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View Full Version : A PSA regarding wire grill brushes


Mikhail
07-02-2018, 06:27 PM
Just heard this on TV... sounds unlikely. Possible but unlikely

https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/05/health/grilling-injury-wire-bristle-brush/index.html

No one gets out alive.

Joshw
07-02-2018, 06:34 PM
It happens, that is why the wooden paddle scrapers have become so popular. A lot of people use tin foil balls. I am still a wire brush hold out. They do sell what are called safety brushes now, although I have never used one. You should inspect your brush, and wipe your grates after cleaning.

mchar69
07-02-2018, 06:40 PM
It's all true. Interestingly, I just read the rules for a summer house we gonna rent in 3 weeks, it says "CLEAN THE GRILL". I think that a little irresponsible.
I am going to check the grates 1st thing, and clean them my way.

dadsr4
07-02-2018, 06:44 PM
And the bristles that fall on the ground taste good to pets.

Whitewookie
07-02-2018, 07:19 PM
I know this happens. But seriously, in all my years of using wire brushes, I’ve never had a problem and I’ve never known anyone that did.

I also never had butane lighter explode in my pocket. (When I used to smoke)

You guys?

VR,
Harold


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Montana Jack
07-02-2018, 07:59 PM
That story's been around a while, my wife got all worried, but I still use them and try to look to be sure grill is clean. Probably more likely to get hit by lightening while standing around checking food.

aerotech11
07-02-2018, 08:05 PM
That’s funny because it just happened to me on Sunday. My brother in law grilled up some burgers. I ate one and bit into something kind of hard. Pulled it out of my mouth only to find a piece of a wire brush. When I asked him about how he cleaned the grate he said wire brush. Just glad I didn’t swollow it. Makes you wonder how many pieces of wire brush you have eaten that have gone unnoticed.

smoke ninja
07-02-2018, 08:19 PM
And the bristles that fall on the ground taste good to pets.

If I leave a brush out bruno mistakes it for a stick.

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l520/smokeninjabbq/animals/20170306_110742_zps2pnrlugo.jpg (http://s1121.photobucket.com/user/smokeninjabbq/media/animals/20170306_110742_zps2pnrlugo.jpg.html)

m-fine
07-02-2018, 08:31 PM
I heard about this a couple years ago from a lawyer so I took it with a massive grain of salt. Then about two weeks later someone I knew ended up in the hospital for several days because of a swallowed bristle, and since then a second person I know has also been hospitalized. It is rare but real, and potentially very serious.

Blizzard
07-02-2018, 08:46 PM
Just heard this on TV... sounds unlikely. Possible but unlikely
.
This is such old news, stories like this have been around for several years. I’ve heard about this for at least 5 years now....

There is no way I’d use a wire brush to clean my grill. Why take the chance?

dadsr4
07-02-2018, 08:52 PM
An X-ray of 4-year-old Oliver Schenn shows the metal bristle lodged in his throat.
https://media1.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2017_29/1229488/oliverschenn-today-170718-inline9_d1322f601c16f1de192c19a8f3b1151a.fit-560w.jpg


https://www.today.com/health/barbecue-danger-boy-swallows-wire-brush-bristle-lands-er-t113968
And the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6126a4.htm
Your results may vary.

Kanco Connection
07-02-2018, 09:21 PM
Yep, I switched a few months back. Got one of those big wooden paddles and use foil sometimes too.

TravelingJ
07-02-2018, 09:29 PM
I'll keep using my brushes, till they don't work any longer.

Mikhail
07-03-2018, 05:10 AM
Interesting that some of us know someone it happened to. I have never had a problem, but I suppose I will switch to something else now. I do inspect my grill grates after I clean them, but that is more to see that the top surface is clean.

ronbrad62
07-03-2018, 05:38 AM
I have had wire bristles come off and fall in the recessed part of my gas grill with the infrared grates, in fact, it was my wife who told me to check. It has happened every time I use a wire brush, so I check it each time.

NeilH
07-03-2018, 05:45 AM
Using just the wire brush doesn't completely clean mine so I wipe with a rag afterwards, never an issue that way.

Titch
07-03-2018, 05:48 AM
We get a warning down here every so often as well
Guess i,m lucky not to use them much.
Good reminder though, thanks

Mikhail
07-03-2018, 05:56 AM
Just ordered a new brush from Grillgrates.

Big V
07-03-2018, 06:10 AM
My wife got one stuck in her throat a few years ago. Luckily, the ear, nose, and throat doctor got it out without surgery. DO NOT use grill brushes!!!!!

dbhost
07-03-2018, 10:30 AM
Not sure it is any better, but I use a Nylon bristle grill brush. Followed up with a foil ball and vinegar. Zero chance of a bristle being left behind to find its way into the food. Ash gets bagged and the bags tied up and knotted before disposal.

This does bring up a good point though. What is a truly safe way to clean the grill, especially the cooking grate?

Kevin89
07-03-2018, 10:38 AM
Do people not look at the grate they're cleaning? :confused: Have yet to run into this issue using the same cheap plastic brush with wires for years.

Pedro7
07-03-2018, 10:42 AM
My doggo brought my wire brush to me two days ago sparkly clean. She seems fine, but worries us. I'll be subbing it out soon. I've seen the ones with wire on one side and a brillo like pad on the other. Ill probably go that route.

Springram
07-03-2018, 10:49 AM
We are all in much higher danger of harm when we are in our automobiles BUT we assume the risk because it is the only way to get about for most us. The bristle brush is not the only way to clean the grates so why not use an alternative? Just because it has never been a problem does not mean it cannot become one.

Rockinar
07-03-2018, 12:44 PM
It happens. I use a plastic brush that Weber makes which uses reloadable brush cartridges. It works pretty good.