BASE of the fire (not the scary flames)
S = Squeeze the handle
S = Sweep side to side (at the base of the fire)
Also told them not to try to be a hero...at some point (usually a lot quicker than you think) a fire extinguisher won’t do you any good. Get out and save yourself/others...we can buy replacement “stuff” but not replacement people! Fire extinguishers and those skills are great to know but fire prevention measures and “what to do during a fire and getting out quickly” skills are usually more important.
